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CRITICAL NOTICES.
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THEOLOGY .
Art . I . — Three Letters addressed to the Rev . Henry Girdlestone , on Christian Unitarianism and the British Reformation Society . By Jerom Murch , Minister of the Unitarian Congregation , Diss , Norfolk . Pp . 69 .
Mr . Girdlestose is a popular clergyman at Norwich , who has lately published a pamphlet on Christian Unitarian ism , containing an imaginary conversation between an Uuitarian and a Trinitarian , and preceded by some remarks on the establishment of the Branch Reformation
Society . Mr . Murch , the recently appointed minister of the Unitarian Society at Diss , has done honour to himself , and justice to the cause of Unitarian Dissent , by pointing out the futility of the clergyman ' s objections ; and by plainly , yet forcibly , stating some of the arguments for the Unitarian doctrine . As this part of his subject scarcely admits of novelty ,
yet requires to be brought up as occasion o ffe rs in all the districts of the kingdom , we shall preseut to our readers , as a specimen of the animated , yet temperate style of the pamphlet before us , the following remarks on the necessity of Reformation in the Church of England . Nor will our readers be insensible to the claims of a subject most intimately connected with the present state of public affairs .
" As my object is to suggest the necessity of reforming the Church of Knglandj by a more just distribution of her revenues , and by summoning her ministers to greater exertion , I shall not now enlarge upon her doctrines- And while pursuing my object , let me not be misondefrstood .- " -I am free to oonfes * my decided aversion to all Established
Churched 1 acknowledge no right in humdb '' legislator *' to decree what the pe&pleirmbt believe , or to attach 'peculiar advantage * to the profession <> f ipftmjiar opinions . Actions ^ and - not rtpitikirfs , should be conformable to 4 he Jaws * of earthly magistrates . I would noty however , be supposed to advocate a ra « h and sudden demolition of the preaeut system ; it appears to be entwined with the affec-
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tions , and , at present , essential to the happiness , of many pious Christiaus , and therefore I would recommend a gradual removal of the evils that exist . I would suggest to the new reformers the necessity of exertion in order to obtain a considerable reduction in the incomes of the highest dignitaries of the church . I would suggest an abolition of pluralities ,
and a more equitable remuneration of rectors and curates . The tithe system is a subject of general complaint , and occasions unnumbered disputes between the clergy aud their parishioners . Religion is frequently wounded by those who profess to be her friends aud advocates , in consequence of her forced connexion with the world . The National Halls of
learning ought surely to be open to all who are able and willing to partake of their advantages . Subscription to articles of faith is well known to be the cause of innumerable crimes . Falsehood , equivocation , and deceit are notorious in reference to that unjust requirement . When will these acknowledged evils be removed ? When will kuowledge be
obtained , and religion be promoted , without the aid of unscriptural and unrighteous regulations ? That happy period cannot be far distant . The signs of the tioies are too plain to be mistaken . There are very few who discern them , and expect no change in the Established Church . Meetings have already been held for the purpose of hastening that
change . Soon may such efforts be made in every part of our laud . If the Aristocracy will not act witfj : the people , let the people act by themselves . Their voice has seldom been heard in vain . Let them use strong ,, general , persevering exertion , and they will speedily procure a reformation rof the Church * of Kugland . "—Pp » e 6 Vr 6 & , .
Satisfied as we arv / jvith U * e * j > jrit aud geueral execution of tbjh $ ftUMunited paaiph \ et , it were an ungracious t ^ sk to point out the verbal errors * typographical , yet hy un means unimportant , which more experience inLauth # i ; e 4 iip WlU serve to prevents . £ kit there isicae , expression which we cannot allow tQ , pass without animadversion . Mr , M . solemnly . assures his opponent that Unitarian * do not consider
Critical Notices.
CRITICAL NOTICES .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1830, page 326, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2584/page/38/
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