New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-11-26
TIE "INDEPEEDEYTs" RELIGIOUS OPIN-
IONS

want Edward Beecher ald John p CULVER. The cards.
which are similar in substance report in refer
ence TO the conference held by the subscribers year
IN respect to the relations Of that journal the evange
cal faith Tho assurances then given us" the first
card says, that 1t should be both the organ and
the champion Of those truths commonly known
evangelical" were at the request Of the publisher,
communication 10 tho publlc in connection with
mines The pledges mace 10 ms in private had been still
more definite and ample, meeting every objection and
covering every supposable contingency. Whatever de.
gree OF improvement may appear in the religions tone Of
the PAPER SINCE our conference, the puzzle can haTay re-
gard u az becoming "0O the organ and ne champion o
me truths commonly t1,OWn eraHgeicai" by simply adj
lnllk mo us columns alike COMMUNICATIONS ayotDIe
OF hostile 10 such Vows with editorial comment
and with no positive editorial advocacy Of those views
ever HpphieH any where Nor can tleJ expect tat Ine
lHdtpeHac VIII ever become more evangelical than 1t
has been of late under the control Of It's present editor
ihchieI ana managing editor, each OF whom has made
himself wei known TO the public as in sympathy with
very different system from that commonly known as
evangelical.
Nor any recent declaration from the publisher Of
ms purpose YET 10 maze me ihaepcnotm an eFaABeca
paper be tgarded % Of mdch ho-efu sgmhcancy es-
pecially when coupled II Is with the assertion that
the paper always has been evangelical
IL loSeYeT the publsneI sail yet redeem ms pieuges
and make such changes as To realize the noble ideal 80
often held before will more heartily rejoice than
ourselves bul ne snl IAN III an TINS ana lis Joui
nal, made what has been largely by the favor OF the
evangelical community, and especially by Congrega-
tiona effort and patronage, shall gradually abandon
what seems TO as vital ~ Christianity Tor
deprecated an inditerentism which gives equal
welcome To truth and error or atempta vague unsuD-
,r7t1rs%,sI ~ mnye1il oSencv rom the forces OF
evangelical truth; but shall only share IN tho com
mon aud sorrOwiul disappointment OF the thousands 10
whom ~ it, earlier days was the honored aud trusted
application 90 all thought and action
Tho card signed by sessrs. stTtovant, Beecher, and
Guyer, is more specific III ITS complaints MI Ilton Is
declared be in his rc yous opinions destitute Of we'll
considered convictions. They say;
Mr. Theodore Tilton. the editorn-chie" j. very well
known to the public "a IA earnest ana consistent anu
man rirbts As a rcforner OF - poutiyeuess aud
courage, as a brilliant aud forcibe, but thought
less and often undscumnatiug journalist rs
poet OF much proinlht' as successul 0Ialor' ~
o genial companion, aud as courteous gentleman In
his religious opinions, whatever his private views may
pec the existence IN his mind OF any defined system, or
foundation principles OF the Christian system which
have sometimes been very positive aud energetic he has
batabe ground which, in the edltorlnchef OF a
great religious newspaper Is at once painful aud lud
cIuuA HIS subsequent attempt To escape from the abb
surdty OF his position boy affirming the possibility Of re-
lgon without theology, rather deepons, than removes
tho conviction OF his unltness 10 act as religious
teacher AT the head OF the largest religious newspaper
I'M The world" We believe Mr. Triton has never claimed
% be either metaphys.cian or a theOlOgian.
ON the other hand, Mr Oliver johnson, Who notice
.f Iirrsef MANAGING Editor whatever that NAV be-
though widely known Is man OF definite and pro
nounced convictions, especially on religious subjects
Gfsde 81 he columns of The independent he makes no
secret 81 opinions which, whether Justly or ujusty, We
viii not now undertake say, would matter Of fact
be- rronouuced by evangelical Christians generally.
not only uneyangencal but innde. IN re-
lsious associations Is termed "Pro
gressve Friend" while among that remarkable con.
comerate which assemblies ounuaily under the name n
Free Fe!ouists" lac appears as central and shining
light MI johnson Is hoi 9niy POSITIVE ana ieAi,s''
bat, might Do expected Is a thoroughly non
est nan true 90 lbs convictions, aud also, we
doubt not tfue % his promises Even ~ attempt
nr to Play tie part d an orthodox editor. as he
- now doing. under Mf' Bo"eAe stringent lnsiIuc-
tionz." We presume DO means 70 he ~ puncilious
ID. Nip9l.ou hen acting the MahOmmedan Ia mosque
as the Roman Angg- MuoII l no. o s" t
bs ciesheaded able charged with claiming that
r , r,'ti ii, religions views though believe, with
some protest on 'le part o. the latter SenIe'A'u'
Tho remaining toms % thi. history may be briefly
Indicated A fu has passed by since the colnei,c-
friil of SIR Ho,s,s promises 900 their thrcciod form
Co control ls present editors 20 OBTAIN now .l,os anh
I'M REGARD 20 the management ~ tho paper under is
.r f0rs 30 ou boz sad that Do romhins substantially
rrrnaured n BE- odioflay no better perhaps it D. 40
T,. .lresfr ir p.arufiug frou A.r Bowen i've years
caso of h editorial chair upon Dis own terms, The proni'
neat condition of which n That hc snail ns, 70 nothing ~
~ manor which b. inconsistent with the creed 81
ryoth church. what that creed may be- or who Il to
bo umpire who he prosecuting officer ~ case OF
violation OF TINS condition. We arc not informed
caiders himself bound only Of his private
arrangement with Mr Bowen, and NOT u any manner by
pledges have therefore been practically Withdrawn Tor
al least i've years. 300 favor ~ private nriaLgtnent
ST. Johnson s.o Appears to DO saasy located at 1c
very center ~ tie D DIal WtD WAtc he SIS i'Dtd lu
acting part the director % The journal which once
aspcd 70 b. bltl the gan and Tie champion u tAe
truths commonly known as evangelical not Only Tor the
M Uowe': rnorts tl obtain an evangelical divine 20
iou the editorial staff have been prosecuted through tho
year with the srcacst Ussiduy, and with most COM
they have all been made subject 20 the approval and In
dofemeut ~ The present mCumhcuis, while the cyaugel
iral di,incs applied to have exhibited umdity about
complaining thcmseVcc Win the present oHco arrange
menis which thus Tar has proved fual 10 success.
We have also high authority ior believing that our OF
the abundance OF the heart the mouth VIII speak Ihat
il thus far considering the difficulty Of the impersuuA
finu b. a compliment vel. deserved That Mr. IlltOn
ht. Tor an entire year only let Of hall dozen rockets
more or less INTO the camp OF his eFahbc"ca4
frrud IL certainly q remarkable example Of self
restraint the part ~ 40 brilliant pyrotechnst But
funt Tho IHdstchdet ~ 10 become under S present
ms againt tho liberal" and iuhdc assaants low crowd
ia to tho attack uluu 20, is simply RIDICULOUS 4hat MI
Bowen really prefers % Doc the proprietor OF al euauBe
cnl paper. We do not question.
men than with those who deny the LORD that hOugt
them" readily believe, since We happen To nave
Die private testimony tp the iact bul lHAt tuoet l"p
Gentlemen. with their lWInc.tuc ana lmpuhFo clcIh
ueuts when compounded with the clear, positive fear
less man, who b. We'll enough named the managing
editor are likely make any such paper as Nj Bowen
s0cmuy promised 90 Hd % the public, we 90 not De
lItye. nor DO We think any man believes 10.
Bur H. al any future time, before the pressure or
healthy public sentiment. The independent under the
lead Of ~ genial though somewhat thouGhtcss hhu
rate editon-chief and OF s proprietor whose intent
u.s. we arc persuaded, much trucr thah Ms Act sia ne
brought ont from lts present humathg position OF non
Lich t has procln.mrd ITSELF both the and tho
champion" and shall re-,imc the manly attitude which
originally eyo 10 at once IT, namc hud ~ ieho" mono
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SILVER WEDDING OF JOHN b. GoUGH.
d NlsV