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supplement—as a necessary result , of the scheme ! n which we are already embarked . What has been our object for so many years ? To something of this kind we must have been tending ; and io it we most at last find the completion and perfection of onr plans . Our first Association , that of the Unitarian Book Society , was one of learned men— -not looking so much to proselytism as to an
open and manly avowal of opinionsopinions which they had studied by the light of the midnight lamp , in seclusion and solemn consideration , and which at length came forth tor the world as the union of meo who were shedding immortal honour on the cause . They
established Unitarian Christianity on the broad foundation of profound learning , intelligent research ,, and painful application . This then was doing a good ; but it was not enough to do . The next step soon followed . The object of the Association was put : in a more popular shape : to the books of those learned men who
declared the meaning and true intent of the Scriptures succeeded tracts more likely to reach the humbler classes of society : to the poor we sent missionaries to preach the true gospel : the age of controversy arrived , and one false doctrine after another was assailed and
destroyed : we grappled with our theological opponents , and made way among those who held religion but in an imperfect shape , and needed reformation . Time passed on , and we found that we could not , wholesomely to ourselves and with benefit to others , remain merely engaged in the arena of contest with theological disputants : we then began to
expound Christianity as it appeared to « s io all Its native purity of spirit , in all its majesty of elevation , and iu all its beauty of proportion . We felt that iu merely disproving the arguments of our opponents we had not done enough ; that a mere negation could not have power over men ' s minds ; that a positive doctrine must be taught ; that we
should prevail , not by the exposition of errors , but by the promulgation of truth . In this we have laboured well , # nd shewn the world what the truth of the gospel is . But are we to stop here ? Are we only to exhibit to the enlightened what God seut for all , and which should
be as universal in its principle as the air we breathe ^—as the very earth . on which we live ? We must go on ; we must lay hold of the great mass of society ; we must address ourselves not only to those who have some religion , but to those who have no religion at all : we must
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appeal to tpat great multitude who ought to have , but have not , religion to lead their steps . It has been objected to us that we only make converts from other classes of Christians , f welt remember the answer of the late Pendlebury Hough ton , ( when I mention his name I need not say that it was both pointed and applicable , ) when such an observation war urged upon him .
•• I suppose , " said he , when this charge was brought against the Unitarians , " that you cat out Christians in the rough , and we polish them up . " But we shall not cut out less perfect forms if we go to the great quarry itself , and shar < 2 the material we find there to that godlike Image which we believe in our souls that humanity is still destined to bear . Christ descended to form man anew in the
linage of his Maker , not with exceptions , for man universal was the object of his mission . And even Onr religion itself would be worth comparatively nothing , if it were only the religion of superior minds . Nor is this true only of
region , but of every thing in the world which is worthy of attention and regard . That which does not contemplate or embrace the great body of society is in the estimation of the wise man worthless , nor will it attract the good man ' s love . If science- were to be confined to
answering the purpose of procuring fame for those who make researches into its recondite truths , and penetrate its hidden meanings , or if it were confined to aiding the gains of those who are amassing property and can put expensive machinery in motion , then science would be worthless ; But it is not so . The
wise man loves science because it goes far beyond these things : he loves it because it carries comfort into cottages , and because it affords advantages to the poor , at which even the rich man in the more barbarous ages could not arrive . So with political institutions ; if they do not embrace the amelioration of the
whole of mankiud , then , in the estimation of the philosopher , they are worthless ; aud instead of raising our veneration , they can only excite our disdain . If government does not seek the benefit of the whole people ; if lawgivers do not provide for the wants of all ; if
sovereignty does not embody the desires of the whole nation , then is government a tyranny , aud property is robbery , and punishment is a crime , and allegiance to individuals is treason to humanity . All the productions of art , of talent , and of genius , become purer and brighter in proportion aa there is created in the bulk
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Intvltigence * — Unitarian Association . $ 2 &
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vol . v . 2 h
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1831, page 425, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2598/page/65/
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