The National Register.
London, England, 1817-03-31 00:00:00

TIIE NATIONAL REGISTER.

10

kuntop 2tinti4cmcntO.
ON TIIE EXISTENCE, UNIFY, AND WORKS OF GOD.

••• Before we commence the prtsent article, we beg leave to info=
one readers, Out we pin-pose in future regularly(exeept when
absolutely prevented by the press of temporary niattvr) to devote
a portion of our journal to stilk.;ects of a moral and religious nature;
and that we vhould f rl d articulately obli.fecl by the comutunication
of any aaectlot:s or intelligence. foreign or domestic, which may
tend to promote or illustrate the free progress and great ends of our
common Christianity.

. IT is highly gratifying to the lovers of our country
and its venerable establishment, to observe, that, whilst
the suns of anarchy and infidelity are holding up to

-public scorn and ridicule the doctrines and forMuhiries
of the Christian faith, there are not wanting a suf.&
qient number of racn of sound learning and genuine
.pi2ety ready to stand forth—and who do boldly stand
fiwth—the champions of the " faith once delivered to
.the saints." Men, whom no fear of the sne,vs of the
•wieked—no scoffs of the profane—no dread of singula-
rity—can deter from that path of duty which religion
and the laws so clearly point out as the road to true ho-
nour, substantial peace, and eternal happiness. The press,
which, alas! is made the vehicle of an almost unbounded
licen iousness, teems with publications tending to up-
hold the mighty pillars of our national presperity, by
a fearless advocacy of the truths of religion, by able
and lucid illustrations of its heavenly doctrines, and by
a successful resistance of all attempts to undermine its
foundations.
The mischievous author of the "Age of Reason,"
so greatly admired by mist of our modern reformers,
.boasted that he had plucked up, root and branch, the
once flourishing plants of christian righteousness. " The
priests," said this boaster, "may indeed stick them in
the ground again ; but they cannot make them grow "
Impious worm! never shall the trees of Lebanon fade

whilst they arc watered and protected as they arc,

under the fostering eye, and watchful providence of
the Omnipotent " HUSHAVDMAN:" they will flourish
and grow through eternal seasons, they will bloom
through an immortal spring, and their unfailing
fruits trill ever continue to be, what they always have
been, " peace and joy."
The bhophemons parodies have nearly disappeared,
and Cie rewards of all unrighteous cupidity have been
mocked "'The scat of the scorner" has been threaten-
ed, anti we must not look for martyrs amongst infidels.
They are not ambitious of crowns, which, could they
once, (as their brethren across the channel recently
did) break the boundaries of legitimate authority, they
would so lavishly bestow on the friends of Chris-
tianity-.
But we must restrain our own observations to afford
room for a brief notice of a work lately published, en-
titled, "Discourses on the .1J Iles' Creed, preached
at St. Margaret's Church, Westminster, in the Spring
of 1816; and intended principally for the instruction
•of the young. By the Rev. Robert Stevens, A.NI."
This work is the production of a sound orthodox di-
'inc, of one who ailvocates the cause of religion in the
mount of a true christian, and a rational philosopher.
As a specimen of his style and manner we quote apor-
tion of his first discourse.
"The lust article of the Creed is, ' I believe in God, the
Father Almighty' Maker of Heaven and Earth.'
" All nations have concurred in the belief of a Supreme
Being. This assertion may be considered equally true, whe-
ther men worship the One Only God, or One Only God un-
der a similitude or image, or more gods than one; for, al-
thonch there be mistake in the mode of worshipping. or with
regard to the object worshipped, yet the very set of adore-
lion proves a lichen!' a snnerior pows. .1i we look into the
history of 111 nations, and observe their various manners, ha-
bitudes and propensities, we skill final, that they have always
been more prone to idolatry, than to Atheism ; and that
svhere millions have bowed themselves before the altars of
their gods, but a few solitary individuals hive dared to raise
their voice, and say, there is tio God. Indeed it seems im-
possible, that creatures endued with reason, and capable of
contemplating the works of nature, and the existence of
effects beyond their ability to produce, should not acknow-
ledge all they see and atbuire to be the creation, at least, of a
Aryerior, if not an Omnipotent cause. All men, however
ignorant and uncivilized, possess the faculty of reason, by
the exercise and operations of which, they cannot but enter-
tain notices of his existence, the moment they are capable of
observation sail reflection.
...Resides this tuaiversal suffrage of mankind, we derive

mart satisfactory confirmation of this great fit ridamental truth,
Jnntt the in esistible evidence of cause and elect. We know
that we did nut create oursi Ives, that we cannot create
Anthers. We know that we did not produce inanimate matter,
and that inanimate tuatter cannot produce itself. And we
cannot but feel, that creation is an stet above our ability to

perigee's. We arrogate not this power to ourselves; mail in
others like ourselves, we will not allow it to exist. Hence it
is clear, that creation must be the work of a Being superior
to man. Nov, it we trace eve ry etiect to its cause, and con-
tinue to perform this operation of the mind, we shall, at best,
• rivu at some cause which never was an effect, which has
existed from all eternity, necessarily of itself, and indepen-
stela* of every oilier, anil which has prodnceel all thin:4s in
the universe. This cause is God, the Deity we wurihip and
Lime.
•• He is, likewise, the One Only God. Theis senile the
tor& the king of Israel, and his Redeemer the Lord of Hosts;
I :rut the first, and I am the last, and beside rte there is no
00:1• ThAt there cannot he a plurality of gods is evident ;
for were nwre gods than oar, either one of them mist
have supremacy over the rest, or all antt,t be equal. If we ae.

• Isaiah

knowledge this premacy, wee cannot consistently submit to
any other au:horny ; we cannot consent to be subject to
powers, themst Ives subject and subordinate. If we say ell
are equal, then all are Omnipotent, till unr Creators. all go.
eernors of the world, all kings that have a right to our 'massage
and service; and what could result from such a belief, but
the utmost olisrordancy and confusion :Nlialtiplication is re-
pugnant to the rat►tre of the Deity. Ile cannot admit of any
association in power nod empire. Were we to allow a pia-
rabiy of gods, we could set uo limits to their aan►ber. Let
one man affirm, that there ore two or three; and smother
may, "with as much reason, assert, that there are thirty
thousand. _ . _

Besides, let us observe the order and regularity that are
every where seen in the creation and government
.of the
world. Does not every thing proclaim the unity of God
does not all created nature, dies not every arrangement of
Providence, speak the same language, and say, there is but
one God ; the same divine hand made as all? Let us take in
our hands the telescope, by whirl) so many wonderful diseo-
veriea have been made, and pierce, as it were, into other
worlds. What amazing visions open to our eyes! What ex-
enisite beauty presents itself in every object we behold!
What a splendid magnificence is spread throughout the wide
eapanse of heaven! What an infinite variety there is of means,
all connected in the same grand system ; all cumperliting to
produce, in different ways, anal with distinct properties, one
great and glorious end! The farther we penetrate into die
wonderful mechanism of the universe, and the mere we ex-
amine, as far as we are permitted, the complicated, but
harmonious economy of creation, the stronger is bur (mimic-
thin, that the whole and every part, is the wot k of one
Almighty hand.
" If we descend from the heavens Rho e to the earth below,
and view with the naked eye, and with the help of the mi-
croscope, the works of nature, which adorn and diversify
th's globe, how a flood of wonders pours in upon our
contemplation! Carryiug our views to the mountain's stimuli',
WO thence to the occales bed; limn the mighty beasts that
range the forest, to the small insects that crawl upon the
ground; from the infinite variety of trees, and plaids, and
flowers, that ornament the surface of the globe, to the ores
that are extracted front the womb of earth, and the sulphure-
ons substances that Infra from the bosom of the volcano; and
examining all the minute particles, all the singular propertie3,
and all the inimitable workmanship and design of every par-
tien:ar. object that meets our eye, and rewards our search;
we neat atsknowledge the timid of One Great Artificer, and
proclaim, amidst the harmonious nutltiplicity of wonders that
present themselves to us on all sides, the unity of the power
that produced them. The simplest flower of the field, the
wildest bramble of tile heath, the very thistle that springs
from the barren soil, mocks the finest labour of human art,
and diaplays a contexture and a grace, which liftman inge-
nuity in vain attempts to equal. Sal 00000 on. in all his glory,
was not arrayed like one of the lilies of the field.'
Fit st and noblest :ming the wilder* of this lower world,
stands the errant's! man. The numerous miracles of his
frame, distinct in thnetions, but connected in design, intri-
cately blends(' together without confusion, and mysteriously
acting in concert without interrnption ; and the extraordis
nary capaeitivs of his seal, alike as to their nature in
all men, &tiering only in this degrees of power and
penetration ; and agreeing in their susceptibility of
knowledge, of rational improvement, and of religious con.
temptation, plainly evince the contrivance and work of one
and the same Divine Architect. All that we see in ourselves,
all that we behold in nature, and all that we reflect npon in
our minds, the uniformity, the order, the regularity, the coin.
plea harmony, the general arrangement, and the particular
adaptation of things in the whole compass (.1 creation, tend
only to multiply evidences, that there is, and can be, but one
God. All nature litters this truth, reason and experience
attest it, and dit Me Revelation has proclaimed it to the
world."

In the other doctrinal parts of Mr. S.'s work, he
writes in strict conformity to the religion of the Church
of England; but carefully avoids all useless controYersv
on abstruse and metaphysical suldects. Isis book will
be found an useful and agreeable companion to every
sincere churchman.

• Matthew el. 29.

JCIVISH HOSPITAL.---Wednesda:, was held the An-
niversary Meeting of the Governors of the Hospital, at
Mile End, for the protection of old and decayed mem-
bers of the Jewish nation ; anti for the education of or-
phans, who are taught handicraft trades, and inured to
habits of industry. The Duke of Sussex, Patron of the
Society, arrived at half-past fbur o'clock, and was con-
ducted by a deputation to the Committee-room, where,
he was received by the President, Vice-Presidents, and
the Gentlem•lt of the Committee, and after having par-
taken of a cold collation, proceeded to take a view of
the interior of the building, with the cleanliness and
convenience of which Royal Highness expressed himself
highly gratified ; as also with the orderly and comfort-
able appearance of the inmates both of the senior and
juvenile classes ; alter which his Royal Highness, with
the President and House Committee, repaired to tke
City of London Tavern, where about 350 friends and
supporters a tbit Charity sat down to a mast sumptuous
entertainment, his Royal Highness in the Chair, sup-
ported by the President and Vice Presidents. There
were likewise several persons of eminence, both of the
Jewish and Christian persuasion. Atter the cloth was
removed, and the usual toasts drank, the children were
introduced, each carrying spetimeas of their several
trades. An ode written for the occasion was recited by
one of the girls. After they withdrew, his Royal High-
neel in an impressive and eloquent speech, expatiated
on the advanta:;es of this Society to the community at
large, and he trusted no distinction of faith would pre-
vent men of every denomination from contributing to
the general good. The subscriptions we are happy to
say were very liberal.

We have the satisfaction to state, that the health of
Sir T. l'lnmer is sa much better, that he has been able
leave hi:; chamber, ant that his friends arc 1c:1 to ex-
Peet his presence its Court next Sitt4lgs.

POLICE.

nolv-sTrzErr.

MAW! IT )1.

Mondsv, C.. Whetetrill and J. Savage were charged by
Capt. Moure with having defrauded I • of a cheque for no
guineas. under ciremustatiaes which have already been befell a
the piddle. ('apt. Moore. of Bury-.tree,, it. James's, Stated,
that on Tuesday last he saw in the Times Newspaper an ad-
vertisement, le4eribing a beatodid hunter 6,r sale ; applies-
Con was to be made to the Kiii4's Aims Mews, Silver Street,
Bloomsbury, and witness went there in consequence. He
saw Savage, who shewed him the 111,140, and said that it be.
lunged in a gentleman iw Shropshire, to whom he had been a
servant for two years; but that he was wider the necessity
of selling the horse. Witaess asked him if it answered the
description in the Times% he replied it slid, and he could
warrant it sound in every particular, but that ite could not
let it go out of the stable withou: the peimissiim of a gentle.
man who was commissioned to sell accordingly went
for Whetenall, who came in about ten minutes. 1% hetenall
edid that he would teat taut the horse sound, but that no trial
would be allowed until a deposit of 60 guineas was made, as
a gentleman had brought him hack one with brok tit kucei.
Witness accordingly deposited with Sas age a cheer I,e on
Messrs. Hainnictsley And Co.. for GJ guineas, and dirceed
hint to bring the horse to his lodgings, he %Tit, to have tho
cheque returned it' he did not like the horse upon trial.
Whetenall gas e Savage instructions to wait at witness's house
until he returned from trying the horse. lie arcortlingly
brought the horse, and he desired him to wait until be re-
turned. Witness was absent about an hoar mai a (;,tatter;
but on his return Savage was guile. lie went to the stables
in the Mews, hut could not fool Savage. Witness did not
find the horse answer the 11f...caption, he therefore lei' it with
another groom. On the follsiwitig day he went to the stable.,
and saw Whetcnall; who said he Lid received the amount of
the cheque. After saute trouhie witness karat th,tt %Vhete•
nail lived at No. 15, Carlisle-place, Lambeth, and he made an
appointment with him to pay the money, but he did nut keep
the appointment. He had not seen Savage until he was takemip
IWititess went I Ma•ssra, Hammersley's, and found the cheque
though dated the 19th, had been paid within an hour after he
had given it to Savage. In 11k:70w-examination he admitted
that the horse answered the description of the advertisement
in almost every particular. Mr. Barry contended, that no
fraud had been proved ; and observed, that it' his chews were
liable to criminal pro-seen:ion, every !wise dealer in the king-
dom mig,lit be equally liable. Whetemill said, that what
Savage had done he authorised him to do; and Mr. Alley in-
sisted rat those words being taken down. Mr. Conant was of
opinion that it was a vary strong ease of conspiracy, and Cie
prisoners were ordered to find bail ;.and Mr. Alley ease them
to understand, that two indictments wrathd be preferred
against ihem. Gen. Maitland said„, that he had bean ties
branded out of 30 guineas in a similar manner.

J. Byron underwent a private exatnination, charged with
obtaining from a Mall of rank 201. under a threat of• charging
him with being addicted to abominable pcopewities, and was
fully commit,cd fur trial on the capital charge.

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