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ever , at that time it was remarked by a senator , that of the Unitarians he knew nothing ; and he asked whether they brought with them " airs from heaven , or blasts from hell . " Such a question as that cannot now be put , for we have so much reason on our side , and so much respectability in 0 uTXhamcter 7 thatiTO"one would-venture to make such an insinuation .
The resolution of thanks that I am about to move is in these words : — 10 . ' That the cordial thanks of this Meeting be respectfully presented to William Smith , Esq ., one of the earliest members of the Unitarian Society , and one of the most steadfast and effective advocates of liberty , both civil and religious , for his obliging and able conduct in the chair . '
' If it were permitted to envy the lot or the character of any man , I should envy that of our excellent Chairman , whose whole life in parliament was devoted to the advocacy of measures calculated to promote the happiness , the welfare , the freedom , and the well-being of mankind . This was the cause for which he contended through good report and evil report ; this was the cause which he advocated
when he was overwhelmed by majorities , as well as when the day arrived for his seeing the glorious consummation of his wishes . I had the honour of being appointed for several years one of the representatives of this congregation to the deputies for protecting the civil rights of Dissenters . Over that assembly our Chairman presided ; and I had-frequent
opportunities of witnessing his steady and unremitting exertions . Sensible of the great obligations due to him from us , as Unitarian Dissenters , and as lovers of universal freedom ,.. I feel peculiar pleasure in proposing this resolution to the Meeting , being sure that every heart and every hand will support it /
The Rev . Mr . Yates seconded the resolution , which was carried unanimously .
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The Chairman . —* I . cannot receive tliis testimony of your favour and approbation without acknowledging with much gratitude the honour you have done me . And I have no hesitation in saying , that it has given me the sincerest pleasure in witnessing
this day the success of those efforts whieh 4 mve-been ™ foi ^ so ^ mariy __^ Lear making by yourselves and your friends . It has been my happiness to live to a period when the growth of these seeds is ripening into a plentiful harvest ;
and it is with me a subject of gratitude to Providence that my existence has been prolonged to such a season , I will take this opportunity of saying a few words on another subject * Mr Fordham has alluded to the tenor and
character of the books that we publish . No doubt his observations , generally speaking , are just . 1 have not the honour of being on the Committee , and have , therefore , scarcely the right of laying the sin either of omission or commission to their
charge . But for one omission I-am certainly very sorry . We have borne a very just and grateful testimony to those friends on the Continent who have expressed themselves in favour of civil and religious liberty . But there is one man who has done as much or more than all the others , and whose name we have omitted to
mention ;—I mean Dr . Chaiining , the American , who has published several tracts precisely with the view to which Mr . Fordham has alluded . There is . one sermon in particular which no one interested in our cause can read without pleasure , because it shows how much more calculated the tenets of
the Unitarians are than any other to promote and foster love towards God and benevolence towards mankind . But indeed , in every point of view , Dr . Channing may be placed in the foremost ranks of the defenders and protectors of our cause . ' The meeting then separated at half * past nine o ' clock .
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1 \ 6 -UNITARIAN CHRO & ICLE *
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 1, 1832, page 116, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1718/page/4/
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