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circumstance , which L conceive to be a lamentable departure from this most estirriable quality , that I am now induced to address you .
I regret the occasion for this : and I particularly regret that the want of liberality , which is but another name for charity , for justice ! should have been evinced by one , who , in most respects , is an orria * ment to the church to which he
belongs , and a conspicuous example of talent combined with unremitting zeal in the discbarge ' of every apprehended duty , * The instance of which I have to complain , occurred in a sermon I am just returned from hearing ,
and , as I cannnot suppose that the worthy minister , of whom , in tills Case , I am induced to disapprove , stands alone in the fault , I am desirous through your publication of submitting to the consderation of others , as well as to that of the
pers \ m more immediately concerned , the propriety of avoiding the defect in future , and of revising and eradicating the erroneous opinions , from which it springs . Tbe discourse alluded to , was
designed chiefly to shew the worthlessness of the applause and honour of men , inasmuch as such honour is not paid to piety and Christian holiness , but rather to the disquisitions of philosophy , the display of talents , and the successful arti
fices of the ambitious conqueror . In contemning the praises bestowed % on the latter I freely participate , but I can by no means accord with the preacher in , what I
understood to be , his sentiments with respect to the futility and even pernicious tendency of the former . Such praise is certainl y futile , and of injurious consequences , when bestowed on vicious
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arts , and in opposition to piety and virtue ; and this must doubtless have been the meaning of this respectable minister . But while I am sensible \ hat talents are too
frequently thus misapplied , I think thoy seldom or never lead to Atheism , as he appeared to intimate j much less , is this unhappy state of mind to be ascribed to the enquiries of philosophy , the parent , rather , I conceive , of genuine and elevated
piety . This , however , which I regard as an unfair and injurious disparagement of philosophy and talents , is not the material object of iny present appeal to you . I lament that I have to complain of imputations of the very worst kind , against men , who , though they may be " faithful friends , good citizens , lovers of truth and attached to what is good , " yet without Christian principles , would not be found to stand in the moment of
temptation . Give them but an opportunity of promoting their own advantage , * of supplanting a rival , or o € overcoming afa enemy , and " they will not be scrupulous about the means ;** whilst he who is under the
influence of Christian principles ^*' will persevere ill the discharge of his duty , even utito death . Now wh&t ihgenuoHis mind , I may be permitted to &sk , what
unsuspecting mind , would not infer from this , tfcat ^ the influence of Christian principles could , alone , enable a man to withstand the temptations and the sufferings of tbe world , and to brave the terrors of
death ? But is this true' in fact ? I believe not , and I think it would be difficult for this gentlemen to shew £ iohy that man is not to be trusted * who does not believe find
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1-5 ® want of Candour towards Unbelievers *
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1812, page 150, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1746/page/14/
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