Transcribed from the 1817 Hay and Turner edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org [Picture: Public domain book cover] THE TRIAL AND CONVICTION OF JOHN CHURCH, THE Preacher OF THE SURREY TABERNACLE, BOROUGH ROAD, AT THE _Surrey Assizes_, _at Croydon_, _on Saturday_, _the_ 16_th_ _of August_, 1817, FOR AN ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO COMMIT AN Unnatural Crime. * * * * * TAKEN IN SHORT-HAND, BY A BARRISTER. * * * * * The profits arising from this Publication will be given to the Prosecutor to assist in defraying the expenses of the Prosecution. * * * * * London: _PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY HAY AND TURNER_. 11, NEWCASTLE STREET, STRAND; AND MAY BE HAD OF W. WRIGHT, MARSH-GATE, LAMBETH, AND ALL BOOKSELLERS IN TOWN AND COUNTRY. 1817. _Price Two Shillings_. * * * * * TO THE PUBLIC. IN presenting to you the following account of the Trial of JOHN CHURCH, for an attempt to commit one of the foulest crimes recognized by the law of nature, the Publishers have no wish to echo the triumphs of a party—they are actuated only with a desire to hold up the abominable wretch to general observation, that innocent youths may not unguardedly become the victims of his brutal passion—the occasion calls for sorrow rather than joy; and the Christian Philanthropist will feel more inclined to shed the silent tear, than indulge in exultation, while he peruses this record of human degradation. In some cases, it appears desirable not to suffer trials of a criminal nature to appear in print, particularly when the facts are too indecent, lest the tender feelings of any should be injured, or that information given which had better be withheld; but when the subject of conviction is a creature, who pretends to be the guide of hundreds in the paths of our Holy Religion, and under its sacred name, is not only ruining the bodies, but the souls of many of his hearers, than silence becomes a crime, and a full exposure an imperative duty.