1821 Oct. 14

Jug. Util

Plan of Procedure

Considerandum pestia[?]—How many of the Parts shall be compleated before any of them are published. For scrutiny consistency, compactness &c all the argumentative parts should be first compleated before any are published.

Subject matter question of the belief of supernatural rational agency the beneficial or mischievous effects predominate? Result of the inquiry, the mischievous.

1. Direct object in this occasion, maximizing number of converts.

2. Collateral object, avoiding sufferance at the hands of the political and popular or moral sanction: and suppression of the work at the hands of the political.

Rules of procedure for guidance of the course of conduct to be pursued for the accomplishment of the above objects or ends in view.

Rule 1. Minimize irritation. The more you irritate and the more highly you irritate them the fewer you will convert. Thence

Rule 2. In attacking a part of the enemy leave him, as long as you can, a loop-hole to creep out at: in such sort that, on yielding the part first attacked it shall not appear to him that he yields the whole, or that the strength of the whole will be lessened by the partial abandonment.

Particularization. Among believers in supposed Revealed Religion (viz. that of Jesus) there are many in whose eyes Natural Religion, considered independently of their Revealed d o, is of little value. Indeed the insufficiency of Natural Religion is brought forward by them as a proof of the necessity of Revealed: and, in the contrast between the insufficiency of it, as exemplified in Pagan antiquity, and the sufficiency of Revealed, they dwell not without complacency. In attacking the usefulness of Natural Religion you may therefore so manage as that without relinquishing their belief, the Revealed Religion may be, if not for you in thinking you on their side, at any rate not decidedly or violently against you. Hence