On this page
-
Text (1)
-
^22 At'tvn's Lectur&s *
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.
-
-
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.
Acton's Lectures. *
The Lectures realize tr ^ eforegoing tepees ! atiofis . Both in the style and in tbe general texture of the ar $ * Htien % ttiey teV ^ the ^ ent of raftrtal simplicity , without meanness or , inelegance ; and while tfo ^ y are ititielligible to " the wayfaring man" of plajn good sien & e , we aife of opinion , thEkti in tbe manner in which this purpose is executed * , in the calmly impressive eloquence by which they are often marked , and in the views which they present of Unitarian doctrine , they are fitted tt 3 give Satisfaction to those who hare thought profoundly upon it , and potsiiied it with close and critical investigation 0 The opinions of others are very rarely 86 attacked as to array their feelings against conviction . It was not the object of the Lecturer ( p .
102 ) " to argue against the doctrines of the Trinitarian system , further than was absolutely necessary to a full exposition of Unitarian sentiments . " And if we did not know how rarely men read controversy , without hostility , and for the simple desire of learning what others believe and why they believe it , we should suppose that little fkult would be fcmnd by our opponents on this score ,. The chief objection they can raise , will be , ( as is often said respecting others , ) " this is only Mr . Acton ' s Unitarianisrn ; " and the principal vexation which conscientious alarm can experience from his representations is , that , having so much of the ornament df light and tmth , they may deceive even the elecU If however , they lead any to relinquish the doctrines of orthodoxy , they will not leave them without a resting-place for their souls 5 best hopes and consolation ,,
But we expect that the greatest Bmmediatle benefit from these Lectures will be among Unitarians themselves . They will assist them in making their doctrines practical , in giving them a place among their principles of conduct , and in connecting them with their best affections * Studied merely controversially , Unitarianisrn may be received by the intellect , as approving itself to tbe judgment and the plain dictates of the understanding " , and yet may have so little share in the faith of the heart , that the alarming representations of those who see nothing in Unitarianisrn but a denial « rf what thty rest upon for salvation , especially if supported by the convictions of conscience , may lead to desert it in the hour of spiritual fear . When we hear of such cases ,, our desire is 5 that -the-Dew doctrines wiay give those who embrace them more of faith and hope 5 without impeding their charity ; and may more successfully carry on their spiritual progress : but they do not in the slightest degree lessen our own convictions ; nor can we allow that the sinner ' s hope can be placed any wtiere better than on the manifestation of God ' s mercy by Christ . For " persons troubled in mind or in conscience , " we recommend the 6 ne prayer in the Church Liturgy for the Visitation of the Sick ( excepting the unscripttiral word merits at the close ) : tthey will see there the Unitarian ' s ground of hope under the distresses of the soul ; and
our supplication for them to the ** Meioiful Ood' * is , may they neither cast away their confidence in thee , nor place it any whefre bttt in thee . " A ^ custotned to observe the signs of the times , we have witnessed , with comfort and deli g ht , an increasing tendency among our brethren to display Unitarianism in its spiritual bearings : less as a doctrine opposed to those of other denominations , than for its intrinsic value , as presenting the purest motives , for Christian doty , and the best guidance in the Christian life ; as calling into exercise the noblest affections of our nature , and inculcating the
work we have to do 3 in the way in which the gospel inculcates it ; as offering every needful aid and encouragement to the souS conscious of weakness and sin ; as presenting the example of'Christ in its most effectual influence ; as si jewing tlhe full support afforded by his resurrection to the doctrine of
^22 At'tvn's Lectur&S *
^ 22 At'tvn ' s Lectur & s *
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1830, page 822, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/mrp_02121830/page/22/
-