On this page

• Text (2)

  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.

  • 

    Untitled Article

  • 

    Untitled Article

• 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.

    Untitled Article

    congregations present an appearance so Jittle consonant to the spir it of its doctrines . < 5 ranted , that among Unitarians there be none of that scrutinizing eagerness to detect the weakness of a brother , which sometimes

    readers the spiritual communion of Calvinists so odious ; and that in the general liberality of our sentiments , we stand on higher ground than they ; this is all well as far as it goes . But in that friendly and cordial interest , which ought to exist between

    fellowworshipers , more especially between those who owe their very existence to their union , we are , I fear , grossly deficient . ** The rich and the poor meet together ; the Lord is the maker of them all /* Yet , although among the advocates of public worship , this

    circumstance of equality is held forth as one of its distinguishing advantages , how seldom is it in reality brought into view ! Perhaps those who would start back with the greatest horror at any remark tending to question its beneficial effects , are the most remiss

    in shewing them forth . Perhaps in no place is human pride more frequently exhibited than in the temple , where mortal vanity should hide her head , and all be " one in Christ / 1 Waving this discussion , however , I may be permitted to ask rational men , how it conies about that they are not

    willing to give the cause to which they lend their names , the same advantages which they would give to any worldly interest ? If a worldly end is to be gained , men are soothed and flattered and kindly treated . We do not reckon on the services df those , whom we meet with coolness and

    neglect . We would not ask greater , or even the same exertions in the cause of truth . Better the voice of sympathy and kindness should sound more faintly , so long as its accents be thoroughly sincere— -do really spring from a Christian interest in the concerns of others . But Jet those who

    are in the habit of considering their fellow-worshipers only so far belonging to them , as that they would , perhaps , express some surprise , ( whether well grounded or hot I will not say , ) if they vacated their seats at the meeting-house , in favour of the Church or CriviiMstic place of worship , seriou&Jy consular whether such coplacss

    Untitled Article

    and callousness be not really reprehensible . Congregations , when this spirit of indiffereuce is prevalent , must hang together merely from the force of habit . They have alvvays beet ? used to attend at the meeting-house ,

    therefore they attend still . They have always seeu the same set of faces , looking upon I hem with the same invincible apathy , therefore they expect nothing farther . Such a union reminds me of that of a disagreeable couple , who having grown old

    together without any mutual affection , have yet become so accustomed to one another that they cannot very well live apart . And as great a contrast as is presented to us by the spectacle of two beings deeply , cordially ,

    and devotedly participating in one another ' s pleasures and pains , not less striking is that of a community of zealous worshipers , whose faith is brightened and > kept alive by the constant collision of friendly minds :

    To each , the soul of each how dear ! What zealous love ! what holy fear ! How doth the gen e rous flame within Refine from earth and cleanse from sin P * There is no doubt that a . Christian minister may do much towards promoting friendship between the

    members of his congregation , and I know nothing better worth his attention . Let him not , however , consider this an easy task ; for Unitarian minister ^ themselves , by the abhorrence they express of all priestly domination , are

    daily weakening 'ttteir own influence , unless that influence , be built upon the very surest and best foundation , and unless it appear to be their reigning desire to fulfil in every point " the Christian law of love . * A SOCIAL WORSHIPER .

    Untitled Article

    304 Manuscript Sermgnsi

    Untitled Article

    Sir , May 7 , 1818 . TAKE the liberty o $ suggesting I to your consideration the following question : Whether a few manuscript

    sermons ( which might be supplied by the numerous clergy in the Unitarian connexion ) distributed amongst those congregations which cannot at present be supplied with a stated ministry , might not have the good effect of

    obviating an objection too often made ,- * - 4 * We may as well stay At home a * id read a pritited sermon , as go to lieAjr on £ read in public" ? - : i - - > ' ^

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1818, page 304, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2476/page/16/