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Untitled Article
avowal and promotion of his convictions . His daily bread at present , to all visible appearances , depends on the concealment of his sentiments ; and if the strict line of duty require ,
that even under these circumstances they should be openly maintained , the deficiency in so hard a conflict should rather excite the commiseration than the censure of Unitarians ,
and serve to impress upon their minds the common obligation to unanimity in the support and encouragement : of one another , in order to the consistent and successful maintenance of their common principles .
It appeared that this worthy man had for many years felt the greatest dissatisfaction with the popular systems of religion , both in and out of the establishment , and had Jong * sought in vain for any representations of theology which coincided with the dictates of his own understanding . At
length accident , ( or rather one of those important measures of Providence to which that name has usually been applied , ) placed in his way the u Letters on Hereditary Depravity , by a Layman ; " and though a stigma attended their first introduction to him , he soon found in them a most
masterly developement of those views of human nature , and of the Supreme Being , which an attentive perusal of the scriptures , and his own reflexions , had already in a considerable degree anticipated . He had since written to Mr . Belsham , through whom he had , by his admirable reply to Mr . Wilberforce and other
Uniianan tracts , been furnished with a mental feast , which he had not been deterred by his perilous situation from endeavouring to impart to several of his neighbours . Indeed his situation ,
TOly painful as it is , with regard to his Unitarian principles , affords an a ffecting indication of the ardour with which he has pursued religious truth , * nd is still bent on its pursuit and promotion , amidst the formidable
disco uragements with which he has to ^ co unter . The talents and genius of this man a PR « ar even in tli ^ humble sphere to Which he is at present confined ,
notwithstanding the great disadvantages attending his almost total seclusion fr Wi the society of the more enlightfRe d par ^ i of mankind . Laying his "and upon one of the most profound
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treatises upon the subject of Algebra * he said it formed his favourite study , and in this pursuit in concert with the interesting field which has been lately opened to hiwi in theology , his hours of solitary leisure are in a great degree occupied . His skill and ingenuity in tuition are apparent in the progress of his scholars 3 and he appears to be actuated by an earnest desire of cliffusing useful knowledge , especially with regard to Christianity , by imparting an early activity to the
intellectual powers . In this sphere he is of opinion , that much might be done in the cause of sacred truth ; and there can be no question that in proportion as this salutary exercise is afforded to the mind in the several
stages of its progress toward maturity , the treasures of divine wisdom would be abundantly increased . His eldest son , at less than fourteen , has made very considerable attainments in the art of writing in several hands $ and has gone through Bonn } castle ' s questions in Arithmetic and Mathematics .
He is also now applying to the Latin tongue , and is desirous of qualifyinghimself for an instructor in Christian truth . By a peculiar method of his own , he teaches the art of writing with extraordinary facility , by means of which a girl of alx > ut eight years of aae has been enabled to write with
ease in six different hands . These particulars are mentioned in the hope of being instrumental both in rescuing genius from obscurity , and virtue from oppression 5 yand in particular of recommending a valuable advocate for the truth as it is in
Jesus , to the notice of those whose views are congenial with his own . In more favourable circumstances , there is every reason to believe , that he would become an able and zealous coadjutor in the cause of unadulterated Christianity ; he would delight in teaching the young idea to shoot in
a right direction , by a judicious culture which would impart activity and an enlivening spirit * ' to the mental powers , instead of stunting or warping their action ; and having himself recently experienced the blessings of sacred light , long veiled from his observation , would celebrate with
enthusiasm the genuine attributes of the universal Father , and the true doctrine and character of the Son of his love . All cases of merit and suffering
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Narrative of a recent Convert to Unitaranism . 551
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1815, page 551, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1764/page/19/
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