OF THE LIVERPOOL Unitarian Tract Society, 1st July, 1819. IN again laying before their Christian Brethren, the state of this Society, the Committee are desirous of calling the attention of the Friends of free religious investigation, to the principles and objects which led to its establishment, and on which it rests its claims to support. The general diffusion of the blessings of education among all classes of Society, encourages the hope that the time is. arriving when a greater zeal for the knowledge of the genuine doctrines of Scripture may be expected to shew itself. The desire for information has already been extended in a considerable degree to this important point, and it remains for the advocates of uncorrupted Christianity to promote its progress by the distribution of Books and Tracts best calcu. lated to lead to just conceptions of the Attributes of the Deity, and of the Nature and Objects of the mission of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah. To understand the true intent and meaning of the Sacred Writings, must undoubtedly be a consideration superior to every other, since in them, we have been instructed to look for the guide of our conduct, and to them are we indebted for a well grounded hope of a future and immortal life. Such being our convictions, we think we cannot more wisely fulfil the ends for which our creator designed us, than by using our utmost endeavors to exterminate the corruptions which have crept into the pure religion of Jesus, and to remove the erroneous views which have in consequence obtained so great an influence over the minds of professing christians. In thus exciting a spirit of free and unprejudiced inquiry into subjects so interesting to accountable beings, let it be remembered that no investigation is of real utility which has not for its first principle and ultimate object the discovery of TRUTH. With this for our stimulus and guide, at whatever conclusions we may arrive, the growth of Piety and Virtue must eventually be cherished and promoted. Nor let it be supposed that we are desirous only of the increase of a sect or party, for however we may rejoice in the diffusion of those views which we think the Apostles and primitive Christians entertained, we are ever ready to respect the diligent inquirer after Truth, even though he may be widely separated from us, in following what he conscientiously believes to be her decisions. We are at variance only with the bigot, who condemns the opinions of his neighbour without taking the trouble to ascertain their Truth or Falsehood; and if we have occasion for regret, it is, when we are unable to convince those of our brethren who agree with us in sentiment, of the claim that is made upon them, to co operate in the important work of spreading the Gospel, as originally preached by Jesus Christ and his Apostles. To such persons, we would address ourselves in the language of Christian exhortation, and in the words of Paul to the Corinthians : "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." A reference to the Cash and Stock Accounts, will shew the progress and present state of the Society, and the Committee are happy in having been enabled to extend its benefits, gratis, in many instances where they have reason to believe the best results have followed. Opportunities of usefulness have also been embraced, by the distribution of Tracts among our poorer brethren in one or two neighbouring places, as well as a donation of the Improved Version of the New Testament and a few other Books, applied for from Calcutta, in the East Indies. The Committee cannot close their Report without again calling on their brethren to make renewed efforts to add to the Funds of the Society, satisfied that the cause of pure Christianity will in no way be better promoted than by the distribution of Books, without the aid of which, knowledge, the best safeguard of Truth, can be but imperfectly acquired. Dr. The Liverpool Unitarian Tract Society, in Cash and Stock Account. 61 11 ..... 57 16 6 Amount Received for Books sold.. 19 12 6 £92 19 4 £92 19 Amount due to the Unitarian So Balance .... ... Balance in hands of the Treasurer S 12 3 59 0 3 £54 18 00 Audited } G. HARRIS, Balance in favour of the Society.... £37 12 2 At the Second Annual Meeting of the Subscribers, held in Paradise Street Chapel, REV. JOHN YATES, in the Chair, the foregoing Report of the Committee, and the Treasurer's Accounts having been read, it was Unanimously Resolved, THAT they meet the cordial approbation of this Meeting, and are ordered to be printed, together with the list of Subscribers, the Catalogue, and Rules of the Society. THAT the following Gentlemen, Rev. James Parry, Mr. Eli Jagger, Mr. Wm. Lewthwaite, and Mr. Jevons, be chosen as Members of the Committee, in lieu of the Rev. J. Yates, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Freme, and Mr. Roscow, who retire from office. Committee for the Year. REV. GEO. HARRIS, CHAIRMAN. MR THOS. JEVONS, TREASURER.-MR. H TAYLOR, SECRETARY. Communications (post paid) may be addressed to the Secretary, MR. H. TAYLOR, 47, Bold Street. Subscriptions and Benefactions will be received by the Treasurer, or by any Member of the Committee. Orders for Books or Tracts, may be left in the Committee Rooms of Paradise Street and Renshaw Street Chapels, where the Books, &c. will be delivered, and where the Laws and Catalogues of the Society may be had. SIR, You are requested to pay to the Treasurer, or to any member of the Committee, your Subscription to the LIVERPOOL UNITARIAN TRACT SOCIETY, which became due this day. You are entitled to an allotment of Books to the amount of your Subscription, which is at your disposal, if claimed agreeably to the 4th, 5th, and 7th Laws of the Society. |