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on which the n > 6 st important regulations were formed ? It would seem aa if all constitutions needed some such accompaniment to recommend them with more speed and effect to the general body called upon to embrace them . Parva componere magnis , it is probably well known of what
im"mense advantage the publication of The Federalist" was in reconciling the American people to the reception of their national constitution . It was written by three eminent individuals , who bad themselves attended and taken part in the debates of the Constituent Assembly , and it saved a
world of discussion , misapprehension , explanation , delay and confusion among the people abroad , who were to decide upon the adoption or rejection of the instrument . An essay on the present subject in the Monthly Repository , by one qualified for the task , even if there be no necessity to conciliate the Unitarians of the kingdom
to any of its provisions , would at least be of service in recommending the Association to their attention , and increasing its general resources . Indeed , I have been surprised at seeing the whole subject so little agitated in these pages , especially as there appear to be some differences of opinion
about it in the body at large . Mr . Hunter on Presbyterian Chapels . So little could I conceive of the injustice and presumption of those who wish to deprive Unitarians of
their chapels , it was not without inculpating myself for some rashness , that I ventured in my last to offer such reflections as were suggested by Dr . Smith's attack . Not being
acquainted with the newspaper controversy on the subject , and far removed from the scene of agitation , I was obliged to guess at the law and the facts , mid still feared that there was something on Dr . Smith ' s side of the question so very obvious , that he
forbore to press it , as matter of common fume in England . I am happy to rind , however , that my imperfect views are here confirmed by a writer who knows the question well . Scarcely could I nave imagined that Dr . S . had so little Wariness , and so little right on hia side . . On Dissenting * Trusts . And here 1 S a writer who indeed enters into the
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true heart of the matter . Who would have thought that so much could be said in your defence ? Let me ad « t another consideration in answer to a position in Dr . Smith's last piece . He concludes it by protesting" that he should feel worthy of condemnation ,
if he should ever himself administer , in such a manner as to promote his own doctrinal opinions , a trust left by Unitarians foi * Unitarian purposes . Now this is a very ill-grounded and morbid scruple . Because , one might venture to assure the Doctor , that how much soever Unitarians abhor
what seems to them the mischievous tendency of Calvinistic principles , yet , with scarcely any exceptions , the whole denomination would be willing to consign their existing religious property to the future inculcation of whatever doctrines their descendants
should gradually and conscientiously embrace . If , on a farther examina * tiou of manuscripts , a greater improvement and extension of biblical criticism , and a more deliberate exercise of the powers of reflection and mutual reasoning among Christians , the Unitarians of the twentieth
century , should , in some strange , mysterious and unaccountable way , see cause to go back again to the dogmas of Calvinism or of the Westminster Assembly , in conscience' name , let them enjoy even those chapels for which
such generous struggles and subscriptions are now everywhere making . Most living Unitarians , I think , tviJl respond , Amen . If so , there is no force in Dr . Smith ' s ar ^ umentum ad
homines-Mr . Gibson , in Reply to Dr . Smith , writes in the fairest spirit of controversy . Mr . Foster on the Writings of Job Scott . It is painful to witness a strong
mind , unenlightened by the principles of legitimate criticism , struggling against the apparent meaning of the Jewish Scriptures , and endeavouring to render it conformable to occidental and modern habits of logical reflection . Mr . Foster could not suppose there was much to instruct us in the
extracts here furnished , and embodying a kind of indefinite Sabellianism . As an article of curiosity , we have before had sufficient of the worthy Job Scott . List of Norfolk Petitioning Clergy .
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Critical Synopsis of the Mmthly Repository for Mq $ , 1825 . 3 S&
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1826, page 329, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2549/page/13/
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