New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-03-22
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

rrRtyuAS THEOLOGY AND MODERN sKBPTiCIsM BY the
puEE or SosEKsET. l2mO. pm 1871 d. Appleton -"
Jphe reader who has kept pace with the
rrots Of theological discussion during the present
Generation will find this work deploTably stale and com
onr,occ II sets forth the results of critical historical
I'D ,hnosorhical inquiry which have become familiar
ocvery intelligent thinker AT the present day. as their
announcement afforded motive for new departure IN
Inc religious world The importance of fresh discov-
cry attached certain theological conclusions whch
have long parted with the attraction OF novelty
.ed Which, with large class Of minds, have ceased even
70 Re matters speculation In point OF New' how
eyet the volume possesses peculiar interest and Will
A,npv reward the attention OF the reader Regarded as
NJ exponent OF the state of religious OPINION IN the
higher classes English society," it may claim value
heyond the intrinsic merits of MS contents Wheh
memnar ~ the Established Church deems il not I'M
worthy " his high position in the British nobility 70 SET
III order results Of modern thought as applied to the
doctrines Of gion affords startling illustration OF
the progress Of free inquiry, aud proof of its influence
in undermining the traditions Of ages The author taxes
the ground that after eighteen hundred years oi
Christian teaching. man has made no advance III oc'.
tainiy Of knowledge. The opinions OF edue"'eu
socety upon thc eost important questions That can VI
rupv tho human mind are more unsettled at this moment
than at any previous period Of English history IN a
communities. there is the greatest diversity VI i
gious opinion Doubts and controversies range o''I
wider area In proportion 10 the advancement OF learn
4.
significance comparison with the more p'oiou''" q'
,ons that now attract the notice Of thinking men, III y
inauiics hat theological and secular instruction tn" "
two opposite currents Of Thought Iho "iNOisN"'' B"
sometimes CLOSED over ny dazzling eloQuehce Oh '"u
ccaled bv a coud ~ metaphysical distractions; but the
iiusion is soon dspeed, and the two antagonists arc
again in the field for mastery over the opinions
ri men Even the seacch the Scriptures has IMPAIRED
the authority Of Scripture The learned endeavoIs 10
remove opscury have Increased doubt sSeptclsm mas
become NJ taraIzed in modern society 1t cannot he To-
,r,a>.d bv 0enucatious against hfdclty, or by the
rl,ntivc lamentations Of sentimental petty bu' II
would De /. grave mistake, argues the author, to
ASSUME thu skcpticsn rs IN its nature irrei
rious or immoral. Some minds, indeed, Ii their
recon- FROM docmatic theology. have advanced
hoyord thc confines of Christianity But the mass o'
eotfy IS ~ earnest search o. faith which shall not be
at war with the moral Of educated men. Among
TIE results Of skcEtical examination The author th'cr-
atcs several points which he thinks are established TO
the satisfaction of every intelligent inquirer CHRIS
tianity for instance. the time when IT was hIst
proclaimed the world, imhibed the mrer1ectons OF
humanity Among the local Hebrew race, the first
Christians appear Jewish sect, clnglng 7" the lem
plc and adhering teuacjou,y to the Mosaic law. st.
PAU though De released Christianity from the bondage
~ 30, law blended with the traditions of the Jewish
schools But the recognition ~ the New Testament az
the word God, which formed ties ola prcS'IlI"Ne
basis OF the Protestant faith. the author afhnS hs pe'
craln.l, weakened. end is irreparbly impaired
Nor tld the dslroPoTNon between the human ana Tue
divine nature appear so Unreasonable ia ancient times
as, now appears 10 the educated Protestant Tue uou-
tpa1t thou cht Of that age tended to promote O'Ae III
I'm. uuior of the divine with the human nature Hut
tn tone of thought md feeling in the modern word Is
entirely changed The is enlarged. hut the view
Is loss distinct DEFINITE crceds embodied W Wtlnci"
phrase. will no longer bo accepted ia lieu of positive
truth In view Of this uncertainty have recourse TO
various methods OF alaylng nsdiou- doubts some V'he
,eu-c i'm MYSTICISM some seek remedy in philosophy
andohcrs again m vsicai science In The opinion OF the
nntfor Rome Of the-, methods wholly satisfactory
our scientific teachers have led speculate on ques
tions which are unsuscc pble Of solution The cndeaYor
20 construct q positive philosophy is premature. Hence
The wise man win content wait remembering that
Truth f. The daughter of Time of Authority. The
theories Of scientific and philosophical speculation
valuable as Incentives further inquiry; hut they do
NOT satisfy the requirements Of civilized society, which
Is earnestly intent advancement in every branch of
knowledge aud thought The form Of Christianity which
develops the highest qualities Of human nature and
further the Improvement Of society, be
safoly accepted nearest approach TO religious
rh-in point Of method and style the Duke Of somerset
presents an admirable example eventO writer's who mag
perhaps De more with TIE art Of composition
than himself. His dctiOn is a model o: simplicity and
natural case Never affecting the OF rhetoric, b"
is always impressive by the lucidity and singular op
portnneues~ a. his language Decided in his convictions
his earnestncss l. without heat, and without vehemenoc
His rare paiuncss speech. from all desire Jf
eff ct ana from every approach TO ornament doubt
less be- taken az type If the transparent sincerity Of
clararter, which. in its highest forms, often
conspicuous u the best circles OF English society. II Il
no sIna praise that in exercising the functions of
author he docs not lack the lone Of a gentleman.