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    gard it as one of the best fields for the introduction and diffusion of pure Christianity ; and nothing but the want of funds has prevented them from sending preachers into that region . In confirmation of their views and impressions , they beg leave -to—quote—from—a—Report _ mMe __ to _

    them by a person in their service , who visited that state during the last fall :--4 The result of my observations , ' he says , * and of the information I have been able to collect , is that the whole of the western part of the state of New York is a promising field for the labours of Unitarian

    missionaries . The present , too , is of all others , the most favourable time to enter upon it ,.. The revival that has gone through the country , has eminently prepared the way . The awakened attention of the multitude , unless it can be directed to something rational , consistent , and solid ., will subside into a disregard to - all religion . Under these circumstances , let faithful and affectionate teachers be sent to them , who shall lookthem

    up , and kindly take them by the hand , and show them from the Bible what is honourable to God ; what is adapted to the powers , the hopes , the destinies of their own nature ; what is rational , what is conducive to virtue , and what will abide the trial of the j udgment . To such teachers they will listen ; arid such teachers will soon find around them those who will support them , and provide them houses of worship , and hold up their hands , and comfort their hearts ,

    ¦ while ministering in them . In my opinion , there is now a fair demand for ten or twelve missionaries , ia the western part of the s , tate of New York . In the name of the towns and counties and districts above mentioned , permit me to solicit in their behalf this number of preachers , with commissions from the American Unitarian Association , and accountable to them . ' For some time past your

    Committee has been painfully impressed with the apprehension that this Association was not accomplishing all the good which it might and ought to accomplish ; that it was not exerting that wide and powerful influence to which , from its name and the character of its members , it was fairly

    entitled . It was thought f hat tfh ©~ time had come when it should act more efficiently and extensively ; - — that our prominent situation in the religious world , our superior advanr tages , the rapid growth of the country , the peculiar state of the times , the progress of infidelity , and the prevalence of fanaticism , all

    demanded that the Unitarians of America should do more than they had ever yet done to make their sentiments known , and tp diffuse ¦ more widely the principles of a faith which needs only to be known , in order to be embraced , venerated , and loved . Acting from these convictions , the Committee resolved to call , a . special , meeting for the purpose of bringing forward and- enforcing the above considerations , and of consulting ' whether any , and if any , what additional exertions in behalf of Unitarian Christianity are required at the

    present time . This meeting was held on the evening of the 19 th of last March , at the Athenaeum in this city . The legislature being then in session , a large and respectable assembly ^ of gentlemen from various parts of the commonwealth' was convened . The views and considerations above-mentioned were presented by one of the Executive Committee , who offered two resolutions to this effect ; first , .. that there is a call upon this

    Association for increased exertions ; secondly , that something should be done to secure the appointment of a permanent agent . These resolutions led to a very spirited discussion , in which the progress and present state , the prospects and claims , of Unitarian Christianity were set forth with great clearness

    Untitled Article

    256 UNITARIAN CHRONICLE .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 1, 1832, page 256, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1825/page/16/