ace, conversion," and the like,
technically, without striving to enter into the idea, till
they quite lost sight of it. Undervaluing the intellect, they
became slaves of a sect, instead of organs of the Spirit. This
Unitarianism has had its place. There was a time for asserting
"the dignity of human nature," and for explaining total
depravity into temporary inadequacy,--a time to say that the
truths of _essence_, if simplified at all in statement from
their infinite variety of existence, should be spoken of as
One, rather than Three, though that number, if they would only
let it reproduce itself simply, is of highest significance.
Yet the time seems now to have come for reinterpreting the old
dogmas. For one I would now preach the Holy Ghost as zealously
as they have been preaching Man, and faith instead of the
understanding, and mysticism instead &c. But why go on? It
certainly is by no means useless to preach. In my experience
of the divine gifts of solitude, I had forgotten what might
be done in this other way. That crowd of upturned faces,
with their look of unintelligent complacency! Give tears and
groans, rather, if there be a mixture of physical excitement
and bigotry. Mr. ---- is heard because, though he has not
entered into the secret of piety, he wishes to be heard,
and with a good purpose,--can make a forcible statement, and
kindle himself with his own thoughts. How many persons must
there be who cannot worship alone, since they are content with
so little! Can none wake the spark that will melt them, till
they take beautiful forms? Were one to come now, who could
purge us with fire, how would these masses glow and be
clarified!

'Mr. ---- made a good suggestion:--"Such things could not be
said in the open air." Let men preach for the open air, and
speak now thunder and lightning, now dew and rustling leaves.
Yet must the preacher have the thought of his day before he
can be its voice. None have it yet; but some of our friends,
perhaps, are nearer than the religious world at large, because
neither ready to dogmatize, as if they had got it, nor content
to stop short with mere impressions and presumptuous hopes. I
feel that a great truth is coming. Sometimes it seems as if
we should have it among us in a day. Many steps of the Temple
have been ascended, st