On this page
-
Text (2)
-
Untitled Article
-
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
But blame these errors as you witf , still the general spirit of the e ^ ettiotw made deserves high commendation , and claims our sympath y * If so , then Unitarians ought no longer to remain in the rear of the Christian phalanx . They ought to advance so as to keep pace with their fellow-christians . They
ought to catch the spirit of the day , inviting , not repulsing , its inspirations . Their views of the nature of the popular exertions ought to bernodified . Good they should call that which does good , and mark with their approval and follow with their imitation , perhaps , the only effectual way of promoting the immortal welfare of the people .
We would also submit to them on this same topic , that the associations which they have connected with popular exertions regard , not the cause itself , but merely the manner m which it has been served . Let the utmost extravagance have attended missionary exertions in any given instance , still this does not affect in any way the duty tinder which every Christian lies to seek the welfare of his fellow-men . Nay , if a good cause has been badly served , this is a reason rather for activity than indifference . Let us bear in
mind , then , that the associations we have with popular exertions are casual , not of necessity attaching to the great work of Christian benevolence . However well founded they are , the voice of duty requires us to rise above themto view the great work of evangelizing our neighbourhoods as the gospel and the natural feelings of our own hearts set it before us , and not through the perverted medium of sectarian feeling , of orthodox creeds , or evangelical intolerance .
Let us , then , consider what claims the gospel makes to our exertions for the benefit of our fellow-creatures . And when we speak of the gospel , we understand it to consist both of doctrines to be believed and duties to be done . A distinguishing feature of the Christian religion is to be found in the extension of its benevolent regards from the few to the many . Heathen philosophers may have limited their influence to the academy or the porch , but Christ broke down all barriers ; he spoke to the people ; he went about
doing good and preaching the word ; he appealed to the fact of the popr having the gospel preached to them , as a satisfactory proof of his being sent of God . There never was a system which was so general in its regards , which bore so invasive a character , as Christianity in its earliest days . What is the commission which Christ gave to the twelve , to the seventy , to his disciples at large prior to his ascension , but a commission to go and preach the gospel to their neighbourhoods , to every creature ? And how was this
command obeyed ? What city or shore was there which the feet of the apostles did not tread , to make known the unsearchable riches of Christ ? Unlike their degenerate successors , they did not wait till men inquired ; they did not station themselves in one spot , and leave all beyond their little circle in ignorance and sin ; they did not lie inertly down , and look for the workings of Providence , and the gradual diffusion of their cherished principles . INo ; they went forth into near and distant lands , disregarding perils , persecution , and death , to bear their testimony to the truth of the gospel , and to
overthrow the strong holds of heathen abominations- They were missionaries . Like Jesus , they breathed the missionary spirit and did the missionary ' s work . There were no incumbents in the church in those days . Every preacher was a missionary , going about doing good , sent , ancj glorying in his office , to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord . We are sure , therefore , that the spirit of missions is the spirit of Christ and of Christianity . We are sure that , till the kingdom of heaven is come in . every heart , it is
Untitled Article
Claims of the OoapeL 849
Untitled Article
vol . in . 3 n
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1829, page 849, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2579/page/33/
-