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notices of Newton , Locke , Whiston , Peun , Samuel Clarke , and several other bold sons of heteredoxy , should be given , and the proofs of their believing the gospel and not the creeds . Arius , Servetus , Socinus , Biddle , Firmin , Emlyn , and so on to Rees , aud . others our c «» titemporaries , would be invaluable specimens of what men can do who deeply
feel a duty . It would be most desirable that all the biographies should be of one size and type , as at present it is not easy to bind Unitarian pamphlets , which are of every size , type , and paper , possible . Allow me respectfully to suggest to the several Book Societies , that it would be a ve-ry great advantage if they would all agree on the size of the paper employed
m their publications , and also that they would print on two qualities of paper , marking in the catalogues the two prices . Medium octavo would be the most generally approved size , and would ensure bound volumes of pamphlets in every Unitarian family . A taste for order , neatness , and even beauty , in libraries
aud book ^ -cases , is very fas * pervading society ; and far as I would be from establishing an aristocracy of theological books , which would be -out of the reach of the humbler classes , yet [ should Chink it well to have Unitarian is in so put forward , that the man of taste could place it in his library with ( he proudest author in his collection , ft would be an
advantage also if catalogues of writera on the subjects of the Unitarian Controversy were grouped so as to make volumes . No one wiiter perhaps has given all the valuable views on any of these subjects , at least in pamphlet shape . If , then , lists of works on the Atonement , Vicarious Suffering , Universal Restoration , Trinity , Right of Individual Judgiueut ,
Innocency of Involuntary Error , Existence of a Devil , &c . &c ., were furnished in the Repository , they w » uld be important to subscribers , aud enable persons to supply themselves with matter for instructive reading , and leuding to inquirers , at a much less cost of trouble than at present . The writer of this paper , in suggesting means far sending Unitariatiism into the upper classes of
society , feels that some may think it a superfluous work ; but if ekgance of publication , & certain degree of nni > h in engraving , good print , white paper , and a facility of being bound in a decent manner , be an introduction to the rich man ' s library , rand there is much wealth now among Unitarians , ) ( think it as necessary to attend to his wants , as it surely is to make cheap publications the
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introduction for the poor man ' s purchase . The subject of the biographies is important ; the manner of their publication relates more to wealthy Englaud than to Ireland ; but undoubtedly the style and price at Which lay literature is sent into the world , makes it imperative on those interested in circulating eccle-MasricaJ literature to give it every possible attraction of execution and
economy which can be attained . Men realty will not , if avoidable , take up a book on bad paper , with small crowded type , to read . We are all physiognomists , and the first imprt ' issiou does much : it is then a matter of some consequence to invite the eye , aud see whether a subject will engage the understanding . The
deaths of Unitarians are by the orthodox esteemed an ex peri men turn crucis hi biography . VVhatever detail niay be had would be desirable ; for although with us we seek more how men live , yet we ought to be able eveu to satisfy the gainsayer as to how they die . Perhaps eveti while men still remain among us who have made themselves remarkable iu the
cause of true religiou , it may be well to say to their contemporaries , Look at their lives , Go aud do likewise . I might instance Dr . Stokes , ouce a fellow of Trinity College , Dublin , and several of the Remonstrant ministers of the Presbyterian Synod of Ulster , as men who have suffered loss , and contumely , and reproach , for that reward which is above all rewards . To draw your attention ouce more to the influence of biography , may I make use of the Novelist ? With how
many of the desceudants of the Puritans were the martyrdoms of their ancestors become a <* a rale which was told and forgotten ! Sir Walter Scott has stirred their a « hes , —he has moved their boues ; aud the patriot fathers of Christian liberty bave arisen amongst iheir posterity a * those that but slept . Their cold aud perished blood has flowed again in modem veins , as if its early fire was
restored ; and 1 am sure that Sir Walter Scott , though he may be a Tory in politics , has made thousands in these realms emulate the bo Id neon and persistency of the ancient Diase liters , who , in the language of the time , " stood firm iu the liberty with which Christ had made them free , even against kingcraft and priestcraft . Put , then , before the people the live * of the noble who have striven to adoru the faith they professed . A . M'CKEADY .
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Miscellaneous Correspondence . \ 3 \
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1831, page 131, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2594/page/59/
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