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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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" in Reply to the Letters of Dr . J . P ^ e Sm ith . 6 ( 9
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nian , and bis family , into a state of the deepest poverty , into utter destitution , and lie is very angry at M . C . for saying the gates of fortune are thrown open to M . Malan ;—the assertion is nevertheless true . I am far from believing that M . Malan was influenced by mercenary motives to dissent from the Church of Geneva :
but there is much reason to conclude , from his vacillating conduct , that we should have heard nothing of his dissent , had he not been strongly urged on by a zealous and opulent party in this country * This party has not only made him liberal presents , but has
induced many British parents td send their sons to be educated by him on very high terms . He had , when I was at Geneva , eight or nine pupils , who paid , as I was informed , each 200 Napoleons per annum , or about , £ 160 sterling : now , with these terms ,
and the Genevese style of living , he could scarcely gain less than ^ 900 clear profit each year , a sum which he could hardly have realized in thirty years , from the small salary of which he was deprived , as a minister of the Genevese Church * That the pupils were sent to M . Malan on account of
his religious opinions , I offer his own testimony in proof . I was one morning seated with Mr . Rooke , the respectable clergyman of the English Church at Geneva , when M , Malan opened the door ; he retired on seeing
Mr . R . engaged , but the next day he waited upon him again , when the following dialogue took place : —M . Malan— ( € I come , Mr . Rooke , to inquire what are your religious opinions as a minister of the Church of England ,
on certain doctrinal subjects ; a Scotch lady , Mrs . M—t- —d , has placed her son under my care , but she is not willing that he should attend the English Church , unless she is certain that your religions belief is the same as my own . "—Mr . R . " I have no
objection to answer your inquiries as far as I am able . "—M . JML " Well , then , to save time , I will first ask you , Mr . Rooke , whether you are fully assured of your own salvation ? " —Mr . R- " No , indeed , I am not , and I should deem it presumptuous to believe that I was . I consider the Christian life a $ a state of trial and warfare , and that we cannot be assured of our
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own safety till titoe trial is t * ver . ** MM . **¦ I see we differ essentially ; I am quite certain of my own salvation , and I believe every | yrue Christian ought to be so . "—Froift this difference M . Malan said the young gentleman could not * conformably to his in other V
instructions , attend the services of Mr * Rooke in the English Cfeurch ; arid they parted with much civility to each other , M . M . concluding with , ** I dare say , Mr . Rooke , you may think me over zealous , iron eawlt $ % and I
may think that you are deficient in zeal . " The conversation took place in the French language , but was substantially as I have given it ; and as it was intended to be a protest of M . Malan ' s difference from the faith of
the English Church , there can be no impropriety in making it public . I have not the slightest unfriendly feeling to M . Malan , and I am sincerely glad that he has found what he conceives to be the path of duty leads to a handsome competency ; his opposition to the regular clergy may do
mucli good , for the energies of public bodies , as well as of individuals , ( to use an expression of Dr . Johnson ' s , ) grow stagnant , without external ventilation . M . Malan would , however , do well to preach what he believes to be the truth firmly , without stopping by the way to anathematize those who differ from him . I confess M .
Malan ' s doctrine of Final Perseverance , or , that u tchen a m < W is become a chosen vessel , one of the elect , he cannot afterwards fall from salvation * whatever crimes he may commit" appears to me more likely to encourage presumption and spiritual pride , tha , n the Christian virtue of humility ; nor can I see how the moral conduct of
the Genevese would be improved by adopting it . I trust they are too entightened to return to the intolerant principles of Calvin ; they may , however , derive consolation and benefit
from looking back on the gloomy arid galling superstition from which they have escaped . In my next , I purpose to examine Dr . J . P . Smith's charges more particularly . ROBERT BAKEWELL . [ To be continued J
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1824, page 519, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2528/page/7/
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