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Belsham . Are courage and heroic sacrifice ? Ours is a Theophilus Lindsey , who , leaving all his prospects , went forth into the world like the Patriarch of old , for the sake of truth , not knowing whither he went . ( Cheers . ) These are power .- ? , and it is time for us to use them . These precious talents ought not to be buried , but we must gain other talents with them . The truth , which has hitherto too often only glimmered like a lamp in a sepulchre , must shine forth as the sun in heaven , that all nations may rejoice in its light . The influence of snch institutions as this is indescribable . If it is said , that before we aim at reforming others , we should reform ourselves , I say so too ; and that that which brings us from a dormant and isolated
state to one of energy and union , accomplishes a most needful and valuable reformation amongst us . I exult in the symptoms of this being realized yet more and more . I venerate the Unitarian
body . I have had opportunities of comparing it with others ; and I rejoice every Sunday that I enter the pulpit , in that freedom of thought and speech which prevails amongst us , and which is the best accompaniment and support of truth and godliness . Thus united , the obstacles alluded to by the friends who have already spoken , will soon dissolve ; and when the resources of wealth and
talent which we possess are brought to this great work , we shall find them all vanishing at their touch into thin air . We shall go on with a progress , the ratio of which will be still accelerated . The union and energy of Unitarians will be the reformation of England , and the reformation of England will be the regeneration of the world . —( The reverend gentleman sat down amidst long continued cheering . ) The Chairman . —I have now to propose the health of
" The Rev . Thomas Madge , with our best thanks for his valuable services , and our hearty wishes that he may long and successfully carry on the work of his illustrious predecessors , Lindsey and Belsham . "
The Rev . T . Madge . — I am much gratified with this expression of your approbation , for next to the pleasure arising from the consciousness of doing one ' s duty is the pleasure of knowing that you have done so to the satisfaction ° f those with whom you are associated . I come here as the substitute of a gentleman who is personally known to many of you , and to all by his fame and character -, I mean the Rev . Henry Mont-
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gomery . By the manliness and independence of his character , by the zeal and eloquence with which he defends our cause in Ireland , combined with the sound judgment and the firmness and discretion with which he has acted in the most trying circumstances , he has earned for himself " golden opinions " from all who love the ways of honesty ,
sincerity , independence , and gospel simplicity . We regret the want of his services on this occasion ; but if I have in any way repaid the loss of his absence , it will add to the gratification I now receive . Such meetings as this are very encouraging ; and , notwithstanding the thoughts and feelings of despoudeucy which occasionally come over us , excite
brighter hopes for the future . Though amid the storms and conflict of religious opinion , mysticism and fanaticism may seem for a time to prevail , yet there are signs that these cannot long continue . It is impossible that religion should not participate in the improvement that is going on in every branch of human knowledge ; it is impossible that religion
should long escape the glance of the inquisitive eye of enlightened reason . Men are naturally more concerned to know the truth on this subject , than on any other ; and it is not to be believed that the mind will not display the same energy here , as in other branches of knowledge . Unitarianism has the agency of God on its side , which shall prevail over every opposition and every obstacle .
( Applause . ) It is well known , in the common transactions and affairs of life , how much good is done by union and association . These put new spirit into man ; make him aspire to the high places of the earth , and scatter flowers in the path which before was obstructed by thorns . It is an acknowledged maxim , that " knowledge is power . " The same thing may bq said of the union and combination of the moral and
intellectual efforts of man ; for it is this that gives the human character its expausive force , and carries its efforts and dominion to the uttermost boundaries of the earth . —Mr . Madge concluded by obserr T ing , that he could say for himself , and he believed for all who were present , that they should go away from that meeting invigorated , and resolved more than ever to serve the cause of Unitarianism , which they believed to be the cau $ e of God . /
The Chairman . —We have now to address our attention to one who is great in our monetary system" The Treasurer of the Association ,
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Intelligence . — Unitarian Association , 5 < $
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vol iv . 2 s
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1830, page 569, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2587/page/65/
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