"A Promiscuous Assembly" by Rev. Barbara Merritt

Tue Jan 16 15:11:49 CST 2007

M I N I S T E R ‘ S   M E M O
“A Promiscuous Assembly”

That is what the gentlemen who published the first volume of Rev. Aaron
Bancroft’s sermons called our congregation. In introducing their founding
minister to the general public in the year 1822, they wanted to reassure the
“learned,” the doctors of theology, that these sermons were not written for
them, but rather for the members of the Second Parish whom they deemed to be
a “promiscuous assembly.”

The meanings of words can change during the course of a few centuries. Back
then, a “promiscuous assembly” simply meant that people of different
opinions had gathered. The Second Parish was not an assembly of the “saved,”
or the doctrinally conforming. From the very beginning the Rev. Bancroft
welcomed all who loved reason and truth and freedom of inquiry. And when the
radical group of his fellow Unitarian clergy gathered in 1825 to form the
first national organization, the American Unitarian Association, they chose
our own Aaron Bancroft to be their first president.

Though, you’d never know that if you visited our national headquarters today
at 25 Beacon Street in Boston. In the central welcoming hall is not Aaron’s
portrait, but that of William Ellery Channing. Channing the visionary
leader, the poet, the great orator, the eloquent theologian, was in truth
the man who inspired the first call to form the AUA. But when it came right
down to the institutional work, the hard, detailed demands of leadership,
and the ongoing management of his colleagues in fellowship, Rev. Channing
declined. Like many Unitarians to this day, he was better at articulating
marvelous ideas than in the actual follow-through. And our denomination, in
offering homage to their past presidents, now has a beautiful portrait of
Rev. William Ellery Channing at the top of the grand staircase. And while
there are portraits of almost every other president of AUA and UUA, there
are none of Aaron (!).

It’s not as if Aaron didn’t have his own following of admirers. Part of our
treasured legacy in Worcester is letters from both Presidents John Adams and
Thomas Jefferson praising Aaron’s sermons as “brilliant diamonds” and “the
future of religion in America.”

Even if Aaron doesn’t get any respect in Boston, we at First Unitarian have
a special reason to study his contribution to our parish. Any systems expert
will tell you that the founding leader of an institution (secular or
religious) has an enormous influence on the direction and future of that
organization, far beyond their lifetime. They not only set a tone and a
vision, as for 55 years Rev. Bancroft established a foundational structure
which influences us to this day.

While searching for a quote for an upcoming church brochure, I found the
following passages in his sermons. They were written in Bancroft’s 25th-27th
years of service (1820-1822.) He wrote using the language of his own time
(men, man and mankind.) But his core liberal theology is as stunningly
insightful now, as it was then.

*“To act rationally and freely is the important concern of religion.”

* “Every man who seriously endeavors to acquire the knowledge of divine
truth, and practices according to the dictates of an enlightened conscience,
will be accepted at the day of judgment.”

* “Implicit confidence can never be safely reposed on human authority.
Religious instructors are forbidden to exercise dominion over the faith of
their fellow men, but they are directed to be the helpers of their joy.”

* “The natural understandings of men differ, their education is dissimilar,
and the course of life is various. These circumstances lead to different
views of religion and all subjects. A truth that is plain and evident to the
man of ten talents, may be unintelligible to him who possesses but one . . .
What you deem to be a mere rite of religion, your neighbor may hold as a
fundamental principle of the gospel. No one ought to adopt the opinion of
another against the dictates of his own mind.”

* “Life furnishes to us the best evidence of the state of the heart.”

* “In forbearance and charity, permit each to judge for themselves.”

* “Among all denominations, worthy and unworthy professors may be found.
That in each, the most perfect disciples have occasion to lament their
weakness, and their failings. And that with every denomination, the fruits
manifested by their life and conversation, should furnish the rule of
charitable judgment, and not doctrinal opinions.”

* “It is really inconceivable that anyone who feels the importance of
religious truth, who would wish to see it triumphant with joy, should feel
any reluctance to encourage freedom of examination.”

Whether you are a member or a friend of our parish, you are warmly invited
to attend the 222nd Annual Meeting of our own “promiscuous assembly” of
spiritual seekers, fellow travelers and supporters of religious freedom.

In the words of our founding minister, Rev. Bancroft, our differing opinions
about God, truth and reality do not prevent us from “maintaining the unity
of the spirit in the bonds of peace.” So that together we may be about our
true business: promoting “the kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy.” I
couldn’t have said it better myself.

                                                Barbara

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