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    phy , which is always open to the collection and the careful estimation of facts , and which regards nothing as more hostile to its objects than a precipitate and foreclosing' generalization , the Unitarian spirit rather resembles that of the old scholasticism , which spurned laborious investigation and slow induction , and would force all nature into its ranks of predicaments and predicables . This may be one reason , among others , why these notions meet with

    so ready an acceptance in young minds , inexperienced , flirty , and ambitious ., half-learned , and ill-disciplined . Here is a theology easily acquired , discarding mysteries , treading down difficulties , and answering the pleas of the orthodox with summary contempt : a theology complimentary to the pride of those who deem themselves endowed with superior discernment , and which in practice is not ungenerously rigid against any favourite passion or little foible that is decently compatible with the world ' s code of morals . "

    We suppose we must expect Dr . S . to speak slightingly of our mode of reasoning , since he so little likes our conclusions , and we are very willing to leave out logic to its own defence ; but we will venture , though the same thought will occur to most of our readers , to illustrate the character of mind—yowng , inexperienced , flirty , and ambitious , half-learned , and ill " disciplined—to which our doctrines have been found acceptable , by naming Milton , Newton , Locke , Lardner , Priestley—and Whitby and Watts , as the last resting-place of their minds , at the close of lives devoted to religious

    inquiries . We are tempted to enumerate others distinguished for their great attainments , their powers of mind , the prejudices with which they had to struggle , or the sacrifices they made to what they believed to be the truth , but it is needless . Dr . S . may have seen that Unitarianism recommends itself to young minds , ardent in the pursuit of truth , ambitious of being distinguished in promoting it , too inexperienced to be influenced by motives of

    worldly wisdom , not yet having their own thoughts lost and buried in a mass of ill-digested learning , too ill-disciplined to suppress as criminal the doubts which inquiry may suggest—and he forgets that the same views have satisfied the matured judgment of those whose fame he cannot injure , have been entertained with the fullest conviction by those whose genius , learning , and virtues , he cannot prevent the better part of mankind from admiring . We

    will not stop to compare Dr . S . ' s own confidence in his superior discernment with our recollections of what we have seen manifested by Unitarian writers ; but when our theology is described as " in practice not ungenerously rigid against any favourite passion or little foible that is decently compatible with the world ' s code of morals , " we are called upon to reject the calumny ; we are entitled to express the disgust with which it affects us . We ask first , what there is in the doctrines of Unitarian Christianity which should make their professors indulgent to sinful passions , and ready to

    conform their standard of duty to the merely prudential requisitions of the worldly-minded and irreligious ? Like others , they are taught that they are constantly under the eye of an all-seeing God , perfect in holiness and purity , who has made known to them their duty , and who will one day bring every work into judgment with every secret thought . Is it then because they believe that this all-perfect Being has given them laws , not for his own glory , but for their happiness , and that the strict observance of these laws is essential to their attainment of any real or permanent good ? Is it because

    they are assured that sin and suffering are inseparably connected , and that a death-bed repentance is vainly relied upon to avert the consequences of a life of wickedness ? Is it because they are taught that they must " work out their own salvation with fear and trembling , " and have not learned to put their trust in another's merits ? Is it because , whilst they rely on

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    Dr . J . P . Smith ' s Scripture Testimony to the Messiahs 7

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1831, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2593/page/7/