The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-01-15 00:00:00

ane WP

unscriptural, and not to be swallowed, as a
;divine, without_ stopping to consider its flavour.

words—

Happy are They, and only they,
Who from thy judgments never stray ;
Who knows'What's right—not only so,

Eut alWays practice what they know."
I say that these words oppose what by many is called
natural religion, for they teach that God is not a God of
Mercy. I saythat these words are in opposition to revealed
religion, for they teach that God does not extend plenteous
redemption, and save Israel from all his sins.
The sentiments taught in this verse•are unsound, or, as
Miss Davies in her evidence says—l expressed myself,
trash-4ake her words.
" He said he hoped the prisoner- -

,s would not join in sing-
ing such trash again ; he might call it a blasphemy, that if
none were saved but those who never strayed from God's
judgment, there would be none saved at all." She adds,
" I thought it an extraordinary occurrence. I did not re-
port it to the governor."

,
or indecorous, or sic would not in the due performance of
her duty have been able to add, when strictly questioned on
the subject, "I did not report it to the governor," it was

That the Divinity put'into my mouth by Miss Davis is
sound and good, I have no doubt. If those only are happy
who never strayed from God's judgment ; if only those are
happy who always practice what they. know, then 'Christ's
Words have no meaning—can have no truth where he says,

I am come to call-not the righteous but sinners to

pentance." The son of man came to seek and to save that
Which was lost; all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be
forgiven to the sons of men. After considering Miss Davis's
simple and plain, and I suppose for the main part correct ac-
count of what was said, I really think it needless to go over,

the tun:

they agree in

age, 3 weekly. The same return shows that on one partieu•
lar Sunday, the 27th May, 1839, no less that 27 persons were
reported : a number far greater than during any whole pre-
vious week. This is the statement drawn up by your orders.
Something very remarkable must have occurred. The dis-
turbance in the chapel !oust have been very serious. You
have had it solemnly sworn to, that, standing as I do in an
elevated pulpit whilst officiating, it is not possible that one-
half that number of offences could have occurred, without
my witnessing it. Hear Mr. Buckley—
' I think Dr. Buck, in the pulpit, could see the prisoners
better than the governor in his seat. I should think 13 per-.
sons could hardly sleep, make a noise, or break the rules,
without the chaplain seeing them in chapel.
" 1 have witnessed a great burst of emotion among the pri-
sopers during his preaching. I have. greatly approved of his

ministry.
On re-examination he says—
" I should say that the chaplain could see the prisoners
better than the governor : he has a more general view. I
should say, that when preaching he has a better opportunity
of seeing the prisoners than the governor."
And although other witnesses swore that men sitting on
the same level, and even below the prisoners, there being
only four to watch all the men, they could see them better
than the officiating minister, who is elevated above them,
who is in front of all, and has every man immediately under
his eye, yet I apprehend you will have some doubt on the
accuracy of their judgment in this matter, the fact sworn to
being contrary to reason. Be this as it may, fourteen per-
sons could not have been playing tricks, wilfully and pur-
posely offending,' without the chaplain seeing them. A. very
unfriendly witness (who was, in his zeal on another occasion,
thinkingo reporting me to the bishop) gave yOu this testi-
pny. You will, therefore, give me the full benefit of his
nission. Consider also Law's testimony :
The chaplain is exalted above all the men. I think the,
)lain must see the greater part of the prisoners if they

are asleep."
Now my journal shows that on the 27th May, 1839,
preached two sermons on the parable of the prodigal sor

You have

in evidence that the prisoners were greatly af-
truth, I can say that such a spectacle I have sel-

dom before witnessed, and never but once since, viz., last
, when, not
.being able to obtain the assistance of a
reach in the midst of my pre-

vas o blig

parations for this defence. There was one 'general outbreak
of weeping and sorrow. Loud sobs could not be restrained
for a time, and many a brawny hand was that day raised, to
wipe away tears from eyes not accustomed to weeping.. The
most reverential attention was paid to every word, and so-
lemnly, as in the sight of my God, I declare that there was
no ill behaviour, no sleeping visible to me. The hearts of all
appeared to be awake : it was a solemn season, when the pre-
sence of God was sensibly and powerfully near. What must
have been my sensation when, on the following morning, 1
found 27 wretched persons had been reported for chapel of-
fences, and the great majority of them deprived of food, as I
know, for no offence which was not absolute)), involuntary
on their part. Their offence was crying, sobbing, wiping
away tears, contrary to your fifth and sixth gaol rules. I
believed then, and I still believe, that they were puniShed
contrary to the laws of God, but in strict accordance with
the rules of the silent system of -prison discipline, as carried
out in your prison ; and no fear of man, no dread of conse-
quences, shall keep me from asserting this solemn, this aw-
ful, this monstrous fact, that 27 persons were reported and
punished in one day, when the average of 67 previous weeks
had made the numbers to be three weekly. . •

Can you suppose, gentlemen, that this case did not, in
reaching my ears, affect my heart? can you think me that
compound of all abomination, an unfeeling man? I felt
much—l wept much—l. spoke the word of consolation to
many a distressed one, who had no other earthly being near
to pour in the oil and win
On the following clay,
was Isaiah xxxv. 3,4,
confirm the feeble lint

Tuesday, the 29th May,. my test
Strengthen ye the weak bands, and

y to them that are of a teartut
heart, be strong ; fear not. Behold your God will come with
vengeance, even God with a recompense : he will come and
save you." As is my usual custom, 1 explained the literal
—:..:«..„1 of rho nnfl_ in pnntAnginn. snoke

Many of you, I hear, have been reported'
r offences in chapel last Sunday. How often have I warn-
d you to keep the prison rules! If you would avoid their
everity, when once you I

to this effec

eave this abode of wretchedne