The National Register.
London, England, 1811-12-01 00:00:00

Cbe Pulpit,

No. LII.
Were is one, mused up in the zeal and infallibility of bin own sect ; wbo
will not tmich a book, nor enter into debate with a person, that will question
any of those things which to him are sacred. Another surveys o:r differ-
*aces in Religion with an equitable and fair indifforeat•e; and so finds,
probably, that neue of them are in every thing unexceptionable- These
divisions and systems were made by men, and carry the mark of fallibility
an them; and in those whom 'de differs from, and, till he opened his e' e•,
bad a general prejudice against, be meets with more to he said for a great
irony things than before he-was aware of, or could have imagined. Which
of these two, now, is most likely to judge right in our Reli.ions controver-
sies, and to be most stored with truth—the mark all pretend to aim at ?
L9CKE on the Conduct of the Understanding'

Rev. JOHN LIEFCHILD,
MINISTER OF KENSINGTON MEETING.

PASSION moulds even preachers. When once any preacher
bas acquired distinction in the world, especially if he be juvenile,
be fails slot to attract the eyes of his professional contemporaries,
And become the model by the popular imitation of which the
youthful preacher hopes himself to rise. Much of this is ob-
servable in the religious world of our day. Manliness has here
been laid aside, because it has here been unfashionable. Instead
of that impressive solemnity which most becomes those who
preach, and which seems so natural to the situation in which
they stand, the hearer meets mostly with the plaintive whine,—
with what we may call the Collyerism of late so much in vogue,—
though painful to the feeling of pious taste, to the taste of in-
dividuals who are accustomed to judge of this, and not less hurt-
ful to the official efficacy of the preacher. Servility of imitation
bkewise implies deficiency of ability.
_

Natural imitation is altogether different. There is an assimi-
lation of disposition, as it respects the mind, which naturally
leads us unconsciously to iinitate those whom we admire,
whether in taste or talent; so that it is quite possible for the
student preacher, should he chance to hear some eminent cler-
sylvan of like mind with his own, to model himself, without de-
sign, upon that character which so much assimilates to his own.
This kind of imitation is great, and is deserving of just praise.
Intellectual sympathies draw much more than physical sympa-
thies.can ; and spiritual sympathies draw still more than natural
sympathies. This superior sympathy must have been formed
between Christ and his' beloved disciple' John. Natural imita-
tion is accordingly excellent

Considering, however, the species of clerical imitation which
has for some time prevailed amongst some rising divines, it must '
he evident how much this will impair, if not checked at once,
the effect of the divinity elognence. Let us pause in time.
Another generation might long since have taught men to learn of
what questionable excellence were those whom it was then the
rage to style ve:vut tongued preachers !' What is the use to be
made of facts ? The alarm should resound now. 'Tis time to
=o se, and write, and speak, and to act too. Have not we
enough of the smooth things,' but must hear them also with
smooth words ? Oratory has to fear the loss of its virility.
The Reverend JOHN I.II.FCHILD has been, for some time,
Pastor over the Independent Denomination at Kensington ; to
which settlement he was chosen on the removal of the Rev.
John Clayton, jun. to Camomile-.street. His immediate prede-
cessor had most acceptably ministred there. Himself accord-
ingly cocceeded to the charge of an eminently respectable con-
gregation, by whom his pastoral exertions are properly estimated,
aed amongst whom they seem attended with success.
Opposed to mo.t young evangelic preachers of note, respect-
ing what I term Collyerism, stands the present Minister of the
New Testament. Nothing of the plaintive—nothing wooing,
notl3ing whineing—belongs to his manner. Applause should be
giortn to those few who) disdaining aff,,:ctatinn, are in this way

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