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shorter passages . From St . Luke ' s Gospel , several of the parallel passages . the parables of the Good Samaritan , the Prodigal Son , the Pharisee and Publican , and some others . The extracts from St . John ' s Gospel are as follows : iii . 1—21 ; iv . 23 ; vi . 27 5 viii . 3—11 ; ix . 39—41 ; xv .
1—17-Prefixed to the whole is an Introduction of four pages , from which we make the following extracts : "A conviction in the mind of its total ignorance of the nature and of the specific attributes of the Godhead , and a sense of doubt respecting the real essence of the soul , give rise to feelings of great dissatisfaction with our limited powers ,
as well as with ail human acquirements , which fail to inform us on these interesting points . On the other hand , a notion of the existence of a supreme superintending power , the Author and Preserver of this harmonious system , who has organized and who regulates such an infinity of celestial and terrestrial objects ; and a due estimation of that law which teaches
that man should do unto others as he would wish to be done by , reconcile us to human nature , and tend to render our existence agreeable to ourselves , and profitable to the rest of mankind . The former of these sources of satisfaction , viz . a belief in God , prevails generally ; being derived either from tradition and
instruction , or from an attentive survey of the wonderful skill and contrivance displayed in the works of nature . The latter , although it is partially taught also in every system of religion with which I am acquainted , is principally inculcated by Christianity . This essential characteristic of the Christian religion I was for a long time unable to distinguish as such , amidst the various doctrines I found insisted
upon m the writings of Christian authors , and in . the conversation of those teachers of Christianity with whom I had the honour of holding communication . Amongst those opinions the most prevalent seems to be , that no one is justly entitled to the appellation of Christian , who does not believe in the divinity of Christ and of
the Holy Ghost , as well as in the divine nature of God , the Father of all created beings . Many allow a much greater latitude to the term Christian , and consider * t as comprehending all who acknowledge the Bible to contain the revealed will of
yod , however they may differ from others * n their interpretations of particular passages of scripture ; whilst some require !" him who claims the title of Christon , only an adherence to the doctrines pt Christ , as taught by himself , without insisting on implicit confidence in those
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of the apostles , as being , except where speaking from inspiration , like other men , liable to mistake and error . " . . . j After remarking on the difficulty- of advancing any new reasonings in matters of controversy , and expressing his op i *
nion , that to those who are not biassed by prejudice , a simple statement of the respective tenets of different sects may be a sufficient guide to direct their inquiries in ascertaining which of them is the most consistent with the sacred
traditions , and most acceptable to common sense ; he proceeds as follows : — " For these reasons I decline entering into any discussion on those points , and confine my attention at * present to the task of laying before my fellow-creatures the words of Christ , with a translation
from the English into Sungscrit and the language of Bengal . I feel persuaded , that by separating from the other matters contained in the New Testament , the moral precepts found in that book , these will be more likely to produce the desirable effect of improving the hearts and minds of men of different persuasions
and degrees of understanding . For historical and some other passages are liable to the doubts and dispute !* 6 f Free-thinkers and Anti-christians , especially miraculous relations , which are much less wonderful than the fabricated tales handed down to the natives of Asia , and
consequently would be apt at best to carry little weight with them . On the contrary , moral doctrines , tending evidently to the maintenance of the peace and harmony of mankind at large , are beyond the reach of metaphysical perversion , and intelligible alike to the learned and the unlearned .
This simple code of religion and morality is so admirably calculated to elevate men ' s ideas to high and liberal notions of one God , who has equally subjected all living creatures , without distinction of cast , rank or wealth , to change , dis * - appointment , pain and death ; and ha& equally admitted all to be partakers of the bountiful mercies which he has
lavished over nature ; and is also so well fitted to regulate the conduct of the human race in the discharge of their various duties to Ood , to themselves , and to society , that I cannot but hope the best effects from its promulgation in the present form . " To the sentiments contained foJjhjs Introduction , the " Christian
MfflKrary" makes many objections ; somm '^ f which , certainly , appear well founed ^ but the greater part are very ably , arid ; we think , successfully rebutted in the
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Jtevietv . —Ram Mohun Roy , and Indian Unitarian * Controversy . ' 479
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1821, page 479, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2503/page/39/
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