JAMES BLACK LIBRARY. THE CLAIMS. OF CHRISTIAN PHILANTHROPY; OR, THE DUTY OF A CHRISTIAN GOVERNMENT WITH RESPECT TO MORAL AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, AND THE MANNER IN WHICH ITS BENEFICIAL EFFECTS ARE COUNTERACTED BY INORDINATE COMPETITION IN TRADE, LEADING TO INHUMANITY AND INTEMPERANCE. BY ROBERT WHYTEHEAD, B. A., LATE INCUMBENT OF ST. PETER'S, IPSWICH. "Latiùs regges avidum domando HORAT. Od. ii. lib. ii. 9. LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & CO., STATIONERS' COURT. ORIGINAL ADVERTISEMENT. PROSPECTUS OF A Prize Essay ON THE PERNICIOUS EFFECTS OF INORDINATE COMPETITION IN WORLDLY PURSUITS, AND OF INTEMPERANCE, AS TWO EVILS FRUSTRATING THE EFFICACY, AND IMPEDING THE PROGRESS, OF NATIONAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION. (To be comprised in Four Sections.) SECTION I. To represent the very serious and imperative duty, which attaches to the Government of a nation in exercising its functions, towards promoting a sound, religious, and moral education amongst all classes of the community; and on the other hand to suppress, or at least to discourage, whatever may impede it, or be prejudicial thereto. SECTION II. To depict the painful effects produced by inordinate Competition, in regard to the unwarrantable and cruel treatment of the dumb and defenceless Animal Creation, and to urge the necessity of a rational and merciful limitation being affixed to the exertions exacted of them by mankind.* SECTION III. To illustrate the baneful effects, both upon the mental and physical energies of a densely-crowded and thoughtless population, produced by competition in the unrestricted sale of intoxicating liquors; when, to aid the above demoralizing and pestiferous traffic, every alluring enticement is adopted. * To shew the necessity of some benevolent interference on this subject, coaches on some roads are now actually about to compete in rapidity with carriages impelled by the mighty power of steam! SECTION IV. To argue how powerfully the above evils must, separately and collectively, tend to neutralize the beneficial effects which Christianity has at so much cost, and with so much labour and talent, striven to dispense, and the characteristic features of which are Humanity, Temperance, and, the most comprehensive of its doctrines-Charity. It is to be observed, that the Essay is to be framed on General Principles, and not with the view of entering into the political disputations or religious opinions of any separate party or sect whatever. Should any pecuniary benefit arise from its publication, it is to be applied in aid of the funds of the PHILANTHROPIC SOCIETY, St. George's Fields. AS A GUIDE TO AUTHORS, OBSERVE The Adjudicators of the Prizes (three in number) to be appointed by the Committee of the said PHILANTHROPIC SOCIETY. The manuscripts, which may be successful, are to become the unreserved and absolute property of the said Society. The several manuscripts are to be delivered at the Superintendent's Office of the above Society, near the Obelisk, St. George's Fields, on or before the 23rd June, 1838, after which time none can be received, and a sealed letter, containing the Names and Address of the respective Candidates, is to accompany each manuscript. The seals of the letters accompanying those two Essays only, to which the Prizes may be awarded, will be broken-the others will be returned to the respective Authors. The Prizes will be awarded on the 20th day of December, 1838. SEVENTY POUNDS to be awarded for the best Essay-THIRTY POUNDS for the second best. By Order of the Committee, 2nd Jan. 1838. J. O. KETTLE, Superintendent. |