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OF

THE UNITARIAN.*

In proposing the publication of a new religious journal, it is proper to state, that the main purpose which we have in view is to furnish a work for THE people.

THE UNITARIAN will be devoted, primarily, to the explanation and defence of the principles of UNITARIAN CHRISTIANITY. ID pursuance of this object, we shall endeavour, not only to expose error and to present the truth, but to enforce a practical obedience to the truth. While, therefore, some of our articles are intended to be of a doctrinal kind, a just proportion will be of such as are designed to influence the life and character. Next, the subject of SUNDAY SCHOOLS, and, from its intimate connexion with the interests of virtue and pure religion, the subject of POPULAR EDUCATION also, will claim a prominent place. The operations of the principal RELIGIOUS and BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATIONS of the day, both foreign and domestic, will likewise be matter of constant attention. NOTICES of Books, particularly those relating to religion and education, will be given; and this, with a special view to discriminate between such as may appear to be of a useful tendency and adapted to the popular wants, and the contrary. To these will be added a list of NEW PUBLICATIONS On the above-mentioned subjects, so far as may be practicable. Articles of INTELLIGENCE, as well foreign as domestic, having a bearing on the general objects of the work, will also be furnished.

On all topics which may come under our notice we shall aim to express our views with great freedom and plainness. We shall open our pages to proper articles on all questions within the plan of our work. The names of the several writers will generally be attached to their respective productions.

BERNARD WHITMAN, Waltham, Mass
JASON WHITMAN, Saco, Me.

GEORGE NICHOLS, Cambridge, Mass + Conditions. -THE UNITARIAN will be issued in monthly numbers by JAMES MUNROE & Co., Cambridge, Mass. Each number will contaur. on an average, 48 pages royal 12mo., [i. e. octavo size], and be printed on good paper, and with handsome type. The price will be two dollars per annum, payable on the first of March. To those who procure 1x subscribers, a seventh copy will be furnished gratis. The usual discont to Agents. All letters and communications to be addressed to the publishers.

*The name originally intended for this work was THE UNITARIAN OBSERVER. It has been since thought expedient, however, to drop the latter half, retaining only, for the title, the words, THE UNITARIAN.

The name of Rev. A. P. Peabody, of Portsmouth, N. H., was rig nally given as one of the Editors of this work; but the increase of his professional duties, since the death of his late lamented colleague devolves upon him the necessity of withdrawing from the editorial e

THE UNITARIAN.

VOL. I.

JANUARY 1, 1834.

No. 1.

THE UNITARIAN.

THE general objects of this work have been already set forth in the prospectus. And as its character will be better judged of by the manner in which it shall be conducted than by any prolix statement of our plan, we shall not trouble our readers with a lengthened preface.

One word, however, respecting the character of our doctrinal articles. In our own immediate vicinity, the discussion of such topics as the Trinity and the doctrines of Calvinism will perhaps appear like taking a step backwards into the region of by-gone controversy, and as being uncalled for by the prevailing state of religious opinions amongst us, now that Unitarianism has happily become so well established in our community. But it must be borne in mind that we are writing, not for our own community simply, but for the country at large, for sections upon which Unitarianism is but just now dawning. With those, then, to whose minds the argument on this subject has long been so familiar as to have now become almost stale, let this be our apology for reviving the argument and giving to it so large a space on our pages.

A word more, as to one other point-our title, THE UNITARIAN. It is objected, as we anticipated it would be, that it savours of sectarianism. We selected this title, not indeed, we trust, in a sectarian spirit, that is, with the view of 1

VOL. I.

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exciting divisions and fostering animosities, nor yet to help a party-object, but simply to show our colours. Unitarians are every day charged with concealing their sentiments, with the desire of smoothing over their peculiarities in religious opinion. Now in order to meet this charge, we want our work to go forth bearing on its front the principles we hold. And besides, in an age when error is so rife, we conceive it to be all-important to follow closely in the steps of the Apostle, "glorying in the cross of Christ; " not "hiding the light under a bushel," but setting it forth" upon a candle-stick." In common with our brethren, we look longingly for peace; yet we must say we have no sympathy, we cannot sympathize, with those who, for the sake of peace, are willing to consent even to that dishonourable peace which yields the ground to a system of faith of whose corruptness and pernicious effects every day is witness. We feel that Unitarians owe a duty to their faith, a solemn, a weighty duty, that this cause is the cause of God, of Christ, the hope of the world, — and that we have no right to shrink from it, even seemingly. Believing thus, we would avow this cause openly, unequivocally. If the consequence be war, we shall deplore it, but we cannot think the blame will be ours; even He who came to bring peace on earth brought first a sword. We shall therefore plainly declare what we solemnly believe to be the truth of the gospel; and we shall fearlessly expose what, guided by the principles of the gospel, we esteem error. We shall "speak the truth,"we trust it may never be otherwise than "in love." Believing those who differ from us to be no less sincere than ourselves, we shall ever be ready, while we deny their doctrines, to extend to the individuals themselves the right hand of christian fellowship and brotherhood. We believe that there is no necessary connexion between controversy touching matters of faith and that evil spirit of vituperation which would make deadly foes of all who differ from one another; and we trust, that by God's grace, we by our practice may demonstrate it.

Meantime, we commend our journal to the favour of the public, hoping for indulgence to its faults, and praying God that it may be made an instrument of good in our hands,— in its humble sphere, a light to the church, a herald of the gospel as it is in Christ Jesus, a means of redemption to many from the sad gloom of false views of religion, on the one hand, from the fearful, and, as it would seem, the wideyawning gulf of infidelity, on the other.

THE EDITORS.

A Letter to the Editors, on the Religious Condition and Wants of the Community, etc.

PERMIT me to express to you, Messrs. Editors, the satisfaction I have received from the prospectus of THE UNITARIAN. Believing, as I do so firmly, that the truths we hold as the gospel of Jesus Christ are most intimately connected with the dearest interests of man, that they are truths eminently calculated to elevate and refine his character, to develope and strengthen whatever is pure and generous and excellent in his nature, to free him from sin and the power of all debasing influences, and to make him what he should be, what he was most obviously designed to be,-like his Creator, and, by their influence on the individual character, to nourish whatever is lovely in social and domestic life, and send abroad through society the vigorous and healthy streams of integrity, benevolence, and piety, I cannot but rejoice that a publication, of the character you propose, is forthcoming, and I trust that, by the blessing of God, it will be as successful as it is necessary.

Although your work will be mainly devoted to the explanation and defence of Unitarianism, I readily believe, what you would wish to be inferred from the prospectus, that its character will not be sectarian.* In advocating the cause of Unitarianism, you present the claims of Christianity. You will send your

I wish that, some time or other, you would give the public an article on Sectarianism, and explain the meaning of the term, which I fear is but little understood,

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