The New York herald., 1871-09-24
The Tendency Of Religious Thought.

The HERALD In Its discussion OF religious subjects
has displayed q conservatism which is perhaps OF
more moment as indicating the tendency OF thought
at large than may be apparent to only q casual
reader This Is not an age OF startling developments
In Intellectual progress and doubtless those ages
which we have left behind US have had recorded
In their history more reforms or revolutions OF
thought than ever will be recorded In the future.
But despite this iact It Is true that the elements
which make up the present feature OF the worlds
thought on all vital questions are shifting and
changing continually, vet with mlder and more
imperccptible metamorphosis than might be sup
posed from what has transpired In the lives OF
Luther and Wesley. We are In the midst OF
grand, almost silent, fusion OF all the
clements OF dIssenslon. Even this may be
asserted at the same time that a Dolnger
and Cheney are causing their little sensations in
religious circlcs for these are but minor agents
the surface under which more stealrlly at
work TO strengthen and deepen the worlds conser-
vatism. Schsms IN churches have now come to be
regarded as matters OF course, not as astounding
events. Stmultude OF thought IS not now regarded
though such was the case wnen any innovation ex,,
cited 50 much alarm as TO lead to inquisltions and
TO persons VINO are not stl bound up In Denlghled
bigotry that even bishops and prclatcs should stand
agnasl at such events as the differing OF
ODservances among the brotherhood OF ministers
and laymen In THIS age we are no longer " Judge
others BY ourselves, neither TO suppose that any
y.
1t may be that zeal for the integrity OF his Church
makes pardonable the severity which q bishop may
exercise toward those who abide not by its old time
ways; but IL Is certain that all such severity but
nurses the LII and makes the Church as body
still more weak AS policy alone, with no refer
ence TO the right tolerance IS best; for after ALL II
the principles represented, and not the forms and
ceremonials, which are TO be defended; SO that
may be recusant in the letter. and II not In the
spirit OF the hOnOred creed he should still be toler.
ated In the folds OF the Church. The Church should
be q mother and not a ruler.
In looking over the world one can perceive the
Signs OF s0ftening OF the aSper1ties OF religious
disagreements and fusion or all religious beliefs
The extreme opinions which have signallzed the
different societies have gradually lost their impor.
tance In the eyes OF the world because In all cases
they have been found 70 concern points which were
not vital to salvation The world seldom disagrees
or whether wrong is wrong. But It has had q habit
OF contendlng over other issues which did not
involve the question OF right IN q spiritual
sense but only IN physical Thus dissen-
sion has never been raised by that command,
''Ihou shalt not STEAL" But as to whether
the Lord shall be worsh1pped with altar and chants
or with silence and inertness OF the body, has en-
gagged the lives and thoughts OF such men as Greg
ory and Fox. Why could they not drop the question
whether 1t should be the act OF the soul or OF tine
bodyf In the first instance It cannot be unsccept-
able IN the second, it NAV be hollow and mocking.
The spirit OF the age, OF winch the HEBALD is an
exponent points to noble ignoring OF Oil doctrines
for the vital question, whether sincere, godly
life Is hot the ullmatum OF all religious education.
That IL Is The majority OF Christians are ready to
admit and tnat II depends on no forms or ceremo.
Mes X. B. ID.