On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
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.
Untitled Article
having witnessed ! truth and honesty degraded arid traftiptecfmfi der foot , arms himself' cap-a-pee , and sets out iri quest of ad * Ventures . All this is noble and praise-worthy , and claims bur admiration ; the only charge which I prefer against this doughty champion is , that he does not always call things by their proper names : indeed , in this instance , he seetns somevvhat guilty of
that error against which he cautions you > that of treating ati unworthy object with too much courtesy and respect . He holds up the base arid mutilated semblance of ar virtue , and 'honours it with the very appellation which it counterfeits . Why should he dignify with the heavenly name of candotir , the das * tardly crouchings of timidity , or the fawning suppleness of selflove ? Should all the adherents whom he would engage inliis
cause , tilt the fatal lance' * against candour , instead of the prevalence of knowledge , virtue and peace , would u horrid slaughter reign /* and far from quietly enjoying the fearless shade of his vine and fig-tree , each , ' * careless of duty , woiild his native ground distain with kindred blood * " Gogmagog inay be offended with this representation ( should he think the
objections of so diminutive an opponent worthy of consideration ) , as repugnant to his views and feelings ; but let him use appropriate terms > let him not , by adopting the expression ia its degraded acceptation , gainsay its intrinsic excellence , nor subject himself to the imputation of designing so to do *
Candour , if I mistake not , is something far beyond mere ; good-nature or pliancy of temper ; much less is it flattery and deceit ; it is something that blends strength and sweetness , that unites dignity with beneficence ; it is purity of mind cqiiibined with sweetness of temper ; ingenuousness of character , with kindness of heart . This disposition is highlv favourable
to the acquisition , and well adapted to the promotion , of truth . So far from being lukewarm in its qause , it is in general essential to its interest * There is nothing negative or trivial in this virtue . It is the meekness of wisdom , but its sweetly-animating voice is most powerfully successful in calling forth to
action " whatsoever things are true , whatsoever things are honest , whatsoever things are just , whatsoever things are pure , whatsoever things are lovely , and whatsoever things are of good report . " If there be a spark of virtue in the breast , it will kindle
it to a flame ; if there be any love of honest praise , it will raise it to t ^ e noblest ambition . It seems in its nature to embrace thq whole circle of social virtues : though eminent for prudence , moderation , and humility , it possesses likewise fortitude , &p < i
that noble independence of feeling which rises above every sinister motive . This temper originates in the mind froiii a conviction of human fallibility , operating with the sentiments of
Untitled Article
£ 40 A Plea for Candou r *
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1806, page 240, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1724/page/16/
-