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standing the eflbrts of their opponents to stigmatize them as heretics , we consider ourselves to be the true worshipers .
The use of these words , therefore , in their particular connexion , appears to be apposite , which is all that I am concerned to vindicate ; but whilst I admire the valuable Observations of your correspondent on the importance of the practice of Christian duty , I must still be allowed to express a difference of opinion in respect to the proper applica-€
tion of the words * true worshipers , " lest I should appear indifferent to the great object which the Southern Unitarian Fund Society wad instituted to promote * I am ready to allow that a considerable cumber of those who are called Trinitarians may be considered c < true worshipers , " since , although their
creed maybe nominallyTnmfcariaB , they practically sink the adoration of two of the persons of the Trinity , and , in point of fact , pay their worship exclusively to the Supreme Being ; but where a Trinitarian feels it to be his duty to address Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit as objects of divine worship , and thus transfers to them a part of that homage which the Deity has declared he " will not
give to another , " it does not appear to me that such a person , can be looked upon by the Unitarian as a" true worshiper . " The language of your correspondent would seem to imply that he considered all as ' * true worshipers , " whatever their creed ; " our fellow-creatures of every shade and colour , " who are sincere in their worship ; but surely the definition of a l € true worshiper " must embrace the consideration of the
right direction , as well as the sincerity , of the worship , otherwise Pagan idolaters , who doubtless are , many of them , sincere in their devotion , must be regarded as true worBhtpers , and the distinction between true and false worship is abolished . Perhapa the best mode of forming a correct opinion on the sub * ject is a reference to the passage in John iv . 23 ; , in which the words occur , where it will be found that our Saviour
does not say , aud would probably then have been much surprised to hear the sentiment expressed , that those who worship himself or the Holy Spirit are ** true worshipers , "but limits the application of the words to those who adore the only proper object of religious homage : " But the hour conieth , and now is , when the * true worshiperft * shall utor&iip the Father in spirit and in truth . " E » K ,
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- , Miscellaneous Correspondence . 63
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The True JVwehipers . To the Editor ,
Sift , The observations at page 862 of the last volume of you * Repository on this expression of E . K . 's , bring to my re * collection a splendid passage which occurs in a sermon by Fawcett , on the subject of pure and spiritual worship , and which , as it illustrates in so beautiful a manner the ideas of P . S . R ., I make
no apology for introducing to the notice of your readers . " The wide theatre of virtuous activity , the ample field of ge > nerous labour , which Providence has opened to man , is the grand cathedral of piety : the place , whatever it be , in which prayers are said , in which praises are sung , in which any sort of religious ceremony is performed , is but the porch
to this . He who , at whichever of it £ numerous doors , enters into this temple ) is a true worshiper of the Father ; whilst lie who stops in the porch , whichever of them it be , is no servant of God ' s , with whatever solemnity he may sit there . The ground , wherever it be , Upon which honest goodness relieves the indigent , consoles the dejected , protects the
oppressed , defends the defamed , communicates truth , or inculcates virtue ; the ground , wherever it be , upon which good is done from a good principle , or upon which impotent pity drops an honest tear , and but wishes to do it , ishetter consecrated in the eye of Heaveu by such transactions , or by such tears , than by that could
all the religious ceremonies have been performed upon it . The house of mourning , the hovel of poverty , the prison of despair , when they receive the visit of charity , are temples upon which the Object of worship looks down With more complacency than upon any other temples . The sphere of usefulness is the chief church of ni&n : this 13
the most holy place ; ' the * holy of holies ; ' the most sacred court in the temple of God . Those that minister here are the highest priests , whoso office has most sauctity in his sight . Devotedness to society is the truest dedication to God . Generous offices are
the nobleBt sort of religious exercises . He that teaches the sighing * ' heart to sing for joy , ' awakes the harp which best befits the Angers of devotion . Hq that tunes this animated instrument ; he that raises this holy hymn ; he that sends up this sacred music ; he is the psalmist that , in the ear of Heaven , excels all others in sweetness . Whoever wines another ' s tear , lifts another ' s head ,
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1829, page 63, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2568/page/63/
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