On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
though the recognition is made in different vestments the sentiment of the soul , and not the garb of the body , the great fact of recognition , and ridt the manner of its being made , is the object of chief consideration . Come , then , and let us elevate ourselves above the surrounding atmosphere of narrow-mindedness , and behold from our lofty station the whole race ot man in adoration at the Almighty ' s feet . The Greek , the Jew , the
barbarian , Scythian , bond and free , a multitude which no man can number , tender their heart-felt recognition of the Creator ' s greatness and supremacy . The words in which they address him are , it is true , diverse , but he judgeth not as man judgeth , and through the varying forms of language receives with pleasure the spirit of devotion , which they all are fitted to convey . On the view which has now been given , we for ourselves dwell with serene delight . We escape gladly from the trammels of bigotry , and revel at large
in the expanded atmosphere of this universal church . There we behold in our gladdening visions Moses and the prophets , Jesus and bis disciples , Pythagoras and Socrates , the Hindoo and the Mohammedan , the Catholic and the Protestant , the Calvinist and the Arraihian , the Trinitarian and the Unitarian , offering up a homage the same in essence , however different iri form . There we see the whole race of man in all ages and all countries worshiping a common Creator , and the very forms by which they are
distinguished become venerable in our eyes by reason of the common spirit of which they are the vehicle . The spirit , it is true , while it remains the same in kind , varies in the degree and the purity of its manifestations . But this does not annihilate the gratification which we feel ; for the spirit of devotion we find age after age improving , till it reaches its fulness of perfection in . Jesus Christ and in all his faithful followers . In every period of man ' s
history , and in every part of the globe at the present day , the sentiment of religion is proportionate to the ability of God ' s creatures , and they have all been , and they all still are , making progress from one measure of devotion to another , growing in religious sentiment as rapidly as is consistent with the extent of human power and the great designs of the common Parent . How , we ask , can the man whose rnind is thoroughly imbued with these views despond respecting the destiny of his fellow-creatures ; above all , can
he turn bigot and persecutor ? Neither of these . All is well , all is for the best , all proceeds from good to good again . True , imperfections largely abound , but imperfection is the heritage of man . True-, misery overspreads many portions of the world , but misery is gradually passing away , and the reign of peace is extending its gentle rule . The majority of the race are not , as some teach , hateful to God in this world , and about to be the objects of his vengeance in the next—are not living in pain and dropping into torment . The world is God ' s family , each member as well off as God could
make him , and preparing to enter into purer and larger measures of God ' s benignity . The majority of our race atfe not a horde of practical Atheists , as system-mongers say , but the world is a church hymning in various strains , all imperfect and many poor atid low , still all hymning in strains of grateful acknowledgment the praises of the Common Parent . How then can I persecute ? True , all think not as I think , but that is God ' s arrangement , and we will add in many respiects man ' s blessing . True , ail worship not in my form , still all do worship . True , all use not m ^ words , but all use the words or feel the emotions ivhich their condition dictates arid allows .
But many possess emotions inferior to your own : that is a reason why I should use persuasion but not persecution . If I persecute a plan I persecute a brother , I persecute a fellow-worshiper of a Common Creator . Away
Untitled Article
Lord Bi / ron ' s Theology , 607
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1830, page 607, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2588/page/23/
-