Transcribed from the 1849 Partridge and Oakey edition by DavidPrice.
THE
Chelsea Working-Man’s Sabbath Essay.
~~~~~~
DIVINE MERCY;
OR,THE
TEMPORAL ADVANTAGES OF THESABBATH.
INTERSPERSEDWITH
EXPOSTULATORY REMARKS.
BY GEORGE BRYAN,
ONE OF THE LATE COMPETITORS FOR THESABBATH ESSAY PRIZES.
“’Tis not in artful measures, in thechime
And idle tinkling of a minstrel’s lyre,
To charm His ear, whose eye is on the heart;
Whose frown can disappoint the proudest strain,
Whose approbation prosper even mine!”—Cowper.
LONDON:
PARTRIDGE AND OAKEY, PATERNOSTER ROW;
W. F. RAMSAY, BROMPTON ROW,BROMPTON;
J. L. POUTER, SLOANE STREET; AND D.ROBERTSON, GLASGOW.
1849
p. 2CHELSEA.
PRINTED BY T. WILSHER, MANORSTREET.
p. 3TO THE
RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF HARROWBY,
&c. &c. &c.
My Lord,
Towards the termination of the year 1847, J. Henderson, Esq.,of Park, near Glasgow, a gentleman distinguished for his pietyand universal benevolence, offered prizes for the three bestEssays on “the Temporal Advantages of the Sabbath, and theconsequent necessity of preserving its rest from all theencroachments of unnecessary labour.” In the shortspace of three months 1045 Essays were forwarded by Working-Mento the Adjudicators. Some time afterwards, ten additionalprizes were munificently given by His Royal Highness PrinceAlbert, in addition to many others which had been previouslyannounced.
One month had elapsed before I was informed of the originalintention, and at that period the health of my wife was in a veryprecarious state, besides which I was myself labouring undergreat distress of mind. Notwithstanding these evidentdisadvantages, the subject being congenial to my feelings, Iresolved on making an effort to express my individual viewsrespecting the temporal value and importance of theSabbath-day.
Although unsuccessful in obtaining a prize, there were reasonswhich induced me to conclude that my Essay, in p. 4its originalstate, maintained a most favourable position amidst the host ofits competitors. Since its return to me I have made severalmaterial amendments—which I deem it right to acknowledge injustice to the arduous duties of the Adjudicators. SeveralInhabitants of Chelsea, who had perused my amended Essay,expressed a desire that it should be printed; and, having sincereceived increased encouragement, I have been inducedrespectfully to s