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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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distinctions , ( such , for instance ; as jyjr GjfforcTs Elucidation , ) and those important practical consequences resVcetwg the character and dealings of G od which are affected but little by jhe doctrine of Simple Humanity . From these , a believer in the Preexistence joining our Society , might
make an arnpte selection for his own distribution . —Besides , many who held that doctrine , cheerfully distributed books in which the doctrine of the Simple Humanity is advocated , if they thought them suited effectually to promote the grand principles of Unitarianism : in like manner as many distribute
the Improved Version who believe in the Miraculous Conception , and do not accord with some of fhe notes in other parts ; and as many Unitarians distribute books of practical piety , even if
here and there occur an expression in which they cannot unite ; and as still more distribute Bibles and Testaments iti the Authorized Version , though they are convinced that Solomon ' s Song is not a religious book and has
na pretensions to divine authortty , that the passage respecting the Three Heavenly Witnesses is a gross interpolation , and that in several other parts it does not exhibit the best representation even of the Received J « xt , and that this , in several places , departs from the original text . *
( 5 ) If I understand the character of that upright , conscientious , and able indivi dual , to whom the W , U , S . was mainly indebted for its existence , and who contributed so effectually
and extensively to - the prosperity of the Unitarian cause , especially in the West of England , — would not have considered the adoption of the proposed change , as " conveying an ob-Mue and unkind reflection on hi 3
Memory ; " Mr . Kenrick valued too ttwcl * , and understood too well , the T of private judgment . But if ^ berwise , there is , for every individual , a straight line which must not oe warped to personal feelings : and ^ hensuch motives , appealing to some
J must lmvc been upon the same £ « *? ? rinci P > that the London Unita-Jr V : 0 Clet y ' * "ne years ag-o , introduced cLt * l * Bl * ck ** rne * s Works Into their va talognm
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of our best affections , are brought forwards to deter or lead away from the steady consistent adherence to it , the interest * of duty , if not of truth , must suffer in proportion as they are effectual .
( 6 ) It is reasonable to suppose that Mr * Belsham must be more acquainted than I can be , with the constitution of the different Unitarian Societies in this kingdom ; but I have never heard of an instance in which the once adopted Preamble of any Society has been altered , in order to make it more
comprehensive . Several have been formed upon the more comprehensive basis 5 and my opinion is , that as long as there is the London Unitarian So * ciety as a central point of union for the believers in the Simple Humanity , ( and long , with the exception of the
word idolatrous , may it continue as it is , and go on and prosper , ) by uniting with which , they may , in the most public manner such Associations enable them to do , declare their convictions in this important doctrine , —the various other Societies now bearing 1
the name of Unitarian , would do well to connect with the fundamental principles of Unitarianism , nothing which should keep those from us , who in spirit , zeal * and co-operation , would willingly prove that they are not against us *
( 7 ) Who , among the Ministers who for the last twelve years have preached before the W , U . S . at out * annual meetings , have advocated the Simple Humanity , more plainly and decidedly than those who desired the proposed change ? And though several of our
best sermons of late have not particularly entered upon that doctrine , yet they have boldly and unequivocallyopposed popular errors , and shewn that Unitarianism is , in truth , € i the doctrine according to godliness i" If the proposed alteration in the
Preamble had been made , ( and even any unexpected change taken place in the practice of the Society , ) the sermons of Mr . Pox , and Mr . John Kenrtck , and even that of Mr . Kentish , for instance , might , with equal propriety have been delivered at our annual
meetings . And for myself I plainly declare , that had I afterwards been to preach before the Society , while
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¦ v > Dr . Carpenter on Proceedings in the Western Unitarian Svciety . 749
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fOL XlV . $ F
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1819, page 749, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1779/page/33/
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