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Untitled Article
the case nearest our own , but which affords hardly an analogy , is that of the states of Europe , having an established religion , but tolerating Dissenting sects ; while our own is truly a nation of sectarists . Every sect here is at liberty to
prove itself right , and to prove all others wrong , if it can ; each one may , if it can and will , increase its own numbers , by decreasing the numbers of all others ; and hence there is opened for us a field for ingenuity and industry , extensive . enough for the action of every motive which can enter the human mind . It
cannot be otherwise . We are a numerous people , occupying a great portion of the earth ' s surface ; we are to be more numerous , and shall occupy still greater space ; we have every variety of education ; great numbers without education ; a free preps , aud freer tongue . We spread from the ocean to the forest ,
from the alluriug and seductive city to the solitude of wilderness-settlement , the natural abode of rude and superstitious notions . In such a community we must expect to see every variety of human character . We rest with grateful pleasure on that part of it wherein we see good sense , sound learning , disinterested benevolence , and pure motives , striving
to impart just views of God and of human duty , and to advance the physical , moral , and religious welfare of men . We are pained to see , in the same community , not a little of exclusive and selfish ambition ; of unwarrantable assumption ; aud of that lore of dominion , not unknown in any age or country , which triumphs over ignorance , credulity , and
distempered fancy . Some persons are caught by representations , marvellous and' mysterious , while ( by means well understood aud put to use ) others are drawn into union , and combined in common efforts , in the absurd delusion , that they are to gain a victory , in the matter of religion , aver their fellow-men ! We see iii these movements that spirit which ,
in other countries , and in former times , aided by the civil power , manifested its true character in the familiar use of torture , of the axe , and of faggots . Fortunately , hitherto , fanaticism and ecclesiastical craving have formed no partnership with civil authority . It is consoling that these movements are limited to a
few men ; more consoling that they will , with proper efforts , be limited to fewer , and fewer still . It is undoubtedly time , that among all sects that are found in this land , there are most estimable members of society , exemplary teachers , and worthy followers . Among them all there
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is a desire to spread the means of education ; and , generally , a willingness to permit to each sect the undisturbed enjoyment of its own faith and practice . The public look , with displeasure , on attempts to pervert even learning to
sectarian purposes . They are awakening to that mischievous policy which breaks in upon the harmony of religious societies , upon the union of friends , and the peace of domestic life . If the truth were known , it would appear that even some of those who are terrified into
submission , feel , as a large portion of the American public feel , that this misdirected zeal affronts good sense and good feeling ; that it is in direct hostility to the spirit of the gospel ; that it is utterly inadmissible that any class of men should prescribe and euforce creeds , and rule the consciences of others . It is apparent that this class of labourers in the
Vineyard are treading down their own plants , and watering and cherishing those which they would uproot and destroy . They may be doing some good , unknowingly , in this way ; but not a little of evil in another . It cannot be doubted that much of the scepticism and infidelity in this
country is the natural reaction of religious theories which shock human reason , and bring discredit ou the cause of divine revelation . The reigning principle among the well informed in this day fc , that society may be and must be instructed ; and that the human race may be and must be trusted with the use of
all the knowledge which they can acquire . If this be not so , we should hurry back again to the dark ages , and submit our souls to the government of monks ; and our persons and estates to the united despotism of the church and the sceptre . We are too far onward for this in civil and religious information ; it will be our own fault if we are turned back or
impeded iu our progress . The world has learned , in some degree , and will learn more and more , to use reason and common sense in matters of religious faith as well as in other serious concerns . Mankind will not much longer be threatened with eternal punishment for not
Delievjng what their nature renders them incapable of conceiving ; nor be deemed irreligious for not using terms to which the intellectual power of man cannot annex a meaning . What is true or false , right or wrong , good or evil , must be settled by human understanding . There can be no other rule in religion .
If , said Mr . S ., the friends of intelligence , virtue , and religious freedom , persevere in their efforts , to enable mankind
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736 Intelligence . — American Unitarian Association .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1829, page 736, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2577/page/64/
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