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loyalty are unimpeachable , we feel it our \ iuty to declare , that we do not believe there exists among them any practice or disposition , to warrant ' a legislative measure , which would abridge our ri ghts and privileges .
XIII . That the introduction of the present measure is as unseasonable , as it is needless and oppressive . At any time religious rights form a most delicate subject for
legislative interference , but at such a time as this , when not only unanimity , but affection , for the government and laws or our country are more than ever essential , for
the patient endurance of the pressure of the times , and the repulsion of the bitterest enemy with which this country ever had to contend , the discussion of these rights is
most feelingly to be deprecated . Much irritation , —even worse than political irritation , would be produced , and the ardent affection of
many a conscientious and loyal subject would be involuntarily diminished . We are impressed with these sentiments the more deeply .
as not the shadow of a charge is brought against our very numerous body , and we can challenge the most rigid enquiry into the moral and political character of
our preachers and our people , XIV . That , abstaining from all observations on the abstract rights ° f conscience , but with the views and feelings thus expressed , we are most decidedly of opinion that * he present measure is radically ° oje ctionable and does not admit of any modification ; and we can-Dot but feel it our duty to oppose ^ HU in all its stages by every c <* stitutional means .
• • y That we reflect with high faction on the liberal , enlighted and religious declaration of
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our most gracious Sovereign , or the commencement of his reign . " Born / ' said his Majesty ,, in his first speech from the throne , and educated in this country , 1 glory in the name of Briton , and the peculiar happiness of nry life will ever consist in promoting the wel .
fare of a people , whose loyalty and warm affection to me , I consider as the greatest and most permanent security of my throne ; and I doubt not , but their
steadiness in those principles will equal the firmness of my invariable resolution to adhere to , and strengthen this excellent constitution in church and state ; and to maintain the toleration inviolable . The
civil and religious rights of my loving subjects are equally dear to me with the most valuable prerogatives of my crown ; and as the surest foundation of the whole , and the best means to draw down
the divine favor on my reign , it is my fixed purpose , to countenance and encourage the practice Of true religion and virtue . '' This
declaration of our beloved Sovereign has been religiously fulfilled during a long and beneficent reign , and has been humbly met by our societies with the affection it was
calculated to inspire . We have built with confidence upon this gracious declaration , and our confidence
has not been misplaced . His Majesty has been a shield to the religious of all persuasions , and he has respected the rights of conscience in all . And we cannot
doubt that his royal highness the Prince Regent , with those just sentiments of truth and sincerity , which he has graciously declared
shall be the guide of his character and every action of his life , will feel it his happiness to recognize the high natural rights of consci-
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Toleration Act . $ 05
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1811, page 305, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2416/page/49/
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