Unitarianism by W.G. Tarrant
page 50 of 62 (80%)
page 50 of 62 (80%)
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hardly been second to that of Biblical criticism. Some names in the list
of prominent Unitarians are celebrated in this connection--_Louis Agassiz_ (1807-73), for example, on the American side, _Sir Charles Lyell_ (1797-1875) and _Dr. W.B. Carpenter_ (1813-85) on the English side. A son of the last named, _Dr. J. Estlin Carpenter_, a man of wide and varied scholarship, is now Principal of Manchester College. A field in which he is specially expert is that of comparative religion, and here also is a source of many considerations that have transformed Unitarianism into one of the most liberal types of thought in the modern religious world. It is not to be inferred, however, that the 'radical' tendencies, while predominant, have everywhere prevailed among Unitarians. The 'conservative' side continued in the third quarter of the nineteenth century to yield important signs of its existence and fruitfulness, and its vitality is far from exhausted still. The miraculous element has even here been reduced to a minimum, but it has left a tinge on the picture of Jesus which fills the imagination and kindles the reverent affection of many. Among the more gifted representatives of this school we may name the Americans _Dr. H.W. Furness_ (1802-96) and _Dr. J. Freeman Clarke_ (1810-88), and the English _John Hamilton Thom_ (1808-94). Thom's sermons are ranked among the highest for spirituality and penetration; they certainly had profound effect in stimulating the wise and generous philanthropy of _William Rathbone_ and _Sir Henry Tate_. A celebrated representative of this side of Unitarianism is _Dr. James Drummond_, still living, the author of several works of European repute among New Testament scholars, one being a defence of the Johannine authorship of the Fourth Gospel. He succeeded Martineau as Principal of Manchester College. His volume. _Studies of Christian Doctrine_, is the most important statement of the Unitarian view |
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