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is made to fit them for their allotments , though they are called to fill offices involving the most vital interests of society . Women extract knowledge from practice—they rarely bring knowledge to it : that , under such circumstances , they so often acquit themselves with ability , is pregnant with proof that mental power is the unalienable property of humanity ; and , since it thus bursts above the blight of neglect , and repels the effects of mistaken institutions , what , under better auspices , might not be hoped from it V—p . 32—35 , vol . i .
The dialogues , which frequently occur , especially in the first volume before the bustle of the story begins , deserve great praise . They are characteristic , well-timed , interesting , and instructive . The first links of long , useful , and often novel trains of thought are put into our hands , and only the most inert will let them slip without tracing them further . Mrs . Trevor , a frank , independent , and speculative woman , who , we presume , speaks the opinions of the author , talks thus :
* " We call ourselves Christians , " she added , * but where do we recognise our brethren as the children of a common parent , as beings alike powerless at birth , and perishable in death , and filling the intervening space as we can , and not as we would ? Exclusiveness is the vice of pride . Better would it please our God to make this world a place of common fellowship , than , like the costly cathedral , with its gilded pews and seatless aisles , a place of invidious distinctions . Even the common of religion has been parcelled out by pride ; the
selfish line of demarcation drawn where God himself says all are equal ! I cannot re-model society ; but I may regulate my own house ; and my practice shall exemplify ray principle . I will endeavour to imitate the Great Master , and say , ' Come unto me , all ye that labour and are heavy laden , ' not to learn o /* rne , but to learn with me , and to learn that greatest , most consolatory of all truths—that we are all brethren . "
Some one remarked that there was a great difference in the brothers . ' " True , " she rejoined , " and why ? May not the cause be found in the spirit of proscription which operates to prevent that intercommunion which would liberalize the rich , and refine the poor ? The former cannot endure the infringement of the mere points of empty
etiquette which the latter are disqualified to observe . Dress , display , and fashion are estimated beyond intelligence and sociality . We want cheap or gratuitous moral amusements , and zealous moral teachers for the people . To what may the increase of methodism be ascribed ? To the zeal of its ministers , who , though often preaching a revolting doctrine , under all the disadvantages of ignorance and vulgarity , have
yet evinced a warmth , an energy that aroused the attention , and excited the feelings of their hearers . If the same energy was exerted to awaken the powers of reason , to appeal to the moral affections , can we doubt of the effect that might be produced ? May not congregations of rationalists be collected as well as congregations of fanatics ? Why have we not places of amusement and moral instruction , mu , T p eums , and libraries open to the people V
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Character ; or , Jew and Gentile . 549
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1833, page 549, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2620/page/37/
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