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
"Whoen ? -feat attentively observed the writhingg of the cUse&sed wrincl , —either labouring under distressijig doubts , or overwhelmed with terror , must know that the most acute physical sufferings are trifling compared with these * How many are the ininds thus affected , under the influence of
the terrors of religion ! We condemn not the authors of such wretchedness . God has not appointed uVtheir judge . They doubtless console them- * selves with the belief that the same threat 3 the same denunciation that drove one to despair , snatched others from everlasting burnings . Who that has ever fell ; that iiHal trust and
confidence in God , which liberal Christianity inculcates , can hesitate to believe that it is better calculated to prevent or heal these malaSieaoI the mind , than any other application that can be found ? Contemplate , for a moment , the operations of tile numerous sects into which Christians are-dividedv—The
main object , we rejoice to believe , by which all are actuated , is to promote the best good of mankind , trading partisans may have other motives , but the motives of the several parties , as a whole , we doubt not are sincere , though oftentimes misguided . And is not the wisdom of God manifest in
permitting this state of thmgs / i dif * ferentj parties excite to emulation , and provokeeach other to good works ; All -parties "teach ^ -neaTly jKne same code of Christian morals , and whiais ever these are received as the rule of life , the kingdom of God comes with power . We should , therefore , prca * ceed with caution . Care should be
had that while we labour to correct tn < eLerEe *^ the injuries which we apprehend they may have done ; thai we do not also counteract tW good influences which spring frpm their exertions . We are happy to believe that our orthodox friends do much good , that they are casting out many devils ; - ^ and ws > would x > hey the commands of ouy Saviour and forbid them not .
Untitled Article
tfae should not be deterred from performing our duty because in so doing we may expose ourselves to misrepresentation and revilings . While we govern ourselves by the golden rule of the gospel , we cannot be justly censured ;~ and if others censure us unjustly , the sin is theirsr
not < ht % s . The poisoned . shafts of calumnySrebound from the object at which they ^ re aimed , and return to rankle in theJt&qxt of him who throws them . ^ ^ s ^ It is of the first imtns « tanee that
the gospel should be disencuntb »« s 4 of all additions which it has received from the hands of men , and freed from all sectarian incumbrances . The great mistake of Christians of all ages has been their endeavour to
control fy force the opinions of others . Reasoning , argument , persuasion , are the only weapons which the gospel presents to be used in religious warfare . Whatever is more than-these comes of evU-andtendsta propagate evil .
We profess to be members of the Church of Ghrist ~ and we cordially invite $ 11 others who honestly make the ; same profession , to come with us to the table of the Lord . What man or body of men has a right to judge another as to his qualifications for this ordinance ? To his Master , which is God , is he alone answerable , r—and He alone seeth the heart and
jutoto ^ ustlyi' The different orders in religion , and offices of its servants , have tended in no small degree , in times past * to its corruption . By too much regard to form , the substance has
been neglected . If others in this h Mfe ^ faUen , intg >_^ pi :- -n ] gl . jis .. .. b . e .. watcfiui against the same error . Where lies our path of duty ? How shall we perform it , withput interfewg with the rights and privileges of others ? Shall we send our
preachers and our tracts , mto houses amd village ^ where they are not wanted ' , and where they will not be h ^ ard or read with candour ? By no
Untitled Article
VTStrnJCMAT ^ CffR ONieii ^ . £ 19
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 1, 1832, page 219, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1823/page/11/
-