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    196 Mr . Belsham ' s Strictures on Carpenter ' s Lectures .

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    viftcing him of the error of his system , and by inspiring him with more just and honourable conceptions of his Maker ? The supposition which my friend makes of the effect of this rigid system upon the mind of a parent is by no means imaginary ,,-as I myself can bear witness , from facts which have fallen under my own observation .

    \ Surely then it must be the indispensable duty of e \^ ery one who forms just conceptions of the character of the Almighty ^ to oppose to the utmost all these injurious and pernicious representations of the divine government , and to diffuse as far as possible those rational and elevated views of the attributes and of the administration of the divine Beings which are the strongest motives to virtuous practice and the best balm and sweetest consolation of human life .

    My friend having finished his animadversions upon Mr . WiJberforce ' s system , now proceeds ( p . 36 . ) to honour me with his attention . After a handsome concession in rny favour in the argument with Mr . W . he professes to discuss my sentiments xipon some other points . " It is ( says he ) with some reluctance that I publicly controvert the opinions of a much esteemed friend : but such is his loveot truth and free discussion , that I am persuaded it is unnecessary to make any apology to him on this account . "

    Most assuredl y my friend has no occasion to apologize to me ^ — * Km - for the freedom which he uses ih , canvassing the doctrines which I assent to and defend . Truth I am persuaded is our common and only object . This is only to be elicited by enquiry and discussion ; and if lam under an error in any of my opinions , and I do not profess infallibility ^ I shall be truly thankful for better information . I am not yet " persuaded that nothing new to me can be advanced on either side the question , " and therefore have Ho right , even upon my friend ' s own principles , " to make up anv mind and enquire no further , "

    After this introduction ., however , I was somewhat disappointed at not finding any argument alleged , against the doctrine which I had supported . My worthy friend in allusion to Mr . W / s assertion that Socinianism as he calls it , is the half-way house between Christianity and Deism , and also \ o another hacknied comparison , attributed without authority to an amiable and devotional writer ; that " Socinianism is the frigid zone of Christianity , * ' is pleased to represent me as Jiving in a large and cold house in the frigid zone , while Mr . Wilbcrforce is scorching in a grand and gloomy mansion in the torrid : whereas my friend of course . resides in a pleasant habitation in the temperate zone , where he enjoys " visions of angels / ' and all sorts of line things -

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  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1807, page 196, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2379/page/28/