The National Register.
London, England, 1811-09-22 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

ebe pulpit.

No. XLVII.

•0,••••MM•

' Oe virtue's 'Wing, to higher night arise;
Deserve your bliss, anti viudirate the skies!
tit that fallen Edifice which Europe vlauu'd,
Von, like a guilts:, eolumn,' stand ;
Blind to the birth which pregnant time await'.
Awfully sate an the wreck of 'Wei. JERNINGIIAhI.
tu

Rev. THOMAS SHEPPARD, M. A.
)4ORNING PREACHER, at PENTONVILLE CHAPEL.
Modern professors have evidently but faint conceptions of the
seal with which religion at first inspired our believing fathers.
Its flame was not less warm in the hearts of the rich, than in those
of the poor; and it burnt still more bright, though not more
pure, in those ot the high, than in those of the low. History most
abundantly substantiates this position. One fact may, never-
tbell:ss, prove the point. it is recorded of the brave Grillon,
good as brave, who flouri.ihed towards the close of the fifteenth
century of our era, that, listening one day to a sermon on the
Passion ot the Saviour (" precher la Passion"), lw became vehe-
mently indignant at the treatment of Christ on the Cross; and,
placing, his hand upon his sword, exclaimed--" Where wert thou,
6rinon Grillon died on the 2d of December, in the year 1615.
Perhaps the spirit of the virtuous and valiant Grillon, however
laudable elsewhere, partook too much of that in which Peter
smote the ear of one of those who assisted in the apprehension of
Jesus, and for the indulgence of which this disciple was so gene-
rously but effectually rebuked by his divine master. This was,
perhaps, the case. Still the fact remains just the same, and comes

roost clearly to the point.
Naturally attracted by that species of eloquence which capti-
vates the imagination and electrifies the affections, seductive
though is prove to the judgment, mankind are not immediately
disposed to appreciate the value of that santiloquence which so-
licits attention, and insinuates conviction. Boanerges will have
mare votes that Barnabas. Now is this taste, notwithstanding
its popularity, the best of tastes ? Whoever bath examined the
character of those discourses which were delivered by the great-
est preacher that ever appeared to enlighten and meliorate our
vrorld,—those of the Son of God !—must perceive their charm-
terisaic excellences, next to tite truths which they teach, to con •
sist in moderation, winningness, and simplicity. Thus did be
speak and teach, who spake as never man spice. His was the
',till small voice, which yet his sheep heard, and which his sheep
still know. •
Retiredness of living and humility in teaching, shunning the
glare of that world which they lighten, are most estimable on the
port of preachers of the Gospel ; and that these qualities do very
generally distinguish the ministers of our establishment, con-
ceding some few exceptions, none but their most obdurate oppo-
mints will be disposed to controvert. Amongst pastors who so
Dive and teach, illuminating and improving their contemporaries,
truth has to rank the Present preacher.
The reverend THOMAS SHEPPARD, M. A. was formerly of
St. k.dinund's Hall, in the University of Oxford ; an episcopal
seminary which seems remarkable for the number of orthodox
instructors with which it has, for some years past, supplied the
pulpits of the established church. Mr. Sheppard has not risen
immaturely into notice, but gained progressively and deservedly
in the public eye. He succeeded the late reverend Mr. Faulkner,
-and preceeded the reverend Mr. Wilcox, at Ely Chapel; and is
now Minister of Pcntonville Chapel, being Morning Preacher ;
and also Afternoon Lecturer, at St. Mary's, Stoke-Newington.
Humility becomes orthodoxy. It is not by disguising his ge-
. au ine opinions, halting whilst thinking, in order to please most
that Mr. Sheppard obtains the
men by being honest with none,