Socialism and the Pope

dictated by the firm- and I think, just- opinion that whatever renders religion more rational renders it more credible. He who by diligent and faithful examination dismisses one article which contradicts the experience or reason of mankind, does more towards recommending Christianity to the understanding and consciences of serious inquirers than can be affected by a thousand contenders for creeds and ordinances of human establishment."

Dr. Law took an active part in the "Feathers Tavern Petition" of 1773. Two hundred clergymen of the established Church signed this petition asking for relief from the subscription of the Athanasian Creed and the thirty-nine articles. The House of Commons refused, by two hundred and seventeen votes to seventeen, even to receive the petition.

One of Dr. Law's sons became Bishop of Elphin, in Ireland, and in spite of his prelatic rank, was a resolute and pronounced Unitarian. Another son, Thomas Law, was one of the main founders of the Unitarian Church at Washington. Bishop Law's quarto Bible is in the British Museum and contains Unitarian annotations by him.

Archdeacon Paley was educated at Cambridge and taught divinity there from 1768 to 1776. His lecture notes, now in the British Museum, confirm his Unitarianism. In 1776, he was appointed to a living in Westmoreland, and in 1782, he became Archdeacon of Carlisle. Through all his numbers writings Paley avoided sedulously any reference to the doctrine of the Trinity. His language about Jesus never went beyond Arianism.

Professor Blunt admitted ("Quarterly Review," 1828): "He (Paley) made no explicit declaration of our Lord's Divinity." Paley never attributed "personality to the Holy Spirit," and studiously employed the reference "it" instead of "He."

Lindsey was one of the signatories to the "Feathers Tavern Petition." He was born at Middlewich and became Vicar of Catterick, Yorkshire, in 1763. The following year he organized the first Sunday School in England. One hundred and ninety-nine signatories to the "Feathers Tavern Petition" accepted the refusal of the House of Commons and continued to enjoy their livings. Lindsey found this position untenable. Encouraged by his wife, and by her step-father, Archdeacon Blackburn, he surrendered his living, sold his library and furniture, and proceeded to London, where he and his wife rented two small rooms in the ground floor of a house in Holborn. On Sunday, April 17, 1774, Lindsey held his first service as an avowed Unitarian Minister, and established the first Unitarian Church, in an auction room hall, in Essex Street, Strand.

Benjamin Franklin was present at this opening meeting with Joseph Priestly, Richard Price and John Disney. Born on January 17, 1706, Franklin died on April 17, 1790. He made a confession of faith a short time before his death, in which he avowed his belief in one God. He added:-