Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-10-27
WHAT SHALL THEY DO ABOUT 1T.
BY REV. E. p. POWELL.


The charge is frequently made by
liberal religionists that those who have
become broadened in their views, but
remain IN the orthodox churches, are
thereby dishonest. The Golden Age,
in sharp, clear-cut article. says;
They do not believe what the creeds
they profess were written to teach
The people, at large, regard them with
suspicion, if they do not openly accuse
them of cowardce and hypocrisy"
1t then advices them to come out,
from the sects and abide the conse-
quences. To this it is enough to an :
swer that by staying where they are
and faithfully growing, they are abid-
ing the consequences more emphatic
ally than by changing parties or sects.
No one is put to severer torture than
the pastor who is striving faithfully to
do good with dead creed manacled
to him. It is still more wretched to
feel his way slowly but honestly
and prayerfully out of traditions into a
clearer light. 1t is not at all neces-
sary for minister to "come out" from
his old birthright party in order to
take consequences. He can take
them at every synod or association or
conference in the orthodox connection
He must take them in the suspicious
spites hates of those whom he sees be-
yond. He is quite as honest in his
first step away from his old creed. and
quite as brave as he will be in his last
step indeed, to true mind is there
any end OF these drafts on his cour-
age and endurance We must not
think of the clergy of this land as con-
sisting simply of TWO parties; the en-
lightened, and the orthodox, but as
consisting in the main Of men, who
with bias Of inheritance and bias of
education, under fear, duty and other
motives are seeking the light. in all
degrees of illumination. They are al
every mile post between bigotry and
freedom. Our fullest charity and love
is due to those who are hoping, look
ing, fearing, praying their way out OF
medieval and heathenish credulity l
have letters from men who are just
aroused to the conviction that they
have not all absolute truth, and that
some of their theories must fail.
have also letters from others. who ask
with eager desire, "What shall be
done? What is to come of this? Our
old creed is dead! Our views have
slowly changed, and we cannot preach
what We used to believe. What shall
we dc? 7" And I echo the questions
by asking, "What shall they do about
it 2" Are they sure of a field of USE
fulness if they change sides? Will
they do any more good ? Is more
freedom from annoyance and suspicion
the first thing to be sought? Is creed
teaching the first essential of minis
ter in the orthodox association ? Are
there not several sects SO permeated
with liberality that every man may
grow them, may teach sincerely, may
work for truth and souls and be thor
oughly honest PROFESSIONALLY there
are sects to remain in which and not
to teach positively the line and letter
Of their creed would be dishonolable
1t is equally certain that there are
men who cannot honestly be found to
any sect or creed or party. It is true
that the end and aim of all work
should be progress. If. ten, man
has grown to thorough and funda-
mental doubt Of the theses, the meth
DDS and aims Of the churches, let him
"come out" and if he finds that the
world has no place for him as preach
err, let him till the soil or do any hon.
est thing But let each man in his
old place, live up to the best light in
his soul; and let US not refuse him full
honor for his courage. The world
moves none the faster in its orbit for
our kicking it. The heaven is working
everywhere; and it will result not in a
victory for any party or organization,
but in the emancipation of Christen.
dom from the letters of darker ages
Liberal Worker.