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    shall not at p resent stop to inquire . Admitting , thai , just at the midiJ ) e [ iblht , between the boundaries

    © f ' sdvage and civil life , such a period really occurs , the age in which we live is infinitely removed from all tears or apprehensions ot that kind . The present condition of knowledge , renders it impossible * that any mischief should accrue from the most uncurbed

    discussion of subjects , connected with learning or philosophy , however bold or delicate the topics . Some of the gentlemen who are

    Sribwn to countenance and support ^ i \ ie Monthly Repository , are persons of distinquished talents and " unquestionable integrity : and the jtidgriient of such men , respecting

    matters to the consideration of which they have dedicated a long series of years , is , certainly , entitWfllV >' much respect and atention . The writer of this article , Sir , after long meditation and much inquiry , is compelled to admit , in its'fullest extent , the Necessarian |

    scheme . Yet the doctrine presents itself to his imagination , surrounded by so many and such formidable difficulties , that nothing shoi * t of the absolute impossibility of 4 * ejecting it , could induce him to range himself on its side . And , oh ihis account , he is extremely

    desirous to learn , through the medium of so respectable a publication as yours , whether the difficulties in question , do , in truth , offer themselves to the contemplation of others under the same grave and

    discouraging aspect . t shall now set down these objection ^ , without softening and without exaggeration ^ just , as ( hey unfold themselves to my . under * standing V fcnet ' only add , that I

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    have not the remotest wish to engage in any controversy T or defe c ate , on this or any other ppjnt . 1 st , Doe ^^ ttrt the doctrine of necessity , properly understood , refer to the Deity , as to its true cause , every event , bad as well as good , from the beginning to the end of time?—God is the author

    of matter and of mind ; and of the laws which are impressed upon both of them . 2 d , Supposing that mankind , during their continuance on earth are purely instrumental and pas * sive * on what conceivable basis

    shall we admit their future responsibility ? — Where there , is no choice there can be nq apcouirtr ableness . , , 3 d , Are the moral principles of our nature , though deep and uni . versal , of no authority _? ,, — Bijt where are the people , savage oj

    refined ; , who do not treatJ ; hp disturbers of society , as consciout and voluntary offenders ; me ^ ( for I detest cavilling ) who do not treat such persons , as if the ]/ had power to abstain from , the commission of crimes ?

    And now , Mr . Editor , J have only to request , that , if any correspondent shall feel inclined to notice this article , he yviji not content himself b y referring me to any books ou the sulyect ; all such books I have read and considered

    they have perfectly satisfied me ^ aa to the truth of the , doctrine ; but not at all as to ^ the sfr ^ gth . and unavoidable bearing pf tpq objection ^ . I am fully ' convinced ^ of its truth , \ < U )\ xi really skQ ? l ** i a *! fl

    conseqifpnces , f i r 1 am Sir , witK ^ u ^ V Ww » Your ^ , &c . , -f , .

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    514 Objections to the Doctrine of' Necessity .

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    . * ,

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1813, page 514, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2431/page/26/