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    just stated , and which they blend ' with ' almost eyery dis ? ersity of opinion on . minor topics ? Is not the iriotto of our churches , * ' Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind" ? There are few among our fellow-believers in the Divine Unity who are likely men either to impose , to covet , or to submit to wear " the livery of any party . " In England , at least , Unitarian churches are , and long may they continue to be , what America was to the

    Pilgrim Fathers , an asylum in which they seek refuge whose souls are wearied out by spiritual domination . Freedom from the requirement of " universal accordance" with a class , is the privilege which we seek in our union , and unite to maintain ; which is our distinguishing glory , our crown which we will let no man take from us , nor may even the breath of Dr . Channing dim its brightness . Our accordance is only in the mutual toleration of non-accordance , in that freedom of thought , speech , and action , which he so splendidly advocates . A very different thing from conformity to creed or ceremony , and one the extension of which there is surely no need to

    deprecate . The term Unitarian is strictly and properly descriptive of Dr . Channing ' s theological opinions ; it is descriptive of them whether he will or no ; and quite independently of his likes or dislikes towards those who bear it , or those who abuse it ; and quite independently also of the similarity or dissimilarity of his other opinions to the other opinions of any body else , whom that term may also designate . " Were the name more honoured , "

    therefore , he could not throw it off ; and there is a stronger necessity for his bearing it , in its season of disgrace , than any which can be generated by his own chivalrous spirit , in its disdain of bigotry and calumny . Indeed , we know not who should be called by that name , whether for praise or censure , if not Dr . Channing ; for we know of no man by whoni the principles and spirit of Unitarian Christianity have been more powerfully exhibited . There is nothing sectarian , either in appearance or reality , about

    Unitarianism , except the ugly ism at the end of the word , which we should be glad to do without , if we could . It describes principles which , verbally at least , are universally allowed by Christians ; and from which , as a common centre , they sectarianize in various directions by the addition of their own inventions . Where else , then , would our author seek for that " community of free minds , " in which alone he can avoid " the shackles which a party

    connexion imposes" ? For ourselves , we say eureka . And we say it , not forgetting that there is very much in us which needs to be amended . Union is not thraldom . And we apprehend that in America , not less than in Great Britain , the desideratum at present is , not to guard against shackles , but to draw closer the bonds which hold together enlightened , liberal , and righteous minds , and thus invigorate their efforts to improve and bless mankind .

    It is tiine to dismiss this discourse , whicji has so long held our minds and feelings in a very willing thrajdoni . It is more pleasant to part in our author ' s words than our own , and his conclusion , therefore , shall be ours : " My hearers , I close with exhorting you to remember this great purpose of our religion . Receive Christianity as given to raise you in the scale of

    spiritual Deing Expect from it no good any further than it gives strength a , nd wor , th to your characters . Think not , as some seem Jo think , that Qhrist lias a higher gift than purity to bestow , even pardon to the sinner . lie does br ing pardon . But once separate the ic ( ea of pardon from purity - > once imagine that forgiveness is possible to him who does not forsake sin ; once make it an exemption from outward punishment , and not the admission of the reformed tnlifthto favour and communion with'God ; and the doctrine of pardon

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    666 Coaming ' s Design of Christianity *

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1828, page 666, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2565/page/10/