The Sun.
London, England, 1819-10-30 00:00:00

RELIGION.-LE I'TEIt

MR. EDIT°Ii-7-Feeling, as I do, not only the
importance, bnt the dignity of my subject, I shall
be careful not to degrade it by any thing like
pally-writing. As I shall not preach, so neither
shall I satirize. Religion is of no party, though
all should' be religious. My principles will be
broad and general ; applicable, indeed, to many
situations, but not specifically applied. My ob-
ject is not to censure, but to advise. When,
indeed, advice is opposite to common practice, it
must sometimes arpear like censure, whether so
designed or not.

We have lately,seen the conclusion of the most
tremendous war in uhicli this country was ever
engaged ; a contest for our very existence as a
nation. The tnemy with ►thorn we had to coo-
tend had vowed our utter ruin ; and that was not
the kind of vow which he was at all inclined to
break. His gigantic efforts all proved fruitless,
and he is now our prisoner. He was ahle to dis-
tress, but Was not permitted to desttly us.

To speak of particular Ptovidences, with respect
to common events, and the concerns of private
persons, is generally rash, and often worse than
rash. It is the folly of fanaticism, or the cunning
of hypocrisy. But there cannot surely ►,e a broader
or a clearer principle of religion, than that the
d stinies of nations-are in the hands of God. In-
dividuals are'reserved for future judgment. But
nations have no resnrrection. Once dead, they
never can revive. Their visitations must be here,
•
or not at all.

On thiS ground, no man, surely, ()ratty religious
feeling will hesitate to say, that, in the winding
tip and conclusion of the war against Boonaparte,
was manifested one of the niost distinct and node-
niable interpositions of Providence. Au interpo-
sition which, to say no time of it, suateied us,
front the brink of destruction, and placed us at
once in a state of security. A very few months
before, we had a hostile frontier opposed to us
throughout the whole of Europe. From Gibral-
tar to the Cattegat all were either leagued with
the enemy, or in subjection to him.
The magnitude of the deliverance, not to men-
tion the glory of it, at first was universally felt.
Our thanksgivings were ardent, our joy was ex-
alted but rational. Ales ! how soon has the me-
mory of it become obscured; and to what an extent
has the grossest ingratitmle succeeded to the sense
of thankfulness

I have not tie vanity to suppose, that any thing
which I can write can make the smallest impres-
sion upon the profligate but I appeal to every
one who merits not that epithet, whether this be
right, or any thing approaching to right ? Anti I
put it to the heart of every man of that descrip.
tion, whether to have caused, or even at all pro-
moted this defection from right feeling, be not a
serious crime ; an offence not only to man, but
against Heaven 1.
When two strong men engage in combat, and
contest it obstinately, even the conueror is sure
to feel it for a long time after. He is exhsusted
and enfeebled, and if not permanently Mimed, at
least, not what he was before the fight. So insist
it be with. nations. Peace cannot suddenly re-
move the consequences of a long and arduous
War. So is it now with us. But what is the
result ? Is it a patient bearing of a necessary:evil,
with thankfulness that it is not worse ? Far other-
wise. Impatience and ingratitude prevail to an
extent that is disgraceful. The causes and the
bearings of this evil shall' be considered in my
next.
HOOKER.

Ma. SHERIFF PARKINS.—The follow;ntr frag.
ment of a Letter, which appears in 'Hie Morning
Chronicle of this day, manifests a temper in the
Writer so. little consistent with the dignity of the
City of London, the Capital of the World, that
we trust the Livery will feel much regret that they
should have invested such a person with any of
its honours. His treatment of Tits JUDGE, by
his own acknowledgment, was so very reprimen-
sible, and chews such a contempt of Authorities,
which the lowest of mankind hold itt respect and
cavereoce, that we need not make any comment
ILLe subject :
" As my reasons at large for asserting my se-
niority as Sheriff are already before the Potrlic,
and involve no personal feeling, I shall not now
trouble you with any 'repetition on that point ;
but will thank you to correct a mistake in the ac-
count of what passed between Mr. Justice Palk
and myself. Instead of saying,. that I would do
myself the honour of attending that Learned
Judge, I told him that 1 would do hilt& the heiroirr
to attend him. His Lordship was, pleased to ob-
serve, that he did not think it an honour ;. but I.
again assured bins that it was so, and I am still'
of that opinion.
" With regard to the chagrin which I am stated
to have evinced on leasing the Court, 1 can truly
say, that I telt nn chagrin whatever ; hot having
been chosen Senior Sheriff by the Livery of LM) •
don,. I did and do feel highly indignant at the
gross • violations of their independent elective
rights which I am daily doomed to witness.
" I am. Sir, your obedient !4ervanr,
"174;rk Hotel, Oat. 29, 113.19. J. W. YARKINS.'

THEATRICAL ItEUISTEIt.
Performed I,ast Night.
THEATRE ROYAL, DOURY-LANE.—The Way to Get Marrid:
Tangent, Mr.Elliston ; Julia Faulkner, Miss 'vers. Atter
which, Who's Who,
THEATRE' ROYAL, COVF.NT-CARDCX.—The School for Scar-ial'
Sir Peter Teazle, Mr. W. Farrel: ,• Lady Teazle, Nirs.
vison. After which, Arthur and Einweline.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.
We are ienavoidaOly ol.liged to defer many Articles till

Monday.

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