The National Register.
London, England, 1808-10-02 00:00:00

OCT. 2.

the :Norwich Company, with which. he continued about
tune years. Whether, as his enemies affirm, Mr. Moore
re:Mt purposed to take up the histrionic profession, is not
tor me to judge. As a candidate for clerical honours, his
coniluct appears to have been in this instance seriously re-
prehens,bie. de experienced much difficulty in returning
to those sacred pursoits which he seemed to have aban-
doned ; and, what is intinitely to be regretted, doubts have
since been entertained, however groundlessly, even of
his sincerity. Let him sedulously efface all impressions
unfavourable to his own character, and injurious to the
~Teai cause in which he is now engaged. Purity of lile,
soundaess of doctrine, and energy of exertion, furnish
the best defence that christian teachers can oppose to the
accusations of their adversaries. It is not enough if the
minister of religion stands chargeable with no positive im-
proprieties. Ile must not content himself with negative
flu:mess. lie must rise above even the imagination of
evil imputations. Ile must not only be unimpeached, but •
unsuspected ; not only guiltless, but spotless.
Mr. Moore, I believe, is indebted for much of his pub-
licity to the Rev. Nit. Haslewood, a gentleman at whom 1
lately glanced. Mr. Ilaslewood, indeed, is of importance
in this metropolis. lle is commonly of importance, as
one of those who trade in chapels ; and, considered as the
earliest and most efficient friend of Mr. Moore, he de-
mands mention in this place. The traffic in chapels, to
which I have incidentally adverted, is carried on to such
an extent as to have become one of the most lucrative
blanches cif commerce. There is now as much of religious
as ut mercantile speculation. Churchmen and methodists
me a most equally competitors in the market of piety.
Each ut the- parties erect, or purchase, religious edifices ;
leis, actuated by motives as prudential as praiseworthy,
they both contrive, while consulting the good of souls,
to have constantly reference to " those things which are
necessary as well for the body as the soul." \Vise in their
geheration, while they manage the affairs relating to
another world, they have respect to the chief concern of
the world :n which they at present exist.
Placed in situations propitious to the display of his to-
tems, Mr. Moore was soon ranked among the fashionable
divines of the age. He had also the fortune to attract the
Committee of the Foundling, who, anxious to secure what
Ihev considered to be a superior acquisition to their cha-
pel, engaged with Mr. Moore, under circumstances mani-
festing toe most uncommon liberality on their part, as an
alternate Kvening Preacher. Ido not say their selection
w,,s infelicitous; but l wing assert, that the object of it is
in the possession only of factitious popularity.
Mr. Moore has committed to the world " A Sermon
preaenett, on Tuesday, January 3, 1±40,1, at the Presentn-
tuill of Colours, by the Countess of Ilarrington, as repre-
staitatiye of Iler Majesty, to the queen's Royal ltegiment
of Volunteers,- &c. &c. The author, it appears, was Ho-
n:if-au Chaplain to this Volunteer which cir-
cumstance, most unfortunately for his literary reputation,
compelled the Corps to do him the honor of requesting him
to print what lie had preached. If any judgment is to be
formed of his abilities, front this address, for I cannot dig-
nify it with the title of sermon, to his countrymen, Mr.
Moore has nothing to apprehend trout criticism but its
neglect.

l'uhlir speakers often Owe so much of their success to
ther racquet-, that the matter of their discourses rewatus
1111011 y uninvestigated. This inattention, however, eve-
riall) as it idled* the pulpit, is most devoutly to be depre-
cated. While such solicitude is constantly shown as to the
thificerN ot' sermons, let us not always forget the materials
of which thew happen to be composed.
Mr. Moore is a polite preacher. His style is florid and
(Whist!, his voice accurately regulated, his person rather
preposs-ssimr, his dress calculated to display his personal
vares, and his action studied, lie is throughout artificial.
lle enters the pulpit with all imaginable decorum t when he
Pra)s. lie tutus up his escs just hit' enough to aliOw Uhnu