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timnble value of just notions of the benign attributes of the Deity , of religion without superstition , of devotion without enthusiasm . We may hear , Sir , and we may read of the gross darkness that covers some parts of the earth , and of the mental blindness
and silly extravagancies of which many are accused who profess the Christian name - I y but am much afraid these representations , in general , make but little permanent impression upon the public mind . To be fully felt , they must be witnessed . I know that Bible
Societies and Missionary Societies have been the fashion for some years past in the religious world ; but , alas ! in the present almost universal depravity of Christian principles , there is so much to unlearn , that it should almost seem a certain portion of
mental superiority was necessary to shake off the fetters of prejudice , and discover the plain , unobtrusive truths of the gospel amongst the rubbish and rust that envelope them . The principal religious sects in this State are the Presbyterians , Episcopalians , Methodists , Christian Brethren or New
Lights , and the Baptists . There are also Shakers , Dunkers , Universalists , Seceders , Rational Brethren , Covenanters , Antiburgers , Swedenborgians , Moravians , Dutch Lutherans , and two sects of Seceders both from the Methodists and Baptists . The Presbyterians , as Iji the Eastern States , are
highly orthodox and intolerant ; happily in this State they are not numerous . The Episcopalians are still fewer in number , but much more liberal in their sentiments , which I believe is also the case throughout the Union . The Methodists are very numerous ,
and appear to be increasing very fast , notwithstanding the great secessions from them , chiefly on account of their arbitrary church government , which , like the tyranny of the Presbyterian Synods , ill accords with the spirit of republicanism . The Christian Brethren , or New Lights , who are very
numerous in this part of the State and also in Kentucky and Indiana , are exhibiting to the world a curious exhibition of a liberal creed , which appears to have no influence upon its believers or defenders , united with gross enthusiasm and blind superstition . Their tenets are Ariim : they have open communion , and reject most
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of the offensive dogmas of Caivin&m yet , for want of a regular , well-edul cated ministry , they are naost deplora " bly ignorant , and guilty of all manner of extravagancies at their frequent meetings , particularly their campmeetings , when they vie with the
Mpthodists in noise and rant and jerk and gesticulations . At their meetings there are many speakers in succession —seldom any text taken . Women frequently take the lead , particularl y in washing feet , which is frequent among them without any decency of
demeanour . They arose , 20 yean since , in Kentucky , among the Baptists . Benedict s History of the American Baptist Churches , gives a particular account of their origin . They pay no ministers , therefore have but few men of talent amongst them . A Mr . Stone is the only writer I have
heard of amongst them ; he has lately published a very smart defence of their tenets , in reply to the attacks of the Methodists . I intend , at some future time , to draw up a more detailed account of these people , either for your Reformer or your Repository . The Baptists are numerous in Ohio , but
do not appear increasing ; their ministers in general , except a few at the principal towns , are extremely illiterate . The Shakers have a very great establishment or commonwealth at Union Town in this State : I do not
now recollect what Dr . Evans says of them , but they have many join them from political rather than religious motives , who want a good home . The economy of their whole establishment
is admirably conducted , and they are of great service to this part of the country . They are only 40 miles from hence : I intend soon to pay them a visit to know the particulars of their management , &c . The
Swedenborgians are extremel y active and zealous in propagating their tenets here , and boast of very great success ; Cincinnati may l > e considered their headquarters . The Rational Brethren are quite a new sect , ut Middleton in this
State . They neither sing nor pray at their meetings ; in fact they are Deists , and are endeavouring to establish a commonwealth like the Shakers , only they reject not sexual intercourse . Amongst all sects there is such a lack of £°° « practical preachers , that the i gnorance ami enthusiasm of" the hearers is not
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300 Letter from Mr . Amphlett , B <* c % Settlements
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1822, page 300, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2512/page/44/
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