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being once introduced , the whole mass will in progress of time be fermented . We are disposed to , think that the point of the wedge being once firmly iixed , its whole insertion , not speedily but surely , must be effected , and the toughest materials which ignorance , indolence , superstition , or intolerance
can oppose to its progress , "be riven into fragments never again to be united . 'But need I promulge , in the name of this assembly , that a seeking for proselytes h no part of your incentive to take a part in this noble work ?¦—If proselytes should come , well and good ; if they do not , be well assured
it will be because you will not have deserved them . You do not begin by professing , or but faintly disguising , a claim to be infallible ; but are willing only to gather such triumphs as your principles may be found to entitle you to , when submitted to the improved capacity of the general mind to understand and value them .
It is in this free race of mind you are willing to take , your station . Let Catholics , or Calvinists , or Socinians , join you in this race ;—the event can never disappoint you . Only let the course be free and long enough , and Truth , the only party for whom you are interested , must gain the goal .
* It is then , we repeat , for this reason you are friendly to the scheme in which the government of the country has at length embarked ;—it is for this reason you joy in the generous alliance which Romanists have
formed with it and you . And , I regret to say it , for this reason too it is that the most deadly opposition you experience emanates from the ranks of professing Protestantism in this unhappy island .
* Sir , I must not at this protracted hour enlarge upon this branch of our subject . I will only say , that in looking over the harangues , and contemplating the variety of characters , which have intermingled their curious elements in the meetings we have witnessed , I have been too forcibly
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reminded of some lines in Hudibras j . who , if not always a candid judge , was at least a shrewd and piquant observer of men and measures . After referring , in a preceding passage , to a description of character of which we have had no very remote or un ^ frequent
experience—For zeal ' s a dreadful termagant , That teaches saints to tear and ranthe subsequently alludes to proceedings singularly analogous to some which have occurred in our own day : — These are the courses that we toolc , Tocarry things by hook or crook ; * ^^||^ * * * * . *
* * * # * * * To keep the good old cause on . foot , And present power from taking root ; To keep the nation ' s wounds too wide From healing up of side to side .
* * * * « ¦ sjt * And therefore have n . q . other means To stand upon our own defence , But keeping up our ancient party In vigour confident and hearty .
* Sir , I am equally confident in hopa that this " ancient party " . will not succeed in its aims . It would indeed be unfortunate for this empire , deplorable for this island , were our present prospects to be clouded , and ' the hope that is set before us" be extinguished by the return of this ancient party to its bad ascendancy !' The resolution was seconded by the Rev . James Armstrong , who gaid—* In seconding the resolution proposed by my respected friend , permit
me to express tine gratification I feel at seeing , him amongst us , and taking a part in $ ur proceedings . I consider it as a very striking and distinguished testimony to the power and truth of the religious principles we profess , that a clergyman of the Established Church , whose intellectual endowments are of so high an order , and whose virtues and learning are an ornament to hia sacred profession , should thus unequi-
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84 UNITARIAN CHRONICLEk V i
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 1, 1832, page 84, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1717/page/4/
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