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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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. received ; into their communion , or from numbers of individuals who are desirous to be united into societies under their auspices , and to receive instruction from their pastors . If I were not afraid of trespassing too far on your pages , there are one or two other facts which I would
b rieflyTnention 7- ~^ Arveryremarkable ™ occurrence has taken place in a parish in the immediate neighbourhood of Paris , wi : h respect to this new sect . The parish is Clicky , which adjoins the barrier of that name . The Abbe Auzon was appointed as the cure of the parish . He saw reason afterwards to embrace the doctrines of the
new sect , and openly taught them to his congregation , by whom they were heard with great acceptance . On the report of the archbishop , or some of the clergy of Paris , the attention of the Government was direpted to the subject ; an inquiry- was
instituted ; the report was confirmed ; and the Abbe was required either to conform to the church , or relinquish his living . He refused to do either . The Government proceeded to eject him from his church and his house , and the people immediately reinstated him in both . The
Government repeated the scene ; the people did the same . Force was found to be unavailing , persuasion was tried . The prefet offered to . build him ^ new church and a new presbytery or parsonage , but the Abbe ? resisted . He preferred what he jhad , and he
continues , supported by the people , to live in the house , and to perform the services in the church , in opposition to all their attempts to displace him . He has courted the suffrages of his parishioners in hi 3 favour , and they declare they will have no pastor but the man of their choice and their
affections , the Abbe Auzon . This has raised a new question . The people say " there is no longer any established religion . The church is for our service , and it shall be served according to our wishes . " The same thing has occurred -with some slight
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difference of circumstances at Boulogne sur Seine and Montmorency , two other parishes in the neighbourhood of Paris . Thanks be to Providence the flame spreads . The principles of truth and liberty have taken some root , and we may look for great results .
— Phe-teacheTS"ofthrs ^ reirt" haTe ^ ri 6 "t yet ventured much into the consideration of doctrines which are most warmly controverted among Protestants , such as the Trinity , Faith , &c . ; but in this perhaps they arewise , not to undertake more at once than they are able to vindicate , and to lead the public mind from step to step , till
they approximate the perfectibility at which they aim . In sentiments they are very liberal ; at all events they are anxious to read and understand ^ and to give to argument its proper value , having no desire but that of arriving at the truth . None can desire more . This is precisely what there ought to be , " a fair field and no favour . "
The formation and success of this sect within the bosom of the Iioman Church seems to me a most interesting and promising event . Its supporters deserve every encouragement which the friends of liberty and truth can give , —and no means , in my opinion , are so likely to promote the
advancement of true religion in France as those which are adopted by the French Catholic Church . They belong to the people ; they are acquainted with their modes of life , their habits of thought , and their tone of feeling , and are eminently
better qualified to carry forward plans for the advancement of knowledge and truth among their fellowcountrymen , than anystrangers , however enlightened or zealous they may be .
I may add , in conclusion , that they have other works in the press , Catechisms , Liturgies , and works for the instruction of the young . Should you deem the subject as interesting as I do , as I have made arrange-
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UNITARIAN CHRONICLE . 173
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 1, 1832, page 173, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1819/page/29/
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