The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-26
SUMMARY of Unitarian Faith.


day is the discourse of the Rev. Freeman
Clarke, of Boston, on the positive doctrines of
Unitarianism. 1t will be remembered that in
recent editorial review of a doctriual sermon
preached by another Unitarian divine from the
Stub" we showed that the doctrines were en-
tirely omitted, and it is with pleasure that we
produce to-day, though somewhat in detail, a
pulpit address which has at least some of the
doctrines of Unitarianism in it. When Mr..
Hepworth left the Church of the Messiah and
the Unitarian denomination his strongest pro-
test was uttered against its ''negations." This
charge Of q negative belief has been taken up
by the orthodox pulpit and press and passed
around very freely, until the faith of some
has been shaken, If not entirely overthrown,
in the stability, not in the needfulness, of the
denomination to exist any longer. 1t was to
counteract this influence that MIR. Clarke and
Others have been invited to preach doctrinal
sermons in the Church of the Messiah, and
yesterday this eloquent and leading Unitarian
divine let his congregation into the mysteries
of their faith, and, through the HERALD, we
shall pass 1t around until thousands and tens
of thousands are enabled to see and read for
themselves what there is in Unitaranism that
is worthy of their approval or condemnation.
In the first place Mr.. Clarke tells us that the
unity of God is the leading doctrine of Uni
tarians, and that which gives the denomination
ats title. And by teaching the Fatherhood of
God it brings the Deity nearer to the human
mind and heart, and hence there is no need of
Precipitation, atonement or sacrifice, in order
that this Father may be able to forgive His
penitent child. 1t does not speak Of partial
God who selects some of His children to be
saved and others to be lost but of one whose
love embraces the evil and the good, and
whose divine decree is that not any should
perish wholly and forever. The second doc
capacity Of man to do good or evil, and that
sin is not only the road to hell, but is hell
itself; that sefshness and falsehoo6 and
every other crime is hell also. Orthodoxy
has seen the dark side Of life which allies man
to earth, sense and evil, but it has failed to
most honored when man is most humiliated.
This idea is of course, contrary to Unitarian
Ism, which teaches the very opposite, that in
mans deepest degradation he is still the child
Of God, and has in him the seeds and
germs Of q majestic futore. The aext
doctrine taught by this Church relates
to the divinity of Christ, and il presents
Christ. not as a human God, but divine
man made in all respects like his brethren"
Then of course He was not s'the only-begot-
ten Son of God" but one Of family of sons
begotten Of earthly parents. 'sHe Is the
truest man the world has ever seen, He is
our model Of human nature" says Unitarian
Ism. This declaration is certainly consistent
with that other tou ching the Fatherhood of
God; but it is contrary to the declaration of
the Bible that "Jesus Christ, by the grace of
God, tasted death for every man." Either the
Scriptures must be false in this regard or Uni
taria nism must be.
Again, in regard to the inspiration Of the
Bible, Unitarianism, while accepting it as an
inspired book, teaches that it is also the word
of man. The inspiration consists in its illu-
mination with truth rather than in its freedom
from error. The fifth doctrine enunciated by
this Church relates to the conversion of human
souls and the future state of bliss, and, while
Orthodoxy teaches that salvation comes
through Christ alone and from without, Uni
tarianism teaches that it can only come from
within. And hence it adds to conversion
Christian culture. Heaven is not any thing hid
den or far of, but it is something that we have
= 10 lii To-
with Jesus" Then. pray, whittier did Jesus
ascend when He left the disciples on the
mount still ''gazing up into heaven after
hm2 1.-THE resurrection of the just is not
anything past or anything to come, but it is to
rise now out of sin into holiness, out of time
This, we are free to confess, is
not the resurrection of the just as we read it
In the Word of God with our orthodox spec
tacles. The sixth doctrine of Unitarians is
that which teaches progress in the
next world as well as In this-in
hell as well In heaven. And hence 1t urges
work and prayer that Gods kingdom may
come and His will be done on earth, and in
time. The seventh and last thesis of this re-
forming Church relates to the Holy Spirits
influence upon human hearts and His in
dwelling presence 10 the souls of men, and,
Is presented by Mr.. Clarke, is not
unlike that believed in and taught
by the orthodox Churches. Unitarianism
declares, moreover, that men are not saved
by oreeds, by profession, by ceremonies, by
Church sacraments, but only by keeping
conscience void Of offence toward God and
toward man. God has not left the truth to be
guarded BY infallible Popes, or synods, or
assemblies. He is near to every human heart
that seeks Him. His grace is freely given to
save all those who turn to Him. He is wait
ing to be gracious--waiting till we are ready
10 receive His grace. Churches, creeds,