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

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

esteem. What is affirmed of a celebrated orator, may be
said, in his felicitous mcrments, of this preacher : his Intel.
iect is all feeling—his feeling is all intellect. They are not
among the circumstances which least enhance the effect of
his discourses, the primitive simplicity of his personal ap-
pearance and the manly intelligence of his countenance.
Plainness, indeed, forms his most becoming ornament ; it
is, if 1 may so define it, a dissenting attribute ; and it adds
to the energy, by contributing to the dignity, of his man-
ner. What ought particularly. to be noticed, in the cha-
ratter of Mr. NVorthington, is the temper of his piety.
Had the 4 Spectator' lived in our age, he would have dis-
tinguished bim from the " saints with sorrowful counte-
" nances ;" from .the multitude of those whose " super-
" stitious fears and groundless scruples cut them off from
" all the pleasures of conversation, and all social enter-
" tainmentsb as if mirth was made for reprobates, and
" chearfulness of heart denied those who are the Only per-
" sons that have a proper title to it." His is- the 'religion
of gratitude; of thanksgiving, as well as supplication.
Never does he omit, in the emphatic words of inspiration,
to ‘. thank God for all his benefits I" Chcarfulness is not
levity ; and it certainly appears more desirable to render
religion inviting, than intimidating. Mr. Worthington
has, notwithstanding, been censured on this very account.
Much depends, in disquisitions of this kind, on individual
opinion, or, more truly, on physical feelings; but, were it
my province to enter the lists on this occasion, perhaps the
dogmas of the melancholics might he successfully com-
batted.

Mr. Worthington, however, has his faults. As a
preacher, his emphases are sometimes overstrained, his
pauses, though generally judicious, are frequently too pro-
tracted, and he is apt to sink, now and then, the conclud-
ing words of his sentences.
He is also a Dissenter. I do not mention this as any
thing criminal in him ; since he dissents from principle, and
since he is bound to maintain, to the atmost of his ability,
dissenting principles. Ills general liberality of thinking
has already excited my poor encomium, and his political
loyalty I think unimpeachable; but I have wished, th:i.t
he could be inure tolerant towards the hierarchy of Olio§
country: •
Enquiries into the heart, it has been well observed, arcs
not for man. Mr. Worthington is broadly nccilud of
heterodoxy. Whether he be or Arian, or Unita-
rian—he is not strictly Trinitarian—l shall not presume to
determine. I have already remarked, that he is a.
thorough-bred Dissenter from oar Established Church; but
he is an honourable adversary, and one whom I should
exult to number among its most illustrious suppo:le.
Other objections might be slatted. These, however,
attach rather to the body of which he is a member, that
to any individual member of that body. ONASIMUS.

Chapler Coffer-house, Paler- N ust:•e-row:
'l** A m Icu s has come to ; and hi, favours will not be
neglected. Thon,-,h the FOU ND LI Nt; CIL\ PEL is post-
poned, till a more " convenient Se:VIIII," MigterS will un-
dergo no trivial scrutiny.—W. F.. ; L. of R. has aL,o been re-
tched.

Of the communication of the latter Correspondent, ON Est-
mrs has reason to he rather proud. lie will certainly attend
to the very sensible and pertinent remarks conveyed in it; and
has only to add, that, while he sedulously labours to " disrobe
ignorant pretenders and ne,..dri
,Pools," his unxiety to deserve
" the approbation of every friend of the British Nation and
the British Throne," will, at the same time, compel him not
to wink at the errors. or countenance the abuses, even of the.
Established Church of England! I.rt this hint suffice.

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