proper office of Reason in examining revelation Objec tions to the Unitarian principle on this subject-Quota- tions from Unitarian writers, shewing that they really act upon the principle ascribed to them-Specimens of Truth to be tried by its practical influence-Objections to Unitarianism on this ground-Unitarianism disposed to deny or conceal its principles-Indifferent to truth-Hos- tile to the exercises of Vital Piety-Deficient in yielding support and consolation in Death—Unfriendly to the Spir- it of Missions-Every where more agreeable to Infidels, LETTERS, &c. LETTER I. Introductory Remarks-Design of these Letters-Unita rian Creed-Importance of the subject. CHRISTIAN BRethren, A TRAIN of events, as unexpected as unsought by me, has led to the present publication. When, in the course of the last year, my ardent desire to promote your welfare, and my affectionate respect for your young Pastor, prompted me to consent, on the day of his Ordination, to address you from the pulpit, I little thought that obloquy and controversy were to result from the service of that day. But so it has happened. Some of your Unitarian neighbours have deemed it proper to make me an object of repeated attack, and my sermon on that occasion a subject of protracted and tedious discussion. I have seldom been more surprised than to find, that a few plain sentences, which were delivered B under the impression that they contained nothing more than what was universally understood to be the sentiments of the Orthodox, should give such deep offence, and lead to so much waste of ink and paper. Nor can I yet account for the fact, but by supposing that the Unitarians in the United States are determined to make the experiment whether they can write themselves into notice and importance, and in prosecuting this experiment, resolve to let nothing, however trivial, escape their animadversion. If this be their plan, I make no complaint of its operation on me. I am not certain that any thing which has occurred, is to be, for a moment, regretted. On the contrary, a consciousness of having done my duty, has cheered me under the past; and if the following pages should prove in any degree useful to You or your Children, I shall have reason unfeignedly to rejoice in what was, in itself, by no means desirable to a lover of peace. But, although the circumstances alluded to, have certainly given occasion to the present address, and have served to create, at once, an interest in your prosperity, and a freedom in ap proaching you, which I might not otherwise have felt in the same degree; yet I hope you will not consider these Letters as intended to answer any thing which has been recently published against me or my Sermon, by the "Unitarian of Baltimore." My account with that writer has been, long since, on my part, finally closed; and it is by no means my purpose to open or review it. Whatever may be the case hereaf ter, my resolution, as yet, remains unshaken, not to take the least notice of any thing from that quarter. And to this resolution I adhere, not merely because it has been once formed and announced; but also because the writer who has honoured me with so much hostile notice, has, happily, conducted his attacks in such a manner as to render defence altogether unnecessary. My object in writing at present is your benefit. It is to put you on your guard against a system of error, which I have no hesitation in considering as the most delusive and dangerous of all that have ever assumed the Christian name. This system its advocates in your neighbourhood, are endeavouring to recommend and establish with a zeal worthy of a better cause. |