On this page

• Text (2)

  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.

  • 

    Untitled Article

  • 

    Untitled Article

• Transcript

  • 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.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Untitled Article

    Sir * September 9 , 1826 . IT is with me a matter of no small surprise and regret that the doctrine of Universal Restoration , which all who admit its truth cannot but regard as the most glorious discovery

    of Christianity , should so seldom be taught from our pulpits . It appears to !><> generally looked upon rather as a J , oj » ie of polemical divinity than a « a powerful instrument in the promotion of llie cause of virtue ; yet it is not

    Untitled Article

    and judiciously in ^ t ^ become ^ maost Impprfemi : m <>^ j ^ increasing tfce fervour prf ^ U f | loim ^ God , aad the extent and comprehento

    siveness of our ^ ood-will man . That th&J&st oi ttese . primary cJemetits of Christian excellence may he secured by this doctrine in an eminent degree , will be evident when we consider , that unless we believe in

    the ultimate restoration of all mankind * our conceptions of the Deity must be imperfect and self-contradio tory : His character will want with us that fulness and consistency of infinite love * a conviction of which is necessary " before the mind's best affections can be centred in Him with

    unreserved trust and complete self dedication . The second is , if possible , a still more obvious consequence ; for , if all men are destined to be purified an some future period from their criminal passions , and to enjoy pure and unlimited happiness , all , by a

    simple process of the associative faculty , become objects of love and sympathy % o him who frequently contemplates this final result of our being * Every one , if this doctrine be true , will experience the necessary stimulus to virtue at some time or

    tyther , and every one , in the eye of Him who seeth the end from the beginning , is proceeding onwards ( though by a path to us mysterious ) to the most sublime heights of moral excellence : that heart must be cold

    and lifeless indeed , which , with this persuasion , can despise or hate a sinner . These topics have been enlarged upon by Dr . Southwood South and others , to whom the gratitude erf every one is due who has at heart the diffusion of pure Christian truth . There are , however , other practical

    effects which this doctrine appears to me singularly calculated to ^ product and of these not the least important is , that of correcting the views and feeling's with which future punishment is generally regarded * The

    discipline which awaits the vicious * "& * death is looked upon by many witk fl degree of horror , not only unnecessary and superstitious , but in some cases injuriously destructive of mental composure . Yet there is no reason why it should be associated vrtth unmtngied emotions of terror and aversion

    Untitled Article

    SS 2 Tfte OoQ ^ im ^ fUnw ^ saLii ^^ loru tim ^

    Untitled Article

    ivhiqh Christ bas re

    profanation of tills ordinance , and prostitutes a sacred rite of Christianity to be a political tool and an engine of stale ; and it would not be at all less absurd or shocking to use it in confirming a common bargain , ot

    a profession of friendship * Whoever receives it in this view , prostitutes it . And supposing he could separate between the religious and civft view , ( which I don't think it ' s in any man's power to do , considering' that it must be received in such a limited time and

    with suck a particular attestation , ) yet it has a tendency to weaken religious principle and regard for Christ , and to teach men to prevaricate with < 3 od , and to countenance the abuse of

    it in others ; and therefore ^ ats < and drinks unworthily . This reason holds stronger against Protestant Dissenters * occasional conformity in this view ; and I hope it will never be the guilt and reproach of any of this society that they bare prostituted and

    profaned Bn institution of Christ ' s , appro * prated to religious purposes y and I firmly believe it will never be the case of any -of you who have a sincere love to Christ in ^ your heart j ^ and &s to others , I hope that Cod , who knows the heart , will prevent their joining in communion here . "

    JOSEPH JEVANS . Query . Are the earliest Christian Liturgies to be procured ? In what languages , and at what price ? A translation of them would promote the Unitarian cause .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1826, page 532, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2552/page/24/