On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
' 6 . What can an agent do in New England ? 1 7 . Why should we send an agent to the West ? Because its present state demands it . * 8 . This measure is a duty we owe to the general interests of religion and
good ~~ morals , ~—I& . very— denomination is bound to do all within its power , among those within its influence , to advance these great interests . Every one must fulfil these obligations according to the dictates of his own conscience . All the different sects
in various ways have done something towards this end beside the mere support of public worship , and their missionaries and agents have done much good . If what we hold to be truth has any power tp make men better and happier in this world and the next , our means are such as to
require from us a liberal contribution to these purposes . If we believe that our views inspire a more enlightened piety , and better promote religious freedom and knowledge , then it imposes upon us a stronger obligation to be faithful to the cause of truth .
* 9 . Hence we add that this is not a sectarian measure in any objectionable sense . It is not its object to interfere with the rights of others . "We mean to extend fellowship , aid , and encouragement to societies and individuals of our own denomination , to gather up what belongs to no sect , to awaken the indifferent , and convince the unbelieving , and to offer
the means of learning the truth to all who seek it . We should be unfaithful to our obligations , if we should refuse or neglect to do this . If these , objects are sectarian , then the first preachers of the Gospel were such . If our ends are not sectarian , the employment of a general agent , or any proper means to attain them , will not make them so . We shall be told that such an
organization has been abused to sectarian purposes . So have preaching and all the means of religion , every-
Untitled Article
thing useful in life , even Christianit y itself ; but their abuse is no argument ¦ against their use . Churches and individuals scattered among those who are hostile to them , without union and intercourse among themselves , are driven into extremes
by-this-hos-tiiity ^—B-at-it-they ^ be * come united and confident , they feel their relation to their friends more than to their opponents , and are strong enough to practise moderation . No one can doubt which will
be most sectarian . If there were no other argument , the character of the candidate is a sufficient security ; but in fact , without departing from the principles of our denomination , we cannot become sectarian in any bad sense of the word .
' 10 . We also owe a duty to pos ~ terity . Intelligence gives value to property , but public morality alone renders it permanent . In all countries where the government ar the people have not been restrained by its influence , property and personal rights have been insecure and industry palsied . The Inquisition in
Spain , the revolution in France , and despotism in Turkey produced this effect , Our civil and religious freedom and the security of our persons and property were the work of a past generation . They are a sacred trust to be transmitted to posterity . If we bequeath our property to our children without this security , we do them little kindness . We are still
more bound to hand down to them those enlightened views of religion , which we value so much for ourselves , and to support every measure which will give them a wider influence , and greater strength . and
permanence . Meetings were subsequently held in the various Unitarian churches at Boston , and in other cities of the Union , * resolutions were passed approving the measure ; and strong appeals were made to the zeal and liberality of the public , which were generously answered . The fujl re-
Untitled Article
184 , INTELLIGENCE AND
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 1, 1833, page 184, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2615/page/24/
-