On this page

• Text (1)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    Untitled Article

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Untitled Article

    disgusted with their extravagant conduct and absurd notions , have run into the opposite extreme , and negleeted it altogether . Indeed , it seems to have been one part of the rage of Unitarians * if I may so express myself , to reject as ridiculous and irrational , almost every thing" peculiar to those

    who have professed a creed diametrically opposite to their own . And need we be ashamed of acknowledging that we have erred in this respect ? A return to the old method of per ^ forming the ceremony is not at all desirable . The much-improved plan of modern settlement-services seems to

    have taken the place of the authorita ^ tive system of ordination with imposition of hands , Sec . There are some important advantages to be derived from that service , when conducted in

    so truly enlightened a manner as those at Bradford , Elland and Thorne . The particulars of the two former have already appeared before your readers j * and of the latter I shall now give you some account . The circumstances of

    the Thorne Society are too well known to the public to need any explanation in this place . They unanimously invited the Rev . John Gaskell , A . M . late of the college , Glasgow , to undertake the pastoral office amongst them , and , on occasion of his settlement , appointed a public religious service , June 12 th .

    The Rev . Richard Astley , of Halifax * introduced the solemn services of the day by prayer and reading appropriate parts of the Scriptures . Mr . Martin Simpson , then , in a brief address , stated , in behalf of the congregation , the reasons which induced

    them to request Mr . Gaskell to become their stated minister . This address was followed by a statement of Mr . O . ' s views , in entering on the ministerial office , and more particularly in complying with - the request of the people at Thorne . On the remainder

    of this service , the writer of this could expatiate with pleasure , but must content himself with observing , that the Rev . Charles Wellbeloved , theological tutor of the Manchester College , York , addressed a discourse to Mr . Gaskell , from 1 Tim iv . 16 , the intrinsic excellence of which , joined with the

    * Vide Mon . Repos . VIII . pp . 687 , 688 , X . pp . 594—596 .

    Untitled Article

    warm and affectionate manner in which it was delivered , will secure it a lasting place in the hearts of those who heard it . He also offered up the second prayer . The Rev . Nathaniel Philipps , D . D . of Sheffield , delivered

    a discourse to the people , from -Phil , i . 27 , 28 , which was distinguished for the bold , manly and independent tone in which it recommended the people to strive for the faith of the gospel , and to defend its simple uncorrupted truths before men . The Rev . P .

    Wright , of Stannington , near Sheffield , delivered the concluding prayer . The company afterwards dined together , ( Mr . Gaskell in the Chair , ) and filled up the afternoon by the rational , cheerful and free interchange of ideas . From the prevailing sentiments which were given , might be inferred the cordial interest and

    sincere pleasure which the meeting felt in the prospects of the Thorne Society and of Unitarians in general . Mr . Simpson mentioned an error which had obtained some publicity respecting himself , which it is but justice to mention in this place . It

    had been stated by Mr . R . Wright , in the account of the Thorne Society , published in the Appendix to T ) r . Philipps' Sermon * on the opening of the chapel , that ** avowed unbeliever came to hear him preach . " It appears that the spirit of opposition to every departure from the orthodox faith ,

    was at that tune so strong in the neighbourhood , that the gentleman in question was stigmatized by his adversaries , whilst pursuing his inquiries after truth , as an unbeliever ; and hence appears to have originated the mistake . But Mr . Simpson appears never to have disbelieved Christianity . To the honour of the Thorne

    Society be it named , they have had regular services on the Lard ' s day , ever since the opening of the chapel ; for which they have been chiefly indebted to the disinterested zeal and steady conduct of Mr . C . J . F . Benson , a member of the society , who has led the devotions of his fellow-worshipers in a manner that deserves the

    imitation of others , whose abilities qualify them for so noble a service . Long may this infant society flourish under the fosteriug care of heaven , and be

    * Vide p . 38 .

    Untitled Article

    Intelligence . — Ordination of Mr . Gaskell at Tliorne . 557

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1817, page 557, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2468/page/45/