povation, or false notions of piety, or the weakness of human nature, left the work of reformation unfinished. Unitarians particularly claim the lawful use of reason in interpreting the word of God; but they do not, as is often unfairly objected to them, place reason before revelation. Since each is given by God, they deny that any essential variance can arise between them; although reason may not always fully comprebend what revelation teaches. They believe it to be the province of reason to decide concerning the evidences of revelaton; to distinguish between the spurious and the genuine parts of the sacred writings; and in fine, to determine the sense of the true text. Whatever appears to them to have been revealed by God, that they receive with the highest reverence; nor are there any duties, except those of piety and charity, which they deem more sacred than that of defending openly and constantly but with good temper, the opinions they may bave formed from the diligent and unbiassed examination of the scriptares. The substance of the faith of Unitarianism,in relation to God, seems to be this "God is one, and God is love." They assert, as their name denotes, the real, entire, and proper unity of God. They believe, as they affirm, that he is one essence, one person, one substance. The barmony and oneness of purpose manifested in the divine works, does indeed demonstrate, that the Author of the Universe is One," great in counsel and mighty in working." This doctrine is also sanctioned by revelation ;-yea, it is not only sanctioned by revelation, both the Jewish and Christian, butis again and again inculcated as the first principle and most approved source of all pure religion. With one consent Moses and Christ declare, "The first of all the commandments is Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment."" Faithful to this opinion, Unitarians reject every idea of plurality in the divine nature, as repugnant to the word of God. In the sacred scriptures, they find neither the word Trinity, nor any intimation of the doc trine. On the contrary, they understand them to teach, "that the Father is greater than the Son," and that the Holy Spirit, is not a person having a separate existence but is the power or influence of God, or some gift bestowed by him. Attributing every perfection to God, they adore him as the possessor and original of all excellence and benevolence, without any equal; and though it appears that the sacred scriptures, in alluding to the cause of evil, have sometimes spoken of it as though it were some evil Genius or Demon, yet they are unwilling to believe that any part of creation is subjected to the control of a malignant spirit so powerful that he may contend with Deity for the mastery, and frustrate his counsels. It is said, moreover, that "his mercy is over all his works," which seems to be entirely contrary to the opinion of those who believe that God has by his irrevocable degree predetermined the eter nal wickedness and misery of a great part of mankind, Since "transgression is sin" (I John, iii. 4.), and obedience is righteousness; since the precepts of the law are, that "he who doeth righteousness, is righteous" (1 John, iii. 7.), and "the soul that sinneth, it shall die"(Ezek. xviii. 4.), and "every one shall bear his own burden;" Unitariaus believe that the im. putation of sin to the righteous, or of righteousness to transgressors, cannot be reconciled either with the law of nature, with the laws of civilized society, or with the sacred writings. They conceive that the appellation of Father is not to be taken as expressiveof a metaphysical distinction between him and certain other persons, butin ano ther and more dignified sense;as plainly indicating the relation between him and his offspring, "the work of his hands," as well as his benevolence to the human race; and at the same time as pignifying that the Supreme God is alone worthy the adoration of mankind. Christ, indeed, our Lord, gave God this appella tion, as an illustration of the divine nature, and as a consolation to his disciples, on aocount of his approaching separation. His language shows that he and his disciples are alike the sons of God. Unitarians moreover believe "that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the son of the living God;"" that he is in all things made like to his brethren" (Heb. ii. 17.) of the human race. But on accout of the entire purity of his life, his extraordinary benevolence, the weight of the duties he performed, the severity of the sufferings he endured, and lastly on account of the splendid name which God gave him,— that he is worthy of the highest reverence and honour. In the sacred scriptures, as Unitarians believe, Christ is manifestly distinguished from God;since God is the Father who sends, gives, anoints, sanctifies and rewards him; whilst Christ is the son who is sent, who receives, is anointed, is sanctified and rewarded. Nevertheless they believe, that he is one with God by a mutual agreement in will and counsel, in the same manner as it becomes us to be one with him and with God his Father. As the iniquity of the world was the cause of the persecution and death of the Saviour, so his affliction (inasmuch as they confirmed the truths he taught, rendered his example perfect, prepared the way for the universal spread of the Gospel, and mado his resurrection from the dead, a pledge and earnest of our resurrection,) are a powerful motive to shun iniquity and to prac tise righteousness. In this sense Unitarians think these words of Scripture are to be received; "he died for our sins," and "his blood cleanseth us from all sin." Unitarians are firmly persuaded, that salvation does not depend upon a belief in obscure and mystical symbols, Paul declared, "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.', They have a hope, modest indeed, but steadfast, clearly re. vealed in the word of God, that he, through his mercy, will accept sincere obedience, and will pardon the sins of those who are truly penitent. Furthermore, Unitarians think that punishments are awarded to the wicked according to the magnitude of their offences; that "to whom much is given, administers his Government apon the same principles. The worship of Unitarians, particularly recommends itself by its simplicity. They admit with entiregoodwill a difference of rites and cerimonies in their churches. The liberty they claim to themselves in religious concerns, they readily grant to others; not unmindful of the commands, "those who are weak in faith receive; but not to doubtful disputation;" and "let every man be fully persuaded in bis own mind." They take charity therefore as their bond of union, instead of faith; and they receive with readiness and satisfaction, as a brother, any good man who desires to unite with them in the services of religion. "To us there is one God the Father, of whom are all thing, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things and we by him." RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. ENGLAND. of him will much be required;" | Unitarian Association for Pro and that all will be punished with few or with many stripes, according to the measure of their guilt. Since it is the part of a wise Legislator to institute pn. pishments, not so much for the purpose of retaliation as of correction; and to seek not only the safety of the state, but the reformation of offenders,-it is the opinion of most Unitarians that God, "who is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance," tecting the Civil Rights of Unitarians. The General Meeting of this Association was held on Thurs day, the 30th day of May, (1822) at the London Tavern: Mr. Rutt in the Chair. Owing to the Treasurer's absence, his account could not be finally made up, but the balance in hand appeared to be about £250. The report was received, and ordered to be printed and circa. lated in the usual manner, with the exception of such portions as relate to the interests of individuals and societies; in this department the Committee had been able to afford considerable assistance in several important instances. Mr. Bowring, in a very interesting speech, detailed the result of his observation in a long tour over Europe, and dwelt forcibly on the duty of Christians of every denomination coming fors ward to protest against a secular and persecuting spirit. He described Infidelity as every where making the most rapid progress which was in all places to be ascribed to the alliance of Christianity with persecution and civil despotism. He recommend, ed the eager adoption of every means of rescuing the faith which Christians revered from the reproaches to which its unholy alliances subject it, aud bailed the rising spirit of freedom and independence as opening the most valuable opportumities for disseminating concur. rent feelings of truth and justice in religious matters, One interesting fact he had that morning learnt by perusing the Constitution of the Republic of Columbia. Almost every treaty or code published in Europe, certainly in Catholic countries, was entitled, in the name of the holy and undivided Trinity:" this Constitution was entitled, In the name of God, the Crearor and Legislator of the universe. This code, moreover, contained no single infringement on the fullest liberty of the Press or the free enjoyment and expression of opinion by all sects. Some discussion then took place as to the propriety of taking measures for procuring a strong Christian protest against any prosecution for the expres sion of opinion on religious matters, and several late judicial proceedings were reflected upon in the warmest terms of repres hension, as discreditable to our Christian faith, and prejudicial to its best interests. In the end it was understood that the committee would, as individuals, take the subject into their earliest consideration, It was resolved, That this Meeting has learn, ed with great satisfaction the progress made in obtainingrelief on the subject of the Marriage Act, and that the Committee bo requested to continue their exertions towards final success. And, after considerable discussion, it was farther resolved, That the Committee be in◄ structed to convey to the Committee of the Deputies, and the Committee of the Protestant Society, the strong and decided feeling of this Association, that the present period imperiously calls upon Dissenters of all des nominations to concur aud persevere in applications to Parlia ment for a repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts, and every other restriction upon the civil right of Nonconformists. That this expression of opinion be ac companied byan earnest request to those bodies to co-operate in agitating the question in Parliament during the ensuing session, and that, if necessary, the Com. mittee call another General Meet ing of the Association previous to the session, to report progress in pursuance of this resolution, and adopt such measures as circumstances may then require. Mr. Young was, in his absence abroad, re-appointed Treasurer, and Mr. Richmond was requested to discharge the duties of the office till it should be understood whether it was agreeable to Mr. Young or consistent with his engagements, to re-assume the office. Mr. Taylor was re-appointed Secretary; and Dr. T. Rees and Messr. Fox, R. Taylor, M. D. Hill, Rotherham, Richmond, Hart, John Watson, and Fernie, were appointed the Committee of the ensuing year. N. B. The qualification of individuals, as members of this Association, is an annual sub. scription of not less than 10s. 6d. or a donation of not less than £ 5. 5s-Every congregation contributing annually not less than one guinea, is at liberty to send two representative members-The friends of the Unitarian Association have always principally desired the extension of its connexion with Congregations, and they trust that the attention which the union already accomplished has commanded, and the success which it is likely to command,' will promote an increase of this branch of their members. Large subsciptions are not desired; for when once communication is established, there is no doubt that any emergency would call forth adequate assistauce.-Monthly Repository. Extract of a letter dated Feb. 17, 1823, from the Revd. W. J. Fox, Secretary to the London Unitarian Fund Society, addressed to the Secretary of the Calcutta Unitarian Committee. "I think it probable that about £400 or £ 500 may be raised in this country towards your proposed Chapel; and if that be insufficient, and there be a prospect of success, further assistance afterwards." UNITED STATES Extract of a letter from Bos ton, dated April 13, 1823, to the same. "Relate to us your wants, your prospects, your numbers, your success; and we shall not faith to sympathize with and aid you. "In this city 30 years ago, there was a scarcely an avowed Unitarian; and now half the population (which is 44,000) are such. This faith has possession of the minds of large numbers throughout the United States. It is prevailling," |