The Trial and Conviction of That Infamous Hypocrite John Church: The Surrey Tabernacle Preacher, Borough-road, St. George's Fields, for an Abominable Offence; Including the Whole of the Evidence; Tried Before Lord Ellenborough, at the Surrey Assizes, Croydon, Saturday, August 16, 1817. To Which Is Added, His Life, Confessions, Notes of One of His Sermons, the Whole of the Love-letters, &c. &c. — John Shaqi
The Trial and Conviction of That Infamous Hypocrite John Church: The Surrey Tabernacle Preacher, Borough-road, St. George's Fields, for an Abominable Offence; Including the Whole of the Evidence; Tried Before Lord Ellenborough, at the Surrey Assizes, Croydon, Saturday, August 16, 1817. To Which Is Added, His Life, Confessions, Notes of One of His Sermons, the Whole of the Love-letters, &c. &c.Anonymous
Religion
The Trial and Conviction of That Infamous Hypocrite John Church: The Surrey Tabernacle Preacher, Borough-road, St. George's Fields, for an Abominable Offence; Including the Whole of the Evidence; Tried Before Lord Ellenborough, at the Surrey Assizes, Croydon, Saturday, August 16, 1817. To Which Is Added, His Life, Confessions, Notes of One of His Sermons, the Whole of the Love-letters, &c. &c.
Anonymous
Church, J. (John), approximately 1780-approximately 1825 -- Trials, litigation, etc.; Trials (Sodomy) -- England
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.
APPENDIX.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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