The National Register.
London, England, 1808-09-19 00:00:00

SEPTEMBER 19..

but is now a widower. Having no children, he, like the
present Bishop of London., seems to place all his hopes in
the abilities of one of his nephews. Genius however,
though sometimes hereditary, is not
_transferable. When
ascends' the mantle will not devolve to Elisha 1
So early as the age of twenty-two, if I rightly remember,
Mr. Worthington was ordained Minister of the Congrega-
tion meeting at Salters' Hall. This is one of the principal
Diiienting Meetings :in London; and his being chosen, by
the members of that place, at so young a period of life
selliriently evidences the estimation in which his talents and
c:,.!rarter were then held.
duties of the Dissenting Clergyman are comprehen-
s.. Tyill arduous. He generally combines the• offices of
:!ntl.. preacher; his prayers are entirely extempora-
i, originate purely in himself; and he has to read
ai::' i!Ni.,ound, as well as to teach. He commonly discharges
ai v:ice, and without intermission or relief, the services of
altar and the desk and the pulpit. He ought therefore
to possess qualifications of no ordinary description. If he
world competently acquit himself, if he is tk workman
'who need not to be ashamed." he must be able, conscien-
tioni, intelligent, fervent, indefatigable; fearing God,"
seriously and deeply solicitous for the success of his instruc-
tions, " hating covetousness, and eschewing evil." His
individ,ial welfare depends on the integrity of his conduct,
and the energy of his exertions.
It k in Prayer, in his nobly affecting and awfully ani-
mated addresses to the Deity, that MR. WORTHINGTON emi-
nently surpasses his contemporaries in divinity. Whether
I consider- the suitable solemnity of his manner, his sera
pulous selection' of words, always appropriate, and simple
but full of energy; whether I consider the devotional lung-
nificence of his ideas, or the unaffected, and. almost un-
bounded, liberality of his sentiments, I feel perplexed be-
tween ray admiration of the man and my profound venera-
tion for the character that he susiains. This praise may
sound loftily, but it is not the language of exaggeration.
He is not less happy in his Scriptural Elucidations. It is
his custom, during the earlier part of Divine Service, to
read the chapter from which his text is to be named, com-
menting, as he goes along, on doubtful or difficult pas-
sages. The practice is most laudable, and is productive of
incalculable benefits. Those whose attention would hardly
be attracted by merely hearing a portion of the Bible corn-
nsonly recd to them, and who, unhappily, form no incon-
siderable number among professors of religion, find their
r.ilrlositv excited by the comments of the reader, and their
minds become gradually .rivetted to his wishes. His audi-
tors are, it one may here be permitted the expression, al-
lured seriousness.

I am now to speak of Mr. Worthington with reference
to his Preaching.
Ills maniier of preaching is such as I could wish to see
generally pursued. It is not peculiar to Mr. Worthington,
but it is a style in which he peculiarly excels. Partly pre-
pared, and partly spontaneous, his i)isconrses have all the
regularity of studied compositions, with all the fluency of
extemporary eloquence. Why shonld a preacher habitually
disdain the admonitory reminiscence of notes; or, why
should he, on the other hand, be doomed never to raise his
eyes from the cushion on which his manuscript reposes ?
If our clergy must read their sermons, why, at least, do
they not read them more becomingly 2-1 A them avow
th‘.ur impotency, if indeed they arc unable to remedy it ;
take up their sermons boldly in their hands, and read them
distinctly and openly. Now painful is it to see a public
speaker, in one of the most august situations he can oC-
!upy, nearly as motionless as a statue, and almost mutter-
ing, instead of inculcating, the most important precepts
ever delivered to mankind !

Such is not Worthinzton. Tie reasons, illustrates, ex-
horts, consoles, animates. While he informs the minds
and convinces the Understandings, he subdues the hearts of
his hearers ; while he elevates and sublimes their coneep •
tious, he conciliates their affections, and commands their