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Doubtless the tern ^ s are as uiwersal % p could be selected , implying not <^ nly tile whole huuum race , but the inferior animals , the beast that prowls ihe desert , and the fish that cleave
the sea . 11 is also well known that m other parts of the Scripture , even the trees are said to clap their hands , and the mountains and hills to re * joice . But I am sure Mr . F . will never contend for the truth of the
literal sense of these passages ; and I trust he will also see that such highly wrought figures are not the strongest foundation on which . to build any important doctrine of Christianity . Comparing the prophetic language of Scriptures together , it appears doubtful to me whether any thing more be intended in the vision . Rev . v . than
the very rapid and extensive spread of the Christian doctrine in the world . I have no doubt , Sir , but some of your readers will think me a very cold , and perhaps a captious ' critic :
indeed I must confess myself a little rnclined to scepticism on points which to maijy © f my friends appear bright as if written with a sun beam . Hfowever I do- not wish to discourage
the animating hope , that hereafter our Almighty and benevolent Creator may qualify even the worst of our face for heights of enjoyment which they certainly are not capable of when they depart out of this life . I think it is more reasonable to conclude
thus , than to expect that myriads 'will be consigned to unlimited and everlasting tortures for the transgressions of a day , or that they will be utterly blotted out of existence . But
I do not see any express prediction of this in the Bible . Before I lay down my pen , will you permit me , Mr . tulitor , to request some of your Cor * - respondents to say—^ -Whether it is not conceivable , that on account of the
p rogressive improvement of virtuous intellect in a future state , thefe may be strictly—an everlasting difference between those who at the judgment day shall have their portion with the rigtv-4 eou 3 and with the wicked f R . L .
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M& Reply to Question * on Notional Wealth and Sorigi Institutions .
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Sir , Clapton , Feb . 5 , 1817-YO UR Correspondent , Mr . Gilchrist , has insetted in the Repository for September £ Xl . 5 $ 93 t wnat he calls a few queries , which tfettfcinly
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contain subjects of the greatest iro ]> Qr £ tance to mankind , and which t , aj well as your Correspondent , shall Ue very glad to see discussed in you * pages . But I think he throws some db ? couragement in the way of their being answered , b y saying , that ( i crude thoughts in loose remarks will serve
no good purpo 5 e ; " it will not satisfy him unlesss they are " digested' * into " simple , clear , distinct , self-evident , or demonstrable propositions . " Now as they are subjects on which mauhundred volumes have been written , and on which , most likely , volume ^ will continue to be written , to the
end of time , if they are all to be " digested , " ( supposing it possible ) in ths way he desires , you must , I think , Sir , occupy the greater part of the Repository with them for some years
to come , which would uot I conceive be consistent with your plan \ however as far as relates to myself I cannot pretend to send you any . thing more than a few * loose remarks , '
which I shall proceed to make on the subject of government , to which some of Mr . G . ' s queries relate , namely : " What are the principal advantages and disadvantages of the different forms of government V * " What are the most effectual means
of preserving a common-wealth in the even tenor of progressive improvement , equi-distant froin despotism and anarchy ?" I suppose we shall mostly agree that that nation is the best governed where the people for the most part
govern themselves - I , and thinly it may be laid down as a fundameutal maxim , whether we speak relativel y to free or to despotic govern merits , particularly in the present state oi society , that that is the beat government in which Uiere is leas /
corruptionwhere mind has more influence ; than money , and where the officers of the state are chosen for their capability tq fulfil their different offices , witnout respect to their opinions on subjects not connected with their official djuties . The , great degree in which this was the case in France , whilst
Napoleon was on the throne , was doubt * Jess a principal reason wh y th ^ people of that country so roucn preferred his absolute tyranny to even the limited tyranny oi the BaurjxHig . 1 have no doubt that a repuJbUc is the best Jbrm of government- —thwt ne *
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1817, page 160, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2462/page/32/
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