The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-02-21 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY

This society's second undress concert took place last even-
ing at the Collegiate Institution ; there were at least 1,000
persons present. Mr. H. F. Aldridge led, Mr. Tivendell
presided at the organ, Mr. William Sudlow conducted.
The concert commenced with Weber's wild and beautiful
overture to Oberon; it was executed with much precision
and effect. Herold's overture to Ludovic was equally well
done, which opened the second part. The madrigal, " When
all alone my pretty love," was charmingly sung, and elicited
considerable applause. We cannot say much for the glee,
" Soft and safe •" it was about the worst nerformance of the
evening. The solo and chorus, "Welcome lady fair," brought
Miss Stott forward in the solo parts ; her voice is greatly
improved—her tones were bell like and clear—and her singing
evidently created much delight; but, her enunciation is not
a jot better than it used to be. In this composition her voice
sounded like some sweet instrument—and as an instrument
only. The words and the sense of the words were wanting.
Some little curiosity was excited to hear a Mr. Shirmacher
play on the piano, Thalberg's fantasia, Les Huguenots. It
is not pleasant to say anything in dispraise, but we may as.
sert safely, that if it was not the best description of piano-
forte playing, his was not the worst. Rossini's Ah ! se quest°,
and Bishop's Loud let the Moorish tambour sound," con-
cluded the first part of the entertainment.

In the second part, the gem—indeed the veritable jewel of
the evening—was a trio by Pucetta, " 0 ! dolce tranguillata,"
which was encored, and deliciousty sung by an amateur (a
capital tenor), Miss Stott, and Miss Aldridge. This might
have been given anywhere, in any place, and would have
proved a prominent and most pleasing feature amongst the
best productions. It was done in a masterly manner. In
Bishop's " Daughter of Error," Miss Aldridge sang the
solo parts charmingly. She possesses a sweet, melodious
voice, and evidently thoroughly understands what she is
about. Goss's splendid glee, " There's beauty on the moun-
tain," was famously sung. 'Winter's sweet duet, " Vag hi
Colli," by Misses Aldridge and Stott, may be pronounced
to have been done with much taste and ability.
The concert went off well, and gave further proof, if any
were necessary. of the excellence of this society, and its claims
upon the musical public for support. We were glad to learn
that the subscribers are daily on the increase. It certainly
for cheapness—if it had not great attractions on the score of
merit—stands alone. There are eight concerts for two gui-
neas, at which three tickets to each subscriber are given ;
and two concerts (dress ones) to which two are allotted. At
th.. latter, metropolitan talent will be brought forward.

CORRESPONDENCE.

SUFFICIENCY OF THE SCRIPTURES

TO TILE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD,

SIR,—It was well remarked by two of the Fathers at the
Council of Basil, that we must rather believe one simple
layman alleging Scripture than the whole council to the con-
trary" ; nor is that sentiment less truthful now, or less im-
portant, than it was then. We live in eventful times, and
change after change " comes o'er the spirit of our dreams" ;
and we are falling from one heresy to another, until we are
likely to be bewildered, if not lost, in the dreams and super-
stitions of Paganism and Popery. To this the prevailing
errors of the present day tend ; and we want, therefore,
calling back to first principles in religion. These are only
to be found in the Scriptures of eternal truth. It is no solid
argument to say that some books are lost, and thus insinuate
that all the revealed Word of God has not come down to us,
and that the deficit, therefore, must be supplied by tradition.
That certain books referred to irk Scripture are lost, is readily
admitted ; but were these books a part of the inspired wri-
tings ? or can any man say that they contained anything
necessary for man's salvation, or what we have not in the
Scriptures as we now possess them ? The books were lost
before Jesus Christ came into the world, and, had they con-
tained anything necessary for us to know, would not he have
revealed it? All the actions and words of our Saviour are
not recorded, as St. John distinctly records ; but have we
not sufficient? What was not recorded is lost to us—irre-
coverably lost. Then how shall tradition supply these unre-
corded words and actions? What the Spirit did not think
proper to record, we cannot supply. To the Scriptures as
we possess them—and as God intended we should possess
them—must all our appeals be made—" to the law and to
the testimony." " If an angel from heaven should preach
any other doctrines than those revealed therein, let him be
accursed," says the inspired apostle. That many doctrines
are now being put forward not enjoined, and others reserved
which are positively declared, is a distinctive feature of our
days ; and as many " simple laymen " have not such reten-
tive memories or quickness of perception that they can at
once quote passages of Scripture to refute erroneous doc-
trines boldly advanced or gently insinuated, I would humbly
suggest to some of the ministers of the Church of England,
mighty in the Scriptures, the necessity of a few very cheap
tracts on the subject, on something like the following plan :
—Take, for instance, an erroneous doctrine, and under. or
in an opposite column, give the passages of Scripture which
refute the opinions put forth. Such tracts as these would
I think, be very useful. " Feed my lambs," says Jesus'
Christ himself ; and it would be following up the command,
and a duty of heartfelt satisfaction to any one, thus to feed
the lambs for whom our Saviour cared. May' God incline
the heart of some one to follow out these hints!
1 am, sir, yours sincerely,
A CHURCHMAN.

On Saturday morning, Thomas Pickard, Esq., of South-
hampton-place, New-road, London, committed suicide by
cutting his throat. He has left an immense property behind
him.

SAILORS' HomE.—At a meeting in aid of the Sailors'
Asylum, Durham, the Rev. Dr. Gilly, related the following
anecdote :—" Many years ago," said the rev. doctor, " a
young midshipman was amusing himself with some of his
companions in a boat near his ship, when a voice was heard
shouting ' a man overboard,' and a body was seen floating
past. The midshipman jumped overboard, and saved the
man's life, but it was at the cost of his own health for many
years. Twenty years after, when that midshipman had been
promoted
for his services, and was in command of the coast-
guard, a tempest occurred in a November morning, such as
those we have lately witnessed, and a wreck was seen float-
ing by at some distance. He called on his men and said,
who will volunteer to go to the relief of that vessel?' The
whole party volunteered, and he was obliged to select his
number. They approached the vessel, a furious wave struck
the boat, and the whole party was drowned. That officer was
my brother."