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“Ecclesiastical and Denominational Tendencies” By Grindall Reynolds

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“Ecclesiastical and Denominational Tendencies”

by Grindall Reynolds

in Unitarianism: Its Origin and History

(American Unitarian Association, 1890)

Grindall Reynolds

Grindall Reynolds

Grindall Reynolds (1822 – 94) was ordained in 1848 and ten years later became minister in Concord, Massachusetts, where he served until his death.

The current document was the 16th and final lecture in a series on Unitarianism given in Boston in 1888-89.

  • Reynolds can look back over the whole organized Unitarian movement in America and cite certain events as stellar. What are the major losses which Reynolds cites? Does his list seem sufficient?
  • As Reynolds looks forward, does his assessment of Unitarianism seem correct now with the wisdom of hindsight?
  • In terms of polity does Reynolds catch the central issue?
  • Does the lecture help understand the freedom versus organization issue which seems inherent in the Unitarian heritage?

The text of “Ecclesiastical and Denominational Tendencies” is available online here.