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Untitled Article
of vengeance , as a sort of moral monster , whose whole will is evil alone , and that continually—who has no right to choose his most indifferent actions , who has forfeited his human rights , who is to be compelled to whatever his keeper approves , who deserves from all around him nothing but contempt , detestation , and avoidance . By punishiog and tormenting him here , they
think they are doing God service , ' ( as they believe-he himself punishes some of them everlastingly , in future , ) and they easily overcome their natural relenlirigs by persuading themselves it is for the good of society ; they forget that , as society is composed of individuals , whatever is the means of raising one mind or saving oner human being ,- is a more certain good to the community , than all the rfiandes , of others being influenced by the warning of their sufferings . Why should it be ' supposed that this will be the case when , in general society , we daily see that it is not , eyen where the admonition is before their eyes ? Do the terrible effects of drunkenness in the loss of
health to the individual , in the ruin of families , in the poverty and degradation that ensue , deter others from the crime , even in the same neighbourhood , and with the consequences daily exposed to them ? Does even the death of the infatuated man effect this ? No , it must be by a principle within , and not by outward fear that the sinner can be restrained ; and that principle within must be formed by the inculcation of a purer and better taste , by some idea of virtuous enjoyment , by the instructions of a practical religion , by a living faith , and not an abstract and metaphysical theology . He must be taught that he will bear the results of his own actions , that our
Saviour came to save him from his sins by shewing him that repentance ( not a mere feeling of sorrow , but the long and difficult process of forming new dispositions and habits ) would regain the favour of God—but by no means to exculpate him while remaining in them , however correct his faith may be , from the future and inevitable issues of them . This religious creed gives a man an immediate motive for exertion and endeavours after a renewed
life , because he feels it is by the mercy of God a thing put into his own power ; while Calvinistic or orthodox views on the contrary , rest so much on a mysterious and heavenly change , that they produce continual deception , give rise to presumption in some , and reduce others to the borders of despair . Hence we may more safely trust to the . silent advance of corrected
opinions and improving habits , than to religious fervours excited by impassioned addresses to beings more accustomed to be governed by their feelings than their reason . An illustration of this might be found in the sudden conversions in scenes of terror , if the cases were coolly examined . Fear produces a tumult and agitation of mind , which in time must subside into a calm
tranquillity , the natural and physical result of over-wrought feeling . This transition is , however , assumed as an evidence of supernatural interposition , and the guilty sufferer readily believes that which is so flattering to his hopes ; and hence he is elated with transport by the reaction of his feelings , and the assurances of those who wield the consciences of men , and who even believe they have power to absolve the sinner , and to present him to his Maker , cleared from all imputation of guilt , as a fit object of the Divine approbation , and equally entitled to the rewards held out in the Scripture , as
those addressed in the words , " Come , ye blessed of my Father , " &c . Trjese . views , so false yet so inviting , are not the views that ever will reform sinners , and there is every reason to believe , that the inculcation of them is onq cause of the hypocrisy , and affectation of piety and self-abasement , to cloak evil Resigns , which is known to have prevailed in some prisons , and wtjiqh has t driyen , some persons to the conviction that the prisoners are incapable of receiving religious impressions . They certainly are incapable of
Untitled Article
20 application of Unitarian Principles to the Reformation of Criminals .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1829, page 20, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2568/page/20/
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