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Untitled Article
heads before the divine statue of truth . The writer attempts to show , that the different
professions are conditions or situations , of human life which are essentially immoral in their bias and tendencies . After observing upon the sort of character which the study of law and physic is likely to entail upon its professors , he proceeds to the divine . iC
A clergyman is a man educated for a certain profession ; and having been so educated , he cannot , without much inconvenience , exchange it for another . This is a circumstance indeed to which
his pursuit is exposed , in common with every other walk of human life ; but the evil that results to him has its peculiar aggravations . It is the singularity of his office , that his duties principally consist in the inculcating certain
opinions . These duties cannot properly be discharged without a life of study . It is surely a strange and anomalous species of existence , where a man ' s days are to be spent in study , with this condition
annexed , that he must abstain from enquiry . This is incompatible with any thing that deserves the name of enquiry . He that really enquires , can by no means foresee in what conclusions his enquiry shall terminate . "
But , if he enquires , he will , perhaps , arrive at sceptical conclusions , respecting his former sentiments , in spite of the bias impressed by pecuniary considerations and the fear of losing his i friends . " In this case , he must
determine either to play a solemn farce of hypocrisy , or to maintain his integrity at the expence of an obscure and solitary existence . " This , Mr . Editor , is a situation
which no moral agent ought to be placed in . It is equally irw jurious to the progress of truth ,
and the virtue of man . Here is a situation which nps the disposition to free enquiry in its bud . But if we dare inquire and determine to be sincere , we da it at the haz *
zard of losing our subsistence and the solace of our friends . \ " The infidelity however of a clergyman , is , perhaps , a rare circumstance . It frequently happens that he lives in the midst of
evidence and is insensible to it . He is in daily contemplation of contradictions , and finds them consistent . He reads stories the most * fabulous and absurd with the pro- * foundest reverence . He receives a
system with the most perfect satisfaction , which a reflecting savage would infallibly scoff at , for its grossness and impertinence . His ' thoughts are under such perfect ' discipline , that not a doubt ven- ' tures to intrude itsel f * ' K *
^ Another disadvantage , incident to the profession , is the appearance of sanctity . His sanctity does nut arise immediately from spiritual motives and the sentiments of the heart ; it is a certain exterior which he finds himself compelled to preserve . His devotion is not the result of devout feelings ; he is obliged equally to affect them ,
when he experiences them the least . Hence there is something formal , constrained and artificial in the manners of a clergyman . "'A third disadvantageous
circumstance arises from his situa . tion as a guide and teacher to others . He harangues his auditory at stated periods , and no one is al . lowed to contradict him . He pronounces the prayers of the congregation , and seems to act the Me-
Untitled Article
378 Mr . Fordkam on the Clerical Character .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1813, page 378, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2429/page/22/
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