from scripture, we find that they actually are at equal distances from every kind of speculative and practical extreme, then, I maintain, that we have happily discovered a new and strong proof in their favor. To establish this proof by an induction of various particulars, has been the leading and specific aim of the foregoing remarks. The argument, I am confident, could be extended to many other topics in a similar manner. Enough, I trust, have been adduced to fortify and recommend our system in the view of unprejudiced minds. That such a system will not eventually prevail, I entertain no fears whatever. Nor am I anxious, with some persons whom I revere, to exclude the use of the name Unitarian, as tending to keep alive the spirit of party. If there be really a distinction between the opinions of different Christians, what can be more convenient and appropriate than to adopt corresponding names descriptive of these opinions? You cannot make men think alike, by banishing distinctive names. With regard to the title Unitarian, none could be more happily selected. It has the advantage of expressing a fact-a doctrine, the foundation of all true religion. Viewed in its true light, it even comprehends the name of Christian. How much more preferable is it to those derived from a sectarian leader, such as Calvinist and Arminian, which even to this day, I think, savor somewhat of personal bias—or to those, originating from a contemptuous source, such as Methodist and Quaker, which have scarcely yet, with all the surpassing piety and virtues of those sects, shaken off the whole dust of their ancient opprobrium. We must be willing to encounter some unpopularity attached to our appellation. Let us only clear away the mistakes to which it is subjected. Let us be faithful to our acknowledged principles; and the few and light pangs which a name gives us shall be amply rewarded by its constituting, as it is destined to do, the honor of our children, and the glory of theirs. Yes, for the system of truth, which it designates, must prevail over the opposition now arrayed against it. Calculating, not as the member of a sect, but as an observer of human nature, I am entirely persuaded that the present outrageous and disproportioned prejudice against Unitarianism, must, from the very nature of things, ere long experience a re-action. It may, indeed, lacerate the feelings of a few timorous and tender hearted persons, it may induce others to be silent in spite of their convictions, and it may for a very short time, and in a very small degree, obstruct the progress of the offending doctrines. Yet on the other hand, zealous, but well meaning Trinitarians can have no possible idea of the astonishing contrary effect produced by violent and proscriptive measures. What does the past teach? I will venture to declare, that since the memorable Reformation conducted by Luther, there is no instance recorded in ecclesiastical annals of a progress so rapid and extensive in the dissemination of religious opinions as has taken place with respect to Unitarianism in America during the last fifteen years. And who are to be thanked for it? Why, none on earth but those, who perceiving the mere existence, or at most the slow and silent march of free inquiry stealing gradually along, saw fit to rouse its latent energies by interposing mounds of misrepresentation, or calling forth its mighty resistance by proscriptive denunciation. The re-action was inevitable, was irresistible. Unitarianism raised its sleeping head, shook from its brow the ineffectual arrows that were hurled from every quarter against it, and strode forth to unexpected, unsought for, and unexampled victory. These representations of the fact are not put forth in the spirit of boasting, but rather in that of humiliation. I lament that the glory and the triumph of a good cause have been laid on a foundation so disparaging to the spirit of the age, and so degrading to the character of opponents. But so it is. Men of thinking minds, of independent souls, of pure consciences, were not to be intimidated by mere clamor. This is not the country where a brief unpopularity is to obstruct the progress of any branch of free inquiry. We are too much accustomed to the storms and fluctuations of party in political life, not to know that religious agitation will speedily subside unless backed and perpetuated by civil power. Accordingly, Unitarians have had only to be firm, and thousands have rushed to their standard. Their exertions, as a sect, have been almost entirely negative, or perhaps re-active. They have only had to explain-to answer charges-to throw light on Scripture passages-to call Trinitarian creeds to the test-to wield the artillery of defence and behold, how unexpected to both sides has been the effect! Calumny has goaded the supporters of the Unitarian cause into a partial concentration and systematization of effort. Pulpit denunciations have only driven inquisitive hearers into the obnoxious places of worship, and those who came to chide, remained to pray. And the process is going on. The re-action is growing stronger and stronger. The coming generation will wonder, what excesses of immorality, what daring acts of impiety, what freaks of folly and absurdity, exhibited by Unitarianism, could provoke in their fathers so much hostility against it. Even now it finds some professed advocates in almost every church in Christendom. Even now there are innumerable unconscious Unitarians in all churches, who ། scarcely dare to think that they are so, but who have no other mode of explaining their meaning, when the touchstone of inquiry is applied to their belief. Even now, also, nearly every week brings tidings of some new church established on these dear and sacred principles, in spite of a compacted and persevering enginery of bitter opposition, which would overwhelm any other cause in the world, but one, founded on the felt principles of everlasting truth. For every single individual who abandons Unitarianism, it is an undeniable fact, that more than one whole congregation accedes to the system. And such, I see and feel, will be the proportion of its progress to that of its decline, for centuries to come. Unnumbered serious, pious, and conscientious inquirers, when shocked by the excesses, and staggered by the difficulties, in which the present popular systems of orthodoxy are involved, yet still more shocked and staggered by the opposite excesses and difficulties attending on irreligion and infidelity, must, I devoutly believe, after vibrating from opinion to opinion, and from doubt to doubt, find no place for their trembling, wearied souls to rest in, but that blessed poise of Unitarian Christianity, through which the directest line is drawn from earth to heaven. |