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Untitled Article
him to teach it to others , what is the conclusion ? Not that it is plain and simple in its nature , and wisely adapted to the capacities of the poor and the ignorant , but that it is intricate and mysterious , and calculated only for philosophers and scholars—an inference we are sure that will not be allowed , and than which nothing could be more injurious to the simple doctrines of the gospel . That a system in itself , at first plain and simple
may by time and change of circumstances , customs and language , be rendered obscure and difficult in some of its paTts , and that this in truth is the fact is readily admitted ; but can a man
of a studious , vigorous mind attend to our many translations , criticisms and commentaries , and not in every thing really important and essential , understand the gospel as well as the learned themselves ? That he could teach it with equal confidence and success to a learned audience would be absurd to suppose : every man is most useful in that sphere or station in which he is best qualified to move . Will any one acquainted with the history of Christianity , deny , that intelligent , unlearned men
have from the very first , acted as the most zealous and successful propagators of the knowledge of truth amongst the poor ? Indeed their habits and greater popularity of manner eminently qualify them for the service . Nothing in religion , either great or extensive was ever done without them , and we venture to
predict never will ; notwithstanding which we feel sincere pleasure in acknowledging our infinite obligations to learning and to learned men . God forbid that we should ever be so
ungrateful or so unjust as to forget or to think lightly of their services Let them enjoy their distinctions and well-earned honours . They have deserved well of the whole human race . But let them in religion , at least , lay aside the pride of genius and the bigotry of learning , and suffer good to be done , if it be not exactly done in their own way ; though done with less neatness
and taste , with less felicity of style , less lucid arrangement ^ less appropriate figures or stores of literature , remembering that utility is the aim and end of all . To the good man and the Christian who looks through time to eternity , who loses sight of all petty distinctions in his generous desires and feelings for the happiness of all , to him what is mere worldly honour or politeness , what is refinement of taste or the greatest production of
learning and genius compared with saving men and increasing the general improvement , virtue and happiness of the world ? Trusting that all the friends and well-wishers of this Society will come forward , and lend it timely support and encouragement , I am , Sir , A Convert to the Sect of the Nazarenes . Westminster , April 12 , 1 SOG .
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190 Unitarian Fund .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1806, page 190, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1723/page/22/
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