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United States of America . Unitarianism in America : Extracts Jrom Letters , Phila delphia ^ Dear Sir , May . 19 , 1819 . The first or opening sermon at Baltimore was delivered by Dr . Freeman , of Boston , the American Lindsey , and who was the 1
exciting * cause * of the formation of the society and erection of the building . During the winter the pulpit was ably supplied by ministers from Boston and its vicinity , and , about three months ago , Mr . Jarcd Sparks , of Harvard
University , who had preached at Baltimore about six weeks , was elected the minister . He is a young gentleman of learning-, talents , and great moral worth ; was highly recommended by President Kirkland and other respectable gentlemen , and bids fair to be , under the blessing of heaven , the means of extending" the interests of
Christian truth as taught in the New Testament . It is a liappy circumstance that his election was conducted in the true spirit of conciliation , so that he will hare the advantage of ministering to a united and friendly people . His ordination took place at Baltimore on the 5 th instant , when no
less than eight ministers attended and took part in the services , viz . two from New Hampshire , two from Boston , and four from other places . This fact proves the lively interest that was taken in Mr . Sparks ' s success , and in the success of what we regard as genuine Christianity ; for all these gentlemen travelled from 400 to 500 miles or more in order to
reach Baltimore . The order of the services may be acceptable as a matter of curiosity . [ Here follows a similar account to that in our last , p . 458 . ] The whole of these exercises are said to have occupied near four hours and a half ; but the congregation listened with close
and unremiUed attention . The sermon alone was about one hour and a half in length . The preacher was the Rev . W . E . Channing , of Boston , a
gentleman of high talents and exemplary character . To save time , a considerable part of it was omitted in the delivery ; but the whole is to be published , and I hope to he able to send yon a copy along with this letter .
Last Sunday Mr , dimming , and Mr . Palfrey who succeeded Mr . Everett , preaolicd publicly in New York , the medical hall having" been procured for that purpose , for they coiild not be admitted
into any orthodox pulpit . Although the weather was ' unfavourable , the place , which was large and commodious , was crowded both morning' and afternoon , and many people were disappointed by not being * able to get admittance . At the .
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evening * service , for there were three services , the concourse that assembled was still greater . This is the first time that Unitarian preaching * was heard in New
York . There are there several families of that faith , and it remains yet to be seen whether they will have sufficient energy , fortitude and zeal , to follow tlie example of their Baltimore brethren . It was a favourable commencement to have two of
the very best preachers there in one day : but , if they succeed in forming" a society , the church will be supplied until a minister can "be chosen . Harvard University lias had tlie honour of sending * forth many young- men of distinguished talents and acquirements : it is richly , though not
extravagantly endowed ; and the professors are men of great professional respectability . The style of preaching' among the New England heretical clergy is vastlysuperior to what was common among the
generality of the English Dissenters about twenty-five years ago . This may easily be supposed , because the students at Harvard possess much greater advantages than can be had at the English dissenting institutions . I mention this fact because
it may be supposed that this country will be in want of ministers , and that in consequence of the progress of Unitarianism , young men of promising talents from England might find eligible situations . This
is a mistake : our folks have strong prepossessions in favour of Americans . When ministers emigrate , conjecture is afloat as to their motives ; and several unhappy cases have occurred to proye that some had left England because their reputation
was . gone . Philadelphia , June 18 , 1819 . I now send a copy of Mr . Channing's sermon , mentioned in my letter of the 19 th of May . That discourse has already had an extensive sale : two editions have been
printed at Baltimore , and two at Boston , one of the latter on a cheap plan for the purpose of distribution ; one hundred copies for £ l . 16 s . sterling , or eigtit dollars . It has made a strong- impression on the public mind . The author , although not forty years of age , has for four years past
been tike oldest minister among the congregationali . sts at Boston , and is esteemed by all who know him as a limn of exemplary character , as one whose heart is in his work , he is also considered one of our best pvcacheis . You will perceive that he is of the A nan school ; but that scheme is rapidly losing ground with us 3 I mean in the Ignited States .
' I am now happy to say > that our friends at New York arc going on well . At a private meeting called for the purpose of conceiting measures , thirty gentlemen gave tfyeir names as supporters of tlie worship
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22 Intelligence . —Foreign . United States of A merica .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1819, page 522, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1775/page/62/
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