Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

The following remarks on Christian liberality are extracted from a Circular Letter of the Pastors and Delegates of the Worcester Baptist Association to the Churches which they represent, August, 1821.

It becomes us to be patient, prayerful and indefatigable in the investigation of truth: frank & ingenious in the profession of it; and to ever keep the mind to conviction of the mistakes of our most favorite opinion. It also becomes us, conscious of the limited nature of the human faculties, and of the moderate attainments of the wisest of men, to exercise the greatest candour in judging the opinions of others; and to accord to them all due credit for their diligence of research and frankness of avowal, even though we cannot subscribe to the result of their inquiries. In a word, while a becoming testimony is bore against licentious speculation we should throw no obstacles in the way of sober, free inquiry: while we guard against a latitudinarian temper, let us injure no pious man in his good name, his interest, or especially in his professional character, on account of his opinions. The adoption of such a policy would do more towards uniting the severed parts of the Christian Church, than all the angry disputations in the world.

When Christians of different denominations agree to unite in affection and effort as far as their difference of sentiment will admit, then, and not until then, will they be prepared to examine without prejudice, discuss without anger, and settle without division, the questions on which they now differ. This is the only direct road to permanent and desirable union.—

Union among Christians, which every good man must most ardently desire, must be obtained without any sacrifice of conscience, or dereliction of principle.

It is easy to see that harmony of sentiment will produce union of affection; for all men love those that love them. But may not union of affection exist where there is not a perfect union of sentiment? We answer, it may exist; and the consideration of the answer to this question will present another interesting aspect of liberality.

True benevolence consists in the love of being in general, without respect to the comparative good or bad qualities of individuals. Jesus Christ teaches us, that the love of our neighbor, which the law of God requires, extends not only to our brethren and fellow citizens, but to foreigners, to the best classes of men, and even to apostates from true religion. Brotherly love is the grand requirement of the royal law, and it should be remembered, the distinguishing characteristic of discipleship to Christ.—John xiii. 35.

Liberality of feeling consists in exemption from the narrow prejudices, arising from education, from early associations, from pride of party and from interest. Every man is apt to consider his opinions as his own private property, which no man may approach without the charge of trespass: whereas, truth is common stock, and error is contraband of war. And as all this parts of thinking strengthen the natural principle of Self love, unless the mind is liberalized by reading and reflection, and especially by an acquaintance with human nature, he will learn to limit his good wishes and good feelings within the pale of his own communion.—

Here is the rise of bigotry and the origin of party feeling. Intercourse with other departments of the Christian world would convince him that good men are to be found in all denominations of Christians; and that equal measures of piety may be witnessed in those whose speculative sentiments are extremely different.

Christian liberality manifests itself also in a friendly intercourse between those who differ in opinion. The good man feels a satisfaction in making any sacrifice which a good conscience will permit for the accommodation of others. At the same time that he feels it to be his duty to detect and refute their errors, he maintains a sacred regard for their feelings. A neglect of due attention to the feelings of others has produced an unnatural estrangement between those who ought to be most closely united: and injudicious disputes on subjects of difference have widened the breaches which exist among the friends of God. A prudent liberality of conduct among Christians, in their treatment of each other, would be productive of the happiest effects.

Thus we see that liberality includes candor of sentiment, friendliness of feeling, and munificence of conduct. The character of the liberal man is amiable; and true liberality is productive of the highest advantage in the salvation of sinners, the edification of saints and the advance of the glory of God.