The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-08-25 00:00:00

THE REY. W. B. CULLYER.

It is with sincere pain we feel ourselves called upon to
notice the prevalence of the most unpleasant rumours dar.
ing the last and preceding week, respecting the moral con-
duct of the Rev. Divine whose name stands at the head of
this column, and whose character as an evangelical preacher
bas stood high in public estimation. These rumours are of
a nature so revolting, but at the same time so vague, that
had not the Rev. Doctor himself frit it eitpedient to meet
them by a public refutation, we should not have ventured
to allude to them even in the most distant manner. The
subject, however, having now become a matter of very ge-
neral discussion, we shall, perhaps, be excused for alluding
to it u ith some partitularity. Some of our readers are,
perhaps, aware that Dr. Collyer has been in the habit of
preaching at Salters' Hall, as well as at his own chapel at
Peckham. The latter chapel having been under repair, he
has of Celine had no opportunity of appearing there fur
some weeks. His residence up to Midsummer last, we be-
lieve, was at Camberwell ; and here, we understand, he was
in the habit of receiving patients, from motives of charity,
who were afflictool with particular diseases. So far back as
the month of May something was observed with regard to
the treatment of one of these patients which excited remark,
Dr. Collyer having hea.sd of these remarks, felt it his duty
to explain the nature of what had tiken place, and he was
led to believe that be had satisfactorily accounted for that
to which 111111 l ternary exception bail been taken. At Mid-
summer be quitted his house at Camberwell, and removed
to Deptford, wl.ere his residence now is. Subsequently he
went anodic country, and dating his absence the occur-
rence in May was again alluded to in more precise terms,
and this uas accompanied by some allusions to the Rev.
Doctor's visit to a bath, which was opposite his house at
Camberwell, of a nature equally painful. lit fact, matters
went so far that depositions were actually taken before a
Magistrate upon oath; but floes?, toe have been informed.
were of a nature to exculpiste rather than to afford confirm.
ation to the malignant aspersions which were afloat. We
have also heard that the friends of Dr. Collyer, felt it their
duty to investigate the charges more minutely, and that
they were full:: satisfied of their want of foundation. In obis
state of things, Dr. Coker arrived in town, and on being
informed of the manner in which lie had been assailed, he
lost no time in consulting legal opinions as to the course
which it wuuld be proper for him to pursue. His feelings
were of course deeply wounded by what had occurred; and
on Sunday last a letter was read by the clergyman who offi-
ciatoA at Salters' Hall, announcing that the Rev. Doctor
world not again do Linty there until the reports which were
&calved to his prejudice were fully and satisfactorily
contradicted. Subsequent to this annunciation, the repairs
of the Rev. Doctor's chapel at Peckham have been com-
pleted. find in order that no further prejudice should be
excited by his not appearing in public, he has during the
last week iewsrted the following advertisement in several of
Cie daily papers:—
" Hanover Chapel, Peckham—This,place of worship hav-
ing undergone the necessary repairs, u ill be re-opened to-
morrow morning, the 24th day of Aug. The Rev. Dr.
Wire will preach morning and evening, as usual."
Preparatory to this step, the Rev. Doctor has also tie
eulated among his friends printed collies of the following
letter :