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    incotfyenieficies on its account . Do we not perceive this attachment to exist in the more warm and popular sects amongbt us ? Shall \ vc say it is generated by partial views and by enthusiasm f Be it so . Does i ( follow that it

    cannot be produced amongst those called Presbyterians , from extended views and the convictions of reason ? Be assured , however , that except the sectarian spirit ^ at least in the innocent and as 1

    should say commendable sense of the term , as before explained , be incited , there can be no radical cure applied to the apostacy from the religious societies in question . It may be , there are these of us who would think it preferable to allow our societies to wither and drop ,

    rather than to invigorate and support them by the infusion of the sq much dreaded sectarian spirit . With persons of this sentiment it is no part of my plan , at present , to Contend ; though I persuade inyself that much might be said iri opposition to their views . To those who lament the decrease of

    oui * societies and earnestly desire their prosperity , J would suggest , that it is expedient we should know ouv teal situation , and look

    four obstacles and disadvantages full jn the face ; and that in opposing and removing them , we should purstie no Utopian scheme ^ hut dnly attempt what is practicable .

    For my own part , I ^ confoss , I do not expect that Presbyterian societies , according to tht ir pre . mwtjbrm of discipline , or rather of no'discipline , are calculated to continue much longer . Nor do .-I knovir that the . dissolution of then * ' is an event to be much Aceaded . They have neeel ot be-

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    ing cast into the crucible , thaflthey may be refined , and new modelled . Probably the best course which could be taken , would be to substitute Unitarian Societies for Presbyterian Societies : an epithet which expresses a real distinction from other "Bodies of Christians in our nation , and which the Afiahs , I presume , as ; well as the Sociniaiu * , would not object to adopt . Besides doing this , which is only of minor importance , let us , uniting zeal and charity , exert ourselves in spread-* g > by a ^ justifiable and christian means , our views relating to the unity and supremacy of the one God and Father , his impartial love to all his intelligent

    offspring , and the unbought free , dorn of his grace and mercy , in the pardon and salvation of the penitent sinner . The consequence possibl y might be , that some more of the ignorant , worldly and lukewarm would forsake us ; but we should lay a foundation , in future , for-a better state of things . Th < J rising generation would not be liable * fc to be carried about veith 1

    evrry wind of doctrine , * and th £ sincere and candid inquirer after religious truth , would be at n 6 loss where to find a centre and i home . But it may be , thaftit is the design of Providence to

    exhibit and establish pure Christianity in some other forms of society . If thereby error will be more effectually checked , and truth more extensively spread , who ought to regret ? Presbyterian Societies have alread y had their use , and answered a valuable purpose ; many , both rti public and in private stations , who belong * d to them , h ' a ^ o done honour to Jiunian aatttre . aftti to

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    48 J | . On the Decline of Presbyterian Corigregaiionsi .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1809, page 488, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1740/page/14/