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truth—of civil and religious liberty—and of peace and good-will towards men ; and these are sufficient to excite zeal in the breast of every Englishman . But the learned Doctor has said that there are difficulties in the way of the rising generation . There are , however , encouragements also ; and one of the greatest is , the difference between our
present prospects and those which presented themselves thirty or forty years ago . There are difficulties ; for to be a Dissenter , and an avowed Dissenter of our denomination , requires no small zeal and courage of a kind that is not commonthe zeal of perseverance , and the courage of endurance . ( Cheers . ) We have to contend against all the prejudices arising
from the impressions made upon the infant mind , and which it is often almost impossible to throw off ; against the persuasion that the essence of the Christian religion consists in mysteries , ceremonies , or unintelligible tenets . We have also to contend with the worldlymindedness of others , who are afraid that the success of the Unitarian faith
would endanger the possession of their temporalities . These are some of the difficulties which are to be met , and which it requires no small degree of zeal to overcome . But we have encouragements—and the presence of such a company as this is no trifling one ( applause ) to induce us to persevere . 1 was admitted into the Christian Church among the last of those who received the rite of
baptism from Dr . Priestley . ( Cheers . ) I am , therefore , old enough to recollect the occurrence in 1791 , when that reverend individual , for his advocacy of the cause of civil and religious liberty , had his house burnt to the ground , with all its contents , and he and his family narrowly escaped with life . I saw that illustrious individual on the very Sabbath
after that event , in the chapel iu which my friend on my right ( Mr . Madge ) preside ? , and the sight made an impression on my mind which I shall never forget . ( Loud cheers . ) There was a calm dignity and composure—an intellectual superiority in his manner , which indicated peace within — that peace which the world cannot give , and cannot take
away . ( Cheers . ) He was the finest example of that peace I ever beheld . ( Cheers . ) In comparing these events with what we now see , the difference is obvious . An Act of King William made it penal to deny the divinity of any of the persons of the Trinity ; but in the reign of George the Third that act was repealed , so far as related to denying the
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Deity of Jesus Christ . In the reign of our present Sovereign , first one shackle and then another has fallen off , and we can dow enjoy civil rights in common with our brethren of all Christian denominations , and , as Dissenters , are at liberty to serve our country freely , without being liable to pains , or penalties , or tesfs . ( Applause , ) I see in this , one great cause of our loyalty to the throne $ and that throne , as well as the civil institutions of the country , have acquired infinite strength by the measures which have been adopted . [ Cheers . ) In adverting to these events , let us ask , what are the means by which they have been accomplished ? The simple circumstance , that we have exercistd moderation , and resorted to truth . Truth has been our armour and our shield , civil and religious liberty our banner , and good-will towards men our motto . ( Great applause . ) Gentlemen , I have detained you too long . ( No , no . ) Under the impression of these sentiments , I have the greatest
pleasure in giving lc The British and Foreign Unitarian Association—may its success every where be as complete , as our welcome to its representatives is cordial . " The loud applause with which the toast was received having subsided , Mr . Rutt rose to return thanks . He said , I am persuaded that I shall speak the sentiments of those friends who form
the deputation from London , when I state that we feel ourselves highly honoured by the notice which you have been pleased to take of tlie Association , and in the sentiments of cordiality which you have expressed towards us its representatives . Gentlemen , from what I witnessed yesterday , when I heard my valuable friend ( Mr . Fox ) express the sentiments of devotion which he entertained for the cause of truth—when I heard him
so well exemplify his principles , I felt that I should be very ungrateful to an indulgent Providence which has preserved me to this day , if I did not feel the highest gratification . That I have been preserved , while so many of my contemporaries , able and zealous in the cause which has brought us here , have been called from the labours of life to the
recompense of eternity , is iudecd to me a matter of thanksgiving . A quarter of a century , with , all its hopes and disappointments , has passed away Since my attention was first called , by an excellent friend , recently deceased , ( Mr , D . Eaton , ) to a design which he had of uniting the Unitarians to do more justice to their principles , by inviting the attention of
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Intelligence . — Unitarian Association . 565
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1830, page 565, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2587/page/61/
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