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

    Minister of tfie Congregational CKurch in Federal Street , Boston . Bristol , 1824 . Price 6 rf . This discourse was reprinted in 1822 bv the Western Unitarian So ^

    ciety ; and a large impression having been sold , it has been again reprinted by the Society . No notice has hitherto been taken of it in the Repository ; and as it has not ( we think ) been advertised on the cover , it is probable that many of our readers are not

    acquainted With it . We shall have rendered them a service if we induce them to procure and study it . We dq not hesitate to adopt the character given of it by the English Editor . It is reprinted , he says , ' " under the conviction that it is eminently adapted to an age

    of intelligence and inquiry . It sets the leading evidences for the divine origin of Christianity , in a forcible , atnd , in some measure , a new light . It is characterized by sound philosophy , as well as by enlarged and enlightened

    views of Christian faith ; and by its accurate discriminating reasoning , its closeness of argument , energy of expression , and powerful appeals to the understanding , and to the best affections of the heart , it is calculated to

    impress the reflecting unbeliever , and to strengthen and animate the faith of the Christian . To the intelligent and well-disposed young , who have

    made some progress in intellectual culture , it is peculiarly suited ; and it cannot but leave impressions in their tninds favourable to religious obedience /*

    To give an extended analysis of this discourse is unnecessary ; but we may give a brief outline . The first portion of it is occupied with an able , and , as far as we can perceive , irrefutable ; train of reasoning , against the objection founded on the miraculous character of our religion .

    " I have laboured in ^ these remarks to shew , that the uniformity of nature is up presumption agaiust miraculous agency , when employed in confirmation of such a relifirion as Christianity . Nature , on the contrary , furnishes a presumption in its favour . Nature clearly shews to us a

    power above itself , so that it proves miracles to be possible . Nature reveals Purposes and . attributes in its Author , jvith which Christianity remarkably agrees . Nature too has deficiencies , which shew that it was uot intended by its Author to

    Untitled Article

    be . his whole method of instructing inankind ; and in this way it igives rgreaf cdfanrmatiofi to Ohtisti&tiityy \ vhich infeets Us wants , supplies its chasips , explains its mysteries , and lightens its heart-oppressing cares and sorrows , "—Pp . J 7 ^ JL 8 , Bristol ed . - > ..

    Dr . Charming then pfoc ; 3 £ ds , after referring to Dr . Campbell , to atdjtf a few remarks on Mr . Huiiie ^ $ o £ e , < i . and specious but futile arguitieht on miracles . The great e rrors of , the serious , intelligent unbeliever appear to us partly to consist in bis forgetting that there are laws of mind as well aa ^ rf

    matter ; and partly , in his tainking , of the laws of nature as something different from the modes of Divine operation , and leaving out of view tire great ends for which they areV adhered to , in the common order of

    providence . If those great ends are test effected by a variation in the m o *)^ of operation , the all-comprehensive law of benevolent wisdom requires such departure . And the mual » nd the extraordinarv modes of Divine

    operation , all , alike , form a part tff that providence which embraces all times , all places , all beings , and all events . In the second portion of the

    discourse , Dr . Ohanning proceeds to state •* the general principle into which all Christian evidences may be resolved , and on which the whole feligioft rests , and then to illustrate it in a few

    striking particulars / ' Those who are * not prepared for the reasoning of the first part , will find less difficulty in the second . It displays , throughout , the hand of a master , guided by a mind impressed with enlarged views of Christian worth and the excellencies

    of the gospel , and a heart elevated by its principles and prospects . It jhas the rich glow of earnest conviction , and of ardent desire to'lead others to embrace , with full purpose of heart and devotedness of soul , that religion

    which is fitted to make them wise and holjr and blessed . We must select one passage , displaying a remarkable feature of Christianity , and at the same time a strong evidence for its divine original :

    " Since its Introduction , human nature has made great progress , and soajety $ * - perienced great changes ; and in this advanced condition of the world , Chris-

    Untitled Article

    > Occasiokal Notices of American Publications ; HQ 9

    Untitled Article

    vol . xx . 3 n

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1825, page 369, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2537/page/43/