The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-08-25

order Of the universe, and the working Of
the Divine will, must always be bitter
one. The triumph OF the science will mean
the overthrow of the theology; and the
theology cannot conquer without destroy
ing the science. Nor can the two work side
by side in even outward harmony; there
can bc no concessions or compromises ON
either side. 1t is war to the knife; ard who
ever tries 90 reconcile the opponents must
get crushed between them.
This is ihD bitably favoring time for the
spread Of the inlidcity preached 10y modern
science, since doubts of the old faith are
everywhere rife. Even in the churches, and
among their minister's. the performance OF
tho declared religious obligations Is fire.
qucntly pcrfunctory only; and the doctrines
taught are codly accepted rather than
warmly believed The preaching Of dclusive
sentiment. instead of practical religion, Is
the most popular sort of hnranguing in
many quarters. The denomination which
traces its descent back to the Purtans has
been too cowardly TO punish the liccn-
tiousness of its most famous and elO-
qucnt minister, aud has even con-
doncd his offences, and gathered him
to its arms with a cordial embrace.
though his moral character is rotten and
he il all ut sea in his religious belief, II he
has any. Education Il becoming more and
moro separated from faith; literature is
pcrmcatcd with the influence Of the scientific
theories SO hostile 10 Christianity. and to all
revealed religion. and we find the class Of
men who do not go to any church is on the
increase.
Indeed, that there Is in progress a decline
in the religious beliefs 80 long held in Chris
tendon, no one who observes the tendency Of
modern thought can deny Throughout the
cont Of Europe-even In Italy and
Span-doubts OF the old theology. and even
a total rejection of 1t, and of all supernatural
religion, are very prevalent This has long
been the case to very great extent in Ger
many in France unbclief is widespread !;
and in Russia the fermentation of ideas an
tagonistic to those of the national Church,
and to the existing organization Of society.
does not cease 10 show itself. I'm spite of the
reprcssive efforts of the Government. In
England, too, the propagation of doctrines
suhvcrsive OF Christianity occupies many
Jealous workers Of great intellectual force
and unimpeachablc honesty OF purpose and
purity II life; and they are making them
selves felt. Here, in the United States. a. We
understand. the same movement is In prog
rcss, and IT is constantly gaining impetus.
Meantime third party has appeared ON
the field. and one equally hostile to the old
theology and to the new science. 1t il Spr-
itualism which l. much more effective
enemy than many people suppose In New
England, in regions where Puritanism SO
long held sway, the Spiritualsts are making
steady Roadway, uprooting old religious
convictions. and substituting for them only
shadowy visions and elusive phantasios.
We hear Of the advance Of Spiritualsm in
eastern Massachusetts, eastern Connecticut,
and in Rhode Island, an advance so great as
to excite the anxiety Of the orthodox Of those
parts.
1t il plain. therefore, that we have not too
early reused the churches to the necessity
Of renewed and more persistent wiser. and
more earnest action, TO save themselves
from the assaults Of enemies who are
working openly aud in-iiiuu-ly for their
overthrow. Whether they Will succeed IN
the contest Will depend ON many things