On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
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.
-
-
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
rlMtW congregatipnswH « ma ^^ ti ^ ^ % ^ i B m' ^^ M Sf ^ e Society ; and any on MW > futids ^ W ^^ hmt y § d rtW § W ' ^ intei * > rous ^ inquiry , and ^ tinitrjated M J exertion . _*; > . ; , : . ^; 9 "" to we
;; X Ap ^ W ! tHe pirP whose personal exertions must pfermanVntly TooTtd dfsc | argfetnV functions of such an association will mainly be the Deputies of Xbhdon congregations , there is no reason why any congrega * tion wishing and applying for connexion with the Society , and for liberty to send © pp u ^ ie ^ g } io ^ ld not have that right ; and if the annual meeting was held at a proper season of the year , and a greater interest was given to such meeting , there is no doubt that many from the country would attend : of course , none but those within the twopenny post need be summoned . 4 . I , for one , say , " Abolish the exclusive title of the Three Denomina * -
tions ; " a title which seems to mean nothing but that the Deputies are a set of persons , many of whom meet under false colours . The names , in many respects , have ceased to have any correct application . Even the Chairman , I believe , sits under what , with all submission , I must call a false pretence , — that of Essex Street being a Presbyterian congregation . Besides , why should the Dissenters of England be sulky , and recognize no one as belonging to them but those who will wear their three-cornered hat ? Let us have a
Society of " Deputies of the Protestant Dissenters of England . " 5 . The Society should have a permanent office ; a house suitable in respectability and appearance , and containing accommodation for all the meetings of Dissenters , and for their various concerns . There the Registry should be kept , and the Secretary have his office . The Registry alone , and a saving of the expenses now incurred in tavern meetings , would go a considerable way towards maintaining the establishment .
6 . A committee and officers being appointed to manage the business , the main body need have only one yearly general meeting , to which the com-, mittee should make an annual address or report suited to the occasion , and from which would , at all times , emanate a respectable and influential expression of the feelings and opinions of the Dissenting community . 7 , It will deserve consideration whether provision should not be made for the admission of Ministers as part of this general meeting . I see no
reason why the minister of every congregation sending Deputies should not be invited to attend the annual meeting , though probably the Committee for managing the affairs ( which are almost wholly civil ) should , in the general way , continue to consist only of laymen . Every one knows how powerfully the accession of strength from the bod y of ministers operated during the late proceedings in infusing energy and activity , and occasions would probably often occur on which it would be very useful and proper
to call in their assistance , by adding a selection to the Committee . 8 . There is no doubt that the extension of the objects of the Society , and the elevation of the position of themselves and their constituents in society by the recent Act , would impose upon the Deputies the duty of increased watchfulness in the conduct and proceedings of such a representative body .
It would not he * merely the particular or sectarian interest of the Dissenters which they would have tQ promote and attend to ; they would have to consider themselves a bod y to which England , and even Europe , would look as the hereditary guardians and assertors of liberty , and of true Protestant independence of mind and thought . It would be their business and duty to promote every thing which was conducive to the interests of religion and virtue , of knowledge , peace , charity , and benevolence . It would be theirs
Untitled Article
that call 5 m The Deputies .
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1828, page 534, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2563/page/22/
-