On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
nestness which has been felt among us for the establishment of some more extended system of mutual encouragement and co-operation ; referring especially to the promotion of Christianity , according to what we believe to be the teachings of Christ and his apostles , among those who do not yet possess the blessings of the gospel . Limited as our means necessarily must long be for such services , the plainest principles of religious wisdom require
that we confine the application of them to those cases in which we may reasonably hope for their efficiency . There are many who have long had their hearts directed to the British possessions in the East Indies ; and there Divine Providence has for some years been preparing such openings for our exertions , as leave longer supineness without excuse . If there had been more
means of co-operation , I persuade myself that important opportunities would earlier have been seized by us ; and risks avoided of losing them , not again to return . The humble , unexpensive labours of that highly deserving person , William Roberts , of Madras , and those who are uniting with him , have hitherto been aided only through societies whose objects and resources would not allow them to do what I doubt not their Committees
would gladly have done ; and little more than a year has elapsed , since the first public efforts were made to give support to another , the Rev . William Adam , of Calcutta , who had before him a field of service in various ways of the utmost importance to the spread of the simple truths of the gospel . The powerful appeal which at that period was made to the Unitarian public by the late Secretary of the Unitarian Fund , was so answered , as to satisfy the friends of the cause , that it was only for want of the opportunity which our
judgments could approve , that we appeared careless respecting the spread of the gospel among the heathen . In that Appeal the general and more personal reasons for giving Mr . Adam our united support , were briefly , but forcibly urged . The obstacles which must ever attend the extension of Unitarian views among the Mahometans and Jews , are described as affecting the progress of the gospel among the Hindoos , as well as Mahometans , who continually urge the doctrine of the Trinity as a fatal objection to
Christianity . " Conversions from Hindooism to Mabometanism , " ( I quote the Address , ) " by the superiority of the latter over idolatry , are not uncommon . A species of Hindoo Unitarianism , founded on the Veds , prevails to a considerable extent . The Trinitarian Missionaries , of both the Independent and Baptist denominations , have complained of the objections made to the doctrine of the Trinity by their own proselytes . Theological controversy ,
in which learned natives have taken an active part , has been excited . The able and interesting defences of Unitarian Christianity , by that illustrious convert , Rammohun Roy , are in circulation ; and very great and persevering efforts are made for extending the advantages of education . "— " Mr . Adam" ( continues the Address ) " is well fitted to take advantage of propitious circumstances . His letters and publications evince him to be a man of considerable talents and attainments . His piety and moral character are unimpeachable . " That he is admirably qualified for the work , we have the
best reason to believe , in the testimony of that eminent person whom God has raised up , to commence , in a remarkable degree and extent , the work of reformation among his countrymen . In proportion as their own purer faith is restored , and the worst forms of their idolatry and superstition abandoned ; and in proportion , too , as their minds become enlightened by the means which all denominations appear at present to regard as the first step towards the spread of the gospel among the Hindoos ; in that proportion will they be prepared for the reception of the knowledge which is life eter ~
Untitled Article
320 Reasons for mutual Encouragement and Co-operation .
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1829, page 320, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2572/page/24/
-