New-York daily tribune., 1845-11-01
The New Unitarian Church.

To The Editor Of The Tribune:
Passing through Broadway, few days since,
observed a crowd OF persons going into the new
Unitarian Church, and mingling with them, dis
covered that i, was to be consecra;ed. soon saw
q Unitarian friend, and joined him. The scene pro-
duced series of reflections which found utterance
in words as we left the building, after the services
were over.
e. More than twenty years have passed since this
sec, frst disseminated their doctrines in cur city,
and in that time what have they done "
"Built two magnificent Churches nj least" re-
piled my companion.
And is this the great work of the day-to minis
ter TO ambitious and worldly views In all these
operations il would be curious analysis 10 sepa-
rate ,vhet WAS done for the glory OF Man. and dig
cover what remained for .hc glory OF GoD Verify if
the nosguiccnce Of temples is TO be the OF
RELIGION. Heathendom may bear the palm Well Go
remember the excitement produced IN many iniras
VINO fet that Orthodoxy had not kept pace with the
snir of the age when this doctrine of iuman Brother
hood-the unbouuded love Of the Universal Father-the
snr,a nature and dignity 0! Man-this destiny Of end
less prorress-was first taught Aud what actions have
rasul,ea from these elevatDg and beautiful thoughts
that may not be found in good old OrthodoZy Have
tbey raised splendid and costly temples So have we
Have they Conventions ana CoaCenoHGiities go have
we Do they look askance st the questions of the
age and suffer the Holy Land 10 ia into the hands Of
Infdels7 So do we. Think yoeit that one article OF
their faith-Human bT0tneTnoOd-Hau been consclcn-
touslv believed they would have expended such large
srms in unnecessary decorations, while they had no
Free Church of any descriptonl'
Perhaps replied ny friend the contributors to one
object might not have seen the necessity OF the other.
"Then replied their spiritual guides should have
revealed i, 10 them with such power as TO render the
truth irresistible. Truth unceacngly uttered BY the
lirs ef Eoouenceif the life correspond-must be ire
s;s,ihle Becollect the immense moral power which
o mind MAJ have over others, for evil for good
and then marvel that little is effected by Religious
Teachers Oh if preaching and practice were not so
often divorced z"
Nv companion seemed alarmed.
You surely do not mean 10 deny Us moral station
equal TO Other GenouiinAiionsl
Not while remember the glorious spirits which
have been attached 10 your sect-fcemOs among whom
stands the pure brave consistent untemporzing CHAN
NING-the beau idea. TO many minds OF spiritual truth;
but remember it is lot enough that unannns should be
equal 10 others-or they profess to believe that their
doctrines are batter calculated to promote morality than
any other"
When YOU speak Of our Denomination looking
askance the great questions OF the age you must for,
ret the noble Protest Against Slavery signed by 1jO
Unitarian Clergymen'
mot al all But you remember ! only speaking
OF Nea. York Unnrans- that is quite clear OF the
charge of fnaticism radicaism on any SUBJECT II
has no taste for martyrs lie death but uxuriatng
in this bright and beautiful world which kindly given
for enjoyment the oppressed TO their oppression
the poor 10 their poverty. you think unjust,
but sit down and read Buckninster Ware. or Chan
ninc-and then look around you dispassionately. and
feel that shall be acquitted However will suspend
any farther juG gment until the close OF the Convention
which is now in session; and then ii something more
be not done than shake hands, utter congratulations
and agree upon the time and place OF another Conven
ton let continue among the ruins and rubbish ol the
Past, hugcng disappointment
And so parted
In reply 10 The objection that Untarians make nc pro-
vision for their Poor but actually shut them out OF their
Churches by rasn. the price Of entrance beyo>d their
means. was told that they had Poor. No Poor in
such city as this sad deficiency, as 1t seems 10 me;
and il true--whch much doubt-a circumstance that
deserves investigation. Were Unitarian wo'ld cry,
and continue to cry in the ears OF my brethren, A
Ministry at lurce-a Free Church. in Gods nme, for
his poor children" Ard ii human praise be desirable,
would not this it more efecuay than hundred
piles of brick or stone When this great "ofkwas ac-
compished. others equally important might sc sug-
gestcd which would, certainly DIS consequence ioi-
lows cause, bring higher reward than human prase-an
NnSeGred approving conscience, and the blessing Of
Heaven. But Mankind will probably remain tie same
through all generations Individually or Collectively
With small means humble and Pr0miSHS-With IN
creased means acquiring an increase Of sehsbness so
that with our fathers we may excalm win elevated
brows and dolorous tone "a Poor human Nature !! >"
Remember, Mr. Editor. do moi accuse these people
of being than others but lcpcat with their pro-
fess;ons they should be better
Another inconsistency in Unitarian history which at
tracts the attention of observers their refusing that
courtesy to some of their brethren which has been
luctany accorded to them By otter sects. Free In
quiry-their former watchword-s now encompassed
with certain restrictions, and the of Christian is
denied those who differ from Their standard OF faith
Standard OF faith The very thing for which have
always contended. and in which we ever been op.
posed So having taken step back toward the
faith may not hope that another and another will sue
ceed until the bosom OF the True Church shall again re-
ceive her wandering, but now penent, childrent o.
ly' We publish the above with some misgvings
and with the earnest hope tina, readers will give
it general application. If ali will take to them
selves so much is justly applicable, instead of
narrowing its scope to Unitaritns merely the arii-
Gle will do good. Ed