But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
King James Version, Epistle of James
Preaching to George the Fourth must have
felt a bit like preaching to the unconverted and the writer - his Domestic
Chaplain, Hugh Pearson - has just done it, his text taken from the Epistle of
James in the New Testament. The gentle ironies of his letter suggest that he
was adapted to the task. A vicar in the diocese of Rochester (known to Pearson)
has written to congratulate him on his appointment as Bishop, to which Hugh
Pearson replies that the Reverend Noel has written to the wrong man. The rumour
mill has got him mixed up with someone who has a name “something like mine” – a
brief search yields the correct name, Hugh Percy. But rather than rub in the
discomfort, Pearson ends his letter with a gesture designed to make the
Reverend Noel feel better, “Do you know of any good curate? I want one for
Haslemere”. He also remembers to include in the address the courtesy title of
“Honourable” owed to Gerard Thomas Noel as the son of a Baronet.
Haslemere is in Surrey but for the usual
obscure reasons the church living was in the Bishop of Salisbury’s gift.
Pearson was Dean of Salisbury though excused duties while serving George
the Fourth. As far as I can establish his was a moderately evangelical Christianity and missionary in spirit as the
text for his sermon at Windsor suggests; his politics appear to have been relatively progressive in relation to slavery
and social reform and he had some connection to what is known as the Clapham Sect.
*
Transcription
Addressed to: The Hon’ble Revd T
Noel Teston Maidstone
Datelined from: Royal Lodge, Windsor July 1. 1827
My dear Mr Noel,
I should long since have answered your kind
letter, had I known exactly how to direct to you; but as you dated it only from
Teston, I was not sure of the Post Town. Having occasion therefore to send a
testimonial to Mr Charles Hoare I avail myself of the cover to thank you for
your Christian & friendly wishes respecting Rochester. You will perceive by
the last Gazette a great name something like mine as designated for your
Diocese. It had long been settled, but the delay in the arrangements as to resignations
led to the speculation which introduced my name to the public. It has been very
gratifying to me to find so many of the excellent of the Earth interested in
such a supposed appointment. God knows best how to dispose of us all, & how
to promote his cause & kingdom in the world. Let us only endeavour to do
our utmost in his service wherever we may be placed, & all will be well. I
have just preached before the King from those striking words in the first
Lesson 1 Jam: 2:30.
I have only room to assure you that with
best wishes & prayers, I am Dear Noel, Ever very truly & affect[ionately] H. Pearson
Do you know of any very good curate? I want
one for Haslemere.
St George’s Chapel Windsor
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