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
love , and no one can exercise lordship over the other . The Attorney General however allowed , that the disputes of learned men on controversial points were not to be included in his Hsr | of punishablefcrimcs , and the interpretations of the orthodox mTght be called in question , without danger of being an imputed
iibeller on scripture . The defendant read his defence , in which he treated the scrip- ures with such little reverence , that the judge gave him repeated admonitions , saying he did not sit there to hear the Christian religion reviled—that the defendant was not to defame
religion—but at last , upon mature deliberation , gave up the point , and left the defendant to read what he pleased , who concluded his paper with a hope , that he had satisfied both judge and jury of the falsehood of the scripture . The judge stated the defence to be from
beginning to end a tissue of opprobium and defamatory reviling © n the Holy Scriptures , and it could not be endured , tnat whatever might be the practice in America , religion should be calumniated and abused . The defendant was found guilty , and on the motion of the
Attorney General , was committed to prison . Differing in opinion , as we do , from the defendant , it cannot be imagined , that we would take hfs part as favourers of his argument . These we hold much
cheaper than his prosecutor , or his judge , or hi * jury : and if the Christian reli gion could make its way against the efforts of power , and the skill of ihe most learned , we cannot see , that it was likely to suffer in the least from so trifling a publication . But we are
sorry for the prosecution , because it give * occasion to the enemies of our faith to blaspheme . They will say , that we use the arm of flesh , " which is positively excluded by Christ , because we cannot defend ourselves by argument . Let us put the case , that the question were reversed , and that an infidel Attorney
General had brought an action against a Christian for writing , in defence of the criptures , before an infidel judge and an infidel jury . The defence of his opinions would be considered by them as an aggravation of the offence ^ and the attempt
to convert them , as an insult upon their understandings . The arguments of the book , and of the defendant , require , if they are answered at all , the coolness , the patience , and the integrity of a true Christian : and nothing is gained b y an appeal to the passions . The high priests
Untitled Article
stirred up the multitude against Christ for blaspheming religion , and reviling the temple 5 and in what manner did he treat his opponents ? Not by reviling again ; but by patiently suffering whatever they chose to inflict . And if our Saviour could endure such contumely
thrown upon | him , his disciples must vindicate his religion by patience , by forbearance , by love , by the best arguments urged in the gentlest manner . If the infidel reviles us , let us not revile again . The judgment belongs to God , and the ark of the covenant cannot be sustained by the powers of this world .
Another circumstance ought to be taken into consideration . Missionaries are now sent from this country into heathen lands , to convert the natives frqm idolatry , their established religion , to Christianity . The conduct of the Societies , that subscribe for the support of these missionaries , and the patience and
courage , and magnanimity , of the persons sent , are ^ natter of general appro - bation . The imprisonment of these missionaries is deprecated ; yet with what justice could it be complained of ? The heathens may retort upon us : € i You imprison those who revile the established religion of your country ; howthen can you expect , that we should
treat with respect the men who revile the established religion of onr own country ? Either permit your religion to be freely canvassed at home , or do not attempt to send your people to disturb our Faith- You assert that your religion is from heaven , we assert the same of ours . If yours is from heaven , surely it can not stand in need of chains and imprisonment to support it . "
The Lancastenans have had another triumph in the metropolis . A meeting was held for the wards of Aldcrsgatc , Bassishaw , Colenian Street , and Crip , plegate , and for the parish of St . Luke s , in which it was agreed to establish a
school y for a thousand children , oh Mr . Lancaster ' s plan , without regard to the sect to -which they may belong : the committee for conducting it to be selected in equal numbers from the members of the established sect , and the disand the
senters from it ^ clergymen and dissenting ministers in the district are t <* be honorary members of the institution . The children to attend that place of worship '' which their parents or guardians assign to them . , This union of the sects cannot fail of promoting . Christian knowledge and Christian charity , an 4
Untitled Article
State of Pubhc djjfairs . 207
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1812, page 207, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1746/page/71/
-