Transcribed from the 1817 Hay and Turner edition by DavidPrice,
THE
TRIAL AND CONVICTION
OF
JOHN CHURCH,
THE
Preacher
OF THE
SURREY TABERNACLE, BOROUGH ROAD,
AT THE
Surrey Assizes, at Croydon, on Saturday,the 16th of August, 1817,
FOR AN ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO COMMITAN
Unnatural Crime.
TAKEN INSHORT-HAND,
BY A BARRISTER.
The profits arising from thisPublication 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 BEHAD OF W. WRIGHT, MARSH-GATE, LAMBETH, AND ALL
BOOKSELLERS IN TOWN ANDCOUNTRY.
1817.
Price Two Shillings.
p. iiiTOTHE PUBLIC.
In presenting to you the followingaccount of the Trial of John Church,for an attempt to commit one of the foulest crimes recognized bythe law of nature, the Publishers have no wish to echo thetriumphs of a party—they are actuated only with a desire tohold up the abominable wretch to general observation, thatinnocent youths may not unguardedly become the victims of hisbrutal passion—the occasion calls for sorrow rather thanjoy; and the Christian Philanthropist will feel more inclined toshed the silent tear, than indulge in exultation, while heperuses this record of human degradation.
In some cases, it appears desirable not to suffer trials of acriminal nature to appear in print, particularly when the factsare too indecent, lest the tender feelings of any should beinjured, or that information given which had better be withheld;but when the subject of conviction is a creature, who pretends tobe the guide of hundreds in the paths of our Holy Religion, andunder its sacred name, is not only ruining the bodies, but thesouls of many of his hearers, p. ivthan silence becomes a crime, and afull exposure an imperative duty.
We regret, that among the followers of this wretch are to befound many young men, who not only countenance his cause by theirpresence, but advocate it with their talents;—that charity,which covereth a multitude of sins, leads us to indulge the hope,that hitherto they have acted conscientiously and fromprinciple—that they have believed their leader was theobject of cruel persecution—that he suffered forrighteousness sake—and under this impression, we pityrather than condemn them; but can they be of the same opinionnow? We request their attentive perusal of the followingpages; we beg of them to notice the evidence produced for theprosecution, partic