REFLECTIONS ON FRENCH ATHEISM AND ON ENGLISH CHRISTIANITY. BY WILLIAM RICHARDS, A.M. MEMBER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY. THIRD EDITION WITH ADDITIONS.
Philadelphia: Printed by Thomas Dobson, for Morgan J. Rhees, 1796. 32pp. Disbound, else Very Good. With the signature "Jh Bloomfield" in the upper margin of page [3]. Joseph Bloomfield was Governor of New Jersey 1801-1812.
This edition is recorded by Sabin; it is not in Evans. It was "also issued as part of: MacGowan, John. Shaver's sermon for the fast day. Philadelphia, 1796 (Evans 30724)" [ESTC]. Previous editions issued from Lynn, England. The pamphlet is dated in type at the end, "Lynn, England, Jan. 21, 1795."
Richards offers advice "to those Good People who are shocked at the Disorders and Convulsions of France." He explains, "It was the abuse of power so long uncontrouled, in the hands of monarchy and aristocracy, which had occasioned the disorders you lament." Don't blame the Revolution for atheism: French atheism "existed and prevailed there long before" the French Revolution, thanks to a "corrupt and tyrannical" ecclesiastical establishment.
Sabin 70971. ESTC W21694 [6 locations]. Item #36024
Price: $250.00