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    3 nd the ties which connect together out various members will be more strengthened . The Missionary objects of the Association , which formed one of the leading purposes of the Unitarian Ftiftd , are necessarily attended with much difficulty , and require the greatest caution , in the selection of individuals , and of the field and time for their labours , ft is an important , it has been (

    inthe hands of one esf > ecially to whom 1 am sore his brethren will join in the ' praise *) an effective service : I doubt not occasions will occur , for which resources should be prepared , when it will be so again ; but it also calls for peculiar circumspection , and , ia general , much knowledge and experience . To enter on the subject in detail is now obviously impracticable ; and I will therefore only make two observations . One is in the words of the excellent and judicious visiter of York College , whert addressing the students engaged

    in highly valuable services of the kind to which I refer : "If you break up new ground , which you cannot continue to cultivate , it will be' iti great danger of afterwards producing weeds . It had better even have been left in the natural unproductiveness of the plain green-sward . "f The other is , that much may be ^ securely left to the silent steady operation of the present diffusion of knowledge , to the general improvement of the mind . If the fears

    and passions of men are not roused by intemperate expressions , these will gradually remove the errors against which we have to direct our efforts ; , or will deprive them of theif efficiency ; and identifying as I do the cause of Unitarianisrn with that o £ simple Christianity , I doubt not that , by the influence of these more generally operating causes , with such aid as the Unitarian may see the useful means of employing , the Christian world will eventually become , in doctrine , almost , if not altogether , such as we are .

    The second leading object of the Association , some ' experience in the concerns of Unitarian Book Societies leads me to regard as peculiarly valuable . A want of co-operation in reference to the publication of our tracts , &c , has often led to much embarrassment ; and it has caused difficulties in the circulation of them , which by the proposed system will riot exist * It will not be difficult for the different Book Societies which remain m distinct operation , to form such plans of communication as shall give greater efficiency

    to their respective measures , and prevent mutual interference and needless expense . One connected object I hope ( and many will join in hoping ) will obtain some share of the attention of the Association , —the provision of suitable books for our numerous Sunday Schools , teaching the great principles of the gospel , but divested of all doctrinal peculiarities , uniting cheapness and solid utility . This will supply a want which has long been experienced by those who are engaged in those most useful institutions , in which so many of our younger members give their personal labours to train up the

    youthful poor in the way in which they should go . And when contemplating the advantages of these seminaries , it should not be left out of sight , that every active engagement of Christian love , in connexion with a religious * community , receiving its countenance , and supported by it , contributes to 1 draw the ties of union yet closer , and ^ to make those who engage in them feel that , by these services , they are useful parts of that community , and are promoting its welfare . The third leading object , if there were no other , would justify the

    ear-* The reader will readily perceive that the reference here is to the Rev . Richard Wright . t See the Monthly Repository for V # 24 , p . 427 .

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    Reasons for mutual Encouragement and Co-operation . 319

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1829, page 319, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2572/page/23/