On this page

• Text (2)

  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

  • 

    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

    ffibt be carried into the church when dead ! I Some time ago this clergyman refused admission to a Dissenter , and would not read the former part of the burial service over the corpse- In consequence of which ? a person of

    some spirit said to him , " Sir * as you will not read one part of the service ^ yoii shall not read the other . " The clergyman retired , and the corpse was inhumed without any form of words beinsr used . I I have been reauested . being * used . have been requested

    , Mr . Editor , to ask , through the medium of your Work ,, whether a clergyman has the power to keep Dissenters out of the church when they are taken to be buried , and to deprive the attendants of the benefit of hearing

    the finest part of the church funeral service ? For my own part , I am persuaded , he has not 5 because the church and the yard are not the property of the parson or of the church people ? but belong to the whole parish ; and all who pay have a right to and an interest in themo

    After the repeated insults -which Dissenters have received from bigoted priests of the Established Church , I am only astonished that they should not dedicate some places of their own ? either adjoining their temples of worship or elsewhere , as receptacles for their dead . In a former situation I

    introduced the practice , and buried the first person , that was ever deposited in our chapel-yard . And 1 would beg leave most respectfully to recommend to every congregation of Dissenters , to procure , if possible , a piece of land , and preserve it for their

    bury ing-place * It would spare them the pain of being insulted at a time when they can least bear it - and it would have a pleasing , soothing effect * if they would plant it with trees and shrubs , similar to the Dissenters'

    graveyard at Stourbridge , in which , taking the chapel and the whole premises together , are shewn more correct taste and dignified elegance than in any other place to which my observation has been extended . Indeed , the

    managers of that temple and its concerns , are far above my praise ; and they are a fit example for imitation , to Dissenting trustees and rulers , all over the kiugdoiMo X B . BRISTOWE . - T' ^ fflUJfriffflHrTrnfi

    Untitled Article

    Origin of Doubt ® on the Truth of Christianityo 2 r

    Untitled Article

    Origin of Doubts on the Truth of Christianity Sir , January % 1818 ,, V I ^ IHE question of Scepticus [ XIL -aL 591 ] , seems to admit of an easy answer- In the first age of . Christianity there was no doubt : for the Gnostic or phantomist heresy was rebuked in the writings of the apostle John : and we find that the believers

    m Christy as the servant and messenger of the one true Gob , multiplied with astonishing rapidity in different regions , and that the faith of the many ? notwithstanding the learned speculations of certain philosophical converts from the Heathens , continued one and the same for at least

    three centuries . The fondness for platonizing in Christianity , added to the desire of throwing a supposed glory round the cross of Jesus by exalting his nature into something

    super-human , gradually introduced metaphysical refinements and sophistications into the simple gospel of Christ : till it was finally overwhelmed beneath a mass of dark and intricate

    theology ; which , receiving the improvements of successive councils , at length settled in the corrupt idolatry of the Romish church . The doubt 9 therefore , which Scepticus seems to regard as irreconcileable with clear and authentic evidence , arises from

    the great apostacy in the church of Christ ; which , by darkening and confusing the written word , and perverting the traditions delivered from the apostles , perplexed the truth , and led to endless disputations , " confusion worse confounded , " among which a

    plaii ? understanding would find a difficulty in steering its way . The unchristian alliance of religion with secular authority , strengthened and perpetuated this dogmatic theology , which , contradicting the natural reason and being at variance with the

    plain declarations of scripture respecting oni ! God , amazed and stupified the minds of men , and induced doubt in sonic , and in others infidelity . The struggling conjectures of strong thinkers , making their way through the

    mysteries of human invention to primitive truth , drew oaen into sects : authority pronounced this choice of modes of faith , suggested by the light of reason , heresy and schism ; persecution was resorted la where argu-

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1818, page 21, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2472/page/21/