The National Register.
London, England, 1811-08-25 00:00:00

'TIE NATIONAL REGISTER.

SPENCER, 9f LIVERPOOL.

TO THE EDITOR Or-TIIE NATIONAL REGISTER•

•
SlR.—Your Paper of Sunday last, contains a well-merited
bute to the memory of this late able and promising young Mi-
nister. I can speak, from experience, of his worth : In private,
be disclosed a heart adorned with every Christian grace, in its
meekest and most heavenly tints; and from the pulpit, his power-
ful and truly evangelical labours, fixed the attention even of the
thoughtless and the gay; whilst the glorious truths which dis-
tilled as heavenly dew from his lips, became the food and delight
cif the true worshippers of God. What the immortal Hervey
skid of the works of the celebrated 'Witsius, I. may, with equal
truth, apply to my late young friend; all of whose sermons had
sates a delicacy of composition, and such a sweet savour of holi-
ness, that 44 I know not any comparison more proper to repre-
lent their true character, than the golden pot which had manna ;
and was outwardly bright with burnished gold; inwardly rich
with heavenly food !"
That dispensation of Divine Providence, which the nation at
large, but more particularly the church of Christ, is now called
spon to lament, is indeed, in many respects, a dark one; but, to
me, it presents, also, a side that is gloriously bright. So that whilst
some of the golden links of this inscrutable Providence must re-
srain for eternity to unfold, yet I more than fancy I see enough in
his unexpected visit of my Lord, to furnish ground for admira.
don and praise.
'Tis true—the prospect was most flattering! richly gifted for
,
• the work, and just ordained the pastor of a numerous and ad-
-"miring flock : Stationed as on a hill, eminent and conspicuous
for example and usefulness !—What (humanely judging) could
be more likely to advance the honour of the Redeemer's king-
dom, than health and length of days to our young friend ? And
rrhilst I would, tremblingly, put this consideration into the ba-
lance, to scrutinize the wisdom and justice of this bereaving dis-
pensation,—shall I forget to place into the opposing scale, the
consideration suggested by his tender age,* and inexperience of
'the world ? Shall I pass over, as of trivial import, the temptations
to which, in a city like Liverpool, (opulent and gay,) his nato-
ially affectionate, unsuspecting and social temper, would, ine-
vitably, expose him ? and which, hut for the interposition of
snore than ordinary measures of Divine aid, would tend to

damp the ardour and purity of his "first love ;" (a love so dear I
to the Saviour! Rev. ii. 4.) And, then, who can fix limits to the
darkness and distress of mind, which, for mournful seasons,
might have distracted and wrung his exquisitely feeling heart ?
Sut, allowing that Diiine Grace would have been vouchsafed in
,proportion to his need, and that thereby he would have been
preserved, uniformly faithful .to his Saviour, his flock, and his
'own heart; shall we contemplate as trifling, the loss he has sus-
tained of the many evils to come, which are the inevitable lot of
frail humanity ; and the early prize he has gained, without in-
curring the heat and burden, of the day, by his translation as it
were, in a moment, to participate in the eternal services of the
Upper Sanctuary, where all is light and love; and in which
praise and adoration arc found, pure and intense—so much in
unison with the still rapturous chords of his own heart ? Away
with every doubt I The dispensation is written, in the registry of
heaven, with sun-beams of love ! reams ! which even sparkle on
the wave, which proved his tomb, in characters like these—
Father ! I will that they also whom thou hast given me, may
be, with me where I am, that they may behold my Glory !"
With respect to oursvires, it is a solemn voice from God, to
examine our hearts, whether in admiring the gift, we have not
too often veiled the glory of the all-sufficient giver! Oh ! may
we learn an indelible lesson froM this Providence, to cultivate a
-vvore humble and heartfelt communion with the KING of ZioN
IPA S tLir: I.n Him shine forth, with God-like lustre, every
grace alad perfection 'that can charm and enrich the soul; and
•

though pastor, after pastor, fail, ua lives, the GR EA E 1.
who hith promised—(Jer. iii. 15.) " I will give yob pastors ac-
cording to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and
understanding." And again, (Psalm mail. 13. &c.) " The
Lord hath chosen Zion : He bath desired it for his habitation.
'lbis is my tent for ever : here will I dwell ; for I have desired
it. I will abundantly bless her provision, I will satisfy her poor
with bread. I. will also clothe her Priests with salvation; and
her Saints shall shout aloud for joy V'
Should this communication meet with your kind attention ; I
may add to it, soon, a few strictures on the style and method of
my late friend's sermons ; together with a poetical tribute to his
memory ; which a friend, at my request, is composing. In the
mean time,

I remain, very respectfully, yours, Stc.
Kennington, Aug. 19, 1811.
* lie had not completed his 21st year, by some months.

CHARITY.

Having dismissed the four cardinal virtues, I proceed to an en-
quiry into the nature of Charity ; though the first eight verses of
of 1 Corinthians, chap. :W. contain such a beautiful elucidation
of this virtue, that volumes could not say more of it to an en-
lightened mind; but as all minds are not so, and many worthy
well meaning people read the sacred text literally,l will take The
liberty of making a few observations.
Charity, by the Apostle, is declared to he superior to Faith and
Hope ; because, without it, Faith is a mere nugatory. assent, and
Hope a ridiculous pretension ; Faith is the root, Hope the tree"
and Charity the fruit, whicleconstitutes the value of the tree.
Almsgiving is an indi.spensible branch of Charity, but I think
it is one of the least ; there are so many motives besides Charity
to induce us to part with our money, that a man is not always
sure he bestows from a true charitable intention; besides, it is
much easier to open the purse than the heart, and St. Paul was
certainly of this opinion, when he asserted, that" though he gave
all his goods to feed the poor, anti had not Charity, it was
—nothing." • •
Charity is, in fact, what is in scripture termed Love. A new
command I give- unto you, says our blessed Lord, that ye love
one another, " Love your neighbour as yourself, and return
good for evil."
44 Charity sufrereth long and is kind," says St. Paul—sshe bears
evils herself rather than put them upon others ; and puts up with
the tempers, caprice, infirmities, ingratitude, and ill-will of
others, in the hopes of correcting, amending, and removing them
by persuasion and example. She accommodates, ameliorates,
cheers, and cherishes; is neither suspicious, captious, splenetic,
nor rude. 44 Charity envieth not, vuunteth- nit horse f, is not
puffed up," rejoices as much in the good fortune of another as in
her own ; and will forego her own advantage when it stands in
the way of, and to the detriment of another's, except when im-
perious justice to those who depend upon her, demands other-
wise. She is modest, arrogates nothing to herself, but is rather
pained at commendation, conscious that her best duties are defi-
cient, and flattery is more distressing to her than censure..
" Doth not behave herself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not
eau!y provoked, thinketh no evil, delighteth not in iniquity, but re.
juieeth in the truth ; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth
all things, endareth all things." As if the Apostle had said,
Charity is never ill-mannered ; but endeavours to make every'
one easy and comfortable, and is extremely careful of giving
pain by deed or word ; is always ready to give up her preten-
sions, if by exacting them she distresses another ; and it 3 she hat
too much humanity to affront any one, so has she too much con-
sideration and forbearance, and is too ready 'o make allowance
fur the fallings of others, to suffer her ternpn to be ruffled to
resentment by incivilities or even injuries ; neither will she de-
ivise evil against another, but puts the best cuustructiou ups

THE NATION

their actions. She not only has no pleasure in iniquity herself,
but feels pain to see it in others, as much from an anxiety for their
welfare, as from her own detestation of it. She not merely re-

joices in truth as an amiable principle, but also as it is the foun-
tain of happiness to all. The Spectator says, there arc some over-
righteous people, who look upon all misfortunes or calamities
that happen to their neighbours as judgments; upon those that
happen to themselves as trials ! now, Charity is more apt to con-
, dude the reverse ; her humility never sparing herself, and her
. humanity always excusing others. She is not impatient ; ready
to believe every thing to the advantage of another, slow to cre-
dit the contrary; not that Charity is of necessity credulous, be-
cause credulity is a fault, but whenever she can find a palliation
for the errors of others, she does, and listens with delight to any
exculpation that appears rational. She hopes for the best her-
self, and others, and no wonder such a benign disposition should
" endure all things," that is, trials, with a proper fortitude.
Such is Charity ! Can the covetous, ostentatious, supercilious,
artful, passionate, indelicate, inconsiderate, severe, liar, tale-
bearer, scandal-monger, capricious, inconstant, envious, or the
ill-natured possess it ? No—Yet all these can give alms.
Sej Is the grand enemy of Charity, which is said, proverbially,
to begin at home, and with most people appears to end there;
but if they would profit by her they must send her on her tra-
vels. Prejudice is another great foe to Charity, and indeed to
truth and virtue of all kinds; and this vice occasions so many
dissentions and shameful bitternesses between the different sects,
who possess all of them the gospel of Peace : Fie ! Fie ! " these
things should not be." Ye followers of the Saviour of mankind,

while ye suppose ye are imitating his excellencies, take care
that ye begin with his humility ; then will ye escape that enemy
of holiness, spiritual pride, and that foe to harmony, bigotry.
Place not your religion merely in the offices of praying, preach-
' ing, and sanctified conversation; make not religion unlovely by
cloathing It in gloom, nor ridiculous by accommodating it to the
most trivial circumstances. Be rigid, if ye please, in exacting
the " tythes of mint and cummin," but be as rigid in perform-
ing the offices of " justice and mercy." Think ye, religion is a
system of forms and ordinances alone, of mouth service, and
e,ountenonce contrition ? (if I may use the expression)—these are
• but types—piety must be practical or it is mockery; there are
good and bad of all sects, .God only knows the hearts, and that
only will he judge; if you feel or think you have the essence of
• Christianity be thankful, be happy, zwd go on cheerfully ; if you:
neighbour differs from you in opinion, remember he is still your
neighbour (suppobing he is wrong), and you are commanded to
love him as yourself—remember that Chat ity " is kind ;" and
while you indulge not the rankings of a ()totted sectarist
against your dissenting neighbour, dare not, like an enthusiasti-
cal one, make too free with your Cod. Be holy, be just, be tem-
perate, be prudent, possess fortitude—be humble, be industrious,
be chearful, but above all be charitable; or the rest is vain.
August -19, 1811. A LAYMAN.

BALLooN.—In consequence of the numerous disappoint•
nients which were experienced at the last Ascension of Nlr.
SADLER, from the MERMAID GARDENS, at HACK-
NEY, from the great crowd collected on that occasion, Mr.
SADLER will, at the solicitations of many Individuals of Dis-
tinction, make a SECOND ASCENSION from THAT
PLACE, on THURSDAY NEXT at ONE o'clock, accom-
panied by a Scientific Gentleman. 7The preparations for this
Exhibition shall be of such a nature as to prevent the recurrence
of former difficulties.
Tickets, at Is. for the Upper Ground; and si. 6d. for the
Lower Ground, to be had at the Mermaid, where the Balloon
is now exhi citing , and at the principal Taverns in London.
A Gentleman from Manchester, on Monday night, put an
end to his exi,tence, by a pistol, at Anderton's Coffee-house, in
Fleet-street. It is stated, tha: he had come up to London In
consequence of commercial embarrassments—had effected an
advantageous arrangement with his creditors—and was driven
to t!ie commission of suicide a refusal in Utz City to wily tJAc
arrangement.

TER.

SURREY

..m...m.1111.11........,..

On Mopday, a Special Sessions was halt] at the Sessions
House, in the Borough of Southwark, for the purpose of dis-
charging Debtors from the King's Bench, under the late Insol-
vent Act.
William Barrat re-appeared at the Bar, after being discharged
under the Act, complaining that he was, notwithstanding his
regular discharge, still detained by the servants of the IVlarsbal
for his prison fees, contrary to the Act of Parliament.
The prison Officers stated,tliat it was done with the view of
trying the point of law, or question of right merely.
The CHAIRMAN observed, that all the power the Cotirt had,
was again to discharge the prisoner, and to state, that it V/2111
actionable to detain him after a discharge.
The Officers, however, persisted in holding the insolvent to
the hall. He boldly resisted; a scuffle took place in the hall of
of the Court, and was continued in the street, where, by aid
of the populace, the pri-oner prevailed, and effected his escape.
Tuesday, at the same Sessions, the Baron De Wacchler was
opposed on behalf of Messrs. Smith and Co. silversmiths, its
Bruton-street, for having procured goods under false pretences.
It appeared that the Baron came to this country in 1808, in the
course of which year he met at a dinner party, a French Gen-
tleman, named De Ton. The Baron represented to De Toe
that the object of his mission to this country was to establish a
commercial relationship between the Danish and British Go-
vernments, and requested him to recommend him to a silver-
smith, who would furnish him with a fachionahle service of
plate, and the latter introduced him to Mr. Smith, when the
Baron ordered a service of the value of 14001. and it was agreed
that he should, on the completion of the order, give his bill for
the amount at six months. After this, he called frequently,
expressing great• anxiety to have it finished, and always took
away himself such part as was ready when he called. This
circumstance awakened suspicion in the mind of Mr. Smith -
and he c:eterinined, as the Baron had already had near 12.00 C
worth, to make some inquiries, aed for that purpose went to
his residence in Baker-street ; here he soon discovers d that .his
fears were just, the Baron's win,le establishment consisted hut
of two servants, and the hoc: :L was not half furnished, and that
w.th the commonest kiol. On inquiry it appeared that the
whole had been pawned as soon as received from Mr. Smith,
who then caused the Baron to be arrested.
Mr. 1)e Ton said. ht- had been informed that the Baron bad
coniiderable sums due to him from :.ume of the Royal Fatuity of
France.
Mr. Nolan, for the debtor, contended that no fraudulent in-
tention was shown, which was necessary to bring the ease ukden
the 36th of the Act.
But Mr. Serjeant ONSLOW, the Chairman, thought a!herwlses
and he was remanded.
The debtor NIA:al s to he upwards of 60 years of age; Qf a
venerable aspect, and most _gentlemanly demeanour.

POLICE.

MANSION-HOUSE.

FLEET BANK-NOTES.—Friday Rickard Denten, an Engraver
who has jest lit,en discharged from the Fleet Prison by the la-
solvent Act, was brought before the LORD MAYOR, for having
in his possession a copper-plate' from which Fleet Two-penny
Notes had been printed. The Solicitor of the Bank attended.
and productd this plate, and several others. He pointed out
the imitation to Bank of England Notes by the words One.
Two, and Ten, being engnived, white upon a black ground.
Beresford, the Officer, said he went in June last, by his Lord-
ship's order, with several other Officers, to the Fleet Prison,
where they ,earcised for those copper-phoes and notes; that he
found one of the plate; in Mr. Deuton's room, who gave it
directly without any opposition, and told him that some other
plates were at the Printer's, in hreenfitld's-rents, West Smith-
field, where he went and found two others.
His Lordship told him, that according to the Act of Parlia-
ment, lie mint commit him tar hawing this plate in his posces-
sion, but that it was a bailable offence, upon giving the Solicitor
of ttie Bank 24 hours notice.
The defendant said he was ignorant of having offer,deil
against any Act of Parliament, anal that be did it to gain a few
pence for his family when confined ; that he had seen several
bills in shop-windows, engraved in the same Way.
His Lordship said, a /till niustiudge of the bad consequences
arising from such an imitittion, especially to ignorant persons
who could not read.
Some persons present gave the defendant a very good cha-
racter for lioncity and industry, and bad bail ready to sins
is
for him:

I
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