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to their political condition ; 2 dly , their religious or ecclesiastical state ; and 3 d , their modern literature . 1 st . Their political condition . The Unitarian religion has existed for - 280 years in Transylvania , under many and almost hopeless difficulties ' and
vicissitudes . In the " middle of the 16 th century it flourished under the exertions of Francis David ' and Dr . George Blandrata . At that time John Zapolija was Prince of Transylvania , when almost all Transylvania and some parts of Hungary were Unitarian . After his death it had
a severe struggle with other religions , viz . the Catholic , the Reformed , and the Lutheran . It retained , however , its political and legal existence . In the 17 th century , Reformed Princes governed Transylvania , who drew over many of the more opulent Unitarians to the Reformed religion . In the 18 th century ,
when Transylvania united itself by treaty with the House of Austria , although a treaty , of the years 1690 and 1692 , with Leopold the Great , already subsisted , there were four received religions in Transylvania , namely , the Catholic , the Reformed , the Unitarian , and the Lutheran ; and it was expressly provided that each of them should have the same
laws , the free exercise of their religion , and an equal right to civil offices . However , this treaty did not long continue in force . The Catholic religion quickly raised its head , and declared itself predominant vith the reigning family . Various churches were taken from the
Unitarians , and the chief men were expelled by an armed band from the Cathedral Church at Kolosvar . The past century was fatal to the Unitarians , particularly from the year 1730 to 1780 . During these years , Maria Theresa , then
reigning , took pains to spread the Romau Catholic religion by every means , by bribes and promises . She excluded the Protestants , and particularly the Unitarians , under various pretences , from all offices ; increased by various favours the number of those who went over to
the Catholic religion , and so worked upon the more opulent by the promise of honours , that the greater part of them began to change their religion . In this sad state , deprived of almost all political existence , shut out from office , brought
down to the dust , the Unitarians remained till the year 1790 . In that year , through the instrumentality of Leopold , and later in 1792 , uuder the Emperor Francis I ., the pristine form of administration aud the vigour of the laws were restored r the Unitarians also , in many
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respects , recovered their rights , and some began to be employed in public offices . Now the Unitarians have one Aulic Councillor , Martin Agoston ; one Protbonotary at the Royal Court , Paul Augustinovios , descended from the Polish Unitarian exiles ; three Court
Assessors . There are two government Secretaries , Stephen Rarthaand Michael Sala ; and in other offices , Samuel Kesmarki , also a Pole , Alexander Farkas , George Nagy , Joseph Patazi , and Louis Kelanen ; some also have been placed in the County Assemblies .
Although , however , it is provided , by express laws , that an equal proportion should be taken from each of the received religions in Transylvania , this law is not always strictly observed ; and since the Unitarians are fewer in number than the rest , as well as inferior in property , thev cannot always maintain their
rights with a firm footing , aud on that account not unfrequently suffer various wrongs . The Unitarian body have exhibited their grievances in the councils of the kingdom , and , from the year 1790 , have demanded their reparation ; but , from various impediments , to this day , they want a decision from the authorities .
2 dly . As regards their ecclesiastical or religious condition . This was formerly , and especially in the 16 th and 17 th centuries , very flourishing in Transylvania ' , but when , in the 18 th century , their numbers began to decline , many
churches were taken from them , and others they were obliged to cede to the Catholics . Now there are about 47 , 000 Unitarians , and about 127 parishes . In each parish there is one minister , and one precentor employed as . master in the school . In each narish there existsthe school . In each parish there exists
, nnder one curator of the church , a do mestic Consistory or Presbytery , whose members are chosen from the more influential hearers of the respective churches . This domestic consistory takes care of the parochial buildings , by subscriptions collected from private persons , superintends the local schools , and directs the domestic affairs and economy of
religion . The ministers and the precentors are supported from the funds of their respective auditors , in such a manner , indeed , that certain arable lands and storehouses are assigned to them ; the use of the wood is granted ; and some of their hearers give them annually a certain quantity of corn , which they call capecia or kepe . No one receives a salary from the public funds ; the hearers themselves provide every thing . Bat in
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Intelligence , —Unitarians of Transylvania . 649
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1831, page 649, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2601/page/73/
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