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summation of their reports would indicate a number of members equal to twothirds of the present adult population iu England and Wales . It is obvious that by reports constructed on this system , a cause might be made to appear to have prospered , although in point of fact it may have retrograded ; and one which has actually prospered , might be made to
appear to have done so in a measure and degree , out of all proportion great when compared with its real advancement . Sir , 1 rejoice that no such system prevails among us . On the contrary , I would take this opportunity of stating my belief that , in the part of their Report which relates to Ireland , the Committee have under-stated rather than over-esti
mated the success of Unitarian ism . With all sincerity , I would congratulate the meeting on the exertions made by the friends of truth and the advocates of liberal principles of church government in that country . A Unitarian Christian Association has been set on foot * . In this
first step a great deal has been gained . The task has fallen into good hands ; and I am sure the persons who have undertaken this good work , will devote to it the best efforts of the zeal , learning , and talent , which they so eminently possess . We know the beneficial effect of
such associations in confirming the wavering , strengthening the weak , and deterring the opponents of the cause from aggressions , which would otherwise be made without scruple , because without fear . I look forward to the results of that Association with good hope ; and I am tlve more encouraged in this good hope by perceiving that iu remote and
unpromising situations , kindred societies have arisen to aid in this good cause . Unitarian Associations have already beeu formed in Cork , which lies in the most southern county of the island , and in Mon « yrea , which is in one of the most northern . Nay , Sir , these societies have not been confined to congregations in which the Unitarian doctrine has been
preached ; but have sprung up in quarters in which , though I am not altogether unacquainted with the country , and though inquisitively alive to the spread of such opinions , the very existence of Unitarian ism , as a tenet professed by any considerable number of persons , was to me utterly unknown . Such an Association has been formed iu Kiliiieagh , the former minister of which was and is
the most distinguished opponent of those who have latterly been obliged to secede from the Synod of Ulster ; the very Coryphaeus of the . illiberals in the province ;
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who , in Clonigh , in fiallycarry , in Grey . abbey , and in Narrow-water , in every place where disturbance was to be excited on account of religious differences , has been present either in person or by his representative . We may hence judge of his zeal in the cause of nominal
orthodoxy ; yet in the congregation in which he was minister for upwards of twelve years , a number of persons have voluntarily stepped forth and declared themselves Unitarians . A similar occurrence has taken place in Saintneld , under circumstances of jsl very similar kind . In these places I had no idea that the belief of one God in Unitv had yet struck
root . The meeting will indulge me , while I mention a fact of the same kind , which has lately been communicated to me in a letter from my father . He tells me that he was leaving the place of interment , after performing a service at the funeral of one of his people , when a respectable looking mau accosted him . This person informed him that he was a
member of a Presbyterian congregation at the distance of about twenty miles ; that he , his immediate connexions , and about thirty families , had embraced the doctrines of Unitarianism ; using that term , as I conceive it ought always to be employed , in the largest and most comprehensive sense ; and that they had
lately become anxious to form an acquaintance with some ministers of sentiments congenial to their own . The person referred to informed my father , that they now read such books and tracts on religious controversy as they could obtain ; but that they had all embraced
their present views , simply , solely in deference to the authority of Scripture , frequently and diligently studied ; that they had done so under a Calvin istic minister ; having all been educated iu Calvinistic sentiments ; and firmly believing them when they began their religious inquiries . Of course , my father was delighted with this account : who is there that in his situation would not have been
delighted 2 He willingly furnished his new acquaintance with a few religious publications , and arranged with him another interview . What farther he may be the means of doing for this interesting little colony , remains yet to be seen . I am sure lie will not neglect their case .
But it is obvious that whatever may be effected by an isolated individual , in a remote part of the country , and with not very frequent opportunities of intercourse , much ; iiu ) i e might be effected by the co-operation of a number of persons associated together avowedly for the pur-
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482 Intelligence . — Unitarian Association
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1830, page 482, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2586/page/50/
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