The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-01
THE THEOLOGY OF THE DAT.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
You have long and wisely furnished public re-
ligiOus sentiment the opportunity to ventnate
itself through your Sunday edition-a good day
ana q good deed. Permit me to avail myself OF
the channel Ihus offered to circulate what may
probably be series OF communications on the
controlling theology OF the day.
An inquirer alter truth, unfettered Dy any ex-
elusive creed, taking the Bible as my text book, I
have endeavored, with promised divine aid, to
make out the system OF faith which 1t undoubtedly
furnishes and when It teaches US to believe Ia so
plain that "a wayfartng man, though fool. need
not err therein" So many, SO varied, ana In
many respects SO antagonistic are the be-
leis OF the Christian world that, II
necessitated, 1t would seem the revelation Of
tne Most High was Intentionally mystified, and to
such an extent that the human mind by no posi-
phty could solve It. l do not so regard Is. Ad-
hitting that 1t is divine revelation TO man and
INTENDED to "guide his feet into the way OF nfe,n
i must attribute the Marked ana, In many re-
specs, iatal diversity OF opinion tnAt prevails as
TO it's teachings to be the result uvIne pur-
pose, but OF human prejudice and mlsconcep ton.
Eruolte tneologlans VIII doubtless deem ME ar
logant IN declaring that there appears to be lun-
asmental errors In al their systens, which have
naturally and inevitably induced their discordant
creeds and which have q one more 10 obstruct the
progress OF. VITAL Scrlptural Christianity tnan
what Is termed "tne natural hostility OF the
human heart.u For plc-Contemplate for a
moment an inquirer intent on the perusal OF the
several sabbath dlscOurses reported In YOUR Mon
days edition. WHAT does he and IN them but
declarations OF beneis as varied as the utterers,
contradictions the most dogmaflc ana lrrecUn-
cnahler and ne naturally determines that all
cannot us Scrptural: that OF the teachers OF tue
Word some, at least, must need enlightenment;
that 10 believe all Is 10 believe nothing; ana he
ieels himself as lar as ever from the truth, his
ignorance uneniightened, his doubts unremoved.
Nay worse; he reasons that If these. the accepted
students and teachers OF theology, IN their inter-
pretatons OF Scripture are utterly at variance.
his indecision must be excusaole. If
thls be at home, how much more per-
nicous must be such diversity OF opinion
abroad, In neathen communities, wnere the mis-
sionary OF the cross seeks 10 Cnristianize the
idoatrous innabitants? Rarely is am feld sur.
rendered Go one sect. The Roman catholic Or
dinariiy pioneers, the Calvinlst ana the Armlnian
soon follow; eacn endeavOrs to make the peculiar
doctrines oil his sect prominent. lie Is Jealous
Tor his faith. and the poor heathen Is IN Dewlider
ing mHzes lost-ne looked for one lath but he
fnds many, and, knowIng MT wnlcn TO accept,
retains his idols.
as 1t IL called, was 'provldentially and wisely
predetermined; ~ but the warrant lor such asser-
tloa yet to be PRODUCES. Inc prayer OF the
Great Founder OF Christianity was 'tn6t they ali
may be one, as tnOu, Father, art in me anu in
tnee."
ring mnd--Eas revealed by an infinitely wise
being who knew how best TO suit his communica-
tons to the intelligence OF MS creatures. He
mystly but to enhghten. In proof Of tals he
voucnsaics the AID VI the Holy Spirit TO "teach all
tnlnBs," anu TIE promise UNIVERSAL remains that
"WnosOeVer Will do HIS Will snail know OF the doc.
trine whether II be OF God.n Tne union anon
christians That mas OF late been so much urged
aud coveted, IS desirable, but II AIMS only at soca
religious lraternzatlon. That whicn the world
needs Is unity OF ialtn. This IL will be uig geo. Is
mpractcable; | do not deem 1t so. Diversity oI
governments there Will ever be In church societies
diversity IN fundamental beliefs there need not be-
IL Is neither decreed nor necessltated. Remove
the cause ana the eject will cease.n tnInk the
causes are dlscoveraDlc, and, with your permis-
sloni shAn hereafter state what deem them to be-.
BEREAN.