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Untitled Article
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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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kiro wn to each ofchei \ Our churches and congregations are now so ironies rous that in this quartet nothing would seem more easy than for us to hold frequent and profitable intercourse ; and there seems * also , to be no mode of bringing us together , ^ omHining moVe attractions and ad ^*
vantages ; than that which has been adopted by our friends at whose instance we are now assembled . There are surely none amongst us , laity or clergy , who do not need the countenance * the excitement , the encouragement , which such meetings are suited to impart . They will call for no sacrifice of time which we should
not readily have appropriated to comparatively uninipprtanfc secular interests . "Their diesi ^ circumstances , to call us to deliberate more seriously and frequently upon our Christian privileges and obligations— -to direct our attention and ou rl , eiforts to-practica'ble . measures for the common benefit—to mate us
better acquainted with our situation , our wants and our duties as a body of fellow-beiievers- ^ -and to enable us , by combined as well as separate exertions , to do more , constantly more , for the cause of truth and virtue , of Christ and God . By holding such meetings , let it be understood and realized , that we deem religion a matter of such moment that we
choose- to- bestow' upon , it an increased attention , and that we are anxious to strengthen in the mind of every individual , the conviction that he can and ought to do more , much more , for his own religious improvement , and for the diffusion of a re fe , ! 91 s ispijit , . w ^ ieri ^ rjbiiyjxamgle may be' witnessed , and his influence extends .
Thisy then , is what we want- ^ to do more for ourselves , and amongst ourselves . We ought not to shun controversy when it is forced upon us—our opinions should be tested by constant investigation and discussion - ^ -bufc let us remember , above all things , that Unitaxianism , is a prac *
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tical religion ; that it requires ail the duty which man can perform ; arii that it is nothing short of iis original design , to render the wHole of life one act of blended piety and beneficence . What excuse shall a Unitarian invent tbr neglecting or delaying " tcTbe a religibus man" ? TKe ~ sinipl < r ~
faith which he professes has commended itself to his understanding . He perceives in it no perplexity , no mystery , no gloom , no absurdity . In every principle and precept he traces the impression of truth and virtue . In its requisitions he complains of no austerity , and although he perceives that they are as
comprehensive as his faculties , and as lasting as his existence , he perceives alsttt&tthey have ^ no" other purpose than his own improvement ; and what can a rational being desire so ardently and so exclusively as his own imp rovement ? What doubt can he
entertain that the whole design , and the whole effect of this religion , is to impart a moral dignity to his character , to instil the noblest sentiments , to inspire the best feelings , and to make him , by its various and constant influences , a blessing to himself and all around him ? What doubt
can he entertain that ^ such a religion , if sincerely embraced , will guide him safely through the changes of life , and will conduct him to its close in peace ? How can he doubt that such a religion will lend its sweetest ! charm to youth , its most enduring honour to manhood , and its only comfort to old age ? How can he doubt that the principles and spirit of such a religion are suited to
accompany him in all his pursuits , to regulate every transaction , to save him from temptation , to make prosperity harmless , and adversity useful ? How can he doubt , then , that it is safe and wise , nay , that it is necessary and indispensable for him to strive earnestly , steadfastly , and habitually to acquire and manifest the spiritof this religion in all his thoughts , in all his feelings , in all Ms conduct 1 Q 2
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¦ / ' ¦ . UNIT ^ KIJK ettBONie rE * . ¦ ' ' . .. & $
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 1, 1832, page 227, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1823/page/19/
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