the immediate source of an influence which must be withstood in its general principles and leading tendencies. But if Straussism is to be opposed, how can the duty be so effectually discharged as by giving an English dress to some of the admirable replies which the Christian mind of the Continent has put forth on the subject? The answer is written, and requires only to be translated. The poison has come : shall the antidote be withheld? Even Strauss's book itself has been "done into English," and sold, in penny numbers, where alone it could do much permanent harm, among the discontented populations of our large

towns.

I wish it then to be understood that I propose to put forth, in an English version, such pieces as have a permanent value, considered as defences of the Gospels and of an Historical Christianity,-forming, should I be enabled to continue the work, a full confutation of the most important objections recently taken against the religion of Jesus Christ, and offering a solid and varied proof of the credibility and "certainty of those things wherein" our congregations have "been instructed" (Luke i. 4). These pieces will be taken from churches holding dissimilar doctrinal opinions, so that the common mind of the church may find utterance on a point, the evidence of which lies no less in the heart than in the head.

In choosing the essays, I shall give a preference, other things being equal, to those which proceed from men of moderate views. Nor shall I fail to omit such passages or allusions as may be of a temporary or local nature, or appear unnecessary in the course of my own publication; taking care, of course, to avoid anything like mutilation or unacknowledged change.

Being unfriendly to the distinction between theology and religion, which has come to us from Germany, and which tends to separate the one from the other, and to give rise to an esoteric and exoteric doctrine, whence of necessity comes, first, mystery, and then a priesthood; and seeing no more necessity for this distinction in spiritual than in scientific matters, I shall aim to bring even those parts of this publication which, in the sources whence I draw, have the hue of scholarship and erudition to a level with the understanding of ordinary readers, so that all who are earnest in the great work of forming their own religious opinions may receive trustworthy aid of a high order. Soliciting co-operation, I remain, Sir, Yours, respectfully,

Manchester,

April 17th, 1844.

JOHN R. BEARD.

THE

CHRISTIAN PIONEER.

No. 214.

JUNE 1844.

VOL. XVIII.

THE PRACTICAL EFFICACY AND VALUE OF

UNITARIAN CHRISTIANITY,

AS ILLUSTRATED IN THE CHARACTER OF THE LATE REV. LAWRENCE HOLDEN, FOR SEVENTY YEARS PASTOR OF THE UNITARIAN CONGREGATION AT TENTERDEN, KENT. FROM A DISCOURSE DELIVERED AT MAIDSTONE, APRIL 14. 1844.

BY W. STEVENS, MINISTER OF THE EARL STREET CHAPEL.

THE late-not merely officially but deservedly termed -Reverend Lawrence Holden, was, from the commencement to the end of his ministry, for nearly three quarters of a century, the pastor of the same congregation. He was so loved by his friends, so personally respected and esteemed by all who knew him, and in the days of his youth and strength had been so intimate with this congregation, that I am sure you will think he ought not to be allowed to sink into his grave unnoticed. It is not, however, my purpose to attempt a detailed history of our venerable friend, for there will of necessity, in the life of a person who passes his days in such an even and peaceful manner, be but few points which even the most intimate friend could clothe with awakening interest,-and to be so accounted was a privilege which I can scarcely be said to have enjoyed, my acquaintance with this excellent man being of comparatively modern date, and my intercourse with him but for short periods, and with considerable intervals. But the intercourse of an hour would have been sufficient to inform you of the man. His very countenance and manner bespoke the soul that animated his breast, and his conversation quickly shewed

Y

of what Master he had learned. And when, added to this, you saw the filial respect and affection with which he was regarded by a people among whom he had exercised the pastoral care for such a very lengthened period, you would feel that you had ample assurance of his Christian manner of life. I purpose, therefore, merely to take his general character as it could be thus learned from occasional intercourse, and from the name he bore amoug those who knew him best, and hold it up as a practical illustration of the excellence of those religious opinions which he was so well known to profess.

Our departed friend delighted to regard himself a Unitarian Christian, or rather, I should say, since he had no attachment to a name apart from the ideas it was intended to convey, he delighted in those peculiar opinions which are so designated. In forming them, he had drunk at that fountain from whence flow "words" that "are spirit," and "words" that “are life." Learning of Jesus, he came to entertain those views on religious doctrine of which he was the constant and fearless advocate throughout a very pro longed life,—that there is but one God, the Father of all, whose loving-kindness and tender mercies are over all his works, and that Jesus Christ was the messenger of his love, sent to make known the fatherly character of the Supreme, proclaiming peace and pardon to the penitent, a resurrection from the dead, and an eternity of happy, conscious being to all who by patience seek to inherit the promises. In this faith our departed friend lived and died. And many of you, like myself, have often heard, and your hearts must have been warmed with the fervour of his language, and the smile of delight that beamed upon his countenance when speaking of the heavenly Father's character, and of the Christian's gladdening hopes. The Saviour said of his doctrine, The words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life. They are full of energy and power to form the disposition and character of men for the participation of an unending life of perfect happiness. If they are received with all teachableness and

reliance-if they are cherished in the heart-if they are reflected upon with the frequency which their importance demands, they will resemble the corn which falls upon good ground, and which brings forth fruit in overflowing abundance. And under such circumstances as these (and under these alone can any system of faith be fairly judged)—I have full confidence that the views of our venerated friend would manifest that "they are spirit," and "they are life."

1. I claim it, then, for those opinions which he held in common with us, that they have a holy and purifying influence wherever they are heartily received, and I point to this departed servant of Jesus as an evidence.

It is, however, far from my intention to speak of him in terms of undeserved panegyric. Such language, I am confident, he would have rejected with scorn. But it is but right that Christianity should have the advantage, and the full advantage, to be derived from names that do her honour. She has enough of reproach to bear on account of those who wound her by their scandalous lives, at the time they are speaking loudly or acting fiercely in her defence; and it is only due to her that the observation of men should be drawn upon those on whom she has exerted her full and her legiti mate influence. Unitarian views of Christianity have likewise much to support from those who proclaim their nominal adhesion to them, but are too regardless of their general conduct. And in vindication of those opinions upon which that conduct brings down reproach, it is but right that men should be called on to witness their effects where no sinister influences have injured, or weakened, or counteracted their power. In justification of what I claim for these views of Christianity, I then point to this venerable servant of Christ; for most appropriately, and I am sure that you who knew him will agree with me in thinking so, might he have applied the language of the apostle Paul to himself, "Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly, and unblameably, we behaved ourselves among you that believe; as ye know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, that ye would walk worthy of God,

who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory." 1 Thess. ii. 10, 11, 12.

I shall not be understood to imply that such are to be regarded as the peculiar results of Unitarian Christianity, but only that they do result. This, I can

hardly doubt, is sometimes a matter of question with others. The manner of speaking of our opinions would not unfrequently lead one unacquainted with any of the professors of them to think that no men are more impious, immoral, and given over to the influence of Satan. I have been told that it was once said of one of your former ministers, yet fresh and endeared to the memories of many of you, when walking through one of the streets of this town, "There goes an awful character!" Perhaps the same has been said of our excellent departed friend. It may have been said of each of us; for we well know how usual it is to admonish and guard against us as those whose society is extremely dangerous. All such remarks, when coming from sensible persons, I have no doubt are intended to apply to opinions rather than acts. But yet it is very difficult, in many minds, to preserve entire the distinction between thoughts and deeds. It is a very natural way of reasoning, that if the thoughts are evil, the deeds will be evil likewise. That there are many whose opinions are in accordance with those which this excellent man entertained, but whose lives at the same time but little correspond with his, there can be small room for doubt. But it is manifestly unjust to attribute them to their creed, unless there be something about it which directly favours and countenances immoral practices. For there is no system of religion in the world that would bear to be tried by such a test: not even Christianity in the days of Christ and his apostles; for there were then many extremely imperfect characters among the disciples, as even the immediate attendants upon our Lord and the epistles to the Romans and Corinthians would attest. But unless there is something corrupting in the thought that the Creator is good, and kind, and merciful-that he has designed his rational creatures for a state of eternal happy existence, proportioned to their moral attain