The New York herald., 1870-10-24
EX2iG Esza sEIyICES.
The Radical UH,rGyian,s Eaith-tsermos by
Rev. q. R. Frothinaham.


The Radical Unseayian's Eaith-sermos by
Rev. o. Ia. Frothinaham.
There was the usual intelligent and earnestly
attentive congregation as Lyric Hall yesterday morn
ing. Rev, Mr. Notningham preached Ill his usual
highly wrought and npassioned style. The subject,
however, was one OF unusual interest, embodying,
as it did, unfolding Of the faith of the radical
section OF the Unitarian Church, called forth by
the late Unitarian Conference. AS the basis of
THE SERMON
he took Corinthians H.. iv., i3:--'fWe having the
same spirit OF faith, according as it is written
believe. and therefore have spoken; we also be-
eve and therefore speak, He began with referring
TO the proceedings Of the late Unitarian Conference
IL was certain that the members OF this Conference
could not agree on principles. Men who agree in
oil their moral ideas, who are Of one mind to the
elements OF character and who have the same con-
victlons as to the social state the same moral con-
ceptions Of Jesus Christ, the same yearnngs after
goodness ought TO unite. II they will insist OH
speculative opinions then there Is an end OF unity
Ii must be taken for granted that they had faitn
that This faith OF theirs undenable nothing
against II. Many years have been spent In
definitions. The first definitions were uttered In
the fourth century, and 1t was now the nineteenth
century. The Catholics bad not yet defined all the
essentials Of tneir faith. Ii was the same with the
Protestants There was not unity OF faith to the
Godhead Ii was asking too much for q faith to de.
1ne itself In the cradle Of Its existence. Because
they could not say all they mad to say In half an
hour, mnsl 1t be said that they had nothing to say?
VIII arcua itself n tnw tme fAsTa Al of the rsc,cp ,arv
they assert that while the vital sentiments OF man
connect him with society bis moral sentiments carry
the prophecy and pledge OF u spiritual and higher
life. humanity is child and will be for
ages to come. As maakind ADVANCE in
knowledge In intelligence and culture they do not
become less religious, out more 80. Plato was no
rudimentsl man. His religion kept pace with his
philosophical mind Bacon and Newton were no
babes; they burst into the Infinite and when they
reached IL they fell on their knees. Milton ana Dante
bowed down to their own lofty conceptions ours was
ligious sentiment as o hickerng dame In tie bosom
that req close attention or else it will die. We
So 1t is to the religious sentiment that you owe your
very existence. You are tts slave, not
iis master You are nrs IT'S creature Il
The radical says the religions of the past aud pre-
sent are efforts Of the religious sentiment TO nd
God. Had not man been religious being he would
L It's; is trds y,"'' 4s''' '"'D''A ''' A' '''up''A
IN RUDE TIMES
the religious sentiment appears az that dreadful
thing we call superstition. From that rough begin.
ping philosophy and religion have grown into tne
Of the principle. Crude and ugly IN their concep-
ton they mature into majestic beauty. The rell.
gions OF mankind are nilestones that indicate tho
progress OF the race. The religious sentiment
throws out thoughts OF God-not tho COD
Of she Romanist OK Protestant. not any
special God. but SIMPLY and only God;
Or Goa who consecrates temples turks behind
affairs, shelters among creeds who made the world
IN BLK days, who had to die to save His creatures
from destruction who throws into confusion His
own presswork and breaks His own power; who
appears TO Moses, Isaiah and Samuel; a God who
prints one ortwo books for His fyorites. The God OF
Abraham ond Isaac and Jacob the radical kn0wa
not He knows simply God. --s3 f fyssf - :
- %.s-g. THE RADICALS GOD
is the loveest dream OF the human soul. II there
must be definitions the moro the better. Como
philosopher. como poet come artist and tell Of your
God. We want you all together TO tell OF your God.
We need the multitude OF your thoughts to save
MS from the despotism OF creeds. 1t ia not
sufficient to say that He Is wfse for He Is wisdom;
that He is Just FOR e is justice, that de IS good for
He Is goodness. That He should be partial, that He
should build hell thar He should erect barrier
between His creatures that bird cannot ny
through, the radical does not believe. The radical
believes in God who is light aud life and love and
goodness; God spoke creation into existence; crea'
ton Is HIS articuIate world. The radical ~
BELIEVES IN REVELATIONS.
Revelations open our eyes. The Intellectual eye
detects wonderful laws and systems and a divine
beauty clothing all. The spiritual eye dIscsrns
aionS OF bcnignIty all about us. Footprints OF a
bsandess good Will are everywhere apparent