Jews, for instance, were decidedly outside the pale; while
Dissenters--so Dr. Arnold argued--were as decidedly within it.
But what was the position of the Unitarians? Were they, or were
they not, members of the Church of Christ? This was one of those
puzzling questions which deepened the frown upon the Doctor's
forehead and intensified the pursing of his lips. He thought long
and earnestly upon the subject; he wrote elaborate letters on it
to various correspondents; but his conclusions remained
indefinite. 'My great objection to Unitarianism,' he wrote, 'in
its present form in England, is that it makes Christ virtually
dead.' Yet he expressed 'a fervent hope that if we could get rid
of the Athanasian Creed many good Unitarians would join their
fellow Christians in bowing the knee to Him who is Lord both of
the dead and the living'. Amid these perplexities, it was
disquieting to learn that 'Unitarianism is becoming very
prevalent in Boston'. He inquired anxiously as to its
'complexion' there; but received no very illuminating answer. The
whole matter continued to be wrapped in a painful obscurity,
There were, he believed, Unitarians and Unitarians; and he could
say no more.
In the meantime, pending the completion of his great work, he
occupied himself with putting forward various suggestions of a
practical kind.
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