_ DISSEMINATION oF UNITARIAN PRINCIPLES © ieee RECOMMENDED AND ENFORCED. DISSEMINATION UNITARIAN PRINCIPLES > RECOMMENDED AND ENFORCED A SERMON, PREACHED ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1808, | IN. THE CHAPEL, PARLLAMENT-COURT. ARTILLERY LANE, AT A GENERAL MEETING OFTHE _— UNITARIAN FUND. By JAMES LYONS. (PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.) Preach the Gospel to every Creature. Jesus Curisr. LONDON: Printed by C, Stower, Paternoster-Row, FOR DAVID EATON, 187, HIGH HOLBORN. 1808. ; [ Price 1s. 6d.] “te / J i * A {) pee € e08r oO at th cohen aett | hi ae > EA ee Na) " 4 - Ni , iy epee Mae ae % } : % Ib es \)4 hs ha sx) . y ~ ’ é. 4 ‘ ty . i } ; ’ me ¥ rev ’ 1 we Fi S, BIE S sy 3 vay s i ‘ Why , US OL FSA BAS ’ ‘ 1s i _ fe ; me Sannegeseencthanei tna : . ‘ 4 ar ah — nt » i’ ' - * were > " a y Da ; j ate aS 4 doe cae 7 \y 4 > hil ‘ | SR ee , iy 5 4 : ’ hia 2 ’ ; Py - is 2 . ’ ‘ f ' ‘ ate ey ek A P Peoeit . LU ny 5 i AY J i VG 3 hs t A ¢ y : ee ‘ Sy ‘ eee : aaah yt rnc 9 et Sonate \ ‘ ¢ : Ne et ee a oe ¢ Any a s mek Ae AS a Ba) Bi 4 et AUT ee aa) iy Be ‘ nl Ta : : Greet. ‘ yl ; p ; 5 ; ; ; | | ‘Boat: ‘ > f . . ; ; “a . { g * rN EV AY Pe OE ay % é cd ® if ¥ a } \ - ay " a . i " ; . _ ae 4 , s na a “pt “5 aw. + ‘ : "DISSEMINATION : ole cit rtd . ‘ dee? , x . - PEST AY Sy “UNITARIAN PRINCIPLES RECOMMENDED. , ee ea a 3 Let us not be weary in well-doing, for indue sea- son we shall reap if we fuint not—GaAt. vt. 9° To conceive great and benevolent designs for the improvement and happiness of our fellow-— creatures, to employ the various powers of our . nature in reducing them to practice, and to per- » | severe, with unabating zeal and diligence, till the period of their complete accomplishment, are ‘the certain indications of true greatness of ‘mind, ef the vigorous operation of Christian principle, and of that stability of character, which is becoming those, who by patient con- , ‘tinuance in well-doing, are seeking for glory, ho- ‘nour, and immortality. This society was instituted for the purpose of B oo ™ . a ie ” xy & Ca The Dissemination of — ame 4 promoting rational views of the Chrfstinsi ligion, among the lower orders of the people. I shall, therefore, endeavour in the first place, to shew the honourable nature and miqullice of this work ; secondly, to call your attention te % some of the difficulties with which it is attend: « _ ed; and thirdly, to enforce the exhortation, let us not be weary in well-doing for in due sea- son we shall reap if we faint not. Be 2 ae ' : oe - 1, The work of communicating just views =~ ~ of the Christian religion to the poor, is entitled — to the praise of well-doing, as itis in perfect agreement with the gracious intentions of the a ae and Father of fe Gifiverse, in a an upon mankind the invaluable gifts of reason and revelation. Why are human beings en-_ dowed with the distinguishing privileges ofa . | rational nature, imagination, judgment, memo- ty? Are all these heavenly faculties lauishedee © upon them in vain, or in order only to. the ‘purposes of mere animal existence: Or are they not given to render men capable of knowing the one only lvoing and true Gad, and of enjoying all that enlargement of mind, elevation of cha- © racter, purity of heart, and divine felicity, which are the natural effects of such knowledge? Was it not for these glorious purposes that God communicated to us the sacred truths of revelas a i a * e 3 i a 2 i+ a. “ Unitarian Principles recommended. $ tion? and are not these truths of equal impor- tance to all mankind, and as to all the great pur- poses of religion, virtue, and happiness, Jevel with the capacity of the most simple and illiterate? . Divine revelation is totally unlike those cunning- ly-devised fables, which held forth one set of no- tionsfor the multitude, and another for thelearn- ed or favoured few, who wereadmitted toa know- ledge of the sacred mysteries. Like thelight of hea- ven, it is intended todiffuseits beams with bound- less liberality over every part of the moral world. Hence, in the days of the ministry of Jesus Christ, when the rich, the powerful, and the - learned refused to hearken to the things which belonged to their peace, the poorhad the gospel preached unto them. ‘The common people heard him with gladness and devout attention, saw the demonstrations of his divine mission, and fol- lowed him in crowds from village to village, ar- dently desiring to receive instruction. To these he explained, with incomparable simplicity, all the sublime doctrine of his kingdom, and with persons of this description, his religion conti- nued in all its own beauty and perfection, till it was corrupted by philosophizing Christians, who borrowed from the schools of the Heathen, those monstrous systems, by means of which they escaped the scandal of the cross, and ad- 4 B2 a 7” by Pare ts . “> > aa i aa 5) Dissemination of vanced their own reputation,’ wealthy and por 7, pularity. From that .time tothe present, Ss glorious truths of the gospel have been obscure ’ by corrupt, fabulous, and superst? ‘tious tradi- a tions ; its precepts have been debased by the sordid maxims of worldly policy ; and all its operations for the amelioration of the human i ' race, have been retarded by the enormous in- cumbranees which have ‘been heaped upon it » from age toage. ‘The intention of this Society, is to exhibit the Christian religion again im all’ its own native simplicity, and to make it ap- pear to the great mass of society, that it is ~, © worthy of their reception, and of the infinite ~ wisdom and goodness with which it originated. To prove to our fellow Christians, that it seeks not to exalt itself by their mental degradation, —* that it contains nothing contrary to the. con-— a. clusions of reason, and that just views. of its facts, doctrines and precepts, ‘‘are attainable | to the ordinary faculties of the human mind, % and easy to be compreliended even by children.” - To show that Christianity is to be distinguished from all those irrational doctrines with whichig: . «4 has been confounded, and to prove that what- ever it enjoins upon its disciples, either in re-~ ~~ dation to faith or practice, the habits of our minds or the conduct of our lives, is imevery ~_ ~ ws + “4 » Unitarian Principles recommended. 5 réspecta reasonableservice. This work istherefore _ honourable to the views and feelings of those with " whom it-orivinated, it is consonant with the genius of the gospel, and worthy ofthe unitedand strenuous exertion of all the friends of genuine Christianity. > : ; 5 2. The exertions of this society may justly. be denominated well-doing, as they are pecu- liarly called for by the circumstances -of that class of persons, for whose advantage they are more particularly intended. The instraction of the lower ‘orders of the people, has been grossly neglected in every part of the Christian world, and they have been suffered with all the mental and moral powers, which the great _ Author of nature has conferred upon them, to pass through life ina state little superior to that of brute animals, ziven up tobe the wretch- ed slaves of ignorance and vice, despised by philosophers, neglected by priests, and trampled under the feet of ambitious warriors and politi- clans. In this state they still remain in many of the nations on the Continent, enslaved and brutalized, the shame and reproach of the go- -vernments under which they live, and of the reli- gions which are established among them. Much has indeed been done in our country, to com-_ municate instruction ¢o the poor, aid to raise them into that rank which, as rational beings, A ¥ i r a 6 The Dissemination of — Fs, they ought to hold in the creation, Yet it 2 must be confessed that, even in this enlightened part of ‘the world, they labour under great dis- tf advantages, in relation to the attainment of . sound religious knowledge. In consequence of their want of am acquaintance with the language in which the scriptures were originally written, with the principal facts in church history, ‘the dates of particular opinions, and the progress. of error in the Christian church, they are under the necessity of depending, in a considerable — degree, upon the information, integrity, and diligence of their respective teachers. In addi-_ tion to this, we must also recollect, that their fal exertions for the support of their families oc-_ cupy so.much of their time and their thoughts, that were they so disposed, they have but little opportunity to examine the writings of contro- versialists, to investigate the claims of opposing systems, or to detect the erroneous reasonings ~ of Christian metaphysicians.. Accustomed also. to feel the influence of their superiors in all the — transactions of life, inthe general, they suffer themselves to be carried along with the stream of public opinion, in a state of torpid indiffe- rence to all those momentous subjects which in- volve their supreme interests, as moral agents and as Christians. Now, though the great and essential truths of religion are so clearly revealed in the scriptures, that a wayfaring man, in the ae he & » ” A eo ws Unitarian Principles recommended. 7 proper exercise of his reason, need not err re-. specting them, it is clear that the circumstances of the poor may be the causes of many errors, and that it requires great strength of mind, and uncommon diligence and integrity, to enable any man so situated to emerge from. the dark- ness with which he is surrounded, and to em- brace and hold his religious principles, only upon that rational conviction, without which they ean be productive neither of happiness nor virtue. Are we then, my Christian brethren, to aban-, don so large a portion of our fellow creatures to their fate, and without any reluctance give ', them up to the dominion of ignorance, error, and vice? No: ‘‘ we have notso learned Christ.” Our principles teach us that in proportion as the circumstances of any class of our fellow Chris- _tians are unfavourable to the attainment of re- gious knowledge, we ought to exert ourselves on their behalf, and employ the various talents committed to our trust, in the best methods we can devise, to enlighten their minds, to guide - their feet into the paths of peace, and to diffuse among them all the advantages of Christianity. 3. This is a good and benevolent work, be-+ eause we know that if we are successful we shall & * ‘The ue Bynorth of nh Mn gieatly increasé the happiness,” respectabi i and usefulness of our fellow Chiribeianends >com= pass sea and land to.-make’proselytes, merely fom the sake of the paltry respectability, . which is: supposed to rise or fall with the nu ical strength of a party, would be unworthy of the friends of truth, and totally contrary to the unostentatious spirit of Christianity. © lf, how=! ever, we consult the records of past ages, if wer examine the present state of the world, look. beyond the surface of religious. society, w binge not imagine that it is a matter of no consequence eRedice’ the religious sentiments of the grea body of the people be true’ or false, rational or ‘superstitious, or that because sincerity will n=,” sure them the favour of God in a future state, we there is no necessity to attempt the i aera) - e ment of their minds in this. The ann poof ° mankind from the remotest periods abun tly prove that in proportion as their religious opi~ . | 4 nions were irrational, their characters were mo in every species of meanness, and their lives ~& were spent in laborious exertions or painful aus-. terities,, which could neither benefit themselves” ai nor advance, in any possible way, the interests me , ~ Sait fe J ie 4 If men imagine that religion requires them to . believe what they cannot understand, and to re+ ¥ 5 / \ i * ‘ Unitarian Principles recommended. g , i ¥ ; a : : See ‘ BI ~~ geive and hold sacred self-evident contradic- tions; if they consider the Almighty God as a partial being, selecting a few of his creatures, without any regard to their moral state, as the objects of his favour, and lavishing upon these. to all eternity the gifts of his grace and mercy, 4. while, by an irreversible decree, he dooms un- born millions to regions of darkness, sinfulness, and misery, where they shall be preserved ' through the endless ages of his own existence; as the objects of his infinite vengeance, they ' may, it is true, insome favoured moments, while their imaginations are lively, and when their faith in the perfection of their system is very vigorous, persuade themselves that they are the peculiar favourites of heaven, and, with un- »mixed selfishness, rejoice in their prospects of eternal happiness, whatever may become of those miserable outcasts who have no share in their Father’s love. But until they can éntirely divest themselves of reason and humanity, it is ~wmpossible but, at certain'seasons, such senti- ments should cast a gloom over all the comforts of life, and fill their minds with the most uneasy apprehensions. Besides, however elevated and ‘yaptarous the feelings of such persons may be, they are every moment in danger, by the sug- gestion of a doubt, of being plunged into the 4 ‘ 3 if \ aa Ny ett. ea, 10 The Dissemination wi blackest depths of melancholy. andygeapatn #0 There is much reason to fear that great n of Christians are so perpetually harassed be- fween reason and faith, between the benevolent wishes of their hearts and the articles of their ereed, that instead of rejoicing with joy. un- speakable and full of glury, they find their re- ligion to. be a yoke of bondage, and a-fruitful — source of disquietude and misery. «While a man’s reason and religion are opposed to each other, the motives which that religion holds up to him must be weak and uncertain in their operation, and he will be incapable of acting with that decision and energy which are neces-— sary to the attainment of a high state of virtue or moral stability. Should we be enabled to communicate to persons of this description, juthg and rational views of religion, we shall be the means of emancipating them from the most ’de- plorable slavery, of introducing them into the glorious liberty of the sons of God, and of opening to them new and varied sources of the purest enjoyment. Yes, we shall be the ho- noured instruments of their salvation from thie” wild and ungovernable rage of enthusiasm, the degrading terrors of superstition, and the fatal snares of infidelity. . & Does the benevolent philosopher feel his bo- , ae e “—- a] 3 ki % a oe 5 ~ = SF Unitarian Principles recommended. 11 som glowing with sacred zeal to communicate to mankind discoveries which will tend to the improvement of the useful arts of life, to lessen human labour, facilitate the attainment of know- ledge, or check the progress of disease, how much greater ought our ardour to be in the pro- motion of principles which we conceive to be 80 intimately connected with the honour of the Divine Being, and the universal improvement and happiness of his rational offspring ! A, This work is the best expression of our con- fidence in the excellence of our principles, and of our gratitude to God for our distinguishing and inestimable privileges. a e ‘ Had we any fears that our principles would not bear investigation, did we entertain any doubt of their agreement with the word of God, or of their tendency to promote the best in- terests of human nature, it would become us to be exceedingly cautious how we propagated ) them in the world, but if we are fully persuaded that the more they are examined, the more they will approve themselves to every reflecting mind, ‘and that they need only to be known and felt, to produce all the varied moral excellence of which the human character is susceptible, we ought to express this confidence by every pro- *%’ Sen metiiid, of ciseminating ‘an e Mellow @huistians if sane 7 ( “ny | : i ge fo, | Did we attempt to insinuate Bie site the good opinion of the multitude by arts of ai cunning, flattery, and deception ; lid we ad- dress ourselves to their passions or preju lice did we endeavour to promote. our P In Sain AK! pomp and ostentation, or were it in our p bribe by worldly allurements, or force byt usur “ ed dominion, the consciences of men, our. a duct would be dishonourable to our causqgA would betray our want of confiden a Tash t and excellence of_our principles. ee “ee mit our opinions: to free and impartial ee m we appeal to the sacred records of ete life, 4 we address ourselves to reason and ec com sense, We ““ commend ourselyes to every man’s * censcience in the sight of God. We wish t to - oppose; by fair argument, what we dee the c corruptions of Christianity, while acute : spirit of candour and liberality towards | hristi- mi ans of all denominations. We disayow and abs hor the detested maxim, that the end sanctifies the means, and therefore we areas anxious to be. . fully persuaded in our minds, as we are to prove ‘ to the world, that the means whitch we alone for the promotion of the trath are fair and ho- eon ae + — a? . 9° De Ths xe & a aie Unitarian Principles récommended. be ee . table for weare con vinced thatitisonly Y. % ce. with the Apostle we can say, ‘‘ the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,” that-we have any - reason toexpect they will be ‘mighty through i God to the pulling down of strong holds.” We . endeavour therefire to imitate his example whose whole life was one continued exertion for the promotion of truth, who went about pouring ‘ dight and instruction upon the benighted minds ye of the children of ignorance, prejudice and su- s, erstition, and we conceive this to be the best Ei ‘method of proving our attachment to the truth, and our confidence in those religious principles ps ¢ which we profess to believe. . Noris this work less an expression of our gra> ©. titude to the Divine Being, for the knowledge — — and enjoyment of rational Christianity. Do we not often reflect on the goodness of Divine Pro- * yidence, in favouring us with the means of re- a jigious instruction and improvement? Some of ~ those who are now hearing me, were born in were not only pious but reflecting Christians, ~ «who by their assiduous care and virtuous ex~- ample, brought them up under’ the influence - of principles which equally tended to en- 7 sure their tranquillity, to enlarge their minds, < "| : “- ‘ ‘circumstances the most favourable; their parents _ m ; i 7 « a oe ” The Dissemination of we ‘a and to preserve them from all the snares of vice ) and immorality. By these means they have WP i been prepared for the society of the wise and ei good, and also qualified for a life of great use- ‘ fulness. Others have had to contend with in- numerable difficulties and disadvantages. Sur- rounded in the morning of life by every species of prejudice, and left without religious instruc- tion, except that which tended only to bewilder, to weaken or destroy their moral perceptions, they grew up the slaves of error and. vice, and when they began to reflect, they found themselves involved in the greatest uncertainty, respecting » the most important subjects that can possibly agitate the human mind; some happy circum- stance apparently trivial in itself, led them into the path of inquiry, and caused them to search _ the scriptures for themselves ; light broke in upon their minds; they obtained an acquaintance ; with the writmgs of those great and good men who-have laboured so successfully against the corruptions of Christianity; they. were brought =~ out of the prison-house of supersition, and made to walk at large, in all the pleasures and im- provement of true religion. Are not both these classes ready to ask, what they shall render to the Lord for all his mercies? The answer is, é freely ye have received, freely give, to do good * Ere as , & i r, % “ 7 uly + 4 4 Unitarian Principles recommended. PE 15 and to communicate forget not, for sith such sa- crifices God is well pleased.” Having iaiacd the honourable nature and ‘importance of the work-in which we are engag- -ed, let us in the second place, examine the dif- ficulties with which it is attended, that our hopes of immediate success may not be tuo san- guine, and that we may proportion our exertions to our circumstances, 1. It ought to be remembered that m com- municatiig religious truths to the lower orders of the people, we have to contend with the most powerful prejudices that can possibly in- fluence the human mind. The doctrines com- monly called orthodox, have come down to the'r present possessors through a long course . » of ages, and at every period have obtained the sanction of men, whose names are deservedly held in repute on account of their learning and piety. They have been instilled into the minds of great numbers by every method that paren- tal solicitude could devise, by publicinstruction, and by all the force and influence of religious discipline, When error, however palpable, has ~ grown with men like a part of themselves, when jt is associated with all their religious habits and. tig! x = ” copa i | RES "4 her, A o 16 * | The Dinsninaisn Sond “ *, a exercises, awd siipported by all their te ‘interests, and by a large majority “of © na countrymen, it is hardly surprising that it should gain an almost unconquerable " ascenda cy over their minds. It was religious prej *; that blinded the minds of the Jews against all the proofs of the divine mission of Jesus, which A arose from his numerous and astonishing mira- cles, from the simplicity of his manners, an ‘the purity and benevolence of his life. It was this that fired his enemies with that brutal rage, that es could only be satisfied with his death, and pre-. vented even the Apostles from seeing the designs : of his mission, till after his resurrection. It "eh was. religious prejudice that in every. place, among Figs and Gentiles, opposed with so much violence the progress of the truth im the days of the Apostles, that covered Europe ith - midnight darkness for so many centuries aft the introduction of Christianity, prey up those fires which burned with such ‘onl lating fury at the period of the reforr on. It is deed true, that learning and eo made rapid progress in the world: Merrie 9 a time, and that the violence of religious animosi- — ty is considerably lessened and restrained; yet . ~ facts which are under the daily observation r. of every reflecting mind, abundantly prove that ~ I re Initartan Principles recommended, 17 _ prejudice is still the grand difficulty in the way of all attémpts to disseminate rational Christianity. 2. Another great hinderance to the promotion of Unitarian principles is misrepresentation. Because’ Unitarians have thought it their duty to make use of their reason in examining the foundations of their faith, and in judging of the contents of revelation, they have been repre- sented as exalting reason above the sacred scrip- tures; because men of the most profound learn- ing have embraced their sentiments, and have employed their knowledge of ancient languages to correct the errors of copyists and translators, and to illustrate obscure passages of the sacred books, they have been represented as founding their faith upon critical speculations, and not upon the testimoriy of Ged; because they have. always zealously laboured to promote the wor- ship of the One only living and true God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Chiist, they have been represented as slighting the Messiah. They havecontended against superstition, and therefore they have been represented as sceptical. They have been considered as innovators, be- cause they have refused their assent to creeds of human imposition, which were fabricated in ages of darkness, and in consequence of their ; ¢ 18 The Dissemination of ingenuous complaints respecting the practical defects of their own denomination, their systent has been pronounced unfavourable - to every branch of personal religion. These misrepresen- tations, there is reason to fear, are sometimes given by designing and malevolent men, who by long continued habits of sophistry have. rendered themselves incapable of candour, and - the honest pursuit of truth; but they are also. made by others with great warmth and serious- ~ ness, who believe what they say, and only utter the prejudices of their weak and uninformed judgments. Did the latter but- suffer them- selves to reflect, and would they be at the pains to examine with their own eyes, the writings of Unitarians, they might soon dis cover, that some of the most zealous and labori=- ous defenders of revelation, that our country ever produced, both in the establishment and. among’ dissenters, were of that denomination. Itis sufficient to mention a Newton, a Locke, a Lardner, and a Priestley, men whose names’ will be pronounced with respect down to far distant ages, on account of their successful ex= ervions in that glorious cause. Would they examine facts, they might soon be convineed that Unitarians, instead of founding their faitly upon some critical explanations of a few ob- Unitarian Principles recommended. 19 &eure passages. of scripture, have. constantly asserted that all the articles of the Christian faith are so plainly revealed in the Old and New Testament, that it requirés no inconsiderable pains and ingenuity to pervert them from their proper meaning, that the doctrine of the divine unity, the great truth for which they are con- _ tending, is the first principle both of the Jewish and Christian religions, that it,was enforced by Moses and the Prophets, by Jesus Christ and the Apostles, and that it is revealed, not in complex metaphors and figures of, speech, not in broken hints and obscure intimations, but in 2 chain of plain, positive and unequivocal de- clarations, ru. ning through all the parts of the sacred volume, and connected. with all the dis- pensations. of the Almighty. They would also fiad, that instead of entertaining, low and dis- honourable thoughts. of Jesus Christ, Unita- rians are anxious to vindicate his character from the aspersions of those who would make him the founder of a system of idolatry. They can- not indeed ascribe to him, or to any other creat- ed being in heaven or earth, what only belongs to his God and Father, but they consider him as the son and servant of that God whose will he tame to perform, to whom he was subject in ~ Bl the circumstances of his life, and to whom ee 20 The Dissemination of he committed himself in death. They cannot forget the solemn command of Jehovah, Thom Shalt have'no other Gods but me; but they allow that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ # that he is the only mediator between God and — men, and that he is appointed by the Father to raise the dead and to judge the world. On these grounds they believe his gospel, think it their duty and privilege to imbibe his spirit, and endeavour to imitate his example. This they conceive to be the best method ofhonouring him as the messenger of the Most High, and the head of the Christian dispensation. Would men who frame or receive misrepresentations against their Christian brethren, exercise their sober faculties, they would consider the ingenuous confessions of great and good Unitarians, re- specting the religious defects of their own de- nomination, ‘as the most striking proofs of their sincere regard to practical religion, and their ardent desire to apply their principles to the pro= motion of all the Christian virtues in the socie- ties with which they were respectively connect- ed. Would they but examine with impartiality ~ the conduct of those Unitarians who have been most zealous in the promotion of their principles, in scenes the most trying, and sufferings the most unjust, which they sustained on account : : i Unitarian Principles recommended. Sh of their attachment to truth, they might, per- haps, find in their conduct fortitude becoming the gospel, patience and a forgiving spirit worthy of the followers of that Jesus who prayed for his murderers, exertions to benefit mankind, which could only be hindered by the stroke of death, and divine composure at the final hour, which could only result from the testimony of a good conscience, the most ardent piety, and the most exalted anticipations—Let me. die the death of that righteous. man, and let my last hour be like his. Unitarians wish for no innovations - in the Christian church, they are contending for the faiih once delivered ta ihe samts, and are anxious to lead men back to those primitivedoc- trines of Christianity, from which they have de- parted. It is not therefore too much to assert that they have been grossly misrepresented. Now the multitude, who are, but in a very slight degree acquainted with the sect which is every where spoken against, and who aretoo apt te mistake confident assertion for argument, and noisy declamation for Christian zeal, are not proof against the sophistry of designing, or the zeal and diligence of pious men, and they consequently yield themselves up to the rule and government of those persons, who labour to ehtain the complete ascendancy in their seve 22 ‘ The Dissemination of. ral connexions, that they may the more firmly establish and perpetuate their favourite systems: of theology. op "gm 3. Another great hinderance to freedom of; discussion, and consequently to the promotion oft rational Christianity, is that servile dread and terror which great numbers are ‘taught to enter- tain respecting the dangers ‘of i inquiry. They: are told that all their’ mental’ powers are so de- praved, that the rational exercise of them in: the pursuit of truth commonly involves them in the most pernicious errors; that to question the validity of those doctrines which have been stamped with the seal of orthodoxy, or to doubt their importance, is to be guilty of the most daring and criminal presumption ; and that to renounce any of them, though it should be’ upon the deepest conviction and after the most “‘ma- ture ‘deliberation, would fix upon them the un- doubted mark of reprobation, ‘and’ expose them to the everlasting vengéance of the Almighty. These are the sentiments which suit the purposes of a Brahmin in India, a Roman Catholic Priest in Spain, or a Protestant Dissenter, whose creed dreads the light, 11 the empire of Great Britain. It is, -however,’ absoltitely necessary that some- _ thing of this kind should be taught and felt, ia : Unitarian Principles recommended. as order to the support of every system that is not founded in truth, for in no other way can light be effectually prevented. from entering into the human mind. This isa more complete method of retarding the progress of truth, and of per- petuating every species of error, than the clumsy ‘Invention of the inquisition ; for neither impri- sonment nortorture can prevent the operations of thefree-born mind, but let a man enter into these views, and he will be prepared to receive opi- nions the most monstrous, and even to become a martyr for the support of prineiples which are in cirect opposition to all the dictates of reason. — He will then turn away his eyes and ears from the most powerful demonstrations of truth, and conscientiously silence the faithful remonstrances of his own judgment; or, should he prevail upon himself to examine what may be said in opposi- ‘tion to his creed, he does it with sq much trepi- dation, that, to a considerable degree, he is incapable of feeling the strengthof an argument, or of judging respecting the evidence which may be offered to his consideration ; and even after he has read and examined for himself, though hemay have in some degree surmoun ted his unmanly terrors, his former habits are apt to return upon him, and though conviction flashes upon his mind with irresistible power, he 24 The Dissemination of yields but slowly, and with much reluctance to the force of truth. Great indeed and arduous is the work of communicating rational views: of religion to persons who have long heen acecus- tomed to consider reason as bie inquiry as = hcere asa cd book, 4. Strange as it may appear, the simplicity of the Unitarian doctrine is a reason why it is not popular. Had we to do with menof unper- verted taste and reason, its simplicity :wauld be its most powerful recommendation, but to the apprehensions of persons. who have always been taught ta connect with every object of their faith, ideas of the most mysterious nature, who ima- gine that the more complex and abstruse any -.system is, the more marks it bears of a di- vine origin, there will be nothing grand or interesting in the plaim and obvious truths which relate to the unity of God, the wisdom, good- ness, and mercy, by which he goyerns the world, the divine mission and character of Christ, the proofs of a future state of rewards and punish- ments, and the necessity of goodness and virtue, to prepare us for a gloriousimmortality. Jt was a taste for the marvellous that caused the Jews to ask for a sign, after they had witnessed Unitarian Principles recommended. 25 proofs innumerable, that Jesus was the Messiah, and the simplicity of his religion was one rea- son why they treated it with derision and con- tempt. It was the same taste that made the gospel foolishness to the learned Greeks. It has given birth to all the false religions which at different periods of time have been propagated in the heathen world, It was the cause of that monstrous. system of lying wondersand fabulous traditions which characterised the dark ages, and it still continues to corrupt the minds of thou- sands from the simplicity that is in Christ Je- sus. 5. The placing the principal part of religion in ‘sudden and inexplicable feelings, is equally pre- judicial to the interests of truth, and as notions of this nature are propagated in our country with uncommon zeal and diligence, and have lately prevailed to a very considerable extent, they may be considered as forming a very powerful barrier against the progress of rational Christi- anity. While a man considers his own feelings as the standard of religious truth, it will be in vain to reason with him; every suggestion of his imagination will be considered as the uner- ring language of inspiration, every pleasing emotion of his heart will be interpreted as a di- 26 The Dissemination of vine intimation of the favour and approbation, of God and the truth and excellence of his opic — nions; and every common occurrence of Jife will © be viewed as a miracle to establish him in what he considers as the faith of the gospel. From some instantaneous and mysterious impulse, of which he has heen the subject, he argues his title; to the glory of Heaven, and while he looks back to those seasons in which he conceives, himself to have been so highly favoured, as to the best parts of his existence, he expects that by communications of the same nature, he shall — be prepared for all the duties and trials of life, comforted in death, and qualified 1 for the eter- nal inheritance of the saints: such views of re- ligion may well prevent him from taking any pains to examine opinions in the truth or false- hood of which he does not feel himself concern- ed. He may indeed pray for divine and imme- diate communications from Heaven, and ardent- ly desire, by this short and easy method, to be increasingly assured that his eternal interests are secure; he may be deterred from vice, and stimu- lated to follow after holiness by the views which he has of the deformity of one, and the beauty of the other; but to put his opinions to the test of reason, to compare them with scripture, and to be - constantly engaged in religious inquiry, he will s Unitarian Principles recommended. 27 = -/ eonsideras tedious, uninteresting, and altogether unnecessary. Such notions are well calculated to inflame the passions of the ignorant, to con- fuse and bewilder weak minds, and to promote scenes ‘of disorder in Christian society. They turn the attention of the people from the word of God, in;which they receive no countenance; to their own private sensations, and cause them to treat their fellow’ Christians who may ciffer from them with illiberality and contempt. They inspire them with such lofty notions of their own religious experience, that they despise the Tabours of wise and learned Christians, and look with abhorrence upon whatever might tend to correct their errors, or enlarge their minds. I do not impeach the integrity of those who are , most zealous in promoting such views of religion, nor do [ think them destitute of sincere piety» but surely every person who 1 isin the least degree acquainted with church history, must be con- vinced that such notions have always been pro- ductive of very baneful consequences, that they cannot be extensively propagated but to the serious injury of society, ard that they are ex- ceedingly opposed to the: general spread of ra- tional Christianity, 6. The love of human applause, and the 33 The Dissemmination of = dread of censure, principles which’ operate witl such commanding influence in every human bosom, are powerful hinderances in the present state of the world, to the promotion of right views of the doctrines of the gospel. In many places there are no Unitarians, in others there are only a few, and even where their congre- gations are in the most flourishing state, they bear but a very small proportion to the numbers who embrace the doctrine of the Trinity. The other religious denominations have a common bond of union among. themselyes, and feeling that Unitarianism is opposed to opinions which they all hold sacred, they unite their strength and influence in opposing what they deem. the common enemy. It is not, therefore, surprising, that numbers are prevented from examining sen- timents, which by so many denominations. of Christians, are declared to be heretical and dangerous, or that they should shrink from the reproaches of those who are ever ready to attri- bute the renunciation of their favourite opinions, to want of principle, instability of character, or excessive self-estimation. Who is there that would not wish to avoid that heat, that yancour and malicious fury, which we sometimes see displayed in the tempers and conversations of professing Christians, merely because one of Unitarian Principles recommended. a9 their party has dared to think for himself? What being is there, possessed of human feel- ings, who would not be in some degree terrified by the approach of those storms of big gotry and intolerance, which may sometimes be seen, like the whirlwind and the tempest, breaking in upon and destroying all the fair fruits of charity, friendship and domestic peace; and all this on account of some difference in opinion respecting religion! To a man of a feeling mind, the thought of being innocently the cause of so much evil, of grieving his friends, of being treat+ éd by his religious connexions as an enemy of all righteousness, and a child of perdition, will be exceedingly painful, and he will be disposed to address the Divine Being in the language of Jesus Christ, and say, Fatherif it be possible let this cup pass from me. In consequence of these things, many are afraid to enter into the path of inquiry, and others are induced to stifle their convictions. ‘The censures of the multitude are rendered more terrible, as wealth, fame and in- fluence, are on their side of the question, and “it not unfrequently happens, that poverty as well as reproach, may be the portion of the man who dares to dispute or deny the infallibility of popular systems. Bo. The Dissemination of ty ms, | - 7 The last hinderance I shall. mention is thé want of the means of extending out exertions, From the paucity of our numbers,, itis mot to be expected that men who, are qualified for, mis- sionary labours can readily be found. among us, ~ Missionary work Tequires a peculiar constitus, tion} the habit of extemporaneous speaking, a considerable acquaintance. with. doctrinal sub- jects, and.a readiness in prodacing scripture are. guments in a striking form. . To. instruct: the. lower orders of the people, a minister must be able to enter into all their views and feelings, to. 2 simplify eyery subject which he brings before. them, and to bear with much patience their thisconceptions of what he conceives to be: most plain and obvious: He must be prepared. for: many disappointments, and be possessed of, that deep and habitual piety, ardent zeal; and. firm ness of mind, which will cause him, in the midst of opposition and in the most discouraging « cir-: cumstances, to be steadfast and unmovyeable:, He must love the truth more than ease or repu-. tation; he must be a man of cool and compre-. hensive prudence, of mild and conciliating manners; and of enlarged candour.and liberality. It is surely no reflection on this Society, ¢ especi- ‘ally considering that it is yet in its infancy, to say that they may find it exceedingly difficalé - Unitarian Principles recommended. $i - to procure many such missionaries. Besides, ~ could many of these be found; the means of Supporting them might be wanting. There are so many benevolent institutions in our country, for the relief of the distressed, the education of the children of the poor, and the circulation of religious books, that the demand upon opulent Unitarians, is exceedingly great, and we cannot wish them to withdraw their assistance from any of these for the support of this institution. Yet it requires considerable funds to carry its plans into execution ; it may also be observed, that even among those who are the most warmly at- tached to Unitarian principles; there may be some difference of opinion as to the propriety of promoting them by the methods adopted by this Society, and while we enter into the apostolic maxim; ‘‘ Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind,” we must respect the consci- entious principles of our brethren, though we are deeply sensible that the want of their co-operation and support, is a very considerable hinderance to the good work in which we are engaged. When we consider all the difficulties which are opposed to the spread of rational re- ligion, we need not wonder that its progress is fot mote rapid, but we should rather wondet- thatin such circumstances, it should make any 39 The Dissemination of progress, ot that any persons should be induced to renounce popular opinions in favour of senti-> ments which are so grossly misrepresented, and) against which the tide of prejudice and influence runs with such over-bearing influence: Having mentioned some of the principal hin - derances which we have to contend with in this good work; let us; in the last place, proceed to consider why these ought-to be encountered with — firmness and patient perseverance, and to ap+ ply to these exertions the, encouraging pro= mise in the words of the text, in due season ye shall reap of ye faint not. 1. It should encourage us to persevere in this work of benevolence, that, though the hinderances to it are great and numerous, out times are more favourable to such attempts, than were the times of our forefathers. Science -has advanced with astonishingly rapid steps, since the period of the reformation, in every part. of Europe, and the discoveries of philosophy have in a good degree banished from the world those degrading superstitions, from which, even the most enlightened of the reformers, were not able completely to emancipate themselves. In our country many great and good men have % é 4 aa 2 » Unitarian Principles recommended. 33 heen raised up, who have gloriously contended for the faith once’ delivered to the saints, the principles of Christian liberty, and the rational nature of the religion of Christ. They have la- -boured, and we have entered into their labours ; we are consequently in circumstances which are ‘much more favourable to our cause than they were, at the commencement of their arduous undertaking. Not long since, Unitarianism was confined to a few studious and discerning men, who were able to see through the mists with which Christianity had been surrounded ; now, it is to be found in the humble dwellings of the poor, as wellas in the closets of the rich and learned. Then, there were only a few bookson the subject in our language ; now, they make no inconsiderable portion of the printed theology of our country. Then, there were only a few pul- pits from which were dispensed the doctrines of the unity and infinite supremacy of God the Father; now, ‘‘ great is the company of the preachers.” | At that period, opinions in oppo- sition to popular errors were propagated with much caution, and under some degree of fear ; now, they are proclaimed upon the house-top, with fearless resolution. The times are also much more favourable te D 34 The Dissemination of the particular object which we have in view, as the minds of the lower orders of the people are so much better cultivated than they formerly ‘were. By means of Sunday schools, and a great variety of similar institutions, which have been established in every part of the country, ‘the great mass of the population is exeeedingly im- proved, anditis to be hoped the time is not far distant, when there will not be found an indivi- dual belonging to this highly favoured empire, arrived at the years of maturity, who will not be able to read his bible, and examine for himself the contents of that sacred volume. The present period is also characterized by a disposition to- wards discussion, and by almost innumerable periodical publications the spirit 'ef 1 inquiry is excited and gratified. It is true that many of these publications are conducted under the in- fluence of party prejudice, yet in the aggregate they cannot fail to be serviceable to the cause of truth, as they must make known to their respec- tive readers the important controversies which are passing inthe world,who, without thismethod ofinformation, might have suffered them to pass by as uninteresting events, which were not worthy of their notice. Besides, however these — publications may differ as to principle or ma- nagement, we know that truth cannot fail to < m, ; oe”: but would also involve us in the greatest crimi- | nality. Such a state of indifference and neglect, would prevent us from enjoying the consolations - of religion, deprive us of ail internal tranquilli- ty, of every pleasing reflection respecting our conduct, as the friends of truth and human na- ture, and of the joyful anticipation of the’ final approbation of God. But if we know that we have been faithful to our own convictions,that we — have zealously laboured to promote the cause ef truth and righteousness, and that from princi- ples of piety and benevolence we persevere with unabating diligence and zeal, we shall enjoy in the testimony of a good conscience, that peace which passeth knowledge. When we consider that we are under the constant inspection of the Judge of the whole earth, and can appeal to “him respecting our motives and desires in this work, we shall be enabled to rejoice in a well- grounded persuasion of his approbation, which will abundantly repay us for any thing that we may do or suffer in so good a cause. By ‘enter- ~~ Ye 7 “~~ & F a r: ’ ae Le, ing into reflections of this nature, we shall — ‘feel a degree of that elevation of soul by which the noble army of Prophets and Apostles, Re- fcrmers and Martyrs in periods of the greatest darkness and barbarity were rendered superior to all their difficulties and oppositions, enabled ay q 3 oa 3 Oy. » Unitarian Principles recommended. $7 to pursue the glorious path which they had tharked out for themselves as benefactors of the human race, and we shall consider it as an ho- nour and felicity beyond any thing this world can afford, to be engaged in the sacred cause in which they lived and died. - The cireumstance of our being heartily engag- éd in the promotion of our principles will tend to make them more familiar to our thoughts, cause them to make a deeper impression on our hearts, and give them a more decided influence over the habitsof ourlives, and should this end be answered, though it is not what we have im- mediately in-view, we shall reap much benefit’ from this institution. There is something in the notion that great numbers are engaged in acommon cause that gives life and energy to every individual ; asso- ciations of this nature are caicuiated to feed that sentiment; they will make good men of the same denomination better acquainted with each other, they will excite a more general concern for the interests of religion, they will enkindle our zeal and re-animate us for future exertions. 4 : - “ 4 8. There is reason to hope that our labours in ® A Pad a . . S 38. The Dissemination of — this cause may havea favourable effect upon the minds.of those who are now, and who may con- _ tinue to be. totally opposed to our sentiments and proceedings, For the present, some of these by listening more to the dictates of pas- sion than the voice of reason, and by consulting the honour of their respective systems more than the interests of truth, may be led into intempe- rate zeal, prompted to use uncharitable expres- sions and to dealin misrepresentation; but this fever will subside, and the more sober and re-- flecting part at least will be induced to examine, with increased attention and seriousness, the pe- culiarities of their religious creeds, and it is sure- ly not too much to expect, that by discovering some of the difficulties on their own side of the question they may become more candid and charitable in their opinions respecting their ‘fellow Christians who may be of different sen- timents. Neither is it. unreasonable to expect, that discussion will render the supporters of the popular systems more guarded i in their modes of expression, and less disposed to make what they allow to be incomprehensible the subject of public declamation, and that they will study ta preach their favourite tenets in the least offen- sive and most practical form, the consequence of which will be increasing knowledge, moderation, Unitarian Principles recommended. 39 and virtue, in their respective connexions. In proof of this remark, I need only observe, that the language of writers on that side of the question, has been considerably altered in the course of the last fifty years, and a new race has sprung up, who are called the moderate party, who would rather bear all the reproach of inconsistency, and even the charge of heresy, than write or speak on doctrinal subjects, like the champions of their own denomination, who lived but a little before them. Now to what are we to attribute this change? It is not inthe nature of error-to im- prove itself. Itis light that maketh manifest. Great and good men have employed their time and talents for the promotion of truth, and the parties by whom they were opposed and _ re- proached, as the worst of heretics, have derived much advantage from their labours. The reason why errors of the most pernicious nature sprung up and were multiplied so rapidly in the dark ages, was, that there was no opposi- tion made to their growth. They-were suffered to proceed through all the stages of their pro- gress, from the opening bud to full maturi- ty, to shed their seeds upon the fertile soil, and to produce others in uninterrupted succes- sion, till the garden of the Lord became a vast 40. 8 The - Diseminaton of ic oa — a" a 1 wilderness ofa noxious weeds. If = friend rational religion are found at their respecti posts, if they are actively employed in rae § pagation of the truth, new corruptions will be ~ prevented from arising in the Christian church, and old ones will be so exhibited in their own deformity, so modified or completely kept out of sight, that they will have but little influence even on the minds of those, who from habit or — an attachment tothe opinions of their ancestors: * may profess to believe them. Viewing things — in this light, it is impossible to say how much good may have been effected, and evil prevent- ed by the labours of the Unitarians of our own times. A. Masti from the nature of the ijl mind, the onmipotence of truth, the gracious © intentions of God in the gift of his son, and the numerous predictions and promises of revelation, we have every reason to expect that the errors and corruptions of Christianity against which our exertions are directed will finally be destroy~ ae é Pr ed, and that no well-intended effort to accom- > plish that desirable end will be altogether fruit less. ub A g A ¢ Man is a reasoning being; he is capacitated _ » . A “ ° ew &s ol * § > «! a a " oi Unitari ian Principles adtnaSaded. Al 9 ; for the reception of truthitand is ever stimatated ~~ ‘to the pursuit of it, by a regard to his own hap- piness ; and, therefore, however great the dark- ness, which, for reasons best known to infinite . Wisdom, has at different periods been permitted ‘to cover the moral world, there was always a ‘tendency in the human mind toa better state of things, so that it could not be kept in perpetual ignorance by the united influence of’ tyranny. and superstition. It.rose from its degradation ; it burst through the gloom with which it was surrounded and gloriously struggled into light. There is in every species of error a weakness, which, when submitted to investigation, can- not fail to discover itself; and truth being found- ed in the nature of God and in the constitution of things which he has established, must be finally triumphant. Theintention of the coming of Christ was to enlighten the whole family of the Almighty, and the sacred scriptures declare that the knowledge of the truth shall cover the earth as the waters cover the channels of the deep. The seeds of divine knowledge, sown by _ the liberal hands of the friends of mankind, may not spring up immediately, but the progress of vegetation, though silent and unobserved, is certain; and in due season ye shall reap if ye . faint not. May we ever remember, that specu- A2 _ The Dissemination of, Se. ©. * lative opinions are of value to us, only i in prot portion as they engage our active powers in a universal course of well-doing, and that if we are so employed during the period of our transi- tory existence in the present state, we ‘shall reap hereafter an abundant and glorious harvest. Under the influence of this hope /et us be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as we know that our siti, 2s not. in vain in the Lord. Amen. % i ; RULES OF THE UNITARIAN FUND. ESTABLISHED MARCH 4, 1806. At a meeting (convened in consequence of some resolutions made at 2 preceding general meeting) holden at the New Lendon Tavern, Cheap- side, on Tuesday evening, March 4th, 1806. J. T. RUTT, Esq. in the Chair, The following Preamble and Rules were read and agreed to: It has long been a subject of complaint among Unitarians, and a topic of reproach to their adversaries, that so few active measures have been taken te diffuse among the lower classes of the people the doctrines of rational religion. A knowledge of this, together with a conviction of the neces- sary connexion between truth and righteousness, has prevailed upon a num- ber of individuals, zealously concerned for the spread of Scriptural Chris- tianity, and the promotion of the happiness and improvement of the poor, to institute a society for the encouragement of popular preaching on Uni- tarian principles. The society is not insensible of the laudable efforts that have been made to instruct the public mind in the knowledge of pure Christianity by the distribution of books. Those efforts its members have witnessed with pleasure, and have, as individuals, assisted. They are per- suaded, however, that addresses from the pulpit are more suited to the ha- bits of the poor, than addresses equally excellent from the press, and that the encouragement of Unitarian Worship is one of the best means, as it is the natural consequence, of disseminating the Unitarian doctrine. Under this persuasion they have formed themselves into a society to be regulated according to the following rules: I. This society shall be denominated THE UNITARIAN FUND for promoting Unitartanism by means of Popular Preaching. < Page +9 ‘ ee 2 - m tk * Mes “* AS . © Rules of the Unitarian Tun ie ha * HI. The uses to which the fund raised by this s ciety s a a q shall be, re 4” ." 5 First, to enable poor Unitarian congree ” p f taittec, viz. those three who ‘upon imspection of the Secretary’s minutes # # XIV. Every individual wishing to receive assistance as a preacher fiom vr the Unitarian Fund, shall produce ample testimonials to the Committee of his moral character and ministerial qualifications ; and every congregation desirous of assistance fromthe Fund, shail preduce a recommendation signed by two or more subscribers, not members of such congregation. ~ “XV. The Committée shall have the power of electing 2s honorary mems bers such persons as by their advice and services shall render themselves particularly useful to the Society, who shall possess all the privileges of life subscribers; provided always that the Committee shall not elect more than two honorary members in cne year,.and that they specify in the Secretary's é report at the yearly meeting the considerations on which such elections are |. an extraordinary general meeting of the Society. > XVII. The above rules shall not: be altered except at the general meet- ing. Any alterations intended to be proposed to the Society, miust be first notified to the Committee at one of its meetings; and no motion for alter- ’ ing the rules shall be carried unless by two-thirds of the members present at ' the general meeting. > “3 : Communications and Subscriptions on behalf of the Society will be received by Joun Curisti£, Esq. Treasurer, Mark Lane, London, and the Rey. Ropert AsPLAND, Secretary, Homerton Row, Hackney. ag 2 . oe -_ : + K = = I, The Committee shall have the power in any emergency of calling ¥ ~4& a Vee le i 9% .40% yo : oe , i a . ae oye a ee - & ; - “fl i " «¢ r) 4 a de th { ‘ ae J » A LIST ¢ ‘iar |” ’ % . , dk. oF 3 $e Xe i ! ; By , wa" . SUBSCRIBERS agi - To THE } v | ‘ UNITARIAN FUND, © ~ a ne Sue » P * ' "THOSE persons whose names are marked with § are Subscrib- » ers of One Guinea or upwards per annum; those with +, Membe for Life; with §§, Honorary Members; with ff, Corresponding ee ‘Members; with , the Society’s Preachers; and those with il, have ; presented Degepons. 2? f a ‘\ A. Mh a eo... § John Alderson, M. D. Hull > Le © Mr. Alexander, Woodbridge ‘yp f ae § Mr. James Algar, Minories ' , ; 2 § Mr. R, Allchin, Maidstone Ss § Mr. Thomas Allee, Isle of Wight : § Mr. George Allen, Stratford, Essex ; , a P § Mr. Samuel Allen, ditto : . Mr. William Amphlett, Bishopsgate-street = § Mr. R. Anders, Sutton, Lincolnshire § Mr. Archer, Hertford Mrs. Ashton, Thorne, Yorkshire . ’ 5 ? t Rev. Robert Aspland, Hackney § Mr. F. Austin, Catsfield, Sussex - 4 f A.B. 47 EB. Mr. T. Bache, Bridgnorth §++ Mr. T. Badcock, Battle, Sussex § Mr. W. Bakewell, Melbourn, Derbyshire § Bev. Rochemont Barbauld, Stoke Newington § Mr. Barnard, Harlow Mill, Essex § Mr. W. Barnard, Harlow Mr. William Barry, Paisley § Mr. Samuel Barton, Bishopsgate-street § Rev. Edward Batten, Yeovil Mr. Thomas Beaver, Boston, Lincolnshire + Mr. Thomas Bellerby, Oxford-street lj] Rev. Thomas Belsham, Hackney q Rev. Ab. Bennet, Dichling, Sussex + John Bentley, Esq. Highbury Grove- § Robert Bicknell, Esq. James’s-street, Bedferd-row § Mr. J. H. Bidlake, Homerton @] Mr. Robert Blake, Hull, Yorkshire 4 Mr. Westley Bloore, Paul-street, Finsbury $ Samuel Brent, Esq. Greenland Dock § Mr. William Brent, Bishopsgate-street § Mr. Christopher Briggs, Hull § Mr. William Brocke, Lincoln § Mr. Samuel Brookes, Bermondsey Mr. James Browne, Dichling, Sussex Mr. Timothy Buck, Charles*-square, Hoxton +§ Rev. Joseph Bull, Mansfield § Mr. Ephraim Burford, Stratford, Essex § Mrs. Mary Burgess, Battle Cc § Mrs. Cappe, York § Rev. Lant Carpenter, Exeter § Mr. Frederic Chaffin, Somerset-street, Whitechapel § Rev. Peter Charles, Templeton, S. Wales $ John Chatfeild, Esq. Upper Stamford-street, Blackiriars +§ John Christie, Esq. Mark-lane a a (ee % ~ a & % ” ww or uy * a” 4 \ “al Me a Ay ’ = . . ae : o € € : : st a oo sh § Mr. W. B. Coleman, Battle « am *, pe § Mr. Richard Colvin, Stratford , Essex 6 f| Mr. J. Commins, Tavistock » 3 + 7 : + Thomas Cooke, Esq. Isle of Wight bs) uaa if + William Cooke, Esq, ditto — this a te . Mr. John English Cooke, Cuckfield, Sussex gs! § Mr. George Cooper, Cambridge Heath, Hackney ~— . 2 || Rev. John Corrie, Birmingham ® {] ‘Sewn Crompton, Esq. paagey Hall, ana” & = ~— D : & ee & D. ‘ is “ . e, : * ” = Ke Mr. Robert Darley, Thorne mn : & : . ’ § Rev. Job David, Taunton, Somersetshire § Mr. G. M. Davidson, Fish-street Hill ao tt Rev. T. Davies, Coed-y-Cymmer, near Merthyr Tydvil — tt Rev. D. Davis, Neath, Glamorganshire : , * ’ * Mr. Thamas Dixon, Houndsditch - 4 § Mr. Joseph Dobell, Cranbrook eee : Ps § Mr. Edward Dodd, Dockhead * B § Mr. Nathaniel Drawbridge, Skames Hill, Suse . § Mrs. H. Dunnicliffe, Derby ‘ * *. = as > E. 3 A. s q Mr. David Eaton, High Holborn AP A A ge bs + James Esdaile, Esq. Bunhill-row 1b # : $ Rev. John Evans, Islington ‘ Mr. James Evans, Rosamond street, Clerkenwell _ ‘& _t Rev. B. Evanss Stockton + F ' \ {* a. 4 }| Falkirk Unitarian Society ~ ee ae § Rev. Samuel Fawcett, Bridport _ . - + Mr. William Flower, Grove, Hackney Be, te ca . + Mr. Matthew Flower, Walworth ' “eh % § Rev. S. Freeman, Forty Hill, Enfield ¥ e § Mr. Thomas Freeman, Dyer’s-court, Aldermanbury at ws \§ William Frend, Esq. Bridge-street, Blackfriars — = M ™ 4 * & 49 § A Friend, by Mr. Christie i Fae § A Friend, by Mr. Eaton . § A Friend, by Mr. Nightingale § A Friend, Hull § A Friend, Leicester § A Friend, by Mr. Gibbs {| A Friend, by the Rev. Job David A Friend, Derby A Friend, Stratford A Friend, by Mr. Alexander \ A Friend, by Rev. Mr. Smedley + Joha Fullagar, Esq. Parkhurst Cottage, Isle of Wight - G. + William Garfitt, Jun. Esq. Boston + Benjamin Gaskill, Esq. Thorne House, Wakefield § Mr. David Gibbs, Grub-street § Mr. Thomas Gibson, Milk-street | Rev. J. Gisburne, Soham, Cambridgeshire § Glasgow Unitarian Society | Mr. A. Grey ag Mr. Grice, Whitechapel-road Rev. John Grundy, Nottingham H. $tt Mr. Thomas Haimes, Melboura § Mr. William Haimes, ditto, Mr. T. Hall, South Summer Coatés, Lincolnshire § Thomas Hardy, Esq. Walworth § Mr. S. Hart, Paternoster-row, Spitalfields + D. W. Harvey, Esq. Fearon House, Essex § Mr. W. Hawkes, Bishop Stortford, Essex + J. P. Heywood, Esq. Wakefield § Francis Hickes, Esq. Old Ford § Rev, E. Higginson, Stockport —E - / 50 § Jona Hobson, Esq. Liverpool t§ Joseph Holden, Esq. Lombard-street + Joseph Holden, Jun. Esq. ditto t Rev. Lawrence Holden, Tenterden, Kent § Rev. J. Holland, Bolton, Lancashire } Rev. James Holt, Cirencester Mr. Andrew Hopkins, Barnbydoon, Yorkshire Mr. James Humphryes, Rood-lane § Mr. Hursthouse, Tydd, Lincolnshire Mrs. Husband, Thorne, Yorkshire 1, Ji Mr. J. Derby § Mr. J. Jacks, Walworth + Samuel Jackson, Esq. Manchester Mr. J. Jecks, Wisbeach Mr. T. Jecks, Hemingford, Huntingdonshire Rev. John Jeffery, Billingshurst, Sussex || Mr. W. Jennings +§ Ebenezer Johnston, Esq. Stoke Newington - § Mr. William Johnson, Stratford : ++ Rev. D. Jones, Trowbridge, Wiltshire ; . Rev. Evan Jones, Duffield, Derbyshire § Mr. Hugh Jones, Gracechurch-street § Miss Iremonger, Upper Grosvenor-street Rev. Jacob Isaac, Moreton Hampstead, Devonshire K. + W.B. Kennaway, Esq. Exeter |] Rev. John Kentish, Birmingham § Mr. Kenward, Battle Mr. D. Key, Dockhead ; § Rev. Sampson Kingsford, Sturry, near Canterbury § Rev. L. Kirby, Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk e> $1 + John Kirkpatrick, Esq. Isle of Wight § Mr. Richard Knight, Foster-lane L. { A Lady, Birmingham § A. Lanfear, Esq. Islington Mr. Joseph Latham, Thorne, Yorkshire + George Lewis, Esq. Little Knight Rider-street ti] Rev. Theophilus Lindsey, Essex-street t John Lovewell, Esq. Putney } Stephen Lowdell, Esq. Queen-strest, Borough § Mr. Robert Lyon, Homerton §{ Rev. James Lyons, Hull M. § Mr. John M‘Arthur, Mark-lane § Mr. Edward M‘Guire, Stratford § Mr. William M‘Guire, ditto § Mr. John M‘Guire, ditto q Rev. John Marsom, High Holborn Rev. B. Marten, Dover § Mr. Samuel Martin, Hull § Mr. Thomas Maylin, Silver-street, Golden-squar¢ ]| Mr. John Means, Rood-lane Mr. Mellish, Stratford Mr. W. 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