“If one man, or being, out of pure generosity, and without any
expectation of return, is about to confer any favor or emolument
upon another, he has a right and is at liberty to choose in what
manner and by what means to confer it. He may confer the favor by
his own hand or by the hand of a servant; and the obligation to
gratitude is equally strong upon the benefited being. The _mode_
of bestowing does not diminish the kindness, provided the
commodity or good is brought to us equally perfect and without our
expense. But, on the other hand, if one being is the original
cause of pain, sorrow, or suffering to another, voluntarily and
without provocation, it is injurious to that other, whatever
_means_ he might employ, and whatever circumstances the conveyance
of the injury might be attended with. Thus we are equally obliged
to the Supreme Being for the information he has given us of our
duty, whether by the constitution of our minds or bodies, or by a
supernatural revelation. For an instance of the latter, let us
take original sin. Some say that Adam’s sin was enough to damn the
whole human race, without any actual crimes committed by any of
them. Now this guilt is brought upon them, not by their own
rashness and indiscretion, not by their own wickedness and vice,
but by the Supreme Being. This guilt brought upon us is a real
injury and misfortune, because it renders us worse than not to be;
and therefore making us guilty on account of Adam’s delegation, or
representing all of us, is not in the least diminishing the injury
and injustice, but only changing the _mode_ of conveyance.”
The celebrated Dr. Channing was educated a Calvinist. The following
exhibits his views on this subject, after embracing Unitarianism:
Dr. Channing.
He says of such views:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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