The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-03-04
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Religious Perspective.

One OF the greatest clIOTS 10 WHICH, ht
man Judgment is liable, is the cOntempla-
ton of isolated propositions in morals
and religion, without reference to the sys-
TEN to which they belong. We are apt
to handle such propositions as we would
individual objects in nature, and to string
them without order upon the thread OF
memory: or, as traveller singles out
the various features of the country
through which he is passing.
Truth should be regarded as land
scape on the canvass of the artist. 1t
has its laws of perspective, its fore
ground and back ground, its lights and
shadows, its attitudes and distances. A
block OF marble lying at the quarry, how
ever accurately measured by the work.
man, appears very different object from
one that has been elevated TO the top of
the column in some stately edifce. The
verities Of religion, on similar princi-
pie, are viewed to most advantagein their
relations to the grand system of divine
truth which nature and inspiration call
US to contemplate. To pursue the illus
tratiOn suggested above, the various
parts of this system must be regarded
from proper position, if we desire to see
them in their true light, And here is
the sad secret of those discussions that so
much disturb the peace of the Church of
God. Each individual mind, in the ex-
ercise of Christian liberty, and swayed
by its own cherished partiahties and pre-
JUDGES, studies the truths of religion from
a point of view peculiar to itself. The
impression is, of course, different from
that of others. And each denomination
of evangelical Christians increases the
diversity, by directing the attention of the
observer in a peculiar channel. In some
of our churches, we find ministry and
literature devoted to the illustration of
certain parts of revelation to the neglect
of others; and these favorite parts, from
excessive attention, are unduly magnifed
to the eyes of the people. How else can
we account for the sad picture presented
at this moment by the religious world.
Theologians are busily engaged in the
discussion of minute questions of policy,
whilst the world is rushing away from
spiritual religion, to seek more congo
NAL association in the ritual observance
of Rome.
The times demand a return to first
principles, an earnest advocacy of spirit
ual truth, and hearty protest against
the exaggeration of external FORMS
The Bible places its spiritual principles
in the fore ground. Our Saviour and
his apostles devoted their ministry to the
great things that affect the inner life of
the Church. They wasted no time on
forms and ceremonies. They entered
into no cautious directory of the mode in
which our worship should be conducted.
They warre ed us against departures from
the faith, but not against the danger Of be-
ing baptized in defective manner, or of
receiving the sacred elements from unau-
thOrized hands. They insisted upon
orthodox opinions, devout feelings, and
pure morality, but said nothing on the
the subject of affairs, symbOical architec-
ture, and vestments, priestly attitudes, or
the decorations of art All such matters
were kept in the background, and the at
tention of the Church directed to higher
objects and interests.
The body of Christ is divided into
great number of sects, separated by non
essentials, and cemented individually by
partial views of truth. We all deplore
the fact. Where shall we find remedy ?
Not in slavish submission to the pretend
ed infalhbity of Rome, whose decisions
are an incongruOus mass OF contradlc-
tions; but in a spontaneous return Of the
people to the only common standpoint
from which all Christian truth should be
contemplated, to the cross of Christ,
from which, as a central point, the spir-
itual light of the Gospel irradiates the
world. Under the cross there cannot be
any bitter dissensiOn among the true dis
eiples of the Lord The glance of a dy
ing Redeemer forbids his followers TO
mistake his executioners, who parted
his raiment among them, and cast lots
for his veSture. Calvary is no place for
controversy among Christians. Against
such a spirit, the very stones of GOlgOtha
impressiyely protest. W. A. ).
Sir David Brewster.