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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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tion of the same Being who governs the world by his providence , it may be safely intrusted to him for security . Besides , man na . s been often called a religious animal , which implies either
the adaptation of religion to his nature and condition , or a certain pre-disposition in his mind to connect himself with its concerns ; so that , as soon as he becomes convinced of its importance , he will require no compulsion from the State to enforce its
observances . A political religion is equally inefficient as the guardian of public morals . For the proof of this , a reference may be made to tlie state of society , high and low , in large towns
m \ d cities , and also in country villages . In numberless parishes , there is no resident minister to inspect the conduct of the people , who see nothing of their legal instructor but when he visits them to collect his tithes . It is
notorious that the tolerated sects , which are no expense to the public , are the most efficient instruments in reforming the manners of the common people , and that this is effected solely by the arts of persuasion . With the higher orders they have nothing to do , but whatever excesses are
committed by them , these lie at the door of the Established Clergy . Viewing the present state of public feeling , it is scarcely to be expected that the dissolution of National Church Establishments is very near at hand ; but the progressive improvements that are taking place in society , by means of education and the circulation of
knowledge , give us reason to expect that niuch may be done towards their amelioration . The Church of England , supported as it is by legal sanctions , iu addition to the force of prescription , and defended by a numerous body of well-paid advocates , will always be opposed to the reformation of abuses
either in Church or State . But the Church is dependent on the civil power , and the latter must be guided upon so important a subject by public
opinion . It must be the wish , theretore , of every enlightened , friend to reli gion and liberty , to see such a system of instruction brought forward as would be less objectionable in its construction , ' and more efficient in its
result . In furtherance o £ this object ; « jjs inf . the pbwer of every , one to con > - tobute his mite ; > and : hawever formi-
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dable the , opposition , when it is made sufficiently palpable to the interests of the people , it must secure ^ a rational triumph ! With the warmest wishes for so useful a consummation , I now take my leave of the subject . W . W .
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Strictures on Mr . Wtig&fa Tract on the Prodigal Son . 395
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Bristol , Sir , July 7 , 1823 . YOU will , I am sure , give me full credit for sincerity when . I say , that no one who is acquainted with our valuable Missionary , Mr . Wrjght , and
with his many excellent and useful works , can hold either him or them in a higher degree of estimation than myself : and such is my opinion of his candour , that I think he will be far from disapproving my wish of telling him , through the medium of your
pages , that I have always been disposed to view the character of the Elder Brother , in the beautiful parable of the Prodigal Son , in a light directly opposite to that in which it is represented in No . 46 , the last publication of the Christian Tract Societv .
Taking the parable a 3 a plain rela tion of facts , simply as they are told , are not the feelings and conduct of the Elder Brother such as might naturally have been expected from a correct and virtuous character ? Returning from
the field , where , we may presume , he had been employed in overlooking and directing the concerns of his father's farm , he hears music and dancing , and calling one of the servants , inquires what these things meant . He is informed that his brother , that
brother who , after having demanded his full share of the family possessions , departed into a distant country , and there wasted it in riotous living , was returned home , and that his father had killed the fatted calf , because he had received him safe and sound .
Observe here , that no mention was made of the deeply-humbled and penitent state in which he came back , therefore the rejoicing which he heard , and the feast which he finds is preparing to celebrate the return of a
profligate young man might well excite a degree of virtuous indignation in ^ hU bre as t—m ight well cause him to be angry , and refuse to go in : Then came the father out and entreated him ; but before iie could explain the grouftdrf upon which alone his conduct
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1823, page 395, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1786/page/27/
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