New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-05
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
STEPS OF BELIEF Rational Christianity maintained nansi
Clarke l6mo pp all American Unitarian Association

STEPS OF BELIEF or Christianity maintained against
cisfis Ismo pp s Boston. American Uu.sr Association
This little volume has q great deal in 1t that
viii be welcome to thinking of all sects, whether
they accept its conclusions not IL deals in fresn
vigorous manly way, with topics which just now are Oh
the utmost interest to all Christians Dr. Clarke crap
pies with the modern form OF the old doctrine OF mate
ralism which from Germany, and seems 10 DC q
reaction against the extreme ideasm of Fchte sche
ling and Hege and by a variety OF arguments shows
that II is untcnabe lie maintained that there are more
and weighter reasons for holding that man Is eSsehy
soul and that body is merely his chest OF tools t
for thinking that he is nothing but body his thog "
result Of phosphorus in the BRAIN his affection the eer
vescence Of carbonc acid gas. Every astronomical ver
hcation proves that force is not a property OF
matter and both COmte and Mill adj
init that it is hyperphyscaL The chapters
that deal with the different phases OF this question ana
establish the doctrine of Thesm on national basis are
exceedingly interesting, and make good popular eAPo
ston Of the subject DR.. Clarke wisely excludes OAR
wins hypothes from the category OF Atheism TO which
il has been condemned by many writer's without sufficient
reason. 1t sets forth and illustrates possible way pu'
does deny the existence OF Cause III SHOWS py hu
merous admitted facts and curious analogles no" thc
Creator probably proceeded with his work. but In no way
implies that blind Law lawless Chance made the selec
lions which have resulted in the existing types OF animal
life Scientific thinkers OF the Spenceran school admit
the existence of Deity contend that we can know
nothing concerning him except the bare fac tat nc H.
He is the Unknown and the Unknowable. Dr. clarke
calls this Imperfect theism and claims that our know
edge of Deity is correct far it goes though 1t is
necessarily incomplete. We know what God is though
we do not know all He is. We understand though we do
not comprehed Him. But exactly how we can under
stand what cannot comprehend passes our compre-
hensiOn and understanding too Dr. Clarke should have
adopted the words well the thought OF Marneaus
fine antithess-we may apprehend what We cannot CON-
mt
ter.
The second part Of the volume discusses the questions
at issue between Christians and those who call them
selves THESIS II maintains that the Gospels are essen
TALLY true. The Evangelists were $50 many mirrors
placed around Jesus, to reflect his actions and words
down through the ages If you place four mirrors around
a statue each will contain something which the others
have, and something which they have not. SO the
Eyangelist each adding original trait to the pic
ture contain also repettions of each others story
Jesus perfect though not unnatural perfect man,
but not God. Christianity il an advance on Theism,
going deeper in its law Of life higher in its law Of media
tion wider in its sympathy, and having greater power
of progress than any other religion. Most OF the obee
tons urged against it by the advocates Of Free Re
gion" either unreasonable and bctray disposition
TO make out case apply only TO ideas and usages
which have been associated with the religion but form
no part OF It, These views set forth in plausible
and supported by arguments that make up in in
genuity what they lack in weight. But somehow Dr..
Clarke has failed to mark the necessary logical
philosophical anhesis between his system of Chris
tanity and Thesm; and though he sets the two over
against each other in the attitude Of hostility the unpro
ssOHal reader fails TO exactly why and more than
half suspects that the antagOni is than half ar
tcial than real, proceeding from the feelings of indi
viduals rather from permanent ssure i'll the fOunda
lions Of faith. According to the generally received idea
Christianity is supernatural religion, supernaurally
communicated, with miraculous sanctions and broadly
marked boundary separating it from all other religions
Dr. Clarke to regard the highest and purest
form of Thesm Tie world has seen, capable OF be-
ing uniyersazed, and destined to absorb all
that is good and true in all other re-
ligiOns; and the supernatural is film of gold
colOred cloud floating it, and its divine eenent ID
what Of Heaven Is reflected in its depths. Whether
Christianity systematically imposed upon the world
from above divney wrought into its substance and
history by the shuttle OF law is question must leave
for theologians settle they But IL rational
Christians Of Dr. Carke's school hold the latter view,
the controversy between them and sOcalled Theists
dWndle to mere discussion of details, the difference
between the two parties being merely matter Of more
less Theodore Parker would say. The discussion Of
the claims of ROmanism is timely and interesting, brst
ling with points and conducted in spirit of commend
able and courtesy, The volume closes with an
appeal from the letter to the spirit and attempt to
state the essential faith of Christians OF all churches and
ages The author looks forward to final union OF all
Christians in true Catholic Church, toward which his
work a contribution, and Of which his spirit hope
fu augury. But one swallow does not make a Summer.
A new and revised edition of AppletOnS'