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Untitled Article
larian worship , as the Lord ' s service . The particular promotion which I now have in view , is , in situations where Unitarian believers have not the aid of a
learned or regular minister . The cause of religious truth may be advanced by sincere and sober endeavouis , where the learning of the schools is wanting—and indeed the simple dignity of Christian truth is such , that large , or fresh supplies of human learning are not absolutely essential to its best interests .
From the printed address above alluded to , it appears that many of the societies , in different places , ** both of those that have existed for a long period , and of those that have newly sprung up , have been kept together only by the occasional services of ministers in
their neighbourhood , or by the zeal and activity of individuals , not ministers , among themselves , who have officiated in reading the scriptures and carrying on Divine Worship . " This part of the statement , I cannot but deem so
important as to require very particular notice . From such examples of usefulness , due encouragement should be drawn : such auspicious beginnings may well be expected to become influential and happy . Nor can I think that the present
ministers and superintendants of Unitarian affairs , in London , could be better employed than in promoting an extension of such religious offices , where regular ministers are not settled . Serious ,
sensible , and benevolent men , of the same faith , are hot uncommon in towns and districts where no settled "" minister resides . To aflsettled minister resides . To
aflmonish and excite such brethren to the pest use of their faculties , and religious dispositions , must be
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- a brotherly and Christian work , i and I am seriously of opinion it i would be crowned with abundant
success . Such has been the consequence of free inquiry on religious subjects for many years , —such the demonstrations of Christian
doctrines by a succession of pious and learned men , that light has gone forth abundantly ; the sacred scriptures liave become more extensively than ever understood ^ and their genuine import prized .
Reading and reflection have prepared the minds of many , throughout our country , to estimate the value of religious truth and liberty . Ecclesiastical and interested systems have been freely appreciated .
The pomp and splendour of national establishments , of spurious Christianity , have lost their charm . The public mind has largely revolted from the darkness and imposition of former times , and has a strong bias towards
rational simplicity and scripture truth . The large increase of population seems to have been attended with a proportionate increase of knowledge , and a love of
Christian , not of licentious freedom . This complexion of our times is manifest in various ways , and especially in the secession of multitudes from the national
church . Nor is the anxiety of many of the beneficed teachers of that church , lest their supremacy should be gradually lost , the least remarkable proof of the salutary effects of free inquiry . In such
times we have fcause to hope that u the corruptions of Christianity /' in 7 * rfritfariah worship Especially , may be ' Bapptiy lp&sened , and the genqine " trutfi and slm ^ lith ^ 6 f primftivfe Clifti'tirfiifty tecWn * re .
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Mr m Matthews en the new Unitarian Academy . 3 o 7
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1812, page 307, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1748/page/27/
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