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individuals would undoubtedly form a part of them - but 1 hope the time is at hand when they "will be increased , so as to bear some proportion to the wealth of our body , and become equal to the demands made upon them .
The necessity of forming Fellowship Funds is becoming more apparent , and the introduction of systematic proceedings would have a powerful tendency to make them universal . It might be optional with the congregations to pay the whole or a proportion of the amount raised by each , to the
district treasurer , for general purposes } and this I conceive , would concentrate their strength , on a plan preferable to that recommended by Mr . Awbrey , [ XlIL 70 S , ] of" making the gentlemen of the Unitarian Fund , in London , the central committee for the Fellowship Funds . " Thus would the Association be the means of
adding greatly to our resources , particularly from congregations , and on their contributions might be made to depend any benefits or privileges arising from it . Perhaps , above almost every other consideration , publicity in all our
affairs is necessary , in order to interest and engage the attention of the individuals of our body . On this account , a detailed report from the London committee , somewhat like the Yearly Epistle of the Quakers , might be
published after the annual meeting , and conveyed to congregations by the district secretaries , with any additional remarks of their own , that local circumstances might seem to demand . By these means would be established a chain of communication which would
bring the affairs of our whole body home to every fireside , and this , 1 am persuaded , would amply repay any expense or trouble attending it , by removing the difficulty , too often perceived , of creating individual interest in events passing at a
distance-Objections have been raised by some against such an organization as I am proposing , on the ground that the Unitarian body is not sufficiently prepared to receive it ; but to me it
appears that this argument would have prevented the adoption of many of the most important establishments for human improvement . Besides this , I scarcely sec the justice of such reasoning , when we look around us ,
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and see that already proceeding in a detached , irregular way , which I would endeavour to render systematic , and more extended in its operation . It is evident that , were we to wait for uniformity of opinion , few things would ever be commenced and 1 see no reason to believe that , were a beginning made , by however small a number of persons , and districts formed , there would not be
found energetic characters in each , willing to take an active part in the necessary arrangements . A number of individuals and congregations would undoubtedly at once enter into such
a plan , and time , and the issue of events , must be left to work conviction in the minds of those who do not at present see its utility . In thus advocating the formation of a General Unitarian Association , I am not supposing that the idea is a new one , or that the end required may not be arrived at bv a better mode than I
have imagined . My chief wish is to excite the discussion of a proposition , the adoption of which , in some shape or other , 1 believe would feffect that union which is . called for in almost every number of the Repository , and enable us more ' effectually to advance the great cause of Christian truth in
the world . Experience has shewn the inefficiency of the present " rope of sand , ' nor do I see what reasonable objections can be raised against our entering into such a compact as shall effectually bring to one common bearing our scattered and disjointed parts . T . ¦ MMMMmflBIHMHBP *^* *
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Sir , June 17 , 1819-DR . LELAND remarks , « that it is no unusual thing for Christian writers , in their quotations from Heathen authors , to produce passages relating to the gods , as a proof that
the Heathens acknowledged the government and attributes of the Deity in the Christian sense . " Thifc charge of ipaccurate representation he sustains by a reference to Dr . Sykess Principles and Connexion of Natural and Revealed Religion , Ch . xiv . p . 362 / ' That learned divine had there
ascribed to the Heathens * ' a knowledge and firm persuasion that there existed one underived , eternal , supreme , intelligent Being , Creator and
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674 On Heathen Theism .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 2, 1819, page 674, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1778/page/22/
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