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Christianity that has yet been devised . Your Correspondent , Denarius , [ p . Q 86 , ] states the Unitarians at 50 , 000 , hinting * however , that they probably exceed that number , in which lie is
surely right . I am not for admitting the idea of these contributing , on an average , only half the sum to be derived from their totality . What , Sir , are the Unitarians less rich thai ) the
followers of John Wesley , whom most persons represent as finding their success principally among the humbler ranks of society ? They contribute a penny a week and a shilling a quarter , high and low together , through all the connexion . It must not be
said that the Unitarians , consisting generally of persons in some consideration with the world , are unable to effect what is thus effected by a body comparatively less opulent . Shall they , then , be found unwilling to make
a trifling effort , which would cause them to gain the victory over the world , and give them a rank in the religious community that would gratify their ambition , and remove the false shame which now retards the
march of the doctrines of truth } With a simultaneous effort and re solution , let all the societies form committees of their young , active , intelligent and zealous members ,
without waiting for one another . At once , let them give it in . charge to their respective committees to procure one penny , weekly , from every individual , taking the . average of the whole , that is at all enlisted under their banners
and concerned in their prosperity . Let the plan of the Wesleiaus be adopted by them , which was devised by no mean director of men ' s minds , and has been attended with the most complete success . What I particularly allude to is , that those who are rich should engage for the payment of the contribution of those who cannot
conveniently pay their quota . lew , indeed , of the latter , will be found among its ; and it is more than pro * bable , that it is not froni the humbler members that any obstacle or tardiness
will be found . It may be safely depended on , if our societies were registered to the last man , woman and child , there would be a penny a week furnished for all , if each were classed , as contributors from nothing to cue
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shilling . Take one of our churches , consisting of one hundred and fifty regular attendants on the public services ; forty-may be able to contribute nothing ; forty can afford , without difficulty , to give a penny ; twenty *
two-pence $ twenty , three-pence $ twenty , sixpence ; and ten , one shilling . The sum of this is three hundred and eighty-pence ; enough to answer for those who have nothing that they can give , and for two
hundred and thirty children ;* nd youths , attached to the members properly forming the religious community . The whole is not equal to the price of one pint , each person , of the usual beverage of the working class in this country . It seems such a trifle that it
cannot foil to excite astonishment that it should create a moment ' s hesitation . As your Correspondent , Denarius , has observed , the sum thus raised would amount to above £ 10 , 000 a-year , from 50 , 000 contributors . This is probably ten times as much as is now collected
among us , for the purposes to which this fund is to be applied . This plan , without burdening any body , would ease many from the considerable tax to which their zeal and benevolence are now subjected . Such a work would be accomplished by it , as would * probably , change the very condition
of religion and society ! An interest , beyond all calculation , far the common cause of Christian truth , would be generated . That union of tbe whole body , so often wished for in vain , would be the consequence , at the very prospect of which the hearts of good men cannot fail to " leap far
joy . " Nay , what beneficial effects might not be expected fram the execution of this plan , which is not leas simple than it is powerful ? Awake , ye men of Israel , and rise ye men of Judah ! Be ye zealous , therefore , and
repent . It will be ! Behold , the peo > pie all stand up ! I see them , now , even now , every man girding up his loins , and hastening to build up tk § tern pie of the Lord that is fallen down , and to restore the walls of the holy
city ! In the next year , the worshipers of the true God will hare formed themselves as one people , ai * 4 their only contention will be , who shall be most earnest ia placing Jeru ~ sajem on a htti > conspicuous to tXm
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On Fellowship Funds . 747
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1818, page 747, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2483/page/19/
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