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  • Sept. 1, 1797
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The Freemasons' Magazine, Sept. 1, 1797: Page 48

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    Article REVIEW OP NEW PUBLICATIONS. ← Page 7 of 8 →
Page 48

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Review Op New Publications.

/ I Letter to William Wilberforce , Esq . on the Subject of his late Publication , by Gilbert Wakefield , B . A . late Fclicui of Jesus College , Cambridge , Svo . zs . Kearsley . „ MR . Wilberforce has called forth all the venom of this furious controversialist , by publishing an elaborate < Treatise en Practical Christianity , ' in which he has endeavoured , at great length , and with great force , to prove , that faith in the essential doctrinesof the "

a , . gospel is-thebnly just foundation of morality ; and that , without this faith , men cannot be considered as Christians . The opinions of Mr . Wilberforce are strictly those commonly called orthodox , or agreeable tothe doctrines , articles , and liturgy of the Church of England . He explains and defends these doctrines with a temperate zea h and enforces a belief in them with philanthropic earnestness . He evidently writes under a lively apprehension of the truth and importance of his subject ; and publishes from the best of all possible motives , that of promoting the everlasting benefit of mankind .

Now it is well known , that Mr . Gilbert Wakefield differs most essentially from Mr . Wiiberfoice on reli gious subjects . It is : t ) so universally known , that he has the pen of a ready writer ; and that he never omits any opportunity of calumniating better men than himself . According to this spirit , he has published this angry letter to Mr .. Wilberforce , in which he very contemptuously passes over the subject cf religion , and amply abuses that respectable gentleman for his political opinions and connections . His language is indeed foul foul

, very ; and he betrays all the fury' of a demoniacal , or , shall we say , a republican spirit ? He denounces the most horrible anathemas on the minister , and all who support him . From thence he proceeds to paint to his imagination the approaching glories of an universal revolution . This angry philippic has called forth on the author the animadversions of another gentleman , in a pamphlet entitled , st Word of Gentle sJdmonition to Mr . Gilbert Wakefieldoccasioned b c hit

, y Letter to W . Wilberforce , Esq . ' on the SuhjeSl of his late Publication , ' by J . Watkins , L . L . D . % -vo . is . " Cawthorn . DR . Watkins writes with temperate dignity , and chastises in the spirit of a Christian . He vindicates closely those doctrines which Mr . Wakefield has treated with rude contempt , and challenges him to the discussion of them . His arguments are certainly very strong , and deserve a candid and careful examination .

The Doctor concludes his letter in these modest and pious terms : ' If any apology were necessary for my interfering between Mr . Wilberforce and his angry assailant , it might be sufficient to say , that in a public character every man is interested . Here , however , is not oaiy a great character attacked with violence , but a sacred cause itself misrepresented and abused ; they , therefore , who are devoted to this cause , cannot but have their zeal kindled into activity on the occasion . I have carefully avoided the discussion of the in letter

political points your , except as far as was connected with the main subject . The world has had enough of such speculations , but it has not been much amended by them ; and there must evidently be a great moral change among mankind , ere your pleasing dreams can be realized . Whether such a change is likely to be brought about by relaxing authority , and destroying subordination , refining religion into mora ! philosophy , and encouraging the people to regulate their practice upon abstract RIGHTS , I shall leave tothe examination of yourself , and of those political writers who are so greatly the objefts of your approbation .

“The Freemasons' Magazine: 1797-09-01, Page 48” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 29 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fmm/issues/fmm_01091797/page/48/.
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Title Category Page
Untitled Article 1
Untitled Article 2
LONDON: Article 2
TO CORRESPONDENTS, &c. Article 3
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF MR. WILLIAM WHITE. Article 4
ADDENDA TO THE MEMOIR OF MR. THOMAS HULL, Article 5
ON THE PECULIAR EXCELLENCIES OF HANDEL'S MUSIC. Article 6
HISTORY OF THE SCIENCES FOR 1797. Article 7
CURSORY REMARKS ON SHAKSPEARE'S MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Article 10
THE COLLECTOR. Article 12
THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF PETER PORCUPINE; Article 18
A BRIEF SYSTEM OF CONCHOLOGY. Article 22
DESCRIPTION OF THE PEAK OF TENERIFFE. Article 26
ACCOUNT OF A REMARKABLE SLEEP-WALKER. Article 30
THE FREEMASONS' REPOSITORY. Article 34
OPINIONS CONCERNING MASONRY. WITH THE CHARACTER OP A TRUE FREEMASON. Article 36
A CHARGE Article 37
A VINDICATION OF MASONRY. Article 40
MASONIC INTELLIGENCE. Article 41
GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND. Article 41
REVIEW OP NEW PUBLICATIONS. Article 42
POETRY. Article 50
REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. Article 54
HOUSE OF COMMONS. Article 57
MONTHLY CHRONICLE. Article 62
OBITUARY. Article 70
LIST OF BANKRUPTS. Article 73
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Page 48

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Review Op New Publications.

/ I Letter to William Wilberforce , Esq . on the Subject of his late Publication , by Gilbert Wakefield , B . A . late Fclicui of Jesus College , Cambridge , Svo . zs . Kearsley . „ MR . Wilberforce has called forth all the venom of this furious controversialist , by publishing an elaborate < Treatise en Practical Christianity , ' in which he has endeavoured , at great length , and with great force , to prove , that faith in the essential doctrinesof the "

a , . gospel is-thebnly just foundation of morality ; and that , without this faith , men cannot be considered as Christians . The opinions of Mr . Wilberforce are strictly those commonly called orthodox , or agreeable tothe doctrines , articles , and liturgy of the Church of England . He explains and defends these doctrines with a temperate zea h and enforces a belief in them with philanthropic earnestness . He evidently writes under a lively apprehension of the truth and importance of his subject ; and publishes from the best of all possible motives , that of promoting the everlasting benefit of mankind .

Now it is well known , that Mr . Gilbert Wakefield differs most essentially from Mr . Wiiberfoice on reli gious subjects . It is : t ) so universally known , that he has the pen of a ready writer ; and that he never omits any opportunity of calumniating better men than himself . According to this spirit , he has published this angry letter to Mr .. Wilberforce , in which he very contemptuously passes over the subject cf religion , and amply abuses that respectable gentleman for his political opinions and connections . His language is indeed foul foul

, very ; and he betrays all the fury' of a demoniacal , or , shall we say , a republican spirit ? He denounces the most horrible anathemas on the minister , and all who support him . From thence he proceeds to paint to his imagination the approaching glories of an universal revolution . This angry philippic has called forth on the author the animadversions of another gentleman , in a pamphlet entitled , st Word of Gentle sJdmonition to Mr . Gilbert Wakefieldoccasioned b c hit

, y Letter to W . Wilberforce , Esq . ' on the SuhjeSl of his late Publication , ' by J . Watkins , L . L . D . % -vo . is . " Cawthorn . DR . Watkins writes with temperate dignity , and chastises in the spirit of a Christian . He vindicates closely those doctrines which Mr . Wakefield has treated with rude contempt , and challenges him to the discussion of them . His arguments are certainly very strong , and deserve a candid and careful examination .

The Doctor concludes his letter in these modest and pious terms : ' If any apology were necessary for my interfering between Mr . Wilberforce and his angry assailant , it might be sufficient to say , that in a public character every man is interested . Here , however , is not oaiy a great character attacked with violence , but a sacred cause itself misrepresented and abused ; they , therefore , who are devoted to this cause , cannot but have their zeal kindled into activity on the occasion . I have carefully avoided the discussion of the in letter

political points your , except as far as was connected with the main subject . The world has had enough of such speculations , but it has not been much amended by them ; and there must evidently be a great moral change among mankind , ere your pleasing dreams can be realized . Whether such a change is likely to be brought about by relaxing authority , and destroying subordination , refining religion into mora ! philosophy , and encouraging the people to regulate their practice upon abstract RIGHTS , I shall leave tothe examination of yourself , and of those political writers who are so greatly the objefts of your approbation .

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