The National Register.
London, England, 1812-01-05 00:00:00

JAN. 5.

Possessing many personal requisites for the pulpit, and gifted with no
inconsiderable portion of eloquence, the present preacher should dili- ,
gently and devoutly aspire to true clerical utility and eminence. Yet he
has much to learn,—perhaps to unlearn,—ere he can soar so high. He
must yet get much of that knowledge for which Saint Paul said he
counted all things else but as mere dross! This be may get; this let
him get. 'Tis the one thing needful that he still wants.
Independence of every thing human should form likewise the motto
of clergymen. Let them neither fear the frowns, nor court the favours
of man. Let youthful preachers, especially when fashionable, beware,
above a'l errors, of giddily emulating the example held out to incau-
tious imitation by those pulpiteers, who-
-while many a studied pause
Extorts the raptured dowager's applause—
With tawdry metaphor, and meanless trope,
Degrade the glories of the christian's hope !
Considerations like these are urged with deep regard to our church
establishment. Really " the Church, like the Ark. of Noah, is," as
'Warburton said, gc worth saving!" Let her own sons, accordingly,
strive to save her. " Garrick," Quin once said, " was a new religion;
that Whitfield was followed for a ti:ne, but they would all come back
to church again." Apply this remark. Quin was here " all in the
wrong t"—they have not " come back to church.", Let her shepherds
take care lest morn of her sheepfold still stray !
Admirable as the rites and ceremonies of our national church un-
questionably are, these cannot be expected to supply the absence of ca-
pability and assiduity on the part of her ministers. Personal dignity,
assisted by cannonicals, certainly imposes. All this is well, but is not
all. This is the shadow ; substance must he had. The rock of the
ehuth is the creed of the church. Where this rock is not built on,
invariably and inflexibly, no church can hope long to stand. This is
also true of rites, and is true also of forms. Antiquity and authority
afford, otherwise, neither security nor deference. The age of cere-
monial importance is now past. Our church knows this truth, and
should feel its force. Ministers (lEstablishments must be the Ministers
to Establishments. Those who live by the church, must now live for
t the Church.
January 1,1812.

ONESIMUS.

DRAMATIC REGISTER.

COVENT'-GARDEN.

Miss SMrrn has commenced her engagement at this theatre. She
r.-ade her first appearance in Belvidere. She sustained the part in a very
able manner ; ai.t her performance throughout was such, as in no small
degree to console the audience for the loss of Mrs. SID DO 's . That ex-
quisito feeling and uniformly appropriate action, which n ade the cha-
racter important even where language was denied it, when in the hands
of Mrs. SIDDONS, was not always given to it by Miss Smi fit. The per-
formance,however,viewed as awhole is entitled to greatpraise. Much is to
be found in it to admire, and but little, very little to condemn. Under these
circumstances he must have little pretensions to good nature who would
make that which is in the main entitled to warm commendation, a sub-
ject of peevish criticism, and inVidiouttly descant on a few defects in a
performance, to the many beauties of which his limits (however honest
his intention), forbid him to do justice. It is but fair that just censure
should be withheld, where merited praise cannot be bestowed.
On Tuesday she sustained the character of Jane Shore in a very ex-
cellent style. Her youthful appearance will, in many characters, give
her an advantage over Mrs. SIDDONs, as that Lady, however great her
powers, cannot -ossibly look well those parts which are understood to
be very young. This, though by some it may be considered as a m-re
trifle, is of t.O small importance to keep up the illusion of tbe scene.
I must, however, admit, that if in appearance Miss SML i u has in some
instances an advantage over Mrs. SIDDONS, in many others Mrs. Sin-
Dons has (in person even) a greater advantage over Miss Vllil ii, as the
latter will be found greatly wanting in importance, whenever she
attempts those higher parts in which Mrs. SIDDONS has so long been
unrivalled, and on which Mr fame has found a solid basis.