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Against Materialism ^ Letter I . 407
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tf communicating and impressing this knowledge on the minds of his hearers . By a learned minis , ter I mean one who has studied the scriptures in their original languages , and can take the Hebrew Bible or Greek Testament into his reading desk , and from them give with fluency and ease a chapter of either in the English language * I frequently hear learned ministers , as they are called ; but I have very seldom an opportunity of allowing to them the propriety of this title . When I hear them read a chapter , or quote a text , and deliver themselves with all the errors of the vulgar translation , of what benefit is their
leaniing to me ? No , Sir , I cannot allow to any man the epithet of learned , unless he manifests to me that he is really so : and if he contents himself with the common translation , I perceive no advantage that he possesses above his brother , whom he perhaps despises for the want of that very learning , of which no trace appears in the learned man ' s discourses , or in his reading of the scriptures .
Let the learned mimster shew his learning by improving us in the knowledge of the written text . We shall be then benefitied by his attainments ; and , if he adds to learning the spirit of the Gospel , the unlearned minister will readity concede to him that superiority , which the really learned man will he the last to claim , and on which he will be the last to value him . Se 'f . Knowledge puffeth up says fhe apostle . There is a danger i'i learning , that it should dwell more on the letter than on the spirit of the Gospel : and as the latter is far the more important P art let us not depreciate the
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merits of our unlearned brethren , who may be move laborious and more instrumental in increasing the kingdom of our Lord and master . Your very obedient , PHILO .
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Against Materialism . —Letter Im Sir , I beg leave through the medium of your publication , to call the attention of rational Christians once more to a . controversy which in my opinion is very far from being set at rest , notwithstanding the many eminent writers who have written on the subject . It is natural for man to enquire into his own nature and constitution and His future destination . It is indeed a very intereslingsubject ; y £ t upon this point , as well as all others , the best of men have differed in their opinions . I have the highest respect for the characters of some who have defended the doctrines of materialism , and the suspension of human consciousness between death and a supposed resurrection at the last day : still I think their opinions are contrary to sound philosophy , to facts , and to the hcily scriptures .
The doctrine of materialism is a difficult and cheerless doctrine : it is difficult as it obliges its advocates to prove a negative ; and it is indeed a puzzling problem to prove that man has no soul ; it is certainly a hardy undertaking and requires a doughty champion : and I think all that have attempted it have failed . And what should we gain by an admission of this doctrine that man has no soul ? say rather what should we lose ? I cannot help thinking of the words of Christ , though spoken in sino *
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1811, page 407, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2418/page/23/
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