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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.
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who ware themselves baptized into their church ) either sank into total apathy with respect to religion * or induced to join the Church of Rome . In all places where they preached , they were heard with seriousness , and treated with kindness and respect * In
some instances they were urged with importunity to return to the places which they visited . The feelings with which they were received hy some aged persons who had been educated as Presbyterians , and whose early attachments were associated with the forms of our church , may be more easily conceived than expressed .
From these circumstances , it is const--dered by those ministers who are most competent to form an opinion , that it is practicable , not only to revive the decayed congregations , 5 ut to plant hew Presbyterian churches in many towns and .
districts . The great extension of commerce , and the enlarged mutual intercourse that subsists between all parts of the British empire ,, have placed in our sea-ports and manufacturing towns , many Presbyterians from Scotland or Ulster . These
families , at present insulated and precluded from the enjoyment of religious ordinances in the way in wljicb they have been educated , would gladly support and assist the effort to introduce among them the forms , to which they are attached , la many places the , fields seem to be white unto the harvest . Every thing is favourable for the experiments The British government exercises towards us the
greatest kindness and encouragement : and vve five on terms of the most perfect harmony &hd concord , with our fellowv sut > jects of every persuasion * In order to carry on this good work with effect and success , it would be ,
necessary that minbters should be sent to preach frequently , ul the same places , and that the sphere cd ! their missionary operations should be extended . For this purpose , as well , as for erecting churches , where congregations may be formed or revived , considerable , pecuniary . expenses must be incurred . To enable us to meet these expenses , we naturally look first to the Presbyterians of Ireland . We would
earnestl y entreat all the congregations erf our respective connexions tcL comWnc their efforts to promote a cause in which Jtoe respectability > and character of dur body are most nearly concerned ; When they reflect on the . great blessings they themselves possess , in being members of such religious communities aa their con >
sauces appftrve ^ -in liaving houses of worship to reward to- ^ -aail in being com * - topted % , | j » eto | feachiiig . of God ' s holy mov $ ti ***** they wfll be desirous t& extend > nh& . 4 tiam btestsings to m » ny Free *
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byteriari families scattered through rari ous parts of the island ; who , While they a ^ e far rqiriote from such religions vvbrship as they prefer , and cannot recofcfcxfe themselves to other modes bf wbrsftf p ^ remain in a great measure destitute of the ministration of the blessed Gosjiel , / &tjd
of its edtfying ordinances . The exainpfe set by our fellow-chtistians of every cither persuasion in this kingdom to supply t | & spiritual wants of their people , shbuld stimulate the Presbyterian body to actrffe zeal in the cause we are a 4 vaeathig . It
would reflect great and just discredit cm our entire body , if we should be indifferent or inattentive to the religious state of our brethren who are hungering for the br . e&d of life , and anxiously soliciting our assistance to carry to them this most important and valuable of all blessings .
But although the Presbyterians of Ireland are doubtless disposed to contribute for the defraying of these expenses , iu , proportion to their means , yet as their congregations consist , in general * ofthe middling and lower classes of the peoplfe , contributions sufficient for the purpose cannot be expected : the promotion df this most desirable . work must therefore
be interrupted , or entirely obstructed , If we do not obtain aid from other ( jutirters . In such circumstances , from whom , under God , should we expect aid , but from pur brethren in the Church of Scotland ; ivith whom we have been connected from tlje earliest history of our Church , with whqs ' e fathers our fathers were companions in
the endurance of many sufferings and calamities ; and with whom tyeliave long sustained an unbroken friendship aiSd brotherly Unfion ? May we not hope , that , at a , time when British liberality flows so generously to supply the wants of distant lands , Ireland will not be overlooked
That , ' at a time when the Presbyterian * of Scotland a-re so laudably exertfng thettxselves in support of missionary Ji | ibotlrs In foreign countries ^ their hearts and th ^ eir hands will be widely opened , when the descendants of their own fbVe ^ ifathers ^ atad their fellow-worshiper ^ at tl * 0 same altar , require their assistance ?
But whilst our immediate object is tQ promote the inflwerice of religion amoug Fresbyterians , ^ db ii&t 'conteei ve th at Christians of other dehbmrnatians are ixftjnterested in thiri subject ; fcfr * the afrfvaiiiigr meat . of religion in any one ^ erioniioatid ' rjL , besides the * aecesskyn tlfaf ' is ^ gained to" the
kingdom of the Redeemer , so fat as tn % t particular denomination extends , must diffuse a ^ benelicial i&fluencp apatiri ^ a | L It forms no part of the bprbostes < i ? $ xfe As « ociat { oh to mafee enc ^ acHment ^ on other : churches . The ob ^ i fofnt 1 ^ solel y to carty the light of Divine tiuth to men
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Register of Eccletiattteal Dociimente . 627
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1821, page 627, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2505/page/59/
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