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son had not flowed from a feeling pretty general , which is the parent of similar remarks on characters , 1 should not have noticed it ; but 1 think in our judgments of the virtues and vices of men , we ought never to forget their circumstances . Under this notion , I
offer the following reflections : A desire of enjoyment , and a desire of a freedom from suffering , are the origin of all the vices and all the crimes in the world . " We touch each other on every side , " and he whose painful desires tempt him to violate the rights of others , becomes a thief , a seducer , a murderer , &c . I
Now it should seem that he whose circumstances can , without any direct and apparent injury of others , command such a measure of enjoyment as to tranquillize his nature , is not called on to exerci . se any very distinguished virtue . He may be virtuous in fact , or he may think himself so , but the
strength of his resolution in self-sacrifice , is not put to any obvious proof . They who cannot sacrifice little things ^ but indulge a malignant temper to the injury of others , are out of the question , as they give proof that they have not even the slightest sense of duty or virtue .
But look at the endless variety of human conditions , and before those that are in ease upbraid , let them realize the worst of these conditions as their own ! It is easy for a rich man to be what is called honest . Dr .
Johnson himself in his immortal work , the Rambler , has taken a juster view of this subject than what we have just referred to . He there says , * ' He that without acquaintance with the power of desire , the cogency of distress , the complications of affairs , or the force of practical influence , has filled his mind with the excellence of
virtue , and having never tried his resolutions in many encounters with hope and fear , believes it able to stand firm , whatever shall oppose it , vyill be always clamorous against the smallest failure , " AlasL that man
whose resolutions have not been tried , knows nothing of either his virtue or his real character . To illustrate this , how often do we hear people call out against suicide , who , perhaps , never were in such a state of suffering , as <^ en to wish for death ! Surely , surely , they are very poor judges of
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the state and sufferings of him , who , to escape from intolerable torments , throws himself a miserable outcast upon the Divine mercy i I have been led to these most solemn and awful reflections ( for
such they are ) by four Sermons lately delivered in Essex-Street Chapel by Mr . Belsham , on the Future Condition of Mankind , in which were displayed great depth of thought , accurate research , and a spirit of most divine benevolence . I know nothing that
excels the sermons of this gentleman , except it be his most exemplary life as a man ; and although I cannot feel as a sectary in favour of the Unitarians , amongst that body I have known and do know men , of whom the world is not worthy .
HOMO . P . S . Permit me to add one word more on suicide , which has been lately much written upon , and which is now , alas for human nature I very cotmnon ia England , still more common in France , and more common still in Prussia . [ Seep . 133 . ] Those
who perish thus may be the most miserable , but do not appear to be the most wicked of mankind . They are not in France , Lewis XV ., or Napoleon , but Roland and Condorcet . They are not in England , King John , Henry VIII ., and Charles II ., but Hales , Whitbread and Romilly I
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Morality of Human Characters . —Mr . Wright on the Unitarian Fund . Q £ 7
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Wisbeachy Sir , Feb . 13 , 1819 . IT is hoped that not only are the nature , objects and plans of the Unitarian Fund now generally
understood , but that also the value and importance of that institution are felt by the Unitarian public . Presuming this , I beg leave , through the mediumof yourtruly valuable Repository , to address them on behalf of this
institution , with which I have had the happiness of being connected from its very origin , in the service of which I wish to spend the little that may remain to me of life ; and I am anxious for the extension of its efforts and operations , which must depend on the increase of its resources . Most
denominations of Christians have felt the necessity of supporting- public institutions among themselves , which might unite their exertions , and bring into exercise their collective strength
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1819, page 227, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1771/page/15/
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