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produced a great sensation . It disclosed ihe actual state of things , brought the question to issue , and ranged in opposite ranks those advocates of conflicting sentiments who
had hitherto been confusedly intermingled . A paper controversy has since been carried on at intervals , as particular circumstances or occasional excitement prompted ; and both parties , as usual , claim the victory . In
the mean time , however , Unitananism has advanced ; but although it is painful to see that it prevails to a considerable extent , Dr . Morse assured me that he did not believe that it was gaining ground at present . If the number of its advocates seems to have
augmented during the last year or two , he was disposed to ascribe the apparent increase rather to a more open avowal of their sentiments by many who were Unitarians before , than to a more general conviction of the truth
of Unitarianism . —Of the present numbers of the Unitarians , I can give you no idea . There are comparatively few , except in New England ; and very few there , except in the towns oji the coast . In Boston , I believe there
are seven or eight congregations of Unitarians of different shades . In Baltimore , a splendid and costly Unitarian chapel was lately completed ; but I was told that it is almost entirely mortgaged to the banks . In Philadelphia there is a small Unitarian
chapel . In New York , a new Unitarian chapel , or what the orthodox consider as such , was opened while I was there , by Mr . Everett , the Professor of Divinity from Cambridge ( Massachusetts ) . I was told it was
numerously attended , as Mr . Everett has some reputation , but that it was generally rather frowned upon . As , however , those whom I heard speak of it , were among its strongest opponents , I know not how fur to conclude
that that was the case . The chapel was ppened on a week-day , and the minister was said not to dwell at all on doctrinal points—a line of conduct you would anticipate from a sagacious advocate of his scheme .
"But Boston is the head-auarters of Uaitarianism - and many or the Unitarians there are so amiable and so intelligent , —possess so much practical kindness , ana so many social virtues , —as to exert a powerful influence in
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favour of their opinions , and to shame many a narrow-minded , indolent professor of a purer faith ; a faith whi ch too many of us are apt to forget it is our duty to illustrate * as well as to
maintain , —and to exhibit not merely as a dry system of restraint and prohibition , but as a source of the most generous incentives to excellence in all that is € lovely and of good report . ' t €
There are many things in the situation of the respectable classes of society in Boston , which are calculated to promote the extension of Unitarianism . In the first place , the
strong traces which still remain of those habits of order and morality which their religious forefathers left as a rich inheritance to the population of New England , —habits intrinsicall y valuable , and entitling the possessors
to esteem , but rather apt , perhaps , to lull asleep any suspicion of error in the creed with which they are found connected . 2 dly . A consciousness of literary superiority to the rest of the Union ; an undue appreciation of talent in the estimate of character :
and an association adroitly established between liberality and Unitarianismall strengthened , if not produced , b y proximity to the most celebrated university in the United States , where the principal professors are Unitarians , and the system , though ostensibly neutral , is Unitarian also . 3 dly . A
state of worldly ease and comfort , in which the necessity of religious consolations is apt to be less strongly felt , and their foundation to be investigated with less trembling solicitude than under poverty and affliction . " I am not , however , without hopes
that the tendency of these circumstances will be fully counteracted by a more auspicious influence ; I mean , the influence of the warmer p iety , more evident spiritual-mindeoness , the more obvious interest in religion , which characterize many who hold the opposite sentiments , and whicn air
give to their opinions a persuasive of sincerity and truth . In fact , so naturally does a high degree of relig ious sensibility appear to result from correct and deep views of religious truth , that opinions which are seldom found in connexion witfy devotional fervour , seem to want one very important credential of their authenticity . M any
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458 Unitarianism in the United States of America .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1822, page 458, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2515/page/2/
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