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p iety in men of refined and cultivated minds , but to ^ iwaken the poor , the ignorant , and the depTaved , to a sense of their actual danger , and to an earnest seeking for the way of salvation . Viewed in this light , the exertions of our brethren will iose much that is unsightly . Nay , they will assume to the rightly
constituted mind a pleasing aspect , as being well fitted to answer the end in view . This evidently is the only light in which they ought to be regarded ; and we think it of importance that Unitarians should be led to consider all public exertions , both amongst their own body as well as others , more than they have done , as designed , not to benefit or gratify the few , but to arouse and direct the many .
It also deserves consideration that the plans which have been pursued , however more or less objectionable to refined minds , have in * fact proved efficient . That good , incalculable good , has been done by our orthodox : brethren , admits , it appears to the writer , of no-possible question . More good , perhaps , has resulted from the plans actually pursued , than from others which might to us appear in every way praiseworthy . But when we praise or blame on this topic , we are to ask ourselves what standard is present to our minds . Too often , there is reason to fear , we have thought rather of what would benefit ourselves , than what would benefit others . But such a
state of mind shews at least inconsideration . Though in essential features all minds are constituted alike , and though there are feelings common to every human being , yet experience proves that the ways to the human heart are as numerous as the individuals of our race . At all events , between the educated and the uneducated there is a broad and clear line of distinction . Different in the circumstances through which they have gone , they are different in their feelings , their tastes , and must consequently be approached
by difference of appeal . In other matters this is too clear to require elucidation . The sounds and colours that delight the rustic are offensive to the polished mind : the style that will sway the heart of the artizan , will fill the scholar will disgust . What wonder , then , if the subdued emotions of a concio ad clerum , or the gentle accents of a church dignitary , should , instead of arousing the people , lull them into slumber and forgetfulness ? All their emotions are intense . Their every-day language , like that of all uncultivated
natures , is full of hyperbole and metaphor . Hence the lofty tone of the language of scripture touches their souls with congenial and awakening emotions ; and so , if the ministers of Christ are to get their ear and win their heart , they must speak in their language and be moved by their feelings . Such has Been the prevalent tone among our orthodox friends , and there fore
has their success been so large . In many instances , their very want of what we consider essential , ( and in general rightly so , ) their want of education , has increased their power over the hearts of their audiences . Education in all instances tends to subdue and restrain the emotions , and in general they feel the strongest ( we do not say the purest ) who have undergone no process of refinement .
If , then , it is found that the very things at which we have stumbled are those by which , to a great extent , the good which all must acknowledge , has been effected ; if even what has seemed to us excess and extravagance , has been the means of rescuing thousands from the error of their ways , we put it to our Unitarian brethren whether it is not their duty to strive to look , not with alienation , but with complacence , upon the past and the present exertions of the religious world . Of course we speak in general terms . After all the allowance we may make , errors both serious and numerous will remain . This , however , is only saying that the orthodox are fallible men .
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848 Zealous Exertion the Duty of Unitarians .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1829, page 848, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2579/page/32/
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