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expects tou&eefc us l » Heaven . I must again , Sir , mourn , and lament , and deplore , that men , professitig Christianitythat ministers of the gospel , and who have had opportunities for obtaining information , should expose themselves by making such rash and erroneous state * ments . This moment , one , judging by the inhabitants of our bleak mountains
and sequestered glens , tells us , that we are decreasing . The next , another , judging by the five hundred Unitarian congregations of England , and the one thousand of America , aud which have been erected in less than fifty years , talks of danger with alarm . I tell these gentlemen , that , were all the A nans and Unitarians of the island flung to the north star , they cannot prevent men from judgiug for themselves * Mr . John brown has had recourse to arithmetic
as an argument in favour of his cause ; and , if he wish , according to his own observations , to be influenced by numbers , he should pass from Presbyterianism into the Church of England , and from that into the Church of Rome , — where he may add the Virgin Mary to the number of his Gods . It is more
than marvellous that he should have recourse to the arguments of numbers befog on his side , when he must be aware that the history of science , aud the history of religion , puts this claim of the majority to the blush , and shews that the propagation of Christianity was the work of individual mincte , in opposition to the will and wishes of the mvltU
tude ; - ~ - ~ that Copernicus and Galhleo advanced philosophy under a persecution which was popular;—and that Luther , and Calvin , and Zuioglius , brought on the Reformation , when opposed by the great mass of the people . Even the hatred of one Trinitarian Church to
another has been pressed forward as an evidence and a zeal to prove the truth of the Trinity : and , I must say , if railing will pass for criticitiin , reproach for argument , aud contradictious for proof , that to these gentlemen I freely yield the victory . They may appeal to the public feeling ; we appeal not from , Festua to Caesar ; but from man to God . Aud , I
add , that 1 have , in some measure , beeu confirmed in my present views by the immoralities of Trinitarians , and rejoice in having brought persons to the table of Christ , who were driven almost i « to unbelief by the crimes and creeds of the orthodox . What now , Sir , ahaU be said of this boa&fced uniformity ? Om nay right baud , I see Caiviuists wit ^ U their five pointe ; on my left , 1 see Armiviau /
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with their opposite five points , and claiming , on both sides , the names Orthodox and Evangelical . Nay , more- * much more : they all lay claim to the influence of the Holy Spirit . Were not this a mere pretence , we should have a sure and safe guide to uniformity . But one orthodox spirit is frequently at variance with another orthodox spirit ,
though both the spirits pretend to be of God . They may pretend what they please ; but as for us , we must return to Moses in the Law , and to Christ in the Gospel . Personal piety is mentioned in the amended overture , aud is , undoubtedly , of great moment . But to those Who wish to encourage it in others , I would respectfully remark , that humility is the first lesson which we learn from
diligent reflection , and self-distrust the first proof we give of having obtained a knowledge of ourselves . I could speak many hours on the question before the House , but am aware that your time is too precious to claim such indulgence . I invite , however , any of my orthodox brethren to meet me with his Bible iu
his hand , and discuss with me the important points at issue . Mr . Montgomery then rose , and spoke to the following effect : —Moderator , two circumstances render it difficult for me to arrange and conduct my arguments upon the important question now before you , in the manner which I could desire : the first is , the difficulty of catching and reducing into order the
desultory reasoniugs of my opponents ; and the second , that many of the remarks which I intended to introduce , have been anticipated by those on my own side of the House . I shall , however , proceed with as much regularity as circumstances permit , and fearlessly lay before you my sentiments upou a sub ject involving not merely the character aud stability of this church , but likewise the interests and influence of
Christianity itself . I shall set out upon a principle which I consider to be unassailable ; viz . that religion is entirely a matter between man and his Creator , excepting so far aa one human being may lawfully endeavour to influence another by friendly counsel and instruction . Farther than this , no
earthly power has a right to extend : to one Master alone , all are accountable ; and as no man can stand in my place , to answer for my principles and conduct before the tribunal of my Judge , I shall never regulate njy views of Divine Truth by the opiuions of fallible mortals , nor permit them to interfere with that faith
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Intelligence , —Syned of Utetek . 643
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1828, page 643, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2564/page/59/
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