1 85 1.] ROBBERY. 131 



8 p.m., while I was engaged with my congregation in the 

 discharge of my ministerial duties ; and, having burst my 

 Desks, Drawers, and Bureau, did abstract therefrom, a plain 

 gold Mourning Ring, with the name N. Pearsall' thereon, also 

 a Silver Coin with the letters LS. on one side and two 

 candlesticks on the other side, also gold and silver coin 

 belonging to myself and my housekeeper, of the value of 

 about ^10; and did also abstract from my plate-basket 

 3 Silver Table Spoons, engraved P.P. C. ; I hereby give notice, 

 That I offer no Reward for the discovery of the said 

 Parties, if for no other reason, because I have incurred suffi- 

 cient loss already. If, however, the Parties should be dis- 

 covered, I do not intend to prosecute them, 1. Because my 

 evidence will not be received in a Court of Justice unless 

 I swear,* which I am forbidden by our Lord to do (Matt. v. 

 34) ; 2. Because I believe that transporting the said Parties 

 or sending them to jail would make them worse than they 

 are, and L am forbidden to recompense evil for evil (Rom. 

 xii. 17); and 3. Because that would be a strange way of 

 showing the forgiveness which I am bound to exercise (Matt, 

 vi. 15). 



" If the said Parties should see this Document, and if they 

 will come to see me, I hereby promise to do them no harm, 

 and I shall be glad of an opportunity of conversing with them. 

 If they are afraid to meet me now, we shall meet hereafter, 

 when we stand together to render up our accounts at the judg- 

 ment-seat of Christ (2 Cor. v. 10). Lastly, I earnestly beg of 

 them to give up their present evil courses (Eph. iv. 28), and to 

 live a useful and a holy life, that they may have part in the 

 mercy of God which is by Christ Jesus (Rom. vi. 21-23). 



" Philip Pearsall Carpenter, Minister of the Gospel. 



" Chapel house, Cairo Street, Warrington, 



Monday morning, October 20th, 1851." 



This handbill, which was copied in newspapers, excited 

 considerable attention. An excellent gaol-chaplain said that 



* See note, p. 126. 



