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ism is not Christianity . I am not sure that Ariarrisra contains a single principle of Christianity , with the exception of the doctrine of the resurrection . I wish to be charitable ; but charity begins at home . I must say if Calvinism be Christianity Arianism is not . "
Mr . Hay said , he could not satisfy himself with giving a silent vote on this important question , but wished to state , briefly and distinctly , some of the reasons why he could not conscientiously support the re-appointment of the Committee . The House , he said , would have it in recollection , that when that Committee was established , he had expressed his
doubts and fears of the propriety of the measure . He had given it very much of his consideration since ; and he had often prayed to God to direct him in all he should say and do upon this occasion . First , he could not vote for its re-appointraent , because , notwithstanding all that had been so ingeniously urged , he considered it contrary to the spirit of
Presbyterianism , and superseding the legitimate authority of that part of our own body from which we are called Presbyterians . The Synod have a power , if they will exercise it , of obliging Presbyteries to do their duty ; and let Presbyteries be enjoined and obliged to do this duty—to be scrupulous and minute in ascertaining the principles of young men , before they
are permitted to preach the gospel , and anxiously and earnestly to ascertaiu that they possess fervent and genuine piety . All this a Presbytery can do , and the spirit of Presbyterian ism be preserved . But in the appointment of this Committee , as now constituted , Presbyteries , as such , had no power of appointing their constituent members . The conduct of
the late Committee had been unanimously approved by the Synod , and most deservedly . He rejoiced that the aspersions that had been cast upon it had been stated here , and that an opportunity had been afforded for such satisfactory explanation . But though that Committee had done nothing wrong , and though the next should do the same , yet such great power vested in that body is subject to vast
abuse , and may yet be productive of much injury , without almost the possibility of appeal or redress ; and , therefore , he thought the Synod should be cautious before they gave it permanence . He knew the sentiments of many orthodox ministers respecting its probable tendency , who are not at this meeting ; and they entertained the same views and ultimate apprehensions from it that he did . He said , a formula for admission to the
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ministry he conceived to be much preferable to this Cornmittee . la t&e one case youjwould have , as it were , labelled on your door , the express and precise terms on which a person can become a member of this body . If your terms were such as he could not conscientiously conform to , he might pass your door and go to a society congenial to himself . On these grounds he could not , in his conscience , with his present view of it , vote for the re-appointment of this Committee .,
Mr . Gray ( Dungiven ) . — " I last year thought the Overtures only a temporary measure that would soon expire . I regarded them as a cloud throwing a shade over the landscape for a time , but which was soon to pass over , and leave us to enjoy the fair prospect around
us . I now find , however , that the cloud is still to brood over us ; and there is good reasou to apprehend that its darkness will continue to thicken , till we shall be at last involved in the gloom of midnight . Against such an event , it is our business to endeavour to guard . I was well aware that certain favourite
measures were to be compassed ; and that in order to effect such objects , every possible means was to be pressed into the service ; but I saw that such attempts produced the effect of convulsing this Synod to its very centre ; I saw that the measures brought disgrace upon this body ; and I felt convinced that the
means adopted were most impolitic . I did look forward , however , with something of hope to the adoption of a milder course of procedure , and one more in accordance with the gospel of Christ , and therefore did I conceive it to be my duty to address you for a little , to try if I can persuade you to abandon your present unchristian course . I am well aware
that clamours may be resorted to , and that the cry of the Ariau heresy may be raised against me for the course which 1 purpose to pursue ; and 1 know that the fear of such unjust clamours has kept many ministers from attending here ; but , as my opinions are well known , as I have always believed iu the Deity of Christ , 1 have no grounds of fear , and shall therefore speak openly .
" You have it not iu your power to put down Ariatiisra by any enactments of yours . What is the character of your present measures ? You are rearing a motley pile of heterogeneous materials , which can never continue permanent , but will crumble down around you from its instability . Your enactments are incapable of effecting the objects which you contemplate , and they are opposed to the
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Intelligence . —Synod of Ukter . \ 4 \
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1830, page 141, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2581/page/69/
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