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positively affirm that Mr . Rose is not , in the sentences I have quoted , speaking of * the worst species of the multifarious body ;* but on the contrary , of those who do not go to such lengths as the Anti-supernaturalists , and others whoiri Dr . Smith confounds with the
Rationalists . For my own part , I cannot perceive how the writings of such individuals can be recommended by orthodox Divines , for surely these cannot be recognized by the Great Head of the Church , as defending * the foundation and the pillars , and the external walls of the temple of Revelation , ' while at the same moment they are in league with the great adversary of God and man , in corrupting the doctrines of the grace of God . 4 < * Non tali auxilio , nori defensorlbus istls Tempus egit .
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Proceedings of the Deputies . Wfi avail ourselves with pleasure of the opportunity afforded us by a correspondent , of giving a report of the proceedings of the Deputies at their last General Meeting ; and we think it not altogether useless to say a few previous words on the history and constitution of
this body , which has now long been established among the Dissenters , and forms an institution highly respectable by the character of its members , as well as by the recollections of its association , in former days of greater activity and zeal , with some of the noblest advocates of religious liberty .
The Society owed its first permanent establishment to a resolution at a meeting of Deputies from the London Congregatious , in 1735 . A committee was then appointed and a treasurer chosen to receive contributions . Their first office was confined to promoting the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts , but was
soon extended to a general care " of the civil affairs of Dissenters . " In 1735 , the first application was made to Parliament and lost by 251 to 123 . In 1739 , a similar attempt was lost by 188 to 89 . In that year Deputies attended also from the country . In 1741 , the Register at Dr . Williams's was established : and
between 1754 and 1767 , was tried and decided the great cause with the City of London as to the appointing Dissenters Sheriffs . In 1779 , the Deputies assisted in obtaining the act for substituting a general declaration of belief in the Scriptures for a Subscription to the Articles . In 1786 , after a sleep of near fifty
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years , an aggregate meeting was formed of the Deputies , of delegates from the country , and of distinguished individuals , and an application to Parliament , as to the Test Laws , was made , and lost by 178 to 100 . 1 fhis was renewed in 1789 , and lost by 124 to 104 ; and in 1790 , by 294 to 105 . From 1790 to 1794 , some measures were taken by this aggregate body , styling itself " The Deputies and Delegates from the Protestant
Dissenters [ dropping the partial style of 'Three Denominations' ] of England and Wales , appointed to obtain a Repeal of the Test Laws , " but they ceased to meet in 1794 j and another sleep of thirty years ensued , broken only by the presentment of a petition now and then . The general interests of Dissenters on minor points have , however , been steadily attended to , and the Society joined in resisting Lord Sidmouth ' s Bill in 1811 , and in procuring the extended Toleration Act of
1812 . The French Revolution doubtless blasted the immediate prospects of the friends of liberty . Dread of innovation roused their enemies and divided their adherents . Even when the urgency of alarm passed by , the effect continued . The Deputies have not since ventured to attack the root of the system which op *
presses them , or to go further than to alleviate the smaller grievances which have sprung from it . They continue to consist of the representatives of congregations in and about London , any congregation being admitted which claims the privilege under" the title of one of the Three Denominations . These Deputies
hold about four aggregate meetings in the year , and a committee chosen by ballot meets monthly to transact the routine business . They have a fund which has remained nearly permanent , owing to there being no such calls upon it of late as the prosecution of their main object would occasion . About the amount of
this fund some mystery is preserved , the cause of which is not now precisely known ; but it is generally understood to consist of from eight to ten thousand pounds , invested in the government securities , the interest of which pays the current expenses of the body , and has been , no doubt , productive of many very good results . No one can doubt that the existence of
so respectable a body , permanently representing the feelings and interests of so large a portion of religious professors , and ready to act on emergencies , has been and is of the greatest utility in many ways . That its utility might be
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Intelligence .- * -Proceedings of the deputies . 13 #
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1827, page 133, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1793/page/53/
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