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WORSHIP

PREPARED UNDER DIRECTION OF THE NEW YORK STATE CONFERENCE OF RELIGION BY A COMMITTEE ON THE POSSIBILITIES OF

COMMON WORSHIP

"Vor quidem dissona: sed una religio"

St. Ambrose

G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
NEW YORK AND LONDON
The Knickerbocker Press

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There are several sorts of religion, not only in different parts of the island, but even in every town. Yet the greater and wiser sort of them worship none of these, but adore one eternal, invisible, infinite, and incomprehensible Deity. Those among them that have not received our religion, do not fright any from it, and use none ill that goes over to it.... He (Utopus) judged it not fit to determine anything rashly, and seemed to doubt whether those different forms of religion might not all come from God, who might inspire men in a different manner, and be pleased with this variety.

Though there are many different forms of religion among them, yet all these, how various soever, agree in the main point, which is the worshipping the Divine Essence; and therefore there is nothing to be seen or heard in their temples in which the several persuasions among them may not agree; for every sect performs those rites that are peculiar to it in their private houses, nor is there anything in the public worship that contradicts the particular ways of those different sects.

.. Nor are there any prayers among them but such as every one of them may use without prejudice to his own opinion. Both priests and people

offer up very solemn prayers to God in a set form of words; and these are so composed, that whatsoever is pronounced by the whole assembly may be likewise applied by every man in particular to his own condition.

Utopia: Sir Thomas More.

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