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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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truest interest and highest happiness . ' The most important motives to virtue are to be drawn from the Christian revelation ; and from the prospects which it opens out in the future world ,- in connexion with our behaviour in the present state . The bfij 5 Jt _ qjiaJJiie ; M ^ moral instruction are therefore to be
drawn from the holy Scriptures ; and it is above all things necessary that the clear and pure light which revelation affords should shine into the minds of those , who are to dispense the words of truth , and to assist their fellow creatures in their progress towards perfection .
' The proper use of divine revelation can only be made by those who are well disposed to receive it . If any come to the study of the Scriptures with a conceited opinion of themselves ^ and with their heads full of notions which they have derived from other quarters , their prejudices
will blind'theireyes-to ^ he truth ; and they will only apply particular passages , as they happen to meet with themj- to confirm them in their errors , and lead them further from the way of truth . This requisite for religious knowledge , an open and well disposed mind , is of especial importance to
those who are to teach others , They , of all persons , should have the clearest notions of the design and tendency of Christianity * and of the means which it employs-to produce that divine and heavenly temper which it is its object to form , and to secure to mankind the blessings which it promises .
• I ought perhaps to apologise to you , and to your kitid friends around me , for" enlarging upon topics which mus feeperjfe ^ ly _ faimUar . to you j and for tracing out to you a line of study , through which we must all be aware that you are in the course of being so ably conducted by your excellent tutors .
* But whatever furniture of the head , whatever improvement of the understanding may be requisite to the
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Christian teacher , it must ever be acknowledged that those are Very un « likely to succeed who are not them * selves patterns of the good conduct which they recommend . Their descriptions of the several virtues will convey no just and striking likeness * their attempts to recommend them Hill-b £ t _ cold _ and _ uninteresting ^ and the assurance of insincerity which their lives betray will be a never-failing bar to their success . But when virtue
and piety are recommended to our attention by one who is himself an example of it , the description of the character being drawn from the life , will convey the most agreeable likeness ; the address will be easy and ,
persuasive , fitted to engage the attention , convince the understanding , and win upon the heart . Such an instructor , from the light which his character will reflect upon Ms instructions , wilt be the most likely to plead the sacred cause of truth and virtue with abund- »
ant success . f On this subject I may perhaps be permitted to address to you ^ , few Words with less impropriety ; becausej though it is understood by the certifi * cates which have introduced you here ^ that you have already entitled yourselves to a favourable report for reli * gious principles and virtuous conduct ,
yet we cannot avoid feeling some ground of apprehending , as , probably , you may yourselves have felt , a want of parental superintendence , caution , and occasionally even restraint ; You are necessarily here more masters of your leisure time : let it be your study , as it must be the wish of your best friends for you , that you employ it well . Particularly , be sure to make a
point of setting apmt some portion of eao |^ 2 ) m | ng _ and evening to the exercises of private devotion , and theprac * tical reading of the Scriptures . This will brbg you better acquainted with , yourselves , and convince you of the necessity of self-correction and caution . It will also bring you acquainted with the Scriptures in a variety of points of view in which they may not , per «
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UNiTAElAN CHRONICLE . 131
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 1, 1832, page 131, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1817/page/3/
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