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    Henciv » y ° u take away the cloak , o We have the cuekoo plus the gowkr , Aud not-the leopard minus zebra , ,. If you do understand Algebra . Or , if your Euclid be in use , < The square of Paine ' s hypothenuse Is equal to a square . that ' s Ariau , And also oue that ' s Unitarian—And thus it is our northern people Can measure any Arian steeple . "

    I would not have noticed bo wretched a production ( which is equally devoid of tasie , of taleut , and of truth ) were it not that it mauifests the spirit of the times . I know that it was carried , in manuscript , itito the bouses of persons belonging to a most respectable Arian minister ; and the author , I have good reason to believe ,

    has disgraced both himself and us by selling it in this very house of worship during our present meeting . I trust , also , that the notice just taken of it may be the means of raising it to a tenth or twentieth edition ; for I never saw any production 80 well calculated to injure the cause which it pretends to advocate .

    I have been told-that the object of the proposed measures is a friendly one towards us , and designed to prevent a division of thi . s Synod . With some I believe this to be really the object ; but , with others , I am persuaded the design is to render us so uncomfortable as to

    induce us to retire of our own accord , or to remain with you in a state of degradation . —This is uot a manly and straightforward course . Were you to commit au open act of aggression , were you to expel us as heretics , we should retire with the advantage of public sympathy ; but , by encouraging us to remain , aud to give oqr countenance to what we

    consider unscrlptural and tyrannical regulations , you would eventually degrade us , both in our own estimation and that of the world . To this we can never tamely mi bin it ; for we know better what is due to our principles and characters . I may here auswer the question put by several of you : ' * Why then do we remain with you , when you so plainly say

    you < Io not like us ? " My answer is very simple—We have no dislike to you ; although * ' you have despitefully used us . " We consider you to be in great * though not iu damnable , error - > and we are willing to stay with you for a season , in the charitable hope of eventually bring ? ing you rouud to sound views and scrip ' tural measures . We believe that our opinions are « o accordant with right reason aud" the Word of God , that in the

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    end they must ' triumph over error and prejudice ; we hope ( that a " 'little leaven may leaven nthe whole himp ; " and we shall remain with you so long as there is auy prospect of success , in order to do you good . - Bttt should bttr hoffes be deceived , and should ' om consciences * tell us that we are wrong * o associate with you , I tmst we shall litjtfw ivhat is due to ourselves , and to the * ainte > fh which we are engaged . ? < ¦ ¦¦

    One thing has struck tne powerfully during this debate , namely , that not ofre of you has maintained the doctrine of exclusive salvation ; whilst many of you have cheerfully admitted that we are respectable wen , and that you anticipate the happiness of meeting us iu heaven . This is liberal and Ghri tian ; but do you not see in what an awkward

    predicament this liberality places you ? It seems our principles are adequate to accomplish the ends of religion iu this world—to make us pious and virtuous men ; and , what is infinitely more imr portant , to prepare us for happiness hereafter . But , if so , how can you reconcile it with consistency , to act as if those were unworthy to be members of the Synod of Ulster , who are qualified for

    " the society of the just made perfect ! ' ' The truth is , the heart often reasons more correctly than the head ; . and I most cordially reciprocate every generous sentiment that has been expressed . 1 do firmly believe that , through the infinite mercy of God , in his beloved Son , many of us shall meet in a better land , where we shall be astonished at the prejudices , and ashamed of the passions , that have agitated and divided us in life .

    1 do not know that my brethren on the opposite side will gave me credit for sincerity when I say that , for their own sake and the reputation of their creed , they ought not to press these measures ; but I do honestly assure them , that the proceedings of last year have brought great suspicions , upon many , and excited doubts respecting all . When a man professes to believe a creed which is prescribed to him , utider the fear of any

    penalty , or the hope of any advantage , his sincerity is never above suspicion ; but if he freely hold certain views of doctrine without any such inducements no man can doubt his integrity . Lying under no temptation to hypocrisy , he cannot be accused of deceit \ he may be wrong , but he 1 b honest . The moment , however ,, that a large body of men , infinitely diversified in capacities and attainment * , profess to believe in one com-

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    intetliftMe . —Synod of Ulster . 653

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1828, page 653, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2564/page/69/