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mucli to be woactered at ; I know of no place in the whole western country where there is any academy for the instruction of persons destined for the ministry , among any sect ; and the
supply of ministers from the Eastern States is very precarious , as few congregations think of supporting a minister ; even the Baptist ministers all preach ' gratuitously , except in a very few principal towns .
And now , Sir , I would wish to say a few words upon what will take your attention most , for I am afraid I have already tired you , viz ., the probability of Unitarianism making any progress
ia these extended regions . The chief and almost only ground I have for hope in this respect , is the very general willingness there is amongst all sects to read whatever books you may put
in their hands . This may be accounted for thus : 1 . Almost or quite all Americans are taught to read , and almost all are without books of any kind to read . A book 13 a novelty : although I brought but one box of books with me , here it was wondered at as a thing incredible , and universallv understood that I meant to sell
books , as such a number was thought quite unnecessary for one person . Whenever an American enters your house , if he sees a book , he takes it up and begins to read aloud , and that
without any shame , let him read ever so badly . I have several times been accosted , by strangers , when I have been seen with a book , with 4 t holloa what book is that ? " I have
endeavoured to take advantage of this trait iu the character of a true West countryman , and circulated what books I had that were likely to be the means ( doing good . I had but few theological books , and those have been circulated until they are quite worn out . 1 have received a most kind letter
trom Mr . Belsham , and since then I received also a small parceFof books and manuscripts he sent me . I am very much gratified to hear that the London Unitarian Book Society have voted me a supply . I hope so to distribute them as to answer the
intention of the donors by promoting the cause of genuine , uncorrupted Christianity . 1 know not of one professed Unitarian in this State who is a native ° f it , though , undoubtedly , there are
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many stick , although not known to each other . An English gentleman , lately settled at Cincinnati , a Mr . Rands , and Mr . W . D . Jones , formerly from South Wales , will zealousl y cooperate in any plan to make known Unitarian sentiments . The latter gentleman lives near Hamilton in this
State , about 80 miles from hence . He has , at his own cost , erected a building for Unitarian worship , and been the means of con ? erting a young * man . of considerable talent , a Mr . Kid well , who was a preacher amongst the Uni versalists , to Unitarianism . He now
preaches regularly at their new chapel ; they have about 20 regular hearers * This , Sir , is the first attempt at Unitarian preaching in the State of Ohio . Mr . Jones has written to me for a
supply of Unitarian books , as he is very sanguine of effecting much good in his neighbourhood . I have no personal knowledge of him ; but hearing a most excellent character of him , I wrote to him and have had several
letters from him , which bespeak him a man of sound mind , and a good Christian . He has printed and circulated ( at his own expense ) 500 copies of Dr . Priestley ' s ** Candid Appeal . " I hope ere long to be able to go and see him .
He has procured me several subscribers to the " Unitarian Miscellany > ' * published at Baltimore , as I had forwarded him several Numbers for perusal . No doubt , Sir , you have seen or heard of that respectable publication which commenced with the last
year ; it is the Mo ? ithly Repository of the United States , and has already a very wide circulation and is doing incalculable good . We had not the means before of knowing any thing that was going forward in the Eastern States amongst religious communities . I have lately had a letter from the
respectable Secretary Mr . Coppleton , in consequence , he says , of seeing my name in the Monthly Repository , on what occasion I know noty wishing me to do what I can for the circulation of the work . I should consider it a great
acquisition indeed if I could now and then get a Volume of my old friend the Hepository . It would recall to my mind so many pleasing recollections , and invigorate my poor exertions in the cause of that excellent work . Mr . Bakewell of Pittsburgh
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of Atnerii } a to the Rev . R . Avpl&nd . 301
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1822, page 301, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2512/page/45/
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