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    a few- weeks , solicited and ! obtained intelligence in re ^ iid to the religious opinions and state of the people , ? From thiscorrespondence they are able to speak wflto confidence , when they invite their Mends to ^ rejoiee with them in the progress of Christian light . They are convinced that at no time . was a scriptural

    faith more prevalent , niere cordially embraced , more earnestly maintained , or more surely extending itself in this country , than at the present moment . They are satisfied-that the principles of religions liberty and of Christian equality were never more highly prized , or more carefully defended . They feel themselves called upou by their situation and by their dttty to others who have not the

    same means of ascertaining the correctness of statements frequently made , to declare , that the . result of all their inquiry and observation is a belief that Unitarian doctrines are diffusing themselves , and that attempts to impose on men ' s consciences a faith embodied in creeds , or to deprive them of the rights which they possess as citizens and Christians , will meet with but partial ,, if with

    even a temporary , success . 'They would not , howeyer , convey the impression that they have seen nothing to lament in the religious aspect of the times . They deeply lament the spirit of ufikindness which is too manifest in every

    denomination . They grieve that the truth must be established through strife , and that good affections , and generous sympathies , and charity , and justice even , are lost in the contention for the faith once delivered ta the saints . TJiey would remind their brethren that-this warfare

    is not to be maintained by the carnal weapons of passion ' , < and jealousy , and falsehood , bat by tho ^ word o £ the spirit , which is the word oflGod ; and they entieat them * by the gentleness and jneek > ness of- 'Ghri&t to hold tta truth kit love ; and ta pnt away from them alt bitterness and evil-speaking . 'They would also

    seize on * tbts occasion to deepen in the minds of UmUiiana the -conviction , that personal religion and practical piety * are vastly more important than a correct faith . Little h gained by discarding error , if eelnBhiieae and irreligion remaiu . To be freed from the domination of

    It has been afavourite objeot wifih the Executive Committee froa * fthe . ffirflt , to increase , tthe number of ^ uaMlavle * which ghoul ^ be connected with thiaA ^ qcAa ^ i ^ n . It wa » a favourite objects becaueer they

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    believed that in this way alonetheyoowld ensure regular contributions toi ^* treasury . Their persuasion oti this subject has been strengthened by afon ^ ger acquaintance with - its ; practical « ha- »

    racter . During the last year they ihuve particularly xlirecced their efforts toi - the promotion of this end . The Secretary was authorized to visit various to ^ us , and , with the consent of the clergymen , to address the people on the subject , aad to establish auxiliaries . This

    measure was successful . At a greater distance from Boston auxiliary associations have been instituted at the suggestion of the Committee , or by the voluntary action of individuals . A farther adoption of this means of co-operating with us is urged : it is the only . method of securing permanent assistance in the prosecution of those objects for which we are united .

    Parish associations are considered most useful ; but where circumstances render it expedient that individuals in different parishes or towns should act together , associations may be formed that shall extend over a wider space than is included within parochial Hues . Direct regular communications between these auxiliaries and the General Association

    wut be . of incalculable . benefit . The strength contributed to the centre will be returned to all the members , and a reciprocal intercourse be thus maintained that will most surely promote the good of the whole . Another object that the Committee have wished to accomplish is the collection ot a library , in which might be found all works , but particularly those

    published in America , which would throw light on the history or character of Unitarian Christianity They desire to obtain copies of all books and pamphlets which will teach us how far our predecessors in the paths of truth and freedom went , and what obstacles they encouufcered ; and those also from which another generation may learn what ' we believed , and what we \ were , and what we suffered . In connexion with such : a

    library it has been thought ; that means should be taken for the preservation of naaiiuscripts and doouments wbich in any Way will indicate the religious character of the timeVor may be the registers- of the labour . ¦ and zeal , < rf those t who have maintained thei isimpllcity of < he gospel of \^ bt \ ztii - A tcommencem eoti ha ^ 'bee n mfMlenlnMfhei acquisition ) of * iboth ^ ithe ^ e 0 bj # of * H tandf t&ey aolioit contribiitlona ifttora / vUieir / fciend $ l particularly from authors * and from thdse who . hav © ob-

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    fat $ Uigenee . r-mForeigti * W £

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    3 p 2

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1828, page 867, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2567/page/67/