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followed till it spreads through aH other sects , and through all other countries , till man shall advance in that course which has been marked out for him , till he become thatcreature of dignity , purity , and happiness , which the Maker designed him to he . I beg of this meeting , in the name of charity , of Unitarianism , of Christianity—in the name of humanity itself , not merely to adopt this motion by the lifting up of their hands , but to adopt
it by lifting up their hearts to God for his blessing on such an object , and by that prompt and liberal support , according to the extent of their means , and according to the strength of their feel * ings , which alone can insure its realization , and send it forth on its beneficial course , conquering and to conquer vice , ignorance , and wretchedness—the worst enemies of mankind . Let this be done , and we shall be able to look back with
congratulation on the proceedings of this day : nor ouly that—but the coming generation , and thousands in after generations , shall have reason to mention with gratitude the name of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association . Rev . Edwin Chapman . —In rising to second this motion , 1 would fain pay a tribute of admiration to the speech we
have just heard . I would call it eloquent , but 1 know no word sufficient to express my feeling of its excellence . Let me ^ however , say that the motion has my fullest approbation . For myself , I have some experience of the advantages that may be hoped to accrue from the plan now proposed ; and those who shall think that it will not succeed , can know but little of the habits of the poor . The poor are ever
williug to receive what is proffered in the way of instruction and knowledge ; and therefore when we go to offer them this pearl of price beyond all value , I con - tend that it can be no intrusion , and that they will by no means esteem it such . At this late hour , I will not occupy more of your time ; but I could not help saying thus much , because I feel most deeply the importance of the plan that is proffered to you for your acceptance .
The resolution was then carried unanimously . Rev . James Yates . —I have a motion to propose of great importance , and though the hour is late I am averse that the meeting should separate without attending to it . The resolution might have been proposed at any time ; but now that Unitarianism has been brought before the public , it is more particularly necessary . I allude to what has lately taken
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dla < e at the Bible Society and other Veil * gious meetings . Much as I value the Unitarian doctrine , I am sure that I value Christian spirit still higher ; and I therefore cannot help rejoicing at the manifestation that has taken place in bur favour at the Bible Society . I rejoice , too , at it the more because it did not take place in consequence of the exertions of Unitarians * We have heard in the
Report of Jews , Unitarians , and other relir gionists , all meeting together in one place to worship the one God ; and now in the nineteenth century , we hear of men meeting in London to debate whether individuals shall be allowed to co-operate in the circulation of the Scriptures if they do not believe in the Tri-une Jehovah .
Such things are lamentable * But there are , nevertheless , two sides to the picture . The way in which we were attacked I will not describe , for in so doing I should be striking a most inharmonious striug . Suffice it to say , that the attack 'was made by one whom I must describe as a most outrageous fanatic ; aud with those two words I dismiss him . But the
attack was received in a manner that may afford us some pleasure : though the meeting lamented our departure from doctrines which they deemed of importance , yet they ex pressed themselves willing to set a fair value on our private character , for which reason they were willing to co-operate with us in the
works of love aud mercy . It is in consideration of these feelings that I am auxious to bring forward the present motion . The question , however , which was agitated at the Bible Society was no new questiou . Twelve years ago , Mr . Norris , of Hackney , advocated principles like those of Lieutenant Gordon ; and it was on that occasion that our excellent
Chairman published what I take to be the most admirable of all his works hi defence of Unitarianism . I will not , however , enter into its praise now , but merely observe , that as the work is oat of print , 1 most earnestly wish that it should be again laid before the public as
suitable in a remarkable degree to the preseut circumstances . I beg leave to move , " That the Unitarian faith is intimately connected with the great principle of the sufficiency of the Holy Scripture ; that its professors have been distinguished by the maintenance and active assertion of
that principle ; that while they cherish an earnest desire for the exclusion of detected and generally acknowledged forgeries from the sacred volume , they have always been anxious for its universal dissemination ; and that we , therefore ,
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Inteliigenve . — - Unitatian Association * $ 2 $
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1831, page 427, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2598/page/67/
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