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Unitarianism

Chapter 23: CHRONOLOGY
By W. G. Tarrant
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About This Book

The text surveys the rise and transformation of liberal Christian thought from early nonconformist roots through debates over trinitarian doctrine, following developments in England and New England. It recounts how dissenting worship and organization shifted from covert latitude to organized societies and chapels, considers doctrinal controversies and the roles of prominent leaders and publications, and traces the legal and property questions that accompanied recognition. Later chapters describe the composition and practices of modern communities, prevailing ideas and methods of instruction, and the movement's interactions with other religious liberals, closing with an appraisal of contemporary tendencies in belief and worship.

CHRONOLOGY

1536-1612. Many trials and executions for denying the Trinity; notably Servetus (1553); four East Anglians, 1579-89; Legate and Wightman, 1612.

1568. Francis David founds the Unitarian Church in Hungary.

1578-1604. Faustus Socinus active in Poland.

1595. The Racovian Catechism. Other Socinian works follow.

1640. Canon against Socinian books in England.

1644-62. John Bidle's career.

1646 and onward. Anti-trinitarians among Baptists, Independents, Friends, etc. Books against 'Socinianism.'

1662. Act of Uniformity—ejection of Nonconformists.

1674. Milton d., leaving his Treatise of Christian Doctrine in MS.; discovered 1823 and published.

1687. Stephen Nye's Brief History of the Unitarians, etc.

1689. Toleration Act—Unitarians excluded.

1689-97. The 'Unitarian Controversy.' Being suppressed, 'Arianism' developed among clergy, 'Deism' among other writers.

1690. Presbyterian Academy (now College, Carmarthen) founded.

1695. Locke's Reasonableness of Christianity.

1700. General Baptist Assembly accept Anti-trinitarian membership.

1703. Thomas Emlyn imprisoned for denying the Trinity.

1719. 'Non-subscription' vote at Salter's Hall, London.

1740+. Arianism diffused; Humanitarianism incipient.

1742. The 'Great Awakening' revival in New England, followed by a Liberal reaction.

1755-1804. Joseph Priestley's career.

1774. Theophilus Lindsey's Unitarian Chapel, London.

1786. Manchester Academy (now College, Oxford) founded.

1790+. Unitarian propaganda active in England.

1808. Controversy in New England Congregationalism.

1813. Toleration Act extended to Unitarians.

1817. Proceedings begun against Unitarians in respect of inherited Chapels, etc.

1818. The 'Dedham Case,' Massachusetts.

1819. Dr. Channing's 'Baltimore Sermon.'

1825. Founding of Associations in Great Britain and U.S.A.

1836. Martineau's Rationale.

1838. Emerson's Divinity School Address.

1842. Theodore Parker's Discourse.

1844. Dissenters' Chapels Act.

1847. Hibbert Trust founded.

1854. Unitarian Home Missionary Board (now College, Manchester) founded.

1882. National Triennial Conferences begun.

1890. Martineau's Seat of Authority.

1900. International Congresses founded.

AUTHORITIES

R. WALLACE. Anti-trinitarian Biography, 3 vols., Lond., 1850.

A. GORDON. Heads of English Unitarian History, 1 vol., Lond., 1895.

J.H. ALLEN. Unitarianism since the Reformation, 1 vol., New York, 1894.

J.J. TAYLER. Retrospect of the Religious Life of England, 1 vol.,
Lond. (3rd Ed.), 1876.

W.G. TARRANT. Story and Significance of the Unitarian Movement, 1 vol., Lond., 1910. (Gives more detailed references.)

For statistics and special characteristics of the various Liberal Religious bodies in general accord with Unitarians see the following records of the International Congresses:—

Liberal Religious Thought at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century. Ed. by W. COPELAND BOWIE, Lond., 1901.

Religion and Liberty. Ed. by P.H. HUGENHOLTZ, jun., Leyden, 1904.

Actes du III'me Congrès International du Christianisme Libéral et Progressif. Ed. by E. MONTET, Geneva, 1906.

Freedom and Fellowship in Religion. Ed. by C.W. WENDTE, Boston, 1907.

Fifth International Congress of Free Christianity and Religious Progress. Ed. by WENDTE and DAVIS, Berlin (and London), 1911.