On this page

• Text (1)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    848 Critical AVogices.— Theolugicah

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Ar04800

    those who unite together from conviction , those who feel an interest in the cause to which they give their siame arid their sanction , will not , cannot , be thnis diverted froni their profession . Upon them an anathema has no power , because they can * give a reason for the hope

    that is in them . ' By them a worldly temptation is despised , because they feel themselves to be engaged in the defence of truth . They are not unstable in all their ways , because they are sensible of an imperative necessity to serve God rather than meiu If these convictions

    are once properly operative , must they not lead the mind to be zealous , amd prompt us to leaye no proper means untried for the promotion of what we regard as the cause of righteousness and truth ? From this indifference or neglect on the subject of opinion many other eviLs have gradually resulted which call for speedy and effectual reform . Indifference on one subject has led to indif fercnce on many , and a general carelessness has ensued . Public and private religious duties have been neglected , and what remains is tthe mere form of religion without its power . < o It may not be unimportant to refer specifically to some of the evils which result from this want of knowledge or indifference on the subject of opiuion . There is au immediate consequence of it seen in the administration of public and private benevolence . —God forbid that I should utter a word calculated to

    diminish the universality of any Christian love . We ought to love and assist the whole family of God ; but there is a duty , also , which we owe to our own household of faith . In fact , if we have a proper sense of the value of truth—if we attach serious iimportance to our own convictions—if we believe that we have

    the mind of the spirit , the duty which results is plain . It is this , that whilst we are benevolent to the whole human race , whilst we love our fellow-ehristiaus of every denomination , and are not guilty of attributing exclusive salvation to our own views , we ought to employ

    our understandings , our influence and pecuniary means for the establishment and permanence of Christian truth ; for the support and assistance of those who are struggling Hinder difficulties , and united with us ini the same holy callinig . The practice of others is no argument for our adopting any particular mode of conduct ; but it shews us they entertain a strouger sense of the justice of their owu conviction : for in no instance does any denomination of our fellow-chri . s-

    Ar04801

    tians reciprocate with ns , or aid in the slightest degree , any of oar religious institutions . We can never hope for prosperity , speaking merely on the ground

    of prudence , but by the concentration of our efforts , by unanimous and willing exertions , by a hearty and sincere endeavour to advance the cause which we espouse . We want a stricter attention to the forms and the spirit of religion ; a more regular observance of its outward ordinances ; a greater respect for regularity in its private duties ; and ,

    above all , the cultivation of the genuine piety of the heart which is the essence of the gospel . We are too much afraid of every thing which has the appearance of precision , or formality , or fanaticism . But ' it is a good thing to be zealously affected in a good cause , ' and there is no danger whatever that fanaticism can ever be engrafted upon knowledge . The

    union of knowledge and zeal is the object at which we ought constantly to aim . I am very much mistaken if our religious views , when properly developed ^ are not calculated to inspire the most exalted religious feelings , and to prompt to the most vigorous discharge of the Christian duties . If they are not successful , the fault lies not with our opinions , but with ourselves ; and what rests with ourselves it is our duty as well as our interest to amend . If the warm spirit of devotion , which characterizes some of our fellow-professors , were engrafted upon the simplicity of our opinions ; if we added their zeal to our knowledge ; if , like them , we devoted owr time , and our talents and our

    worldly means , to the extension of the Redeemer ' s kingdom , by the education of the young , by the conversion of the sinful , by associations for our own mutual encouragement and growth in grace , — we should no longer be reproached with the paucity of our numbers , the heartless rationality of our devotions .

    and the cold and logical distinctions of our public teaching . We should rise above such reproaches ; and , under the banner of truth and love , we should , II doubt not , go forth conquering and to conquer , obtaining both the approbation of men and the favour of God . In all events , we should acquit ourselves fully to our own com sciences , and not be liable to the condemnation which i . contained in a he words of the Apostle , * To hinn that kuoweth to do good , and doeth nt not , to hi in it is bin . ' "—Pp . ' 25—29 „

    848 Critical Avogices.— Theolugicah

    848 Critical AVogices . — Theolugicah

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1830, page 848, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/mrp_02121830/page/48/