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accurate observer ; of human * nature may perceive * that some of the best of men hear-from thfc' pulpit , tfr read , such charges on religious opponents y ( an ugly word , ) with a complacency
sometimes which does them no good , either in the pursuit of . truth or the practice of charity . Indeed , whenever the zeal of the puJpit has caused the kind of remark , . ' Calvinism , has had
a good trimming to-day /* it is only too obvious the exertions of the preacher have been worthless . It is equally bad to the GaMni&t , who is irritated and made indignant to see his
religion represented in such odious colours ; and , if he be not more than man , his dislike of those who do it must be augmented . And , surely , it is not the serious , conscientious
Calvinist it would convert by misrepresenting his system ; that is , charging it with consequences he denies / and knows nothing of in his own feelings and character . The less sincere professor of Calvinism is not likely to quarreL with a creed which , should the Unitarian convince him of its
falsehood and evil , he would still prefer , as best suiting his defective views and principles . Will not all Unitarians acknowledge there is in thousands and tens of thousands of our fellowchristians , who make a serious profession of Calvinism , an ardent zeal , a
pure and fervent piety , a warm , active , unwearied benevolence , scarcely equalled , certainly not excelled , by any other Christian professors ? How must such men feel when they read Unitarian descriptions of Calvinism ? That they are equally false and
offensive , and the worst possible way of advocating another systeni . If it be said , our cause is more misrepresented , it suggests at once the best argument for condemning the practice . Forbearance on our part would persuade and prevail more than the keenest
words ; and it is hardly necessary to remark , that if misrepresentation were on one side only , it would be comparatively harmless , and could not be perpetuated . I would , Sir , I could persuade al ) my Unitarian brethren ,
there ia something low anA vulgar in our usual way of speakingl > f the opposite faith , and that it offends equally against good taste and good policy ; and I am very desirous of seeing in your valuable Miscellany , every possi-
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ble effort to promote ajflfet > at * enes of the Christian charactery ? tconsi 3 to > t , surely , with its sincerity , seriousness and solidity , ) that will gTeatly add to its beauty and influence . As a Unitarian Christian , I am hap ~ py to think our creed has no stigtna
of bigotry upon it : it sanctions no harsh judgments of other divisions of the Christian world ; it unchristianizes none for mere opinion ; it reflects on the heart of no man because Ids faith displeases us ; it shuts out no One from salvation because he is not a Unitarian . But it should be
remembered , that bigotry is not confined to mere opinion : though such is the liberal and Christian character of our faith ; ( as Unitarians , ) it will not be our character , unless our sentiments and ^ feelings with respect to other Christians correspond with our creed .
The worst bigotry is that of the heart ; and we should " keep the bean most diligently from it . " He most not be flattered with any better title than that of a bigoted man , who joins an tin * kindly spirit with a kindly faith ; who 1 _ _ __ § «_ 1 A . 1 _ S 1 / If * A has lected to mould his affections
neg to his faith ; and , in consequence , re * . gards his differing brethren without either respect or " affection . There is danger lest Unitarian Christians should feel a complacency in a generous and philanthropic creed , that may make them self-satisfied before the amiable
temper of their creed has been carefully grafted on their own ; and , while pluming themselves on the superiority of their faith , they are indulging * , perhaps , a supercilious contempt for the
understanding of tkeir fellovv-christians whose opinions are opposed to their own ; or suspecting their sincerity , and harshly judging their hearts . Wherever this is the case , there is the
spirit of bigotry ; and in Unitarian professors , it is the very worst spirit united with the very best faith $ for the faith of the Unitarian cries out most loudly of all against it ; and justly then are the holders of it shamed by every benevolent Calvinisfc who
regards their faith with hoiror * jbufc fervently prays for their conversion $ or by the amiable Catholic who closes the door of heaven on the Protestant ' s faith , though he would endure the labours and sufferings of a martyr to save his soul . Your readers , Sir , are greatly
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On the Spirit becoming Unitarian ** * v ^ (* 8 £
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1822, page 589, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2517/page/5/
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