The very same scriptures that call this, his argument comes to no angels" men," call them also thing. The truth is, the term clohim. Psa. viii. 5, xcvii. 7, God does not express the nature comp. Heb. ii. 7, I. 6. Magis. of any being, but the relation of trates are men, and yet in the some beings to others; it simply scriptures the divine Being pro- denotes dominion. To express, nounces them to be elohim, gods, therefore, the supreme dominion Psa. lxxxii. 2. 6. 7, and Jesus of the Divine Being, he is styled, Christ, having cited those words, "The Most High God, the God emphatically adds, " and the of Gods, the God of our Lord Jescripture cannot be broken,” John sus Christ," &c. In the first x. 35. If then the man Jesus of John, he is distinguished by Christ being called God, proves the article, JEOS. "The word him to be a compound being, God was with rov Sav, the God," and and man, the same language ap- again," the same was in the beplied to the man Moses, to angels, ginning with rov Seov, the God," and to magistrates, must prove whereas the word is simply said to each of them to be God and man, be “Jɛos, a God." and unless the Clergyman admits I am, &c.

J. M.

ORIGINAL LETTER FROM A QUAKER TO A JUDGE; ON WEARING THE HAT IN COURTS OF JUSTICE.

SIR,

To the Editor of the Monthly Repository.

Jn

civil, decent manner, this objecIt is well known that the soci- tionable article of dress. ety of Christians, called Quakers, stances, however, yet occur, in object to comply with the usual which the stern, harsh behaviour custom of taking off the hat as a of courts in former times appears mark of respect to their fellow to be revived; and in which, too, creatures, and that this noncompli- the illiberal reflections, taunts, ance hath, in former times, often and vulgar, mis-timed wit of jusubjected them to many unjustifi- nior counsel seem to be connived able insults and penalties. The at to a degree rather inconsistent more liberal and tolerant spirit of with the solemnity and dignity of the present age has, indeed, happi- courts of justice. Something like ly occasioned such instances of an instance of this kind occasionwanton oppression to be more un- ed the following decent and sen common. If it has not tacitly sanc- sible remonstrance, which I hope tioned the custom alluded to, yet you will insert in some future it has rendered it less obnoxious; number of your truly valuable and though a Quaker is generally miscellany. reminded to take off his hat in our courts of justice, yet as it is well known that he will respectfully decline to obey the order, some attendant or officer of the court is deputed to remove, in a

Your's,

A BEREAN.

ESTEEMED FRIEND,

From the objection that appeared at the late assizes, to the exercise of my discretion in the use of my hat, I thought

I would take the liberty of stating, that we conceive the taking off the hat in the way of duty or worship, is due to God only, "who is jealous of his honeur," and are therefore influenced in our conduct by conscientious motives, and do not intend thereby the least disrespect to man, but fear, lest by our compliance, we should offend against God. I conclude the court was not fully aware of the motive, or it scarcely would have expected, or required of me, to take off my hat in compliance with the general custom. And the other mode of taking my hat, or any other part of my property, by immediate force, does not seem congenial with the spirit or letter of our laws, and therefore it may seem extraordinary it should be counsenanced by a court of justice.

I believe there is no law, human or

divine, which directs that we must take off our hats on any occasion, except in prayer, &c. and even if there is, should not the offender be treated in a lawful manner? I think it is a dangerous precedent for courts of judicature to sanction, by their own example, that which is unlawful; especially if accompanied with an attempt to restrain the conscience-My attendance in the court was not from curiosity, but in consequence of a subpana which obliged me to attend, or I should not have troubled the court with my presence.

I have felt a desire respectfully to state my sentiments and also these remarks for thy consideration, or for any others to whom thou mayest please to cominunicate them. From

Thy assured Friend,

C.

THE IMPORTANCE AND MEANS OF PROMOTING GENUINE A

CHRISTIANITY.

To the Editor of the Monthly Repository.

SIR, Sept. 2, 1807. braced. A corrupted gospel muse Believing that Unitarianism is lose much of its energy, its influely another name for pure un- ence upon the heart must be adulterated Christianity, I rejoice greatly weakened, not to say in its gradual spread, and in par- sometimes positively injurious. ticular that steps have been taken The shafts of infidelity cannot be of late to introduce the Unitarian effectually resisted, but as Chrisdoctrine among the lower classes tianity is distinguished from its of society. It seems the most corruptions. These considerations likely method, not only to correct should rouse the friends of Unitatheir errors in judgment, but to rianism every where to steady, govern their enthusiasm, and re- persevering, zealous exertions, in move that bigotry and unchari. the glorious cause they espouse. tableness which is so often found That the Unitarian doctrine is on

: among illiterate christians. To a level with the capacities of the promote the knowledge and wor- poor and unlearned is most evi ship of the one and only God, dent, from the simplicity of its ought to be an object of the first nature, and from its being most concern with all those who wish prominent in the Gospel, as to honour his glorious, name. We preached by Jesus himself to the cannot expect to see the genuine fruits of the gospel, in the tempers and lives of men, any further than its simple and genuine doc trines are understood, and em

poor. That its dissemination among them can be productive of no bad effects is cqually plain; for its whole tendency is to holiness; nor is there any danger of its pro * Cor. xi. 4.

ducing bigots among the illiterate; and vindictive, that nothing could for its whole tendency is to liber- appease his anger but the sufferings alize those who imbibe its spirit. of an innocent victim, and that he The importance of promoting will continue implacable towards the genuine truths of Christianity millions of his creatures to all will appear from the consideration eternity. The system of grace, of the absurd and shocking import, or favour, which Jesus came to reand the baneful tendency of the veal, has been changed for the corrupt notions which still prevail notion of satisfaction for sins and under the Christian name. That the supposition that God was Christianity has been greatly cor- bought off from the execution of rupted, and that many of its cor- his vengeance, and received an ruptions still remain unreformed, equivalent for the blessings he beis but too evident. The doctrine stows, whereby the whole economy of the divine unity, which is at of redemption is reduced to a kind. the foundation of all true religion, of bargain between the imaginary both natural and revealed, has persons of the trinity. It has been corrupted by what is called been supposed that men are made the mystery of the trinity, which sinful, and considered as guilty either leads, in fact, to the notion before they act wrong, and that of three Gods, or leaves the mind God esteems them righteous before in utter confusion, through the they begin to act right; that the retention of words without ideas. righteousness of the kingdom. of The anointed man of Nazareth Christ is not real and personal, in has been transformed into the self the heart and life of the christian, existent God, and the absurd sup- but the righteousness of Christ position has been involved, that a transferred and imputed to him. being who was God Almighty, While such gross corruptions of was born, suffered and died. A Christian truth, so manifestly de malignant being, who is supposed rogatory to the divine honour, and all but omnipotent, omniscient, subversive of morality, continue and omnipresent, has been intro to be maintained with all the conduced, in the spurious systems of fidence of bigotry, and rancour of Christianity, as the rival of the uncharitableness, to the scandal Most High, every where coun- of the Christian name, and the teracting his designs, and con- encouragement of infidelity; shall ducting a systematic opposition to those who are blessed with rational his supreme will. The nature of views of the gospel, who have man has been traduced, the imbibed its mild and generous spiCreator libelled, and the foun- rit, and who walk in its heavenly dation of morality undermined, light, hold their peace, and reby the notion that man is born frain their exertions to disabuse altogether depraved and vicious, mankind, by disseminating the and consequently utterly incapable simple and genuine doctrines of of doing the will of God. The Christianity, and exploding the character of the Father of mercies, errors and abominations which too the God of love, has been in- long have been suffered to disvolved in the darkest shades, by credit the glorious cause. It is being represented as so wrathful of great importance that men be

led to right views of the gospel, persons of reading and reflection that they may be filled with its have been enlightened by their benign spirit, and be induced to labours; but their laudable efforts imitate, in their whole temper and to dispel the darkness of error and conduct, the great Master of superstition cannot have the full Christians. A regard to the glory effect, until their writings, an:1 of God, the honour of the gospel, others composed in a popular style. the interest of holiness, and the in support of the same just views, happiness of men, should stimu- be brought into general circula-. late the most vigorous exertions tion, and the attention of man- in the cause of pure and rational kind so far excited as to examine Christianity. them with candour. The question: The times in which we live are is, how can such attention be peculiar. The present may be excited? Societies have been escalled an age of inquiry. Many tablished for the circulation of who were the slaves of bigotry and books, this is an important step, superstition, convinced of the ab- and cannot fail of producing good surdity of what they had been effects; yet still so much prejutaught to regard as sacred truth, dice and misconception prevails, having no one at hand to assist especially among the lower class. them in their inquiries, have gone of Christians, that few persons, from reputed orthodoxy to mere comparatively, will read books deism. The propagation of Uni- which are denounced as full of tarianism seems necessary to stop the most dangerous doctrines, and the progress of infidelity, and pre- multitudes have never heard of vent its inroads even among the the great names mentioned above, lower class of Christians, who be except associated with epithets gin to question the truth of the which excite horror. Other meapopular systems of religion. A sures seem essentially necessary to spirit of inquiry manifests itself in give effect to what has been many places, numbers are dis- already done, and to accelerate satisfied with the opinions they the progress of the great work of formerly held, and it is desirable bringing Christians back to the the means should be afforded them simplicity and purity of the goss of attaining a clear knowledge of pel. the pure truth as it is in Jesus.

The gospel was first propagated The writings of a Priestley, a by itinerant preachers. MethodLindsey, and several others, who ism owes its success and rapid pro have nobly distinguished them- gress, chiefly to the plan of itinselves by their zeal and unwearied eracy adopted by its preachers, labours in the cause of truth, have Why should not Unitarians adopt already done much, and cannot something of the same plan? This fail to do more, when brought may be done in different ways. into more general circulation. Ministers who have leisure, and Learned Unitarians have laid a can find openings for public solid foundation, and prepared preaching in the villages round the way for a further reformation the towns where they reside, might among Christians, by their elabo- deliver frequent weekly lectures rate and critical works: many in as many different places as pos

remove prejudice, and to gain the attention of men to those valuable writings which will not fail to enlighten and improve them. It is impossible that ministers should' engage in the execution of such a plan as is here recommended without much labour and expense, and without being assisted by their opulent brethren, it will be impossible for them to proceed in it The Unita.

sible. The reputed orthodox par- vourable to the Unitarian doc. ties owe much of their success and trine, strengthen them by conver; the increase of their churches to sation, leave books with them to frequent evening lectures and vil read and lend, and stimulate them. lage preaching. A few men of ap- to do what they can to enlighten proved character, well instructed mankind. If but one individual in the scriptures, of much candour of good sense can be found in a and liberality, who can endure hard town or village, who is zealous labour and mean accommoda- for the truth as it is in Jesus, and tion, and who unite prudence with who adorns it in his life, he may zeal, should be employed to itin- be regarded as a seed, which if erate on a larger scale, to traverse frequently watered and cherished, different districts of the kingdom will produce fruit in the neighin all directions, and preach in bourhood around. Preaching in every place where they can collect a popular style, and free affec an audience, and find a conve- tionate conversation, are eminently nient room, whether chapel, dwel- calculated to awaken inquiry, to ling house, or barn, for the worship of the one God. It may be objected, that but little good can be done by a single sermon. This is both admitted and denied. It is admitted that a single sermon, if nothing further be attempted, may do but little; yet it may do something, it may awaken inquiry, it may abate prejudice, it nay make an impression which will lead to an important train of to any great extent. thought; but it is not proposed rian Fund Society seems well cal-* to leave the audience with the culated to support those who may discourse without doing something engage in a work so arduous, and further. The preacher should con- to superintend their labours. The verse freely with some of his audi- Committee of that fund will be ence at their houses, and this will careful to employ only such pergenerally be found practicable; sons as can be relied on for pruhe should leave some books with dence and good conduct, and them, he should endeavour to keep their superintendence, as the perup an intercourse with them by sons they employ must hold themletters, and, if they desire it, as selves accountable to them, will soon as convenient, visit them prevent any abuses, or improagain; and, when a few persons prieties, which might otherwise are sufficiently instructed, form take place. It is presumed, that them into a society, and encou- when the plan which the Fund rage them to meet together for the Society aims to promote is fully worship of the one God. Where understood, and its importance no opportunity of preaching offers, duly considered, no backwardness. the minister, in travelling, should to promote it will be found among all on individuals who are fa- those liberal-minded Christians VOL. III.