less, there is much valuable matter in the Catholic Missals; but every thing good in them, Luther, or the authors of the Evangelic Liturgies, who laboured in his name, acknowledged and retained. Since then, however, the men of modern theories have ventured to undervalue all this, and to treat the question as insignificant. But the pure Evangelic doctrine still remains untouched, and may easily be found by those who do not begrudge the labour of seeking for it; as, in fine, has lately been done, the investigation having given birth to a renovation of the ancient Evangelic Prayer Book, of which, in its details, you probably know as little as you do of the old Liturgies of the time of the Reformation, the Augsburg Confession and other writings of the same kind. This language will, perhaps, appear rude and unkind to you. It is probable, also, that it is not what you expected; for, according to what you state in your letter, you were confident that I could not in my heart blame your conduct, as what you had done was the result of mature consideration. But, be this as it may, I can view the matter no otherwise than I have done. I speak as my heart dictates-good or ill, it must come out. If I be wrong, may God pardon me! May God also be with you and forgive you, if your conviction lead you into error. For what is conviction if it do not correspond with the word of God recorded in the Holy Scripture? Nothing but deception and delusion! Every where this affair excites extraordinary interest, and is rigidly canvased, although as yet the absolute certainty of the fact is not generally known. Do not therefore allow yourself to be deceived respecting the friendly reception which, as you say, you in some measure experienced on your return at Coethen, and which, as we afterwards learned, was marked by a most unpropitious event.* The honest, worthy people of Anhalt cannot fail to disapprove, as indeed they ought, the step which their Princess has taken: and what is more, it will mortify them severely, though like faithful vassals they may not give to the vexation they feel an expression sufficiently audible to reach your ears. I cannot close my letter without expressing my sincere regret that I should be placed in the painful situation of saying so many unpleasant things to you. At the same time I must add the request that you will communicate this letter to the Duke, Ingerheim, and Brandenburgh, that they may know my sentiments on this subject. FREDERICK WILLIAM. * This is an allusion to the breaking down of the iron bridge, by which a great number of the inhabitants lost their lives. The Blessings of the Reformation Commemorated and Improved. A HYMN. [From the "Supplement" to "A Selection of Hymns for Unitarian Worship, by Robert Wallace," the Second Edition, just published at Chesterfield.] How long, tyrannic Rome, Did Britain bear thy yoke! But when the free-born mind And soon thy dismal shade When Truth in brightest charms arrayed, Her lofty standard reared. How happy, had her light' J. C. W. Answer to some Popular Objections to Unitarianism. A little Tract has just been published, entitled "An Humble Attempt at removing Popular Objections to Uncorrupted Christianity."* The author, after urging the objections to the doctrine of the Trinity, the Atonement, Original Sin, Endless Punishments, and proving that Unitarians do not deny or *Printed for R. Hall, Library, Taunton. Sold also by Teulon and Fox, London; William Browne, Bristol; and John Treadwin, Exeter. Pp. 18. Price 3d. degrade the Saviour, proceeds, as follows, to shew that they do not exalt reason above revelation: "Unitarians strongly object to the contemptuous manner in which human reason is spoken of by their opponents, yet they by no means exalt it above revelation. Both are valued too highly to be placed in opposition to each other. It is rather curious to hear the manner in which reason is treated by those who differ from us. Although constantly in the habit of exercising it themselves, they deny the use of it to others; have stretched it to the uttermost in attempting to discover the two natures of Christ, yet it is deemed unpardonable pride in us to use it while opposing the unscriptural doctrine. By the help of reason, they rear an imposing fabric of mysterious and contradictory opinions, but it must not be employed in exposing the sandy foundation on which their structure is raised. There is not a book that demands a more frequent exercise of reason than the Bible; and however any sect of Christians may profess to discard it, they cannot actually do so. If we did not avail ourselves of this inestimable gift, what should we think of the declarations of Christ, that he came not to send peace but a sword,' that unless we eat his flesh and drink his blood we have no life in us,' must hate father and mother,'' pluck out the right eye,' and a vast number of passages equally bold and unlimited? How could we reconcile the apparent contradictions of Paul and James, and the clashing of one part of scripture with another, if we did not use our reason with care and caution? What teaches the Christian to reject the Koran of Mahomet and the Yedah of the Hindoo? Why does the Protestant object to the doctrine of Transubstantiation and other absurdities of the Romish Church; the Nonconformist dissent from the Established Church, and the Unitarian refrain from Trinitarian worship? we "It is reason, uninfluenced, unbiased reason, that is the mainspring of every action in the conscientious Christian, and bids him refuse to prostrate his understanding at the shrine of error. Let us not reject, then, the guidance of this celestial monitor; she will not only check our undue curiosity and presumption, but conduct her humble votary to the temple of true religion, and there, by the still waters of silent meditation, in the hallowed retreats of virtue and piety, may he contemplate truth in all her native loveliness." Having replied to the objections that Unitarianism is not a religion for the poor, and that it is devoid of consolation in the hour of death, the writer concludes: "The advocates of Unitarianism only request an impartial comparison of the evidences produced for and against their principles. The Bible informs us on what terms we are to obtain salvation; let not frail, sinful man then set up a claim to infallibility, attempt to wield the sceptre of heaven, or dare to exercise dominion over the consciences of his brethren; but rather let him indulge the pleasing anticipation of meeting the good and virtuous of every denomination, where sectarian distinctions will be unknown, and ALL is harmony and love. "In the present state of the Christian world there will always be a variety of opinions on speculative points of doctrine; but if a spirit of mild forbearance and affectionate kindness is encouraged, those unhappy feelings will not be cherished, which embitter the enjoyments of social life, rend asunder the bonds of friendship, and cast a dark shade over our sweetest sympathies and brightest hopes. We are all travelling fast to the silent land which is peopled with our fathers, our kindred and our friends. We are hastening to our long last home where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.' Away then with that bitterness and contempt with which Christians too often regard those who differ from them. The religion of Jesus should be a bond of friendship for its professors, and not a means of disunion-a refuge for them under sorrow and disappointment, and not an aggravation of their woes-the home of their joys, and not the house of discord and strife. 'Love ye one another.' 'By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one towards another.'' Description of a Village Churchyard. E. W. N. (From an interesting little work, entitled "The Parish Clerk."') IT was altogether such a spot as a burying-place should be-not a place of gloom nor yet of pomp, for there were no stately monuments. Children were not allowed to play their gambols over the dead, for the good Rector was particularly anxious that they should not thus be permitted to lose the feelings of awe with which the thought of death should ever be attended, nor were cattle turned to graze in this churchyard: but all sorts of gay and simple flowers were allowed to spring up from the turf, and the sexton would not suffer them to be gathered. There was a noble row of elms on one side of the churchyard, which, when the morning sun shone, scattered their long shadows over the graves; but there was an opening towards the west, and it was beautiful on a summer's evening to see the lingering light gleaming across the churchyard, and lighting up the village clock with its awful motto "The time is at hand." The church itself was beautifully neat, and every thing shewed the traveller that he was come among the people who loved the habitation where the Lord's honour dwelleth. Hints to Congregational Musicians. (From the same work as the last article.) Mr. MOORE had very carefully cultivated the love of sacred music among his parishioners; while he had constantly discouraged those irreligious practices which are very apt to creep into the performance of this truly delightful part of the worship of God. He wished to make it a solemn sacred act; not a trial of skill among the people which should sing the loudest, or be the most distinguished among the village band. He admitted no light and airy tunes, and rigorously cut off all spurious additions to the beautiful and majestic simplicity of the old ones. A few vulgar and unpleasant habits he had no objection to lop off, for our good Rector was no enemy, but a friend to some degree of refinement among the poor. He thought a performance like this, though simple, need not be disagreeable. When good habits were once established among the young people who took the lead in this part of the public worship, it was found that the congregation entered with tolerable propriety into the spirit of the service. Warnings. [From the "Amulet," before recommended to the reader, p. 391.] BEAUTY-remember that change and decay Will pursue in your path, as the night follows day: And will rot with the meanest that stands in your way: VOL. XII, 2 s |
