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preaching * to "• Germany , Switzerland * fuaacashirey Yorkshire , aiid the metropolis ** Oiir readers can be at no toss to understand the reference which is here made , in those parts of Christendom , particularly , but many others might have been added , societies are known to exist which advocate a different system of
Christian doctrine from that which is commonly adopted . The uncommonness of the doctrine is the' fact ; till numbers became the test of truth , this fact will furnish no presumption against the fieripturalness of the sentiments . Consider the manner in which prejudices are transmitted from one generation to another , and take into account the worldly
influence which is employed 111 favour of the popular doctrines , aiid uo one need be at a loss to assign a sufficient reason for the slow progress of opposite sentiments . And yet we are disposed to recall this expression . In several parts of the world it would not be correct to say that Unitarianism has made a slow progress . We add the United States of -America to
those which the * preacher has alluded to . But a very few years ago , he would have scarcely included Germany or Switzerland in his enumeration . In all comparisons between one sect and another in regard to the numbers of their supporters , a principal attention should always be given to the quantity of information which they may severally possess . Nor do we fear that we shall mistake the
truth , although we may subject ourselves to a charge of vanity , when we affirm , that large numbers of the orthodox Dissenters are unacquainted with the true grounds of dissent , and incapable of defending their opiuions from Scripture , while on the contrary the Unitarian society is but rarely to be met with that does not properly understand the scriptural authority for its leading doctrines , and is not able to defend them with
ability against all gainsayers . " Inefficiency may arise , " it is added , " from a low state of personal religion in him who ministers in holy things . " Here it is well observed , that " the influence of ministers oil their flocks is
very great , both for good and evil . Consequently , if our closet devotions are deficient , if we do not spend certain portions of every day in communion with God , if we ourselves are not profited first of all by our pulpit preparations , if in our public prayers there be not solemnity , earnestness , spirituality , enlargement , faith , and expectation , then we cannot but anticipate the symptoms of decay in our churches as to fervency ,
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liberality , activity , and in tne number of conversions to God through our instrumentality . "—P . 15 . " It is reported of Dr . Cotton Mather , * that in studying and preparing his sermons before he preached them , hie endeavoured to make even that an exercise of devotion for his own souL
Accordingly , his way was , at the end of every paragraph , to make a pause , and endea - vour to make his own soul feel some holy impression of the truths contained iri . it . This he thought would be an excellent means of delivering his sermons with life and spirit , and warmlhg the hearts of his people by them ; and so he found it /"—Note , p . 14 .
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Art . Ill ,- —Webster *' s Travels through , the Crimea , Turkey \ and Egypt . In 2 Vols . In this work we have , first , a life of Mr . Webster ; secondly , " Notes on the Netherlands $ " thirdly , ^ Travels through the Crimea / ' &c . ; and , fourthly , ( in the Appendix to wit , ) a hundred pages on the Russian Conspiracy in 1825 .
Nothing can be in worse taste than the Memoir ; it is intended , nevertheless , to be a beacon to enlighten the path of young night-wanderers , also " as balm and encouragement to such as waste the ! native vigour of their minds from an eager desire to outstrip and escape from the pursuing spectres of doubt , despondeiicyV and despair . " The lesson which it is to teach is , " the wholesome and redeeming one that man cannot attain
perfection by the mere act of volition ; that as he preserves his animal life by the sweat of his brow , so he must preserve his essential life by days of continual and wearing labour and agony of soul ; but that if he submissively take counsel of hope and patience , he will at length arrive in a region , breathing the freshness of regenerated life , where pain and agony , despondency and despair , have no restingplace , and where his days wilt glide away amidst calm , contentment and exuberant
joy . —Mem . p . 5 . Passing to the " Notes on the Netherlauds , " we find some relief in the improved style , but nothing very remarkable in the facts or descriptions , or very edifying in the moral an 4 political
reflections . The Greek question is handled with singular levity and * hard-hearteduess , as ' * a senseless excitement in favour of the worthless Greeks ; " and Lord Byron h reproached with tjie crime of having '" lent the sanction of his noble name , exalted talents , and personal
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Critical Notices , 46 * 7
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1830, page 467, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2586/page/35/
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