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    to relieve the " , moral character of the Deity from the unjust reproaches cast upon it by the popular theology ; and others , again , are on the important topics of man ' s nature and moral condition . It will be seen , too , that

    the evidences of our common faith , the criticism of the New Testament , ~ the ~~ ordinanees--of---the-gospel 7 T ~ th ^ enature of true religion , with its various graces , duties and virtues , have not been forgotten or omitted in this comprehensive plan .

    Since the last Anniversary thirteen new tracts have been . printed ,, twelve of the first series , and one of the second , amounting to 47 , 000 copies . Within the same period thirty-four tracts have been reprinted , amounting to 80 , 000 copies , making a total of 1 £ 7 , 000 copies printed within the

    last twelve months * and more than three millions of pages . The whole number of copies printed the year previous was 72 , 500 , thus showing an increase during the past year of 54 , 500 . For these tracts there baa

    been an unexampled and constantly increasing demand from all parts of the country . The account of the general agents shows that , without including the supply of the auxiliaries , tracts have been sold to the

    amount of 808 , 41 dollars . The copies now remaining on the shelves will be soon taken up by the numerous auxiliaries recently formed , or now in the course of formation * - These tracts have not been distributed , solely in Massachusetts or New

    England . They have gone all over the land , from Eastport to New Orleans , and the exfcremest west , and we trust have shed light into many a darkened and doubting mind , and imparted peace and comfort to- many an anxious and desponding heart .

    Some persons , we are aware , are disposed to regard the printing and distribution of tracts as a small business , an insignificant affair—as a measure that promises little good , and can produce but little effect . Your Committee , after the experience which seven years have afforded

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    them , have come to a different conclusion , and are satisfied that great good may be done , and has been done , in this way . It should be remembered that , in many places , these tracts furnish the only medium by which individuals can become

    acquainted with what we deem correct —views-of-Feligion-r— -This—is—particu larly the case in the newly and thinly settled parts of the country , but it is true , in a degree , of the country universally . Throughout the land a spirit of religious inquiry has recently been awakened , such as never

    existed before . E very where , scattered individuals , dissatisfied with the doctrines of the prevalent theology , are asking for a purer and better faith . How shall they obtain it ? They cannot hear it proclaimed from the lips of the living teacher . They are not sufficiently numerous or

    strong to maintain a preacher , nor are there at present Unitarian ministers enough , to supply the vast and growing wants of the country . What , then , shall they do ? They must read . The printed tract must take the place of the living teacher . These little , silent , unpretending

    messengers of truth must be despatched to the remotest parts of our country ; they must go abroad over the whole face of the land , traverse river and valley , and bear the glad tidings of good to the scattered dwellers beyond the mountains , to enlighten iheir minds , to warm and invigorate their pietv , to cheer and

    gladden their hearts . The new settler may read them to his family ^ n his log-house on the Sabbath , when he is far beyond the sound of the church-going bell , and is debarred from the privilege of walking in company to the house of God with those who keep holy time , and worshipping the Lord in the beauty of holiness .

    A very efficient auxiliary to this Association in the circulation of its tracts has been found in the * Unita * rian Book and Pamphlet Society / which was formed in this city in the

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    UNITARIAN CHRONICLE . 255

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 1, 1832, page 253, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1825/page/13/