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have a right to do , that these three gentlemen are Unitarians , to what can all this prudent Reserve be ascribed , but to their conviction , that the preaching of Unitarian doctrines , would be offensive to ^•^ ¦¦* ^» w * »*^ - kj m ft ^ - * wt m * - " ^ >— » ^ - ^ ** * - » * - * w . * * *¦/ fc v ^
_ their hearers , and injurious to their usefulness ? In truth , the congregational societies of Bos . ton , as are most of those in the country , are composed of hearers of various opinions .. Some
of them are Calvinists , some of them , Arminians ; perhaps the greater part , without having minutely investigated , or having any very distinct views of the shades of difference among them , entertain a general liberality of sentiment .
But as I personally know , from instances too of those , who attend the three gentlemen , 1 have just mentioned , they regard the doctrines of Unkarianism as unscriptural , and inconsistent with the great object and spirit of
Christianity . Of our other seven congregational ministers , two are very decided Calvinists . One of these is the minister of the new church you mention . I know not how this church flourishes at present ,
but it was opposed , not because it was founded upon Calvitfism , for this would be altogether inconsistent with our love of religious freedom , but on account of the intolerant spirit , some of its first patrons displayed . Our other five ministers , if ' I must use so
many names , which I do not like , are very far from Unitarians . You say they are all Arians of Unitarians ; as if these were very nearly the same . IJiitl assure you , they would contend for a very great distinction , and holding , as I believe they do high and exalted
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views of the person and mediation of' Jesus Christ 7 resting on the merits of his atonement his cross and passion , arid zealous to pay the honoury which they believe due to his name * thev would * I I thinks to his namethey would , think
, ; be very unwilling to be confounded with the followers of Dr . Priestley ; Someofthem , I know , are utterly opposed to the sentiments and spirit of Urutarianism .
You say , that Dr . Kirkland is a professed Unitarian , and mention him , as if his election to the presidency of Cambridge University , were a decisive proof of the prevalence of your sentiments among us . Dr . K , was formerly one of the ministers of Boston , and
whatever his particular friends may think of his opinions , he never preached these sentiments . Nay , 1 may venture to say , that had Dr . Kirktand been an acknowledged defender of Unitariantim , he would not have been elected X 6 that place .
Unitariauism is tod unpopular * in the country , and his friends , who are at the same time ^ the friend ! and governors of the University , with all the respect they most justly entertain for his exalted talents and character , and particularly for his candid and liberal mind .
would , I believe , have deemed it necessary to sacrifice their private wishes , and consulted the interests of the University in electing , a President , whose sentiments were more agreeable to the great body of the Massachusetts clergy , of
which ex-officio , he is generally considered the head , and to the sentiments of the community at large . Had a decided Unitarian been elected , I really believe , that the number of jfhe students would have been diminished . fWe . find ouraelvw obliged to divide taM letyetf th % rt medttdex in our next . EP . i
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Intelligence * - ** 3 Jnitarianism in America * 201
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YOI- ^ VIJt . 2 D
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1812, page 201, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1746/page/65/
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