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    subject of the deepest interest . There is no surer way of laying a founda * tion for the ultimate spread of your opinions than by raising the character and literary acquirements of those who form its principal organs . At present it does not seem that there is any necessity or call for the Society to interfere on the subject of initiatory instruction . As a sect , we need not fear comparison in this respect with any other ; and , though I agree with what I understand to be the meaning of your Correspondent in your March number , that no sectarian institutions ( which , in fact , from the exclusive system of our Universities , all the English Colleges are , and must be , unless the London University shall , in some degree , remedy part of the evil ) can fully answer the purpose of comprehensive , intellectual education , I do not see that our credit , as a particular denomination , calls for a better

    institution than York undoubtedly affords ; unless , indeed , the funds can be found for exhibitions to enable promising students to have the further benefit of other institutions , particularly of foreign universities . Whether the remains of the Hackney fund would not be beneficially applied to such a purpose as this , deserves the consideration of the parties to whom the appropriation of that fund may properly belong . Perhaps the Association might take steps for bringing the matter under their view .

    But supposing the early processes of education completed , can nothing be done for the encouragement of a diligent and honourable application of the talents acquired , and to stimulate young ministers to the steady cultivation of those pursuits which are absolutely necessary to give them eminence and character in their profession , and in which , I fear , we are far below the level even of our forefathers ? In forming the character of a respectable scriptural scholar , it ought to be considered that something more is wanted

    than an acquaintance , easily effected , with the every-day polemics of one ' s own sect ;—that even a zealous Unitarian cannot dispense with the requisites of an enlightened , well-informed Christian ;—and that it is certainly as well to be a theologian before one sets up for a controversialist . There are many temptations , doubtless , for the indolent to spare themselves the toil and * labour necessary for proficiency , and it cannot be denied that the means of knowledge are exceedingly curtailed by the difficulty of acquiring suitable books *

    To meet this exigency , and to stimulate the cultivation of real knowledge , it appears to me incumbent on the Association to consider whether it could not usefully apply a certain portion of its resources in p lacing within the reach of those who would make a good use of them , books proper for conveying solid , intellectual acquirements , principally in biblical literature . These should be selected with perfect independence of all view to the propagation of peculiar opinions . The Society need not fear the result in the hands of wise and honest men . If Unitarianism should not always be promoted , enlig htened Christianity of some sort will ; and it would , in my mind , be a

    disposal of part of the Society ' s resources most useful and honourable to it as a religious body , if it placed on the shelves of the young minister , or of his chapel , as a permanent endowment , ( whichever should be thought best , ) books of value and research , unconnected in most cases with any peculiar opinions , ( certainly , if otherwise valuable , not rejected because not Unitarian , ) and calculated to store the mind of the student with the materials of knowledge ; leaving the result to his judgment , under the guidance of Providence , and never doubting that the increase will be that which will most conduce to the real interests of religion and truth . . For this purpose I should propose , that a list should be formed of standard

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    404 Unitarian Association .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1827, page 404, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1797/page/12/