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    into practice , so that he cannot be considered as clinging co the prejudices of an early education . Koinonos allows the advantage of having persons to conduct the devotional exercises , and to take the lead in the instruction of

    Christian societies , whose previous education and present leisure enable them to make deeper and more accurate researches into Christian truth , and consequentl y better qualify them for the instruction of their fellow-christians .

    Whilst this is the case , the distinction between minister and peo ple will be kept up , without supposing that there is any other superiority in the ministerial character than what arises from the

    superior qualifications of the minister , and from the superior information and improvement which his people derive from his faithful and useful ministerial services .

    But where , in consequence of the want *> f funds and the poverty of the members , provision cannot be made for a minister , let persons so circumstanced meet together , however few their number ,

    and availing themselves of every assistance which they stand in need of , either for the devotional or the instructive part of the service , let them worship their Heavenly

    Father in spirit and in truth , and teach the pure , unadulterated doctrines of the gospel . From societies of this description , let such delegates be sent as the members

    may think most eligible . But I agree with my friend in thinking that where there is a minister to conduct the religjous services of the congregation he should be one of the delegates , and that he should not be tte only delegate . Some of the congregation , 1

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    think , should be deputed to act with him . One material object of the association , but in my opinion not the most important , is to provide the requisite funds for

    carrying on every object which may be favourable to the propagation of religious knowledge , and to the promotion of Christian improvement . The most useful

    part of the institution , I apprehend , will be to promote a spirit of religious inquiry , to generate a thirst for Christian knowledge in the minds of ministers and people , and to excite' both to be ac . ive and zealous in the dissemination of every important religious truth among their friends and neighbours . I think all parties , both

    ministers and people , should put their hand to the plough , and I therefore wish that both should be included in the delegation . I

    should be sorry to see any classes excluded . I should therefore wish to see the bachelor , as well as the married man , thus activel y employed in promoting the great

    cause of the gospel . I should wish to see the generous enthusiasm and activity of youth , as well as the sedater judgment of riper years , called into exercise in this great and glorious work .

    The most useful part of the plan , I apprehend , will be found that of the congregations associated in classes for religious and theological Conversation , and ^ of neighbouring societies m district meetings * This , I apprehend , in

    many circuits , might be commenced ifDmediately , and with very great advantage , without waiting for the arrangement of the more extensive associations which could not well take place till a considerable number of the smal-

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    tojc . viu ; *

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    On a General Association of Unitarians * 25

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1813, page 25, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2424/page/25/