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the subject , at what age they attain this privilege ; for though I have arrived at " ic man ' s estate , " I am not yet conscious that I am in possession of this undefinable power ; and I am told that the
persons who do possess it are conscious of having it , and that it is indeed the strongest and , perhaps , only proof of its existence . I have little more to add . My featy Sir , ( groundless , I hope , ) is ,
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THE QUESTION-OF A LITURGY DISCUSSED . LETTER HI *
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To the Editor of the Monthly Repository .
Norwich , May 25 , 1810 . SIR , Having examined the authority on which the use of a liturgy rests , and endeavoured to ascertain how far the introduction of
one among dissenting congregations has succeeded , it now becomes necessary to inquire into the advantages or disadvantages likely to result from the disuse of free prayer , and the adoption either of a printed form or written
prayers . We are told that a liturgy will ensure correct and proper lan - guage , and prevent the vulgar , coarse , and frequently disgusting addresses to the Deity , which are
to be heard among those who use free prayer * In the 1 st place , it should be remembered , that prayer is the feeling of the heart , and notmerely the expression of the li p *; and that a preacher would do well to reflect , that an address
to the Father of mercies , however plain and simple , however unadorned or unstudied , if flowing immediately from the heart , and dictated by a spirit of real pie ty , will be heard with at least equal interest by the sjpeere and
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devout Christian , and will come up before the throne of heave ^ with equal acceptance , as an address which is polished with the utmost care and assiduity , and
finished by the nicest rules of human eloquence . Some persons , I am well aware , attend public worship for the avowed purpose of being amused . Florid declamation , an imposing and
theatrical manner , or a well-written moral essay , are to them abundantly sufficient , without any recommendation of Christian principles or Christian duties . To such it i $ not at present my intention to ad r dress myself . But ,
2 dly , I should completely deny that the greatest propriety of sentiment and expression are inconu patible with free prayer . Have there not been instances
innumerable of the most perfect propriety of expression and the most cprrecjt choice of language , being used by such as have never written $ , prayer ? I appeal to those whp have sat under such ministers as
have been trained up in the use of free prayer , whether they have been often disgusted by unbecom * *» £ * .. YMlgWj or trifling language ?
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that the belief in such $ doctrine as that of - philosophical liberty may lead , not indirectly , but direct ly and immediately , to abscu lute and undisguised atheism . On these points , Sir , I hope to
receive satisfactory infor mation ^ through the medium of y our impartial Repository ; And am Sir , Yours , &c . DEMOCRITUS .
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The Question of a Liturgy discussed . —Letter 3 . 2 £ 1
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1810, page 291, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2405/page/19/
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