The Statesman.
London, England, 1815-10-24 00:00:00

AIARGATE, OCT.. 20.

Yesterday was a joyous day for Margate, and its
inhabitants appeared to hail it as a victory gained
in the cause of suffering humanity vver a hold at-
tempt at oppression. The Sea Bathing infirmary,
which wet an seriously threatened with annihilation,
may now date the commencement of its prosperity
from the result of the procedings at Dover. The
Life Governors arrived here yesterday in their way
to town, at four o'clock, in two barouches, with
their horses and drivers decorated with blue ribbons,
as indicative of their decisive triumph; the crowd
who had assembled, anticipating their arrival, hailed
them with acclamation. Scripture points out in
: many passages, where " good comes out of evil,"
and the friends of humanity will not fail to view this
case as one completely in point. Certain it is, that the
j extraordinary and unprecedented act of refusing the
pulpit this year, which has caused such a lively sen-
sation throughout England, will give a publicity to
the institution, which it could only require to be
patronised with a proportionate liberality to the
; most favoured charity in this country. We are all
eager for the arrival of a publication from the able
pen of Stephen Ellis, Esq. one of the Life Governors
(though not one of those denominated "vagrants").
lie has promised in this interesting work, to give iu
detail the correspondence between the Clergyman
tied the Court of Directors, in older that the public
i may know fully how to appreciate.his motives, when
they are in possession of all the facts. A Special
Court is also convened in London on Monday near,
for the purpose of making the world acquainted with
the whple of their proceedings. Mr. Bailey's rea-
sons have already been published ; they are very few,
and will be found in Mr. Ellis's pamphlet. .One cir-
cumstance has just come to our knowledge, that is 1
almost is difficult to account for as the refusal of
the pulpit. The Church at Minster has.always
opened its doors in aid of this Institution, and Mr.
Roberts, the Curate, had kindly undertaken to.preach
a sermon ou the 17th September, and Mr. Simmons,
the worthy Rector, has promised to preach in its be-
half nest year. The sermon was in consequence
advertised, and numerous parties from Margate
went over to assist it ; you may conceive their
surprise better than I can describe it, when they
were told the sermon must not be preached .for Ark
institution, Mr. Bailey having written to the Curate;
,on the day previous (mark this), to say Mr. Sim-1
mom hid rewintled his promise, and if he had not
received his letter to this effect, be, Mr. Bailey,
made himself responsible for it. Mr. Roberts did
not receive any letter from the Vicar. Now, it really
don appear, that the acknowledged right to refuse j
his own support (the propriety of which is about to
be canvassed), does not include the justification Coil
any Gentleman who shall make himself a voluntary 1
instrument to dissuade others from the exercise of
their kind Intentions to aid the funds of a charity.—
The effect and example of such a practice we Id mi-
litate against the very spirit of genuine beneficience,
and weld excite the just censure of considerate men.
As the public have takeu such a lively and praise-
worthy interest its this affair, you shall occasioually
hear of the progress made in elucidating this most
extraordinary business. I