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for society in mmy an % g& * T » $ h * fiava beetipetftfdk indeed , and pet ** haps the principle is fctllt in some measure in operation , in which , evert on general subjects , too superstitious a reverence has been paid to thfc opitilom
of our predecessors , when it is rcc 6 llected that they were men of th ( £ same infirmities as ourselves , subject ; to the same errors ; and placed in circumstances far less favourable to the
discovery of truth . We adtmrfr the diffidence and the modesty \* hidi lead the young man , not yet entered upon life , to how to the convictions and experience of his seniors , in regard especially to the business of lile , in which , from the very nature of the
case , he cannot be so competent a judge . It is natural even on subjects of science and literature , that hci should defer to the judgments which require a long process of previous training before the miad is possessed of the facts and data for the formation of a correct decision : and ifhat
disposition certainly argues any thing but sense and afoiability , which , leads a youth to protrude his notions in matters of religion , be they for or against the prevalent creed , in th £
company of intelligent and experienced inquirers , who must have had better means of informing themselves Concerning the several branches of so intricate a science as the science of
theology , viewed in all its bearings . But these observations will not apply to the man of mature age , of wellconducted education , imbued with the love of truth , and who has diligently employed his means in the search after its hidden treasures . Such a
* It has been well remarked by Mr , Dyer , ( p . 18 , ) that " the Royal Society was founded for the advancement of natural knowledge ; the Antiquarian , for the elucidation of antiquities ; the College of Physicians , for encouragement of
medicine . But would it not be amusing to Lave none admitted members , or to enjoy the benefits of those institutions , but subscribers to Thirty-nine old-fashiotied Articles ? No greater propriety Is there in a University requiring such a test . As
the former Corporations should be accessible to members of the same political communities , so should the latter /* For the rectnt abolition of the Sacramental Test , in Gray ' s Inn , see Mori . Renos , for December last , p ; 738 .
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dae , Utf pg in this enKghtetifed jtttfod of the wwid espetffollyr Viatf att ^ t ghl to defer to the jitdgmfenta * 6 f ot&ete V diffident be will always b £ af the ^ or rectness of bis opinions , arid with Sincere devotion will he apply td < tte " Father of lii * bts fur further-itiliitttef ^ i tton ; but to weak and fallible mortals
like himself , lie should disdain to paythat hooiftg ^ which bel < mgeih to Odd only . iV ** lean on Ms 6 wa under * standing , " ifi preference to ibe mind and will of God , the piotis man Witt
never be disposed ; but he will be nd less indisposed to leati to the tinder standings of others in a case whicfh lies immediately between God aud his own conscience . And hence the manifest
injustice of the whole preeeSding ;* - « 4 ni justice on the part of persons making the most solemn profession of relU gion , bound by tlieir profession X 6 pay the most sacred regard to the rights of men and the laws of God ,
and yet , either from a culpable ftegli * gence to enlighten their ovf& minds ,, from the slavish influence of early prepossession aad popular prejudice , or from a selfish desire to confine the
privileges of their order to men of precisely the same stamp with themselves , shall go on from age to age in the perpetuation of this most monstrous abuse , ifr exposing the Christian religion ta the scoffs and ridicule of mankind , stabbirtg tih&
gospel in its most vital interests , and exerting , ignorantl y perhaps , but reat-i ly exerting , all their powei * to crampl the genius of religion , and t 6 hinder its beneficial operation among the sons of men . Amidst this general defection which characterizes , alto I stf
many portions of Chnstendoni- ^ and , may we blush to own , particularly characterizes the Established Churches of Great Britain , of Scotland , so ea-i nobled for her energy in the good cause of reformation , after her elder sister Geneva has set the memorable
example of abolishing all subscription to articles of faith—it is refreshing to flud even one solitary instance of a Scottish clergyman * relinquishing the emoluments resulting from the discharge of his wonted duties , and at
* The Rev . James Shirriff , of St Niui ans , now & Baptist Minister iri Glasgow See Mori , ftefcos , XVIII . 427 , 675 .
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¥ he n < mt ** fa ? mi $ t , No , &XtX . Uf
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VOL .. XXI . T
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1826, page 1373, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2546/page/9/
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