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INTELLIGENCE.
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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.
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DOMESTIC . Religious . iJnitarian Fund . { tleport of 1818 : Mr . Wrights Journal of his Mission in Scotland ^ in 18 I 7 continued from p . 62 . ] 2 . Glasgow *
There is not , in uny estimation , a town in Britain , after London , of more importance to the Unitarian cause than Glasgow . Its great and increasing 1 population , its commercial character , its connexion and intercourse with other places , and the intelligence and liberality of a large proportion of its inhabitants , point it out as a favourable spot for the diffusion of religious
knowledge and Christian charity . The Unitarian cause was in its infancy in this city , and the society had existed but a short time as Unitarian , when I first visited it , in the year 1809 . Since that time the cause has made considerable progress , and theconglegation havemucn increased , notwithstanding the many difficulties and unfavourable circumstances which have arisen
to retard their course . I spent eight Sundays in Glasgow , and also preached on some week-day evenings $ in all I delivered twenty-six discourses there . It was not in my plan to spend so much time in this city ; but Mr . Mardon ( the present minister of the congregation ) being on a journey to England , and the peculiar circumstances of the Society
seeming to render it necessary , determined my conduct . The congregations were always good and very attentive ; sometimes quite large , especially on Sunday evenings , when I delivered lectures
on doctrinal subjects . I had the pleasure of seeing the hearers increase until my departure , and of being informed , that during my stay some new converts to Unitarianism were made from among the strangers- who attended .
Soon after my arrival in Glasgow , I found some differences existed in the congregation , by which its peace was interrupted , and the cause likely to be injured . These occasioned me some labour out of the pulpit as well as in it ; but I trust my labour was not in vain . The differences , referred to , appear to have arisen from a diversity of opinion respecting matters of
discipline , and the best modes of proceeding in their public assemblies , and in conducting * the affairs of the Society . In consequence of the above differences , a deputation from the Society waited on me to . * e < jue&t that I would preach on church discipline ; with this request I complied , and I < M < 1 it the more readily as Mr . Mar-
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don , before he set out oi \ his journey , G 18 V pressed a wish that I would do so . Consequently , I delivered a series of discourse * on Sunday mornings , on topics which have a relation to the subject proposed to me . Thinking the difficulties respecting ? discipline had arisen , either from incorrect views of , or inattention to some other
points , send that it is highly important to establish some leading principles , which are to be kept in view as grounds and rules of action , I began with a discourse 01 * Christian brotherhood ; to shew that all Christians are brethren , and ought ever to treat each other as such : and that hence
arises their equality , as to religious rights ^ privileges and duties . The next discourse was on Christian liberty , in particular the liberty the members of Chris tain congre- < gat ions are to exercise , shewing when this liberty is abused , and that it ought never to violate the law of love . The next
discourse was on the nature and design of the Christian ministry ; in particular , as ministers are to be distinguished fron > priests , and all pretenders to a sacred ? character , and their ministry from every species of priestcraft and domination . The last discourse of the series was on the
nature and discipline of a Christian church * The unpleasant differences I have mentioned appeared to have subsided before t left Glasgow ; and as all the parties seem to have been influenced by good motives , and to have had the promotion of the cause in view , it is hoped they will continue to exercise the mutual forbearance and
candour which are essential to the peace of Christian churches , and the progress of religjous knowledge and improvement . The congregation at Glasgow labour under pecuniary difficulties , from which it is hoped their brethren in different parts of the kingdom will assist them to extricate themselves . These difficulties have arisen
chiefly from the change of times , which lias altered the circumstances of some persons belonging to the church , and greatly reduced the annual rental of the buildings connected with the chapel . A statement of the case has been communicated to the Unitarian public by a circular letter , and through the medium of the Monthly depository , and it is hoped will excite the attention of those who are capable of
giving some assistance on so important an occasion . Those who help to diminish the debt which remains on the chapel will materially serve the Unitarian ^ cause . Whatever circumstauces may operate to diminish the success of the Unitarian cause at Glasgow , for a time , it has taken too
Intelligence.
INTELLIGENCE .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1819, page 123, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1769/page/55/
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