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Mr . Haut , iii seconding the motion , stated his cordial concurrence in the approbation expressed by the last speaker , and his conviction that all who heard it would agree with him that the sermon was calculated to be most eminently useful . The Chairman . I cannot allow myself to put this motion before I have expressed the deep regret 1 feel that an
indispensable engagement in the city this morning at the very hour of service prevented my having an opportunity of hearing Mr . Tayler ' s sermon . I should have expected to be much instructed and highly gratified ; and 1 am sure , from every thing I Lave heard , that expectation would not have been disappointed : and
I trust the reverend gentleman will allow me to say , that , wherever he comes , he had an hereditary right to be respected as an exemplary instructor in the principles of Unitarian Christianity . I say this from the recollection I have of his worthy father in early life ; and though the distance of our abodes has since
necessarily rendered our intercourse very infrequent , yet from every thing 1 have heard , I have a right to lament that no opportunity was afforded me of iucreasing it . The motion being carried , The Rev . J . J . Tayler rose . Mr .
Chairman—I can assure you , Sir , that I feel unable to do justice to the feelings which the kind expressions that have now been uttered have excited in my mind . Those who know me—but I fear there are not many here who do—will bear me witness when I say , that I am totally unused to give utterance to my feelings in public : and , even if 1 were ,
the present occasion might well overpower and embarrass a more powerful mind than my own . It would be an absurd affectation in me to deny that I feel gratified by the satisfaction that has been expressed with the sermon which I had the honour to deliver this morning in this place , more especially as it has been connected with references of a domestic nature , in which , as a son , I cannot but
deeply sympathize . I believe , Sir , it is Cicero who has observed , that the best inheritance which a man can derive from liis father is an unblemished name ; and that honour ( whatever else I may have derived ) I believe I may fearlessly claim . With regard to the sentiments contained in my sermon , 1 was doubtful how far they would meet with the approbation of the friends who heard them . Whether
the thoughts expressed therein are original , 1 know not-? I can only day that they arc sincerely my own , derived from
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some reflection , and after many of those conflicts within myself which , I suppose , all persons much engaged in religious inquiries must have experienced . It has ever been my opinion that our rule ought to be to follow out our convictions to the utmost , and , after duly weighing them , to deliver them frankly and candidly to our fellow-creatures—if true , with the
earnest desire that they may contribute to the service of mankind ; if false , that their falsehood may be detected aud exposed : and , if I know myself , I think I should accept the correction of an error with the same gratitude as the confirmation of a truth . It appears to me that one of the greatest obstacles to the discovery and to the dissemination of truth
is , that we make it too much our object to consider what is in accordance with received systems , rather than conscientiously to express the results to which our individual feelings and convictions lead us—a course which , if generally pursued , would doubtless lead to the publication of many errors ; but error
would at all events be brought into conflict with error , and this must necessarily conduce to therlnal eliciting of truth . lam aware that there are many obstacles to the free discussion of opinions in this country , but I am , at the same time , persuaded that the promotion and the final establishment of truth and of virtue
are the great objects towards which the moral government of God is continually tending ; and therefore , though I may fall into errors , still , so long as I am sustained by a consciousness of sincerity , I feel that I may , and that I must , be made an instrument in the hands of God for the ultimate promotion of truth . That there are various obstacles to the
progress of truth is too true , but I doubt not that God will raise up agents in its behalf , though we should be inactive and supine . Every generous mind must , however , feel that it is an honour and a privilege to be allowed to co-operate with God in the cause of truth and liberty .
We may not live to see it finally and completely prevail , but we are sustained by the consciousness of giving our best energies to the best of causes , and , to use the language of Dr . Johnson , we have the honour of falling in the ranks , though we may not be spared within the limits of this brief existence to share in
the triumph of victory . Rev . Mr . Madge :. —Sir , I rise to move , ct That we rejoice in the connexion already formed between the Unitarians of Ireland and those of England , and trust that it will be drawn closer for mutual
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480 Intvlhg'ence . — Unitarian Association
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1830, page 480, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2586/page/48/
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