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    and lianded down from one to another of the inspired family ? The origin of written language is one of the most curious investigations that can occupy an intelligent mind ; much of the history of man is connected with it ; it embraces many considerations . This is a subject hitherto involved in obscurity .

    There are a few other curious particulars in the history of the Jews , which it would highly gratify us to have explained . The grand mystery of the pillar of smoke and of fire , which was their guide by day and by night > is indeed revealed to us in the wars of Alexander , who employed the

    same tokens to conduct his immense army when on its march to overturn the shattered kingdom of Assyria . But we cannot from the same source discover in what manner the walls of Jericho were thrown down : which curious fact might , perhaps , be

    explained , did we know in what manner those walls were built . We are acquainted with no ancient mode of fortification , but that of broad mounds -of earth supported on the outside by a Wall of stone or brick . But , after all , the expression of " the walls falling

    down at the sound of the rams' horns , " may be a figure of speech to signify the ease with which the Hebrews made themselves masters of that city . Much must be attributed to the style in

    which a writer of ancient history delivers his information ; we require a clue to his language to remove difficulties , which without it are insuperable .

    A Roman author informs us , Apud Herodotum , patrem historiae , eunt innumerabiles fabulse : many of which might no longer be fables if we could make a proper allowance for the manner of- expression to which he has attached himself . Thus sat eh the Lord .

    of Moses , is a mere fable when it is applied to the shape of the ark , and the trimming of the tabernacle-curtains ; but it is not so , when we regard it as an idiom of office , a form of

    speech chosen to head the new lawsomewhat like , And be it enacted , fyc . Go on , Sir , to enlighten our minds upon these knotty points . Your candour and impartiality are in every one's mouth , nor need you fear the censure of even the most or-

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    thodox , after having in so long a sue . cession of pag ^ es given Us * line xx $ o \ line and precept upon precept , to con . vince us that the Church of Geneva U still Catvinistic . w .

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    Chichesier , Sir June 7 , 1825 . AT the last meeting of the Unitarian Fund , Unitarianism assumed a new character , and exhibited an imposing spectacle . According to some of the most eloquent among us , it is no longer to creep about our villages

    fearful of being stifled by the breath of slander , or by being frightened , if not to death , at least into silence by the frowns of bigotry ; but it is to go forth , to the dismay of error in Calcutta , and to work wonders in the British Indian dominions . No one

    can rejoice at these prospects more than I do , though , I acknowledge , I have some doubt , whether the time is as yet come for the experiment . Those

    who know me , will give me credit for having been , with the humble talent God has given me , a decided and fearless champion of this cause for years , and hence I feel the doubt I have

    expressed to be quite compatible with the most ardent wishes , that all the sanguine expectations of those who hope for much good from Mr . Adam ' s exertions , may be realized . His letter , in answer to the American queries , does him honour ; it shews his candour and integrity ; for I think it is most manifest that he cannot have

    overcharged the picture , by a too favourable representation of the case , for the converts to our faith appear to be persons of hut little influence . Not that they arc a whit the worse ,

    in point of moral respectability , on this account , but this circumstance makes the prosecution of our cause there the more hazardous ; nor tlo I quite understand what security we have , that our Missionaries may not

    be sent out of the country quite as unceremoniously as have been Mr . Buckingham and others . I mean not , Sir , that Unitarianism is to be made the instrument of slily introducing political subjects , but I knosv that Christianity is , when displayed in purity * eminently favourable to ^ freedom . * think I remember Mr ; Cooper s » yi" £

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    336 Scruples as to the East-India Unitarian Mission .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1825, page 336, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2537/page/16/