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Untitled Article
works , which the Society should make its arrangements for procuring on the most reasonable terms it could ; and there would be no difficulty in at once naming some ten or twenty books which alone would form treasures of knowledge , in elucidating the text , history , and interpretation of the Sacred Writings , in intellectual philosophy and ecclesiastical antiquities . I would then propose a certain number of annual exhibitions , to be given from the
list ; and the mode in which they should be distributed , or recommendations for them be made , would be matter of arrangement . As to some of the books which the list would contain , it might perhaps be useful to facilitate their acquirement by a mere reduction of price as well as by absolute gifts . But , in one way or another , I see no reason why it should not soon be the fault of any man of talent and activity , if there were not within his reach many of those valuable sources of information which now only enrich the libraries of the comparatively opulent .
There is another mode in which the moral and literary character of a religious denomination is , in modern times , accustomed to be very much estimated , and which , therefore , requires an attention which the Association has anticipated these observations in affording . This is the age of periodical publications , and they pass over the world as the symbols and indices of the feelings , opinions , and literary proficiency of the bodies from which they emanate . The Association has , from a conviction of this , lent its aid in
placing your work on a new footing ; and there is no reason wh y there , as well as in other departments , the benefit of union and co-operation should not be felt . One word on this subject . There is no question but that the social and literary reputation of the body will be very mueh estimated , at any rate abroad , by the character of any work that may be supposed to be its organ . By that character all the individuals of that body must be more or less affected ; and we may therefore appeal to the selfish , if to no better , feelings of
those with whom a slight literary exertion might place the Repository on the most creditable footing , for that assistance which they have now no pretence for withholding . The work will be what they choose to make it , and if it fails , the dishonour will be by them and on them . Yet another word . We shall be sure to hear ( as one hears concerning every work which investigates subjects of literary and moral importance ) the frequent charge of heaviness from those who like light reading . This should not have too much
influence . The fear of not being sufficiently stimulant is the curse of English periodical literature , —the reason why , with few exceptions , it is the most vapid and frivolous of the sort in Europe . Those who want stimulants may read ( if they can ) the New Monthly Magazine , or the Ia 3 t new novel . —But those who wish to give a journal a durable and respectable character , to place it on a footing even with some of those of France , ( which we are apt
to suppose a land opposed to dulness , ) must follow at a humbler distance the sterling value of some of the foreign works of a similar class . Let the Conductors choose their subjects for their real importance , not their accordance with the vanities of the day ; and if they are not strong enough to lead in a good course , at least let them not follow in a bad one by giving way to the frivolous tastes which disgrace both the public and those who cater for it .
As to Foreign relations ;—the object of the united wishes of English Unitarians will , of course , be to make themselves known in a favourable character to other nations , to communicate the progress of inauiry here , to assist , as far as opportunity and means serve , its progress elsewhere , and , at any rate , to keep up friendly relations , a regular correspondence , and an interchange of books , with those who pursue kindred objects in other coun-
Untitled Article
Unharian Association . 405
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1827, page 405, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1797/page/13/
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