The National Register.
London, England, 1813-08-29 00:00:00

TO THE EDLEOR OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

is some time since I troubled you with a letter;
and reading Onisimus's account of the late worthy Dr. RAN
DOLPI-Cs resistance to the self-duhhed Evangelical Preachers,
has occasioned my intruding with this. The only way of
judging. which party is right, is by comparison of theirs with
the primitive modes ; or, in other words, with the doctrines
of our blessed Saviour and his Apostles. Tic Evangelical
Doctors seem to confine themselves principally, if not
wholly, to faith ; those of the establishment to faith and works.
and this latter appears to be most agreeable to the sacred
exemplar. Our Saviour's sermon on the mount is nearly
wholly ethical, and he every where represents works as the
proof of faith. The Establishment as well as the Evangelicals
Breach faith as the ground of salvation ; so did our Saviour,
but it was a practical faith, and be always united works
with it.—" Love Cod and your neighbour as yourself"—
Ile tells us " the tree shall be known by its fruit"—the faith
by its works. Now, as the majority of mankind are not in
tic habit of judging for themselves, or giving themselves
much trouble in examining causes and effects, or de-
ducing consequences from causes, they are too apt readily
to rest upon the instruction given them, without labouring
thoroughly to digest it, which is perfectly necessary, if they'
wish to profit by it; and, therefore, it is fitting that their
duty should be so plainly and comprehensively pointed out
to them, in its every bearing and latitude, that they .may
not Fossibly mistake it : this the Establishment do; the
Evangelicals, I think, do not. Our Saviour did this and
his Disciples also ; they also addressed themselves to the
understandings of their hearers ; this too is the mode of the
Church ,as we call it), the Evangelicals seem, to me, to ad-
dress the passions most: now the effects of all impressions
upon the passions is more violent, but neither so lasting
nor so efficacious as that mada on the understanding ; for
the first, impetuous in nature, are soon tired, and require
perpetual excitement, and are likewise always at war with
reason : their zeal is powerful but evanescent. The latter
(the understanding) cool and progressive in its disposition,
once excited, rests not upon a simple impression, but gra-
duates temperately, till it is fully possessed of its .subject,
and that which it adopts becomes a habit; whereas, the
adopted of the other is more like what one may term a fancy.
Faith is the essential, works the active principle. Faith
cannot sive without works; then, he who preaches the two
undivided, certainly peaches most like a Disciple of Christ,
as I understand the doctrine. Faith without works is like
the charity that says " be thou warmed, be thou cloathed,

Bit •

t

AUG

&c." but only says so. To every enlightened mind ,
ing faith is perhaps to preach works also, because
enlightened mind must know they are inseparahl
few comparatively are enlightened; and therefore
pre.aching faith, as the great essential, works must be ,
ed that the ignorant may know they are the only p

faith.
For what purpose was man created ? for his own
tale.--For what purpose seas he redeemed ? for his o
vantage.—The Deity could be made no happier, no
by either circumstance,—infinite and perfect in air
tributes, the diffusion of happiness appears to be his
of action, consequently he could command no religion
did not embrace the happiness of mankind as the p!
object, after his own honour and glory ; and that hat
is only to be obtained by the active principle of mor.
Every man has a part to act; but of what service
mankind whose religion goes no farther than faith ? " The
Devils believe," bwt their faith does not save them. Faith
and morality, therefore, should always be preached together,
lf,Ministers would preach efficaciously to the world at large.
Instant eonrersions have probably happened, though it
is to be doubted if often. Conversion is generally like
every operation of nature, progressive. The Deity could
have created the world and all therein at a word speaking ;
yet we are told the Creation took six days; might not this
be a lesson to us that every thing must by perseverance be
brought gradually to perfection. Conviction is mistaken
often for conversion ; many may be convinced without being
converted, none can be converted that are not convinced.
As to election, any thing less than an Apostle must be deem-
ed presumptuous that calls himself elect. St. Paul entreated
others to pray for him lest he should become a cast-assay ;
bow then shall the Rev. Mr. This or the Rev. Mr. That, or
any of their disciples, call themselves elect ? OLIV ER
CROMWELL on his death bed asked one of his puritanical
ministers whether it was possible for any one who had once
.had the grace of God (or in other terms, who was one of the
elect) to be cast away, was answered "it was impossible"—
" then," said the regicide and usurper, " I am satisfied, for
I am sure I once had the grace," or words to that effect.
Now this is nonsense, or rather the answer was nonsense;
none can deny that St. Paul had the grace of God, and
I , might be called one of the elect, yet he feared that he might
I be cast away. Onesimus in a paragraph of Sunday (August
15), says—" Divested of party spleen there is not an equita-
ble individual who can defend the conduct of the new secs
taxies as it regards the Establishment." This pleases me,
because he has puzzled me once or twice to determine
whether he was advocating the Establishment or Evangeli-
wcalism, as it is enthusiastically called ; and as he appears
1 to me to be a man of sense, I was vexed to find him, or rather
i think him, inclined at all to visionary theories. In some of
1 his essays, &c. I think be is not clear enough, or rather his
ilanguage is too metaphysical for three-fifths of his readers ;
and I question whether his clerical criticisms will be of that
eventual service to religion be appears to mean they shall;
an implicit submission to priestcraft every true Christian
ought to oppose, but holding up the priesthood to criticism
to the millions, is taking from them the sacred ephod (if I
may use the expression) that sanctifies them in the eyes of
the world. Let us teach our fellow-creatures to go to church
humbly and reverently, not with" curious and itching ears",
I n,
or set them an example to canvass the manner instead of
the mistier of their pastors. I could say much more on this
subject, but it might appear personal ; and I can assure
Onesimus I have not an improper feeling towards him. . I
read all his strictures, (though I did not approve all) and if I

UST 29.
ind preach-
*use every
arable; but
refore after
t be preach-
ify proof of
own advan-
his own ad-
, no greater
n alt h:s at-
his motive
eligion that
he principal
at happiness
of morality.
vice is he to

AUGUST 29.

EN

had not thought respectably of him, I shotild
a second. I think he would do well to consider

the plan be.generally pursues; I may be wrong, so may he;
but I can assure him this is good naturedly meant He has
said ii uch about HUNTINGDON, or HUNTINGTON, I dont
know, at this moment, which, but I mean the Coal-heaver—
he might be good, he might not: if the cir umstance of his
chapel assignment, that is, his trick to it assigged to
him, is a fact, he was a hypocrite and impos ;.His " Bank
of Faith" is, from what little I know of it, a libel against
the Deity, and his epitaph a piece of presumption paralleled
by none of latter days. In fine most sectaries in religion
are like sectaries in general politics, noisy, empty, and sel-
fish. Apologizing for so long intruding on your time,
I am, Sir, your Constant Reader,
and Old Correspondent,
A LAYMAN.

Aug. 16, 1813.

DRAMATIC REGISTER. '

ENGLISH OPERA.

As long as the Managers of this Theatre possess so excellent a
C►►mpany as that which they have assembled this season, they need
not fear the competition of any rival, whatever its ;directions may
be. As long as, with those able pertormtvs, they produce or revive
pieces of real merit, they must rest assured of the favour of the
Public, and the fulness of their houses ought to quiet their fears,
and raise them above all jealousy. Instead of opposing the Pan-
theon establishment, they ought to consider it as one of the causes
of their success, since it has induced them to make exertions which
are esery night duly rewarded. This proves bot► the propriety,
and the advantage of competition, and ought to he satisfactory to
all parties. Never did the Lyceum display a more unmixed as-
semblage of theatriell merit, and never were its performances more
numerously attended.
The Public has lately been gvatified at this Theatre with the re-
presentation of One o'clock, or, The Wood Demon ; one of the most
interesting and splendid operas on the Stage. It is brought for-
ward with every attraction which the united powers of dress,
scenery, pomp, magic and histrionic skill can supply. To pai
!arise, where all deserve high praise, may seem envious; but it is
impossible not to acknowledge, as usual, the pre-eminence of Miss
K ELL Y's exertions, and not to a,:mire the excellence of Mr. PHIL-
Lies, not only as a singer of the first class, but as a tragic per-
former of great eminence. From the specimen he gave us in the
part of Hardyknute, of his power to delineate and express the tur-
moil of passions which rend the human breast, he really makes us
wish that lie would try that walk of the drama, in which he ap-
pears as well qualified to succeed as in his own.

shalt consider the merits of the two
acquisition enabled the Pantheon Company .
to represent last Wednemlay for the first time, and every nigiit
'since, the Play of the Mountaineers, in a manner that would not
have disgraced an older establishment.

.557

Mr. Musnmn, (from the. Theatre Royal Manchester) who as-
sumed the part of Octavian, is not entirely unknown in this metro-
polis.. Three years ago, he appeared in th•same character', at the
Lyceum; and was received with great marks of public approba-
tion. These, he continues to obtain, and in some degree, to deserve.
With the exception of his countenance, which, from the want of
prominent features seems better suited to comic, than tragic ex-
pression; he possesses many of the requisites necessary to form a
respectable performer. His ♦oice is excellent, In richness and power,
it surpasses that of most actors on the stage, and enables leim to pro-
duce those varied intonations, which, when skilfully contrasted,
are attended with considerable theatrical effect. His enunciation
is clear, his manner impressive, his ;cation good, though not, per-
haps, sufficiently varied. His judgment seems generally pure,
though he sometimes hurries too quickly over passages, which a
stronger emphasis would render justly prominent. He has evi-
dently formed himself on the model of KEMSI.E and Youivc, and
with greater powers of voice, displays souse of their excellencies.
Too correct to be very spirited, he did not give Octarisn'e hysteric
laugh, on knowing Flortuttke, . with armeich effect as we expected,
but there is no doubt that. he moist have been considerably checked
throughout Iris performunce, though it betrayed no apparent marks
of it, by the continual tinkling of the piano, to which he enlist have
been entirely unaccustomed. His reception, by a numerous au-
dience, was most uttering.
The next performer, who has attracted our attention, as above
the common level, is Mr. ffmr.tsGToa. In the part of Butes:4w
Muley lie displayed that mixture of feeling and iu►pettwwty which
constitutes the character, with peculiar felicity. He was animated,
and natural, spirited without ranting, and affecting without
langour.

FINE ARTS.
-..,,,m- •
CHRIST REJECTED BY THE JEWS.

Having been lately favoured with a sight of the grand pictnrr,
which Mr. WHIT. the indefatigable President of the Royal Aca-
demy, is now finishing, we feel happy to have it in our power to
give an idea of the whole subject and composition to the public, al.
though we find it impossible to describe the profound impression
which it has wrought Upon our mind.
The whole of the design may be divided into five principal
groups. On the right of the performance, befnre one of the por-
ticos which adorn Gabbatha, a paved court belonging to the Pi e-
torium, the first group stands, composed of Our Saviour, the
guards atteneng him, the gratetid centurion, and others. To
noble and elegaa figure of Pilate connects the first group with the
second, which contains the high priest Cakplian, followed by the
rulers of the people, and some of the most inveterate enemies of
Christ, mixed in the crowd with Peter, Joseph of Arirnathea, and
a few other disciples and friends. The third group, contrasting
that of Christ by the character of its personages, yet bearing a pie-
torial analogy to it by its passiveness • and repose, comprehends
the murderer Barrabbas, the thieves condenmed to be crucified.
and some Roman soldiers. In oppositiont to this, and in perfect
sympathy with that of Christ, the group of the holy wo:neu appears
on the foreground ; it contains the mother of Jesus supported by
St. John, and surrounded by several women attached by affection,
respect, or gratitude to Our Saviour; before them, Magdalen
throws herself upon the cross ; and contrasted by the figure of the
highpriest, unites this group with the fifth, which, made up of the
Roman guards, the executioners and lictors preparing the instri
meats for the crucifixion ; and, opposed msst ingeniously to the
figures above, closes an uninterrupted chain of the most interesting
objects.
As to the executi.in and colouring. we are persuaded that it sur-
passes nut only what we have seen of late from different haiids, but
even the last performances of the venerable Artist whom we can,
without flattery, compare to the Sun of a summer day, whose light
increases in brightness, splendour and fulness, in proportion with
his approaching nearer to the horizon.

rATIONALREGISTER.
•
natlkvelliad derabio oatare'aitd spirit, we shall
ler..injitle op new performers, whose acquisition