questions about it. A military despotism would perhaps be the government after your own heart; but then the People, who may take it into their heads that they will be consulted on these affairs, may not admire that species of misrule and as to a Republic, it is very probable that you detest the name; since I am told that even the very title of this publication has alarmed some of the newly initiated. I know it has not alarmed you that would be impossible; veterans are seldom frightened at squibs. However, though its title may have an alarming signification in the estimation of a corrupt and vitiated administration, it would be perfectly harmless in the opinion of a government that respected the RES PUBLICA which it is said to signify. But It has been my fate to peruse within these last few days such a mass of detestable nonsense, wherein this paper and its former editor have been abused in such an ignorant spiteful manner, that it almost disgusted me with politics, since such a mob of ridiculous scribblers presume to meddle with it. Some of them are perhaps men of fortune; and such are sure to fall upon poor scribblers without mercy, tell them they write in a garret, &c. not considering that good sense has sometimes been written in a garret, and the most despicable nonsense in fine chambers of state. the real secret is, they find those poor garreteers, whom they abuse in such an unchristian manner, to be in the right, and they cannot bear the reflection that poor men should think more correctly than themselves. I do not tell your Lordship this, because I in the least suspect you of patronizing such ignorant scribblers, but because I would advise you to disclaim them when they insinuate such an infamous falsehood, and to punish them for libellers if they dare to persist, I could write a great deal more, but I fear I have. already trespassed too much on your Lordship's patience and good-nature, and therefore conclude by wishing you may one day or another meet the reward you richly deserve. I remain, with the most profound respect, Your Lordship's most affectionate fellow citizen, JULIAN AUGUŠTUS ST. JOHN, SIR, To the Editor of the REPUBLICAN. I HAVE enclosed the sum of £1. 1s. in behalf of Mr. Carlile, and should you think the few observations accompanying it, worthy of insertion you are at liberty do what you think with the same. proper R. S. As you would that men should do unto you, do you also unto them, is the only religion of the Deists; and indeed if acted upon by all mankind, there would be no necessity for the millions who are supported to deceive the weak, and mislead the superstitions. Want and poverty could no longer have existence, but universal happiness and contentment would be diffused amongst every species of the creation. Charity instead of persecution-Love instead of hatred and revenge-in short the fierce torrents of vice and immorality, we should then see converted into bright and lucid streams of virtue and benevolence. It is necessary to shew their attachment that men should act agreeable to their professions, and this cannot be done better than by relieving the necessities of the distressed, In breaking the iron arm of persecution, by yielding consolation to the oppressed, and endeavouring by every exertion to dispel the gloom and despondency that invariably hang around the unhappy inmates of a prison. I would ask Deists, the great professors of this golden rule of life, if they will let pass unnoticed an opportunity of shewing their distinguished adherence to its principle, by deserting an individual the organ of their opinions-one who has subjected himself to be cast, weighed down by manacles, amidst the horrors of a loathsome jail? or will they not rather shew their devoted zeal in maintaining it by coming forward in a period of dismay, and helping the fatherless children and widow, whose means of existence has been cut off by the arms of power and oppression? They should recollect the eyes of all mankind are cast upon their proceedings, anxiously awaiting the establishment of their claims, as the supporters of so sublimea maxim, which has been raised as the guide and standard for their directions, Can it be forgotten when the recent persecution of the Protestants by the Catholics in France occurred, that the benevolence of the Christian character was shewn by their lending pecuniary aid to their unfortunate brethren, aliens by birth, and made enemies of each other by the unjust systems of corrupt administrators; and can they, possessing the recollection of these occurences, withhold their assistance from a being who has most nobly and disinterestedly published what he considered truth, and opinions with which they entirely coincide? But why appeal to Deists alone? where are the devoted followers of Jesus-where exist the pillars of piety and religion, the believers in Christ? Do they forget it was the rule of their great master to love his enemies, to do good to them that hated him, and to lend assistance to his adversaries, with a hope of being rewarded by the justice of his God? Are all these practices of Jesus lost, and has Christianity degenerated into nothing but a name. If these things are thought good, and not acted upon by believers; then might those who deny its truth, justly exclaim in the language of the founder of the Christian religion, "Woe unto you hypocrites, ye pay tithes of mint, anise, and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith." Let it be recollected, it is in a country professing Christianity that long imprisonment, and heavy fines have been imposed on one who differs from the established religion of the land, and as no hope can be entertained, that the period of imprisonment will be shortened, so nothing else can wipe the stain of so unjust a proceeding but by Christians, as well as Deists contributing to the payment of the fine, therefore I would advise Deists for the sake of their character, and Christians for the maintenance of their religion, to contribute each their mite for the abatement of the misery of a fellow-creature. Goldsmith Street. ROBERT STAMP. REFLECTIONS ON LAWFUL THEOLOGY, Written after hearing a popular pulpit Orator, with Christian liberality, dispensing his " Anathemas Maranathas.” WITH confidence which party lore inspires, But vehement declamation nothing proves : Men may at least be left, each for himself, Can they dwell NEARER in another planet, The saved to roam on their parole of honour, The damned, sent thence, to durance vile in limbo, But it were well, if lawyers left the priests By ghostly penance in a ghostly state. Had Carlile's judge and jurors but considered That he from priests dissented not one point More than they did from hin, they would have spurned The more than human task, the impious farce Of propping truth divine by human law! Man is not competent to punish mind, Of liberty from each, for general good; And Bible Quixotes, vending bales of Bibles, Who, in obedience to the Christian-code, Searched for himself, that he might all things prove, Implies a foul suspicion of that book, Unworthy of the origin assigned it: Of well-attested, heaven-born truths sublime, Belief's no merit, unbelief no crime. Who style themselves his favourites on earth Can man by proxy suffer or enjoy? Where lives the man whose faith hath stretch'd life's span, Beyond the verge of healthful nature's bounds? The reveries of the fancy may amuse, But true philosophy keeps pace with knowledge: Statesmen, for statesmen's ends, may priests support, As state theology supports the state; Plain truth no favour asks from courts or kings, But justice measured by the golden rule: |