Address. THE General Committee of "The British and Foreign Unitarian Association" are desirous of giving publicity to the constitution of this Society, with which the Societies known by the names of "The Unitarian Fund" and "The Unitarian Association for the Protection of Civil Rights," are incorporated; and at the same time of explaining the objects contemplated by the founders of the new and extended Association, the mode of its organization, and the means by which resources may be obtained for carrying into effect its various plans. The idea of a general union of Unitarians for the promotion of their common objects was suggested by the practical inconveniences experienced in conducting the business of the several distinct societies, as well as by the great expense of these separate establishments. It is obvious that no society limited to one specific object can command the attention and confidence that are necessary for great and successful exertions; and also, that when the general exigencies of the cause are not under one view, and the resources that may be obtained are not capable of being apportioned and distributed according to the relative importance of the occasion, an income which, judiciously applied, would be all-sufficient, may prove in the event altogether ineffectual. The managers of the several Unitarian Societies in the metropolis, had in reality felt that the time was come for altering their plans of operation, and in some respects for new modelling them; and a reform being necessary, it seemed desirable to lay at once the foundation of a broader society than had previously existed, which should comprehend the various great objects for the promotion of which Unitarians have entered into association, and constitute both a point of union and a centre of action. In conceiving the design of such an extensive and important Institution, it was, however, seen to be necessary that a choice should be left to societies and individuals as to the particular objects to which their liberality should be applied With these views "The British and Foreign Unitarian Association" has been established, and the exposition of them will, it is hoped and believed by the General Committee, give general satisfaction to their brethren throughout the kingdom, and secure such extended, zealous and prompt co-operation, as will form a new era in the history of our denomination. The experience of all other religious societies in London has convinced the General Committee of the expediency of opening a public and permanent office, under the superintendence of a resident officer, as Under Secretary, upon a salary. By this arrangement, they calculate on providing the means of transacting with regularity and dispatch the multifarious business which has been hitherto committed to many separate hands; on establishing a central point of union with the Unitarian Societies in the country, of whatever description; on removing the inconvenience and confusion, so much complained of, arising from numerous officers, collectors and subscription lists; and on saving the expense of printing and the trouble of distributing so many distinct reports, which, from the nature of the case, have often related to subjects of minor importance. While "The British and Foreign Unitarian Association" proposes to embrace all objects properly Unitarian, it is provided in its constitution that any of the Metropolitan Societies uniting with it shall, if it be so determined, preserve their distinct funds, with the usual rights and privileges of their several subscribers, and that the business of each Society, as far as it is really distinct, shall be managed by a Sub-Committee appointed out of the General Committee the same objects will therefore continue to be pursued, but with the advantage of unity and simplicity in the management, so essential in some cases to promptitude, and in all cases to effectiveness. : Hitherto, "The Unitarian Fund" and "The Unitarian Association for protecting Civil Rights," are the only societies that have formally united themselves with "The British and Foreign Unitarian Association." Whether either of the Book Societies will enter into the Union is at present uncertain; should they retain their individuality, the present "Association" may possibly establish such communications with them as may be mutually useful 11; but in either case it is contemplated that the "Association" shall have a book department of its own, with regard to which it appears to the General Committee that there is abundant scope for serviceable exertion. The plan of this department is not yet matured, the General Committee being anxious, before they finally determine upon it, to -receive the friendly suggestions of their brethren throughout the country, many of whom have long expressed their approbation of the general principle on which it is to be formed. They deprecate the thought of hostility to any existing institution; but it may be allowed them to remark, in the fair spirit of benevolent competition, that it can scarcely be considered for any long time that the real objects of any one of the Societies can be essentially promoted by preserving a cumbrous and expensive apparatus for the issuing annually of a few publications, which might proceed as well in every respect from the office of the Association, with little or no additional expense or trouble. In any event, the General Committee are persuaded that in this part of its administration the Association will be of important service to the Unitarian interest, if it do no more than act as a general medium of communication in relation to our tracts and other publications, and furnish a convenient mode of procuring them from the scattered sources whence they issue, and of distributing them wherever they may be called for by societies or individuals. It is humbly conceived by the General Committee that "The British and Foreign Unitarian Association" may be the means of bringing into affiliation and co-operation the several SOCIETIES existing in different districts, as well as Congregations and Individuals, and of thus constituting { that union and concentration of power and exertion which has long been desired by the more influential and active members of the Unitarian body. I. Societies, whether Book Societies or existing under any other denomination. These may be already in action or may be formed hereafter. Over these the Association meditates no controul, nor any interference with their funds or their independence. All that is proposed is, that wherever an Unitarian Society (whether County or District, or whatever be its local denomination) exists, it should connect itself with the Association, (on the supposition of approval of the general plan,) by making some stated contribution out of its funds, and by directing its officers to correspond regularly with the General Committee. There would thus be opened a ready channel of information, and the way would be prepared for co-operation on any emergency affecting the common cause. In return, the associated Societies would gain all the facilities for their various objects which the central establishment in the metropolis will naturally afford, and would be entitled to send each two representatives to the General Annual Meetings, who would also in that character stand on the same footing as the members of the General Committee. It is taken for granted that the annual contribution of such Societies would be in proportion to their means: the lowest sum that is provided by the Rules as the qualification of membership is 57. per annum. II. Independent Congregations. The union of these. with the Association is considered by the General Committee as of the first importance. This union may be effected by means of Fellowship Funds or of special meetings of the Congregations for this express object. Some congregations may, it is true, form members of County or District Societies connected with the Association: but it is submitted that the resources of the union and the means of useful co-operation will be very restricted, unless all the principal congregations of the denomination unite themselves under the general plan and be directly known to, and, as occasion serves, in intimate correspondence with, the General Committee, and thereby become acquainted with one another. Associated congregations would be entitled to send instructions by two representatives to the General Meetings, and also to give their opinion and advice by correspondence on any questions affecting the general interests; and in case of need, would receive all the advice, assistance and support which the general body in its different departments is able to supply. There are few of our congregations, it is presumed, which would feel any difficulty in making an annual contribution far exceeding the amount (37) prescribed by the Rules; but should the difficulty be felt in a single instance, it is met by the provision that each congregation shall have the option of subscribing not less than the annual stated contribution, or of making a public collection once in three years, with the bonâ fide produce of which (where the other more desirable mode of contribution would be inconvenient) the Association would be satisfied. III. Individuals. To these, who have been almost the entire support of Unitarian Societies hitherto, the General Committee look with confidence as their main dependence. Great is the number of those who are both able and willing to contribute to our common cause, and especially in the country and the larger towns, who have never yet been placed in a condition, with regard to information and connexion, of fulfilling their own wishes. The General Committee have reason to believe that there are thousands who wait only for the call, to make their contributions to objects which, as professed Unitarians and as Unitarian worshipers, they feel themselves pledged to promote. They have indeed no apprehension that an individual of their body will be found who will not cheerfully make some annual allowance, according to his ability, to an Association which will have perpetually in its view all the various modes by which the common cause of truth and righteousness can possibly be served. It is by individual efforts that other religious denominations are able to serve their respective interests so effectually, and it would be a reflection upon the Unitarians to admit for a moment the apprehension that they will fall below those in point of liberality above whom they justly conceive themselves to stand in a knowledge of the true meaning of the records of salvation. The General Committee confidently reckon upon a large accession of individual subscribers to the Association by means of its ramifications in Congregations and District and County Societies, throughout all which it is hoped that from the first an interest will be excited in the proceedings of the Association, as it is believed that that interest will be kept up and increased by the reports. that shall from time to time be made of its exertions. It is too plain to need stating, that a small annual contribution from the numerous Unitarians throughout the kingdom, to whom such a contribution could be a matter only of trifling consideration, would place the Association on a scale of respectability and influence far beyond any thing. yet known amongst us. And if our cause be the cause of Revealed Truth, of Divine Benevolence and Human Happiness, why should not each of us be eager to do his part in favour of pure and undefiled religion before God even, the Father-were it only to wipe away the reproach, that Superstition has been able to excite a warmer zeal and more energetic labours on its behalf, than have yet been seen amongst the friends and upholders of that pure Christianity which professes both to inspire and cherish"the" spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind”? The General Committee, whose names are set down in the sheet of Rules that accompanies this Circular,* trust that they are too well known to their brethren to allow of any wrong interpretation being put upon this Address. The plan submitted to the Unitarian public is the result of * See Christian Reformer, XI. 192-198. |