Potter's Electric News

ARCHBISHOP LAUD. (Concluded from our last.) About the year 1634 there might have been seen shout London an austere Puritan, named William. Prynne, who appears to have been quite incapable of enjoying life himself, and conscientiously an- xious to prevent other peopla from doing so. This man, who was a barrister of Lincoln's Inn, with much learning and little sense, had conceived the idea that to indulge in stage-play, a hunt, a Christmas dinner, or a dance, was much more ini- quitous than to harbour-c, envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness." Nothing less would content him under the circumstances, than writing a book on the subject, entitled Histriomastix," in which, while severely reflecting on the Queen and Court, he endeavoured to demonstrate that all such pleasures and amusements were sinful to Christians. Frynne's book appears to have been as ridiculous as the author, and would have been treated by any prudent statesman with silent contempt. But with excessive prudence Laud was not giited; and he brought the unfortunate fanatic before the Stir Chamber. That court being the reverse of scrupu- lous, Prynne was, after a mock trial, to the disgrace of the Archbishop and his colleagues, sentenced to have his nose slit, his cheeks branded, and his ears cropped, and then to be cast into prison. While Prynne was being branded, and deprived of his ears, Laud was guilty of another outrage. In 1634 he dragged his old patron, Williams, Bishop of Lincoln, a man of popularity, before the Star Chamber for having published a tract entitled "The Holy Table," fined him an enormous sum, and then committed him as a prisoner to the Tower. Time passed on, and John Lilburnc, a person of ancient descent, and of enthusiastic spirit, was brought before the Star Chamber, for publishing a book entitled — "News from Ipswich." When asked to take an oath to answer the questions put to him by the Court, Lilburne declared No free- born Englishman," said he, ought to take the oath, not being bound by the Jaw of the country to accuse himself." For refusing to take the oath, Lilburne was sentenced to be whipped through the Streets, to stand in the pillory, and to be impri- soned in the Fleet. Such severities on the' part of an Archbishop naturally roused indignation, and the satirists of the day lashed Laud without mercy about the humility of his origin. Though his birth appears to have been perfectly respectable in its way, Laud felt these attacks acutely and one day, when walking with a protege in the palace gardens at Lambeth, showed him a pasquinade which had saddened his spirit. I am accused in this docu- ment," complained the Archbishop, with woe in his countenance, "of being of as mean parentage as if J bad been raked out of a dunghill." What a shame!" exclaimed the other. Yes," said Laud, his countenance brightening; "and, though I had not the good fortune to be born a gentleman, yet my parents were honest; they lived in good circumstances they employed the poor and they left a good name behind them." Besides," sug- gested the protege by way of consolation, "yonr Grace may remember what a certain Pope said when similarly attacked If the sun's beams found their way through the rugged roof and broken walls of my father's cottage, they at least illu- mined every corner of the humble dwelling in which I was born." z;1 But ere long Laud had to contend with assailants who used more substantial weapons of offence. One day a placard was posted at the London Ex- change, in which the apprentices of the metropolis were invited to attack the Archbishop's palace. Accordingly, at night, five hundred assembled, and approaching Lambeth with cries of No High Commission!"—"No Bishops! endeavoured to break the doors. But Laud had received intimation of the attack in time to fortify the mansion, and the crowd, after smashing some windows, were fain to disperse. Next morning the ringleaders were ar- rested, but the mob broke open the prison doors. and liberated them with shouts of triumph. One man, however, being recaptured, was executed, and his quarters exposed in various parts of the city, served to exasperate the multitudes still more highly against the Primate. Among the hundreds who hated Laud's name as death ranked a privileged person named Archy. who had figured as 11 King's Fool in the time of James, and held the same office under Charles. One day when the Archbishop was present, Archy asked leave to say 'grace;' permission being given, he said, Great praise be given to God, and little Laud to the Devil" No warning had any effect. The King did what the Archbishop pleased; while the Archbishop, wise in his own conceit, acted in utter defiance of public opinion and moderate men became so estranged from the Church, which by his measures be rendered so unpopular, that they questioned whether Laud's supremacy was not more intolerable than that of Rome. I shall be free and clear," said Sir Edward Deering, "if one of these must he, I bad rather serve one as far off as the Tiber' than to have him come so near to me as the Thames.' A Pope at Rome will do me less hurt thin a Patriarch at Lambeth." Ere the Parliamentary chiefs had begun to wran- gle over their mishaps at Newbury, or to treat with the King at Uxbridge, they deemed it politic to avail themselves of circumstances to revivethe po- pular feeling against Laud, and to devise measures C, z!l for sending the venerable Archbishop to the block. Laud, who was now in his seventy-second year, had been well nigh four years a prisoner in the Tower, and was in fair way -of being as com- pletely forgotten, as if he had found a last resting place in the chapei of St. Peter. A dispute about, church livings," however, brought him back to memory. It appears that Parliament claimed the right of nominating to vacant Benefices, and that the Peers called upon the captive Archbishop to collate the clergymen of their choice. Charles, however, con- trived to convey a command to Laud not to obey and Laud, complying with the King's orders, begged to be excused. The Peers, irritated by his refusal, appealed to the Commons, and resolving to pro- ceed with the charge against the imprisoned Pri- mate, the Commons appointed a committee to expedite the trial. Moreover, they entrusted the task of preparing evidence to Prynne, who willingly and readily und?rtook the duty, with the object of avenging the loss of his ears. Laud's fate was now sealed. After some neces- sary preliminaries, he was conveyed by the Lieu- tenant of the Tower to Westminster, brought into the House of Lords and ordered to kneel at the bar. The accusation was then read by the Com- mons and Laud having replied, the evidence was examined. After some time Parliament found that the charge of High Treason could not be estab- lished and resolved, as in Stafford's case, to give up the impeachment. The Commons, however, passed a bill of attain- der, and sent him up to the Lords, who, willing to save Laud if they could do so without danger to themselves, endeavoured to gain time, and ex- pressed doubts about points of laws. But the Commons, having made up their minds to have Laud's bead, were not to be thwarted; and early in January, 1645, few Peers being present, the bill of attainder passed the Upper House. The execution of Laud was fixed to take place on Friday, the 10th of January, 1645 and on the morning of that day, he was taken from his prison, and conducted to Tower Hill. On reaching the scaffold, the aged Archbishop delivered a long speech, justifying his own conduct, and declaring that the King was as sound a Protestant as any man in England. 11 1 forgive all the world," he said, in conclusion,—" all those bitter enemies who have persecuted me; and I humbly desire to be forgiven, first of God, and then of man -whether I have offended him or no, if he do but conceive that I have." Laud then prepared for the last melan- choly scene. The scaflold however was so crowded with enemies eager to see him die, that he had scarcely room to kneel down to offer up a prayer. The circumstance caused annoyance, and he could not help expressing some surprise. I did think," he remarked, looking around, that I might have Z, z, had room to die," We must make room," said the spectators, moving aside. "Well," said Laud, I'll pull off my doublet, and God's will be done. No man can b& more anxious to send me out of the 'world than I am to be gone." What text of Scripture is most comforting to a man at his depar- ture ?" asked Sir John Clot worthy, a Puritanical bigot, who had come to witness the Primate's last struggle. "Cupio dissohl et esse cum, dhristo," re- plied Laud, solemnly. "That is a good desire," said Clotworthy "but there must be a foundation for that desire—an assurance." No man can ex- press it," said Laud, "it is found within." "It is founded on a word, though," argued Clotworthy, and that word should be known." It is the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and that alone," said Laud, turning away, not without contempt, from his tormentor. "But," urged Clotwortby —— Here, honest friend," said Laud, giving the exe- cutioner some money, God forgive thee; and do thine office upon me in mercy." Having kneeled down & addressed a short prayer to God for the welfare of the Kingdom, aud his own eternal salvation through the merits of his ) Redeemer, Laud laid his bead on the block, and I said aloud—" Lord, receive my soul." He then gave a signal that had been agreed on, and the executioner, at one blow, severed the head from the body. When all was over, the corpse of the pious Primate was delivered to some of his friends, conveyed by them reverentially to Barking, and interred in the Church of All-hallows with much veneration. After the restoration, the remains of Laud were removed to Oxford, and deposited with ceremony near the Altar of Saint John's College Chapel. By JOHN G. EDGAR.

THE PRESENT CRISIS. We extract the following from a London contem- porary SIR,- Will you allow an old fashioned Evangelical of three score years and eleven, who has laboured anxiously to promote God's truth in the ministry of the Church of England for nearly half a century, to record in your pages his deep conviction touching the present crisis of affairs in the Church of England? Nothing has filled me with so much dismay as the now well-ascertained fact that there are some-I trust only a few, unquestionably godly and spiritual ministers and memb rs of our Reformed Church who can look on with indifference upon the threatened spoliation of an important branch of that Church, nay, in some instances, by their vote and interest, intend tu aid and abet its destruction. I feel sure that if I cculd subpoena from their slumbers one or all of the early founders of Evan- gelical truth in our Church within the last century, not one of them would fail to mourn over such a grievous mistake in good men. Passing by many of the hackneyed topics of argument on both sides, my mind rests upon the broad principle which the destruction of the national character of the Irish Church will involve. Ever since Christianity was introduced and prevailed in these islands it has been the established religion of the country in some form or other. Nay, more. Whenever Christianity has pervaded the people of any land, it has become nationalized,— whether it stole in unawares, as at the beginning, work- ing upwards; or, as in the case of most of our Saxon kingdoms, it was embraced first by the King and the aristocracy, working, downwarde,-in all cases it has become a national religion, interwoven with all public Acts, laws, and constitutions; lending its hallowed in- fluence to and leavening the secular powers, and receiving from them legal sanction and protection. Even in the days of our own Commonwealth, although Episcopacy was banished, Christianity was not denationalized. If this great act of spoliation, of wrong and robbery on the Irish Episcopal Church be accomplished, for the first time one of the three kingdoms will be stripped of its character as a Christian country, and turned adrift to be the prey of anarchy, and sectarianism, and Popery. Christianity will not be persecuted or denounced, it will only be placed on a level with Judaism, Swedenborgian- ism, or Mormonism. Ireland becomes a S&cular state! If there is no national Church there is no national reli- gion, no form of worship, nay, no God, no Church recognised as the god of the country." It will be cut down lower than most of the Pagan nations, who have learned even by natural religion that the acts of the Government of a people should recognise their Gods In my view of the case all other questions sink into comparative indifference; if we conscientiously and in- telligently hold that, as in a family, or a tribe, or clan, so in nations, religion, the true revealed religion, ought to be identified with the State-that the very health and wealth of States depend on their amalgamation with and their open profession of some form of Christianity,—then no question of numbers, few or many in particular pro vinces, no poHtical or conventional considerations, still less a desire to propitiate or satisfy unreasonable and grasping malcontents, should shake us for a moment from our fealty to the great principle of the Divine union between Church and State. God Himself joined them together in the one only religious Government and Con- stitution which He Himself framed on earth: surely leaving us a Divine example in all cases where it can be followed. If there be any force in these premises the conclusion is unavoidable. Eiery pious Churchman, and every pious Christian who holds the duty of preserving a State religion, should now come forlh at the call of his God, his religion, and his country, and determine, whether he be a layman or a clergyman, to use his most strenuous efforts to avert the great calamity with which these realms are threatened. Under ordinary circumstances, and when the questions which stir the heart of the country are purely secular, no one is more forward than I am in condemning those clergymen who show themselves forward in political movements. But the cry of I political parsons,' indiscri- minately raised, is a mere bugbear. When the very foundations of our National Church are shaken to their centre, it is little short ot treason to her to remain passive or inactive, or to content ourselves with giving a silent vote. We the: ministers of Christ have great influence in our bands-let us use it for the good of our Church and country. The Romish priests in Ireland are already in the field traiuing their ignorant und misguided followers to shout 'Down with her. down with her, even to the ground;' not a few of the leaders of the Dissenting bodies, both ministers and peoole, are straining every nerve for the overthrow of Established Churches, and the triumph of the voluntary system. Hitualistic traitors within our walls work in the same direction. And shall we, through false delicacy, or for fear of unpopularity among our parishioners who may differ from us, fail to strain every nerve to promote the return of those members to our Senate who will pledge themselves to the principle of the indissoluble union of iJhurch and State? I rejoice in the example which my own Bishop has set me, and if health and strength be granted me to return to my duties, will echo his warnings, and support his testimony, urging all pious men who love their God and their religion now to rally around oar glorious constitution in Church and State. For myself, I am pledged to vote at the ensuing elec- tion only for the man or men who will promise to support this principle, and dalend our existing Established Churches in ENGLAND. IRELAND, and SCOTLAND. Nor shall I consider it any derogation from the dignity, fidelity, or godliness of my pulpit duties to stir up men to adopt the same plain and honest course,and do their dut) as citizens and electors. I am no partizan for Whig or Tory. If I have any political predilection it is towards the former-or rather I should say it was so-but we have witnessed on all sides such miserable displays of mere selfish policy that I will swear to no master' in respect to political parties. Ambition, placb, and power, not to say in some cases merely mercenary considerations, sway so many of our leaders that they have taught us to cease from men and to cling to principle. Sir, if I could but persuade one godly man of the Liberal party (so called) on this trying occasion to leave his ranks and iodividuaHse himself and vote for the Church and State, or if I could arouse any of those who agree with me in principle to take a decided, open, and bold course, guided indeed by that prudence and modera tion in all things which becometh especially the ministers of the Gospel, yet not shrinking from any lawful means of promoting the return of sound Churchmen, tny object in penning this letter will be accomplished. Of this I feel confident, if our pious Liberals could be detached from the false position which they occupy, and if our real friends, lay and clerical, would exert themselves, the Irish Church would be saved F. CLOSE. August 14, 1868.

SOUTH WALES RAILWAY TIME TABLE. I « WVJIK DAYS.—DP TRAINS. lolass.!cla8B.jl &; 21 clasB. 1 &; 2¡ clagf. /stations. j class. | class.'1 & 2j class. 1 & 2jCla«^' Mil. Starting from a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. p.m.lp- 0 New Milford 8 35 11 0 5 0 6 45 41 Johnston 8 50 11 15 5 14 7 „ 91 Haverfordwest 9 0 ill 25 5 24 7 1-H ClavbesiiK Road 9 II 11 38 — *2 21 NarberthRoad.. 9 26 111 54 — 26,i- Whitland 9 47 111 9 6 0 82 St. Clears 9 5!) 12 24 ° ,n 404 Carmarthen Jnc. 6 30 8 50 10 17 12 45 6 27 » 60 Llanelly 7 12 9 40 10 57 1 35 7 6 » 72 Swansea 7 30 10 0 111 10 2 0 7 20 » 77 Neath (dep.). 7 58 10 37 11 39 2 39 7 r_ 111 Cardiff 9 45 12 31 12 47 4 32 9 2 J26/ Newport 10 20 1 20 1 13 5 0 9 21 143.\ Chepstow Ill 10 2 20 1 41 5 52 9 51 171? Gloucester (dep.) 112 45 4 5 2 35 i&2 12 40 17? Cheltenham(arr) l la 5 5 3 0 7 35 11 30 208 Swindon (dep.). 2 45 5 55 0 9 10 2 20 285 Padding-tor* 5 3o |9__35__5_j5__l\_15_ £ WEEK »AYS.—DOWN TRAIN 6. « « <V 1,2, a. M, 3,1, 11, 2, 3,, 1 & ^2] Stations. class. class. class, jl & 2j cla#s.jJ»l#s^ Mil. Starting from a.m. a.m. a.m. la.m. a.m. 0 Paddinjftoii 6 0 ) 9 15 77 Swindon (dep.) 9 25 jil St -J. 121 Ctif tenham (dep 6 10 |10^5 12 10 ,j 114 Gloucester (dep.) 6 35 111 10 12 55 t i9 14 I j Chepstow 7 44 12 16 1 45 » „i 158^i Newport 8 35 1 0 2 30 • ,5 1701 Cardiff 9 8 1 28 2 51 « 208 Neath (dep.) 10 57 3 13 3 58 7 30 3 «' 216 Swansea 11 5 3 15' 4 0 7 45 225 ILlanenj 11 58 4 5 4 40 8 25 4 244f Carmarthen Jnc. 12 49 5 21 5 21 ft 10 » 253 St. Clears 1 4 5 38 S 3S 9 26 -U 258,T Whitlana 1 19 5 54 5 34 9 40 5 264 Narber'hfi.iad. 1 33 6 7 6 1 8 53 27OA Clarbestou Road 1 47 6 20 6 20 [10 1\ „g 275fi Haverfordwest. 1 58 6 32 6 32 10 19 .j 280 £ iMillord Road 2 13 8 46 6 4? 10 33 & b0 2S5 LvewMilford 2 24 7 0 7 0 '10 15 SUNDAYS.—Of Tit A INS. SUJfXIAYS.—DOWN Station8 class. class. class. From a.m. p.m. |p.x». From a.m. a.m. a.m- V. Mil. 11 0 5 0 Pad.j 10 0 MilRoadill 13 5 14 Sinn. ,e\ p.m., H.West.jll 23 5 24 Chel. de 1 20 f {p Clar.Rdjll 36 — Glou. de 3 30 1*^ Nar.Rd+Ill 49 5 50 Chep 4 38 jj Wbit. 12 18 0 New 5 25 £ StClears 12 15 Cardiff 5 0 i Car.Jne. 12 37 6 27 Neathrfc 7 38 » j Llanelly 1 23 7 6 Swan.efe 7 55 Swan.de 1 45 7 20 Llanellyi 8 33 » }j Neath. 2 22 7 51 Car.Jne 9 20 Cardiff. 3 56 9 2 StClears 9 36 0 New. 4 28 9 24 Whit 9 52 Chep. 5 6 9 51 Nar.Rdt 10 7 Glou. de 6 25 12 40 Clar. Rd |10 ^3 OW. arlAr 2 H.West 110 34 # 41 Swia. de 8 20 2 20 MilRoad |10 50 .$ Pad. i: 15 4 3$N. Mil. ill MILFORD BRANCH LINE OF RAILWAY From Johnston (late Milford Road) to Mil/of —— UP TRAINS WKKK 1JAYS. r T a. m. aTmT p. m. f p. m. p. m. a. »• Milfovd ..dep 1 8 35 10 55 1 50 4 55 6 40 U j Johnston arr 8 45 11 10 2 5 5 9 6 55 DOWN TRAINS WIW'.K DAYS. » £ a. m. fa7mT^p7m. p.m. p.m, a. j 5 Johnston dep 9 10 I 11 20 2 15 5 20 7 5 11 j Milford.arr 9 201 11 35 2 30 5 35 Milford.arr 9 201 11 35 2 30 5 35 PEMBROKE AND TENBY RAILWAY. UP TRAINS—WEEK DATS. — U,2,gov. 1,2. gov.11,2. gov. l.ii.go' FROM. a.m. a.m. p.m. p.m. 5 Whitland 6 15 9 50 1 25 6 1^ Narberth 6 30 10 5 1 40 4 Kiljj»etty 6 i ? p 50 0 i5 Saund.-rsfoot '6 51 10 26 2 1 C 50 ,0 Tenbv ..dep 7 20 10 35 2 10 > « « Penallv 7 23 10 38 2 13 » « 8 Manorbeer 7 32 10 52 2 21 » g 9 Lamphey 7 40 11 0 9« Pembroke /4a U 5 I Si> Pembroke Dock arr 7 5 5 11 15 2 45 ±—-— DOWN TRAINS—WEEK l,2,gov7TT^gov. I,~2.gov. l,2,g^ FROM P' 0 a.m. a.m. p-m- j5 J » PembrokeDock dep 8 5 10 30 3 1;' r ^3 s 1? Pembroke .dep 8 13 10 88 3-3 «7 o «2 Lamphcy 8 17 10 42 3 27 » „q Mancrbeer 8 27 10 52 3 37 Penal.y 8 35 111 8 46 0 8 Tenby 8 45 11 10 5 « 7 7 Saundersfoot 8 54 11 20 5 » Kilgi'tty 8 59 11 24 M y SQ Narberth 9 15 11 42 5 3 j Whitland 9 30 11 57 5 4a Printed and Published by the Propr^°Js' ftt tb«' LLKWELUN and THOMAS WHICHEE D^|ot Office in Higb-street, in the P«n-t) ° ^eB{, in the County of the Town of J?* Wednesday, August 26, i» •