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nal , and be led to * ' know the only true God , and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent . " That knowledge is Unitarian Christianity . One would wish that it were never necessary to teach it with reference to opposing doctrines , in other words , to teach it controversially . —Those who differ from us , and , as they think , teach the peculiar doctrines of the gospel , while we believe that they
then build hay and stubble on the Christian ' s only Foundation , are often not aware of the fact , that our Christianity is not a system of speculative controversial opinions , but that holy and enlightening doctrine which all receive who go to the fountain-head of divine truth and imbibe thence the waters " springing up into everlasting life . " It is our wish , when the unenlightened Hindoo , or the more unenlightened Negro , is to be taught the gospel , to teach him this ; and never even to advert ( if permitted to be silent ) to what
we believe to be the doctrines of men . It has been cheering to my heart , — when I have heard the honoured labourers in the great work of spiritual improvement , describe , without sectarian phraseology , the doctrines with which they had endeavoured to enlighten and bless the Heathen , and those by which the wise and good of their own denomination had been supported in trial and in the article of death , —to perceive how near they were to ourselves , when we , in like manner , forget the distinctions of the Christian world , and describe the supports , directions , and privileges which make us , as frail ,
erring , sinful , dying , accountable creatures , prize the gospel as the estimable gift of divine grace , and cherish gratitude in our hearts to him , who , through his obedience unto death , became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him . Unitarian brethren ! that which we feel to be precious , and regard as the pearl of great price , we surely ought to endeavour , as we can , to communicate to others . Certainly we should aim to avoid going before the calls of Providence , and should wait for the signal ; yet should we be on the watch , and have our eyes open to discern , and our hearts open to obey .
I regard it as one proof , among others , that , in the desires now extensively entertained among us to contribute direct efforts in the service of the gospel in Hindostan , we have not anticipated the call of Providence , that our brethren in America have , in like manner , been led to earnest attention to the subject , and to pursue the same course with ourselves : indeed , we have to allow ( and gladly do them the justice ) that they have in some measure led the way . On both sides the Atlantic there was great want of information ; and in
contributing to supply it , they have rendered us essential service . In this work our mutual exertions have been required , and our pecuniary aid for one leading object was given , in both instances , nearly at the same time . This work of common interest and joint service wilL lead , I doubt not , to a more extended communication and spirit of co-operation ; and when
contemplating that more distant prospect on which the mind must sometimes be allowed to rest , to cheer under present discouragements , it can scarcely fail to cheer , that by the extensive diffusion of the English language , in the East and in the West , means are presented for the union of heart and hand in the spread of divine truth , where otherwise insurmountable obstacles must exist , and at least put the hoped-for day far distant .
A pamphlet has been recently published in Boston entitled , An Appeal to Liberal Christians for the Cause of Christianity in India . * If the statements which are made therein , by the intelligent and pious author , together with Understood to be by the Rev . Dr . Tuckerman . No copy Is at hand with which to compare the following quotations .
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Reasons for mutual Encountgcment and Co-operation . 321
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1829, page 321, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2572/page/25/
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