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be wisely < improved , a # opportunity will be afforded , us of reeomnjending the evidences and truths of the . gospel to the calm and serious consideration of those whose minds would otherwise be steeled , by the most inveterate prejudices , agaiust the approaches of other Christians , and thus a spirit of iuquiry respecting Christianity , and a desire q ( improvement in European science and learning , may be excited in one of the chief divisions of
native society , which has been almost entirely inaccessible by tfte means that have hitherto been employed . It is in this point of view especially , that other Christians should hail with joy the appearance of Unitarians in the field of Foreign Missions ; for however the ques * tious at issue between Unitarians and
Trinitarians be ultimately determined , it is the former alone who are fitted to be the pioneers of the Cross against the followers of the Crescent . These remarks apply also to Hindoo Unitarians , but with somewhat less force ; for , unlike Mussulmans , who&e prejudices against the Trinity are as old as their own rengiou , that doctrine as well as
Christianity itself is new to them , and they consequently have no prejudices , except what are of very recent creation , against either the one or the other . It Is still however true of them also , that they are much more favourably disposed towards Unitarians than towards any other sect of Christians ; and in confirmation of this , it is only necessary to state , that
Unitarians are the only sect of Christians who possess learned , wealthy , and respectable Hindoo gentlemen , among their open and active supporters . Besides these , there are other Hindoo Unitarians , whose wishes and endeavours are principally directed to the overthrow of idolatry and its attendant evils , and to the propagation of Unitarianism , not considered as a form of Christianity , but as a belief in the simple unity of God ,
and their co-operation to this extent will be willingly given to Unitarian Christians , by whom it may be made available for the most important purposes . It is also deserving of remark , that those respectable Hindoos in Calcutta , who are most zealous in the promotion of the popular idolatry , have , within the last few years , been equally zealous in the promotion of native education . Although hostile to Missionaries in other
respects , they cordially and zealously unite with them in those schemes of education , which dp not include proselytism as oue of their direct and immediate objects : anil as the schools of
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Unitarians will , on $£ ground of- principle . a > weU as prudence , be entirely free from this objection , we may confidently anticipate , that in the plans formed for the advancement of education , we shall receive the support even of those from whom , in the other departments of missionary labour , we may expect th . e most determined opposition .
Considered , not * m reference to Unitarianism only , but to Christianity in the wide sense of the terra , however anomalous and unaccountable it may appear , it is a fact of the most auspicious promise , that the attempts which have been made to diffuse the blessings of education , instead of exciting the suspicions or rousing the opposition of idolatrous natives , have found in them the warmest and
most active friends . The effect of an enlightened system of education in rescuing the mind from prejudice and superstition cannot for a moment be doubted ; and when even the most prejudiced and superstitious Hindoos are willing to unite with Christians , for the production of such an effect , although this disposition cannot be expected t ; o continue always , yet it should in the mean time operate as a stimulus to the most vigorous and persevering exertions ,
I have thus attempted to give you a sketch of the actual state of the public mind in Calcutta , respecting Uuitarian Christianity , which , although probably imperfect in its details , is , 1 believe , correct in its general outlines , aud with reference especially to the native populatiou , offers the most encouraging prospects of usefulness to Unitarian Christians .
Important as Calcutta is justly cousidered as a field of missionary labour , and limited as have been the resources of the Committee , they have not entirely neglected the rest of India , in / the provinces subject to this Presidency , we have two or three correspondents who are friendly to our objects , and willing to aid in their promotion ; and at Madras I have another correspondent in Mr . William Roberts , who , whatever
may be the precise effect and value of his labours , on which I do not consider myself at present sufficiently informed to * decide , has at least the merit of being sincere , zealous , aud persevering amidst many discouragements and difficulties . Opportunities have been embraced to send pamphlets and tracts explanatory of the principles and objects of the Committee to Bombay , Ceylon , and various other places . The business of the Committee is
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Intelligence .- ^ Foreign . 165
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1827, page 155, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1793/page/75/
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