On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
plain , sensible , practical manner , '• the peculiarities of Unitarian Christianity * We believe , said he , Unitarian Christianity far better calculated to promote the happiness of the community than any other system of
re-—ligion- ^ -. thatdtJs , mdeed _ JC . hris . tianityL as taught by Jesus Christ and his apostles . * The essence of this religion is charity—benevolent action . It requires us to love God supremely , and our neighbour as ourselves . What then does God , what do
our country and the times , require of us ? These are , in many respects , unlike anything which the world has before seen . Here every body of men , every sect in religion , every party in politics , is left free to propagate its own views , and to strengthen itself by the acquisition of talents and numbers .
The recent simultaneous and unprecedentetl exertions of those'who style themselves Orthodox Christians , have opened to us new opportunities for doing good . The plain , practical preaching of the Calvinistic clergymen of the old school—their prudent policy , which in a good degree kept out of view the contradictions in which their system abounds —and their reliance on appeals to the
reason and understanding to make men good , have ] been abandoned , and very different doctrines have been advocated and measures pursued . With this change many , very many , independent , pious , virtuous minds are dissatisfied and disgusted . By such Ujaitarianism will be embraced wherever it is understood . In it they will find all . the practical religion , which their old instructors
taughtm it they will find a religion , in harmony with the works of God in the visible creation . There are others , driven almost to distraction by the terrific representations of the wrath of God , against all who do not become the subjects of
his special grace arid favour j and who , finding it impossible to feel , as they are told all must feel , who have hope of being saved , are left by their religious teachers to a fearful looking for of judgment , wretchedness , and despair . To such Unitarianism
be-_ comes the power of God , and the wisdom of God unto salvation . It makes them acquainted with the parental character of the Deity , and . declares , in the simple language of Scripture , that all that is required to secure the favour of heaven , is to do justice , love mercy , and walk humbly
with God . And that if they have failed thus to do and walk , —they have only to repent , cease to do evil , learn to do well , and return unto God who will abundantly pardon and bless them .
There are also the bold , daring irreligious , whom the most terrific harangues of the orthodox cannot move , who deem all religion a cheat , fit- to terrify -Women -and children , but unworthy the regard of the independent mind . To these the advo- . eates of Unitarianism " come , not with
harsh denunciations , but with the soothing voice of persuasion and truth ;~—declaring the ways of religion pleasantness , and all her paths peace ;—showing the adaptation of the laws of God to the condition of man , and appealing to their con ^ sciences for a confirmation of the
doctrine every where taught in Scripture—* there is no peace tp the wicked , —that the way of the transgressor is hard . * Tins view of the times in which we live , and the different classes of society , shows us that there is ample , xoorafor the , exercise of . benevolent ;
and Christian feelings , without interfering at all with the success or rights of others ; Even if we but glean the field , over which they have trampled , and save the scattered corn;—our reward , though humble , will be lasting . In our Saviour ' s view , the widow ' s mite was not disregarded .
Untitled Article
£ 18 U ^ iTAKIAN CJIEdNiGiE .
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 1, 1832, page 218, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1823/page/10/
-