It appears from the testimony of George Tarrier, and James Russell, of
Redcross-street; of Richard Jessop, of Castle-street; and William
Williams of the Mint; that the _Rev. John Church_, on the 16th of
November, 1809, also attended at the funeral of Richard Oakden, a clerk
in the Bank, who was hung before Newgate, for an abominable offence, on
14th November, 1809. This _pious_ minister and his partizans returned to
the Hat and Feathers, Gravel-lane, kept by a Mr. Richardson, where the
funeral set out from, to partake of a jovial dinner. His conduct here,
it seems, was beyond description.
It is averred, that his wife, upon hearing the infamy of his conduct took
to drinking, to avoid reflection, which soon occasioned her death. But,
within the last three months since, he has been charged with the above
detestable offence, in order (we presume under the mask of hypocrisy,) to
rescue, in some degree, his character from the public odium with which it
had been marked, he has been induced to marry a respectable woman, who
kept a seminary for young ladies at Hammersmith. The verdict of “Guilty”
had been scarcely pronounced, when the relatives of the children, with
the greatest promptitude possible, took them all away from the said
school.
Some time previous to the commission of the offence for which Church has
been at last convicted he made an attempt, in the open street, on the
person of a poor Frenchman, who had him conveyed to the watchhouse, where
a long examination took place, but the proof not being very conclusive,
the affair was hushed up.
Since his conviction, Church has resided at the house of _a friend_,
where _his followers_ are admitted to see him on producing a card signed
by himself, on which are inscribed certain texts of scripture. Will this
wretch never cease blaspheming the holy scriptures by his appropriation
of them!
It may not be improper to state one of the tricks made use of to threw
the prosecutor off his guard. A limb of the law, it appears, of the
_Jewish_ persuasion, _gratuitously_ offered to conduct the prosecution
for the young man; but upon a refusal being given him, on account of Mr.
HARMER being selected for that purpose, it was ultimately discovered that
this _philanthropic_ Israelite had been exerting himself towards
exculpating Church, with all the ingenuity he was master of in his
defence, from the heinous offence alleged against him. The “laws delay”
was resorted to, but only to put off the trial till the next assizes, but
the expenses materially increased, as a means of deterring the prosecutor
from proceeding. It is, however, lamentable to observe, that the charges
in bringing such a wretch to justice, should amount to eighty or ninety
pounds!
From the acknowledgement of this monster himself, the profits of this
_precious_ recepticle produced him from £1000 to £1200 annually.
At length, this precious hypocrite, who has so long set all decency at
defiance, by public preaching, notwithstanding his diabolical well known
propensities, has been found guilty of the crime he has so long (and so
numerously) been charged with. Much as it might be wished that such a
monster, under the disguise of that sacred habit, which at all times is
entitled to reverence, should be consigned with his crimes to oblivion.
But such suppression would be doing a serious injury to public morals.
Delicacy at all times ought to be a paramount consideration, but there
are cases in which a great deal more injury both to morals and liberty
may arise from the suppression than the exposure of indecencies. This we
apprehend to be one of that sort, and great care has been taken to avoid
entering into any disgusting particulars. It is due to the community at
large that such a dangerous character should be exposed to society, and
it is equally important to that sacred body, who can only rise or fall in
public estimation from their good conduct.
He will be brought up the first day of next term to receive judgement in
the Court of King’s Bench. Mr. Gurney we understand, although he so ably
and eloquently defended the guilty monster, Church, undertook his cause
with the greatest reluctance.