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Untitled Article
In contemplating this state of religion the true Christian will not fail to bear in mind the happiness he enjoys in the liberty with which Christ has made him free . He is not at ail entangled iti the disputes of the world , which are occasioned by the mixture of worldly sentiments with tbe
precepts of the Gospel . He will , indeed , lament the evils that this mixture has introduced , and will therefore be on his o-uard against every attempt to bring * any tiling * of the same kind into the community to which he belongs , the community of holy men of all nations and countries , who in various times have acknowledged the
Holy Jesus as their only Master and Teacher . Hence he will carefully watch every symptom of Rabbinism , the great fault in our Saviour ' s time , and which has since had so g-reat a part in the affairs of what is vulgarly called the Church . To this spirit of dictation , this attempt to uphold the ark of God with unhallowed
hands , to prop it up by vain shows of learning and human tradition , he will strenuously oppose himself , aimed with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit of God , He is then invincible , and the darts of the adversary fall without effect The political state of Europe is far from being- settled . In France , the election of
representatives is over , and in many places it has been sharply contested . But in no place have those scenes of riot and confusion taken place , which are so common on such occasions in England . The election is in fewer hands upon the whole than with us : but in no place is there so small a body'of constituents , as are known in this country ; and the electors are taken from that class of
life , which are not completely under the nod of any person , whether minister or private individual . Henee the minister has by no means obtained a decided superiority , and in many places the elections have g-one contrary to his wishes . Tbe representatives
have to decide upon important matters , and the past scenes cannot fail to have produced a due effect . The - ultra royalists seem to have but little influence , and the welfare of the country stands therefore a better chance of being- consulted
The States of the Netherlands have been , assembled , and the speech from the throne was mild and conciliatory . They are there attending- closely to their own a flairs , and seem likely to form as g * ood a government as circumstances will admit .
The public has been alarmed with rumours * of an attack on Portug-al by Spain ; differences are known to exist between the two courts , on account of proceeding's in
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Spanish America , but it is hardly likely that they should produce a warfare , for
which Spain is so little prepared . It is said that these differences are to be settled by the holy alliance , and as this is the first matter of importance brought before this doubtful body , the public will be attentive to its actions In America the mother-country seems to be upon the whole losing- ground . In the Southern part its cause is apparently lost , but it . is said to be more successful iu Mexico . The rumour of
u fleet from Russia , keeps alive the idea , ihat this mighty power may enter info a contest , which it will thus prolong * , but most probably without effect . Germany employs its writers on constitutions , but the effect on the public is not very decisive . Various schemes are talked of to
bringthat immense cuntry t <» act u Vr > ne system ; but it is evidently the 1 merest of Russia , that it should he divided among- independent slates , i ' l-ussia has not given its subjects : he constitution promiser ! , and a euiiMde , able degree <» f jealosisy »« re-a , i . s between the military and the rea' defenders
of the country . It is lamentable to think that so great a portion of our fellow-creatures should dedicate themselves to the art of war ; an employment never to be justified but hi rases of extreme necessity One of the cases not uncommon in des ^
potical states has occurred in thr assassination of the Uey of Algiers by liis soldiers . As he reigned by the swonl , it is no wonder that he should fall bv the sword : and one would think that reflections un such an eveut would make even so / ereig * n feel
the insecurity of him wh > is at the head of a military government . Tlreie can he no security equal to that which rests in the confidence of the people and the charms of desp . » tical power are surely more than counterbalanced by the wretched dependence on the armed men w ' rb which it is
surrounded . "N et the throne , wherever it is , and however moan it may appear , will dazzle the eyes of men ; and the fate of the . predecessor does not diminish the excitements of ambition . What effect this tumultuary act of the military wil ! produce , respecting the treatment of Christians , time will discover : but . it is to be feaied ,
that the chastisement the barbarians lately received will u-, t produce a change in their minds . It is melancholy to consider that a country forme : Iy so rich , and so well cultivated , should have fallen into such wretched hands - but \ t is in the order of Providence , that fertile lands should become desolate for the wickedness of its inhabitants .
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State of Public Affairs . 639
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1817, page 639, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2469/page/67/
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