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macy , should , both in the employment of the term Unitarian , and in the system of their various Associations , ( which is the case in the British and Foreign , ) waive all minor points of difference , regard these great principles as the bond of union , and direct their exertions to
the support and diffusion of them . He was of opinion that this would contribute essentially to bring the English Unitarians into closer union , not only with their American brethren , but also—what they earnestly desire—with their brethren in Ireland , where , at least in the North , greater difficulties seem at present to
exist . Professor Ware , of Harvard University , United States , returned thanks . After expressing the gratification he felt at the appearance of the present meeting , he said he should attend to the
recommendation of his worthy friend , the Chairman , and should carry over with him the benevolent feelings which had been manifested by that meeting , to his brethren at home . He could not give expression to his feelings in the manner he could wish . He came from a land
which was blessed with civil and religious liberty , and rejoiced to meet its friends here . As a member of the Unitarian Association in America , he rejoiced in the prospects of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association , and took an especial interest in their welfare ; for
the two institutions were twin-sisters , born on the same day . He trusted that , like twin-sisters , they would cordially exist together , resembling each other as those who , on the same day , come from the womb of a common mother , and directing their operations to the same useful and benevoleut ends . ( Cheers . )
" Our friendly greetings to our brethren in Ireland : may every effort of an intolerant and persecuting spirit be as nobly and triumphantly defeated as in the instance of the venerable John Watson , of Grey Abbey . The Rev . JaMiis Martineau , of Dublin , rose to return thanks , and after some
introductory observations he proceeded : —Incapable as I am to express the feelings of my brethren in Ireland , I may be permitte d to be brief in the expression of their sentiments , so far as 1 can give them utterance . The feelings with which I have attended this meeting are those of mingled exhilaration and despondency ; —of that Christian exhilaration in which
every lover of piety and truth must have partici pated , on witnessing the proceedings in Manchester during the last two days ; but of despondency , to think how
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long a period must elapse before the Unitarian cause can receive such a greeting in the land iu which my labours are cast . Our Unitarian friends in England are in danger of over-estimating our infant cause in Ireland , as we have to contend with obstacles which have
disappeared in this land of greater intelligence . The English Unitarians would mistake , if they judged of the strength of our cause , by the existence among us of two such leading advocates as Dr . Drummond and Mr . Montgomery . These are men whom the times have called forth . These
are not among the men whom Providence sends forth in times of tranquillity ; but are those lights that are elevated in the days of convulsion and darkness , ' to serve as prophetic intimations of the spirit of an age yet to come . ( Loud applause . ) We therefore entreat our friends here , not to mistake the power of the advocate for the strength of the cause;—not to mistake those brilliant , but transient lights , for the steady lustre of the summer's sun . The cause in Ireland has had
to contend with many difficulties , which are unknown here . It is not' possible for any one who has not resided there , to understand the ramifications of that violent political feeling , which has long convulsed that unhappy country . It is not only heard in the parlour , but in every cabin of the country , and it has troubled the whole land . The inmost
recesses of society have been profaned ; the smile of domestic peace and love has been banished ; and it will take many years before the fruits of Christian and friendly intercourse among contending parties , may shew themselves even in the promise of a blossom . The effect of the discussion of that great question , which has now been for ever set at rest- has
been to divide the country into two great parties—the Protestant and the Catholic . All parties have oppressed the Catholics ; and even the Dissenters , so far from coming- forward to assist the injured Catholics , have stood close to the church , and supported them in their unrighteous domination . This has retarded the steps by which Unitarian Christianity must advance . It is not to he expected that the
effects of agitation , and of a factious spirit , will easily or speedily subside . The early history of Presbyterian ism has spread those habits of crouching to power , which are inimical to universal liberty . ( Hear . ) A century and a half ago , the Presbyterian church comprised all the gentry and liability . Since thar . time , the Establishment has , like a voitex , swallowed up this influence ; but the
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Intelligence . — Unitarian Association . 5 / 3
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1830, page 573, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2587/page/69/
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