The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-04
Oar Religious Pres. Table.

contemporaries-that is to say, nothing out |
side of the peculiar sectarian dogmas advo-
Gated by each. The Observer touches on
s'Theology Run Mad, and treats of the newly
published book of Theophilus Parsons, of the
Law School of Harvard. The Observer
epitomses as well as crticises Parsons
work, and it almost brings to our ears the
genial inionations of the once great, but
eccentric, theologian of Massachusetts, the
late Theodore Parker, when it says:-
He tine later parsons) begins by assuming that
God Is AMI always was, and then ne asserts that
matler created by the creating God, OF or from
that Is. out OF nlmse-hls own substance theory Of
creation which he takes to be much more rational
than that Of creation out OF nothing, which ne
considers absurd. He does not undertake
that matter is made out OF spirit than out Of
nothing. He is careful to say that matter Is not
being an emanatlon from the Infinite, is pervaded
with the divine Man was made NJ the heal or all
with a soul proceeding directly from tho substance
OF the creator Is immortal His sensational nature
has also iearned-and TINS Is the most interesting
or all his discoveries-that heat IN the naturaI
world the form In which divine love works IN the
nature oil man
If heat accompanies such wonders in regard
10 Tie :::sas:;;ss ss R's!as I've, why 40 not
s11:as Of our devont sinners go to Tophet at
once and receive the benefit Of the intensified
atmosphere of that locality? The fact is,
Boston Puritanical theologisms have well nigh
been run into the ground. Untarianism under
teachings OF the Rev. DR.. Orville Dewey was
the eulogism ofindependent sectarianism. We
mean by this to say that in former years every
religious matter bearing the Unitarian stamp
In Massachusetts, was eulogized by such elo-
quent orators as Alexander Everett, Dewey,
Parker and host of Harvard graduates, and
that other sects stood very poor show
when Untarianism was upon the religious
warpath. Recently the current of this
religious stream seems to have changed.
Orthodoxy looms up. Hepworth recants and
kicks Unitarianism to the dogs. Hepworth
may be right or he may be wrong. That is
none of our business. He may prefer swill
milk to gin and milk, like Brother Smyth
but orthodoxy has become the sheet anchor
of faith, and those who do not cling to it are
in danger of sinking to the depths of perdi
tion. Mr.. Parsons work will probably be
well studied. If 1t produces any new light
upon Puritanical theology, or exposes any of
its vagaries and shallowness, his labors may
not be without their reward.
The Methodist thinks that the treatment of
Mr.. Hepworth by his former associates of the
Unitarian faith has been marked by unusual
asperity. Continues the Methodist: =
He (Hepworthl himself says that he lett his old
spiritual home the "dOor was slammed behind
HIM." Blu, this does not tell the whole story. As
he receded from his friends that they have
cast not stones at him. The Rev. W. +.
Clarke Of Unity chapel, processes 10 be glad that
Hepworth Is gomez
marked ability no new IDEAS He has stolen other men,
thoughts taking however, to change language and
Even DR.. Bellows loses his habitual euuanimity
and pelts the deserter from the liberal ranKs:-
with @ %
ns sna % sy 70 STYLE
and vulgar preinaice, abusing a culture he did not
81 IL s.@
" b Sna
the pulpit"
All this greatly surprises u.s. We had supposed
the Christians VINO quite compacently call them.
selves liberal. When the Collyers and the Conways
forsake Metaodsm we DO feel irelled but we try to
let them 60 their way IN peace.
The Methodist also asks this question
''What shall be done with our Judges9" The
answer is plain to ordinary comprehensions
keep the good ones in and, as Shakespeare
makes Christopher Sly say, let the poor ones
"tslids." The Bancroft Kirkland scholar
ships, whereby Harvard professors can travel
tours, is favorably commented upon by the
Methodist.
The Independent discourses on "Congre-
gational Creedlessness." We cite -
Quite pretty little discussion IS arising among
our Congregational brethren over the proper con-
ton adopted by the Oberlin National Council, in
which they give, or fan to give their doctrnal
afraid tnat Inc clause adopted viii prove too
loose bond unless pretty strictly construed.
For suGht we can see Congregationasls are quite
rock buried under o Plymouth wharf, quite as
strenuous Of their distinctive name as ever. While
considerably more tolerant OF doctrinal diverRences
tnan they were sixty years ago, they consdera-
bly, more uemonstratlve In their denOminslional
preferences than they then were ana with neither
element VI change would We quarrel.
The Tablet Catholic organ) emphasizes
these remarks:-
The British government, wise by experience,
knows well tdat no movement OF public or politl.
cal character can possibly succeed In Ireland with.
out the sanction or cooperation OF the clergy.
The Freemans Journal (Catholc) puts on
the mask of the knight of Sorrowful Coun-
tenance" aad gives us q very readable his
torical chapter upon the ''sorrowful aspects
of human society" Certainly the sad state
of tho times, the present triumphant march Of
violence and outrage, warrant an article upon
this topic. After couple Of columns of dark
misgivings the Journal awakens to o more
pleasant view of the situation, like o rainbow
after storm, and concludes:-
Sombrs and dscouraging "a are the external
signs OF this wicked world, we can learn to be
cheerful and to look with gladness on events as
they pass. We must sorrow at the mlseres that
surround us. but, II Faith Is our guide, we VIII
always see the eternal sunshine beyond We are
gOlng to see greater troubles tnan have yet hap.