Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-05-04
MIR. Spcncer's Letter and Heresy.

On Saturday we published a lette
from George D. Spencer, OF Fair Haven
in reference to an editorial comment il
the HERALD of the 10Th on the trial o
Rev. Mr. Herbert for heresy, at the re
cent session of the Troy Conference. W
have only to say that our comment Oh
that affair was correct.
Mr. Spencer's principal trouble seem
to be that Mr.. Herbert has preached doc
trinea anti gonistic to the creed of tn
Methodist Church. In this enlightened
age when new expositions and comment
aries are being almost weekly issued, is
strange that ministers do not preach BY
rules. We apprehend the grievance will
Mr.. Herbert is that he is an independent
thinker and believes in an nntrammelec
pulpit. In this regard he is right, and in
correspondence with all the leading
clergymen of the country.
1t was our fortune to have been MIR.
tured under the influence of Congre.
gationalism, but are we compelled for
that reason to adopt line by line the doc
trines of that church. Have we no right
to an honest and independent thought
upon their creed and disagreement to
some of it without being charged with
being an infdels. Most certainly. Do
Henry Ward Beecher, DR.. Seaver, DR..
Bushnell and a host of other eminent
clergymen who are independent, preach
precisely the doctrines of their church
without variation ? DR.. Horace Bush
mel few years since dared to be indie
pendent in his preaching and was sum-
moned for trial. After comparison OF
the views of the clergymen composing the
council it was found that nearly all held
independent views upon various doctrines
and the council was dissolved without
trial. The times demand an untrammeled
and independent pulpit, and it is not for
men to be denounced as infidels Ewho de-
mand or sustain this position.
We apprehend that Rev. Mr.. Herbert's
views are not nearly so heterodox as our
friend Spencer would have the world be-
lieve, at least the trial did not develope
the fact. He is a man who thinks for
himself, and gives utterance for himself,
without injury TO the creed of the Meth
odist church. There il a vague idea in
the minds of many good people that a
sermon that does not correspond with the
creed of the church is unsound in faith,
although it may contain more real and
genuine morality and religion, because it
reaches the minds, consoienoes and hearts
of men. Distinctive creed preaching is
fast fading away in all denominations, in
the spread of christian truth, as tending
to the spiritual unity of the Church of
Christ on earth, and as fastening the
spread of religious truth, for which the
world daily prays and waits. 1t is I'M
generous to charge clergyman with in
fidelity, because he has individual opin-
ions be dares to express even if not in strict
accordance with the creed.of the Church.
If our churches would individualize
their labors, and liberalize their various
creeds, stop quarreling with each ether,
-, d go to work soul saving, they would
I'd enough to do, and the devil would
,o1o less prolific harvest than he now
n;ovs There is ample space for every
,odv 70 enjoy his own opinions and it
bonld he est, ,emed q great privilege to
ava nerfect fire. .sdom to think what one
,leases than to force ereeds upon any one.
The era has already dawned and we are
last coming upon an age of recognition of
universal individual rights, subject to the
restraints of an authority only sufficient
to secure those rights aId promote the
welfare Of all.