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the keeping up of this and other old forms + after the opinions and spirit which gave rise to them have been entirely exploded , which we think of some weight . Actions speak a more powerful language than words ,, and the fact that certain forms are
observed by us , will be far more extensively known than our renunciation of all those peculiar views with which such forms have been for ages connected . Such publications as that before us
will , however , tend greatly to remove this objection , as far as relates to Ordination , and on this as well as other accounts , cordially ( though tardily we own ) we hail its appearance .
Those who wish to see the question of the expediency of a religious service on occasion of the settlement of a minister candidly discussed , will be gratified by the perusal of the Preface . The address on behalf of the
congregation , by Mr . Geo . W . Wood , contains an interesting testimony to " the laborious studies and successful progress" of the young minister who
is principally concerned in the service . His reply to this address is brief and manly . But we think he has been too much alarmed at the idea of giving a " confession of faith ; " especially when he declares it to be his firm belief , so "far as he has hitherto inquired ' , " that " Jesus was commissioned by God , " &c . When a
minister is undertaking the charge of a Christian society , after a long course of preparatory studies , we cannot see the necessity of his qualifying in this manner his declaration of belief in the
divine authority of his Master . That we ought to hold ourselves open to conviction upon all subjects , and endeavour to add to our stock of wisdom every day of life , we readily admit ; nor can any truths be believed except " so far as we have inquired "
into their foundation . But we are apprehensive that some amongst a mixed audience might understand « uch a qualification respecting the truth of the gospel , to imply that it was a matter of considerable doubt and uncertaintv .
Mr . Wellbeloved ' s charge is grounded on 1 Tim . iv . 16 : " Take heed unto th yself \ and unto the doctrine ; continue in them , for in doing this thou
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shah both save thyself and them that hear thee " Tn simple elegance of style , and in warmth and seriousness of practical exhortation , we are not aware that it is excelled by any composition of this kind . But we had rather our readers
should arrive at the same conclusion with ourselves , by means of our extracts , than our commendations . " An opinion has very generally prevailed , for which no authority can be produced either froni reason or
Scripture , that ministers of the gospel are required to be more holy and virtuous than others ; or , as it might perhaps be more accurately represented , that the people are not required to be so holy and virtuous as their minister . This opinion has , I fear , been encouraged for no very
honourable purposes ; on the one hand , to obtain the reputation of a degree of sanctity beyond the common reach ; and on the other , to obtain an excuse for negligence and vice . But both we and our people are to walk here and to be judged hereafter by the same rule , with
this difference onlv , that * of him to whom much has been given , much will be required / The same apostle who exhorted Timothy to take heed to himself , charged those over whom Timothy presided to walk circumspectly ; and furnished them with a variety of important
precepts for the regulation of their conduct in every rank and station in life Of all who take upon themselves the name of Christ , without distinction , it is required that they depart from iniquity , and be a peculiar people zealous of good works : and to all who have the
knowledge of God , the precept of Christ is equally addressed , ' Be ye perfect , even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect ; ' while to all the same motive to a holy life is proposed , that without holiness no one can see God .
"It cannot however he denied or doubted , that so far as our circumstances may be in any respect more favourable to the attainment and the continual advancement of piety and virtue , than those
of persons necessarily much devoted to worldly pursuits , a corresponding degree of excellence will be justly expected both hy mankind and by him who appointeth to us our lot : nor can it be denied or
doubted , that we , who are peculiarly engaged in the service of God , are called to exercise a strict and constant watchfulness over ourselves in respect of many minor virtues and decencies of conduct ; to take heed to ourselves as to many things , which though in themselves they
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Aevieib . —Service dt Ordination of the Rev . J . J . Tayler , B . A . 5 < 7 f
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1822, page 501, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2515/page/45/
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