The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-08-04
The March of Intidciity.

The March of Inhdclity.
We surmiscd that the alarming front pro-
scntcd 10y modern inndclity would attract
the most serious consideration ~ the Pan
Presbyterian Council in Edinburgh. The
full reports We are now receiving Of that
grand CalvinStic assemblagc. show that we
were not wrong in our authorizations. The
question of the proper and efficient means Of
meeting the scrricd hosts Of the enemies Of
historical Christianity was prominent one
nj Edinburgh
Dr. McCoSH of Princeton put forward the
most practical method. and his learning.
ability as a mctaphysician and thoougian.
and experience as "A teacher commanded for
his Views in the Council. rs they must COM
mand for them outside of it, tho most
thoughtful attention. He stands in the fore
most rank Of the strenuous opponents Of
the prevailing matcrialistc philosophy,
which has none Of it, roots in divine rcvcla-
tiun. and which even treats the mind or
soul as the product Of the brain, and not
the brain a. the woudrous instrument used
by the immortal soul. In his position as
President of Princeton College, one of the
largest, oldest, and most respectable col
lcgcs in the country. DR.. McCosH has tho
ih'hilN VI Influencing many YOUNG lhlltl1,
and turning them of from the broad and
wcl-bcatcn road of modern skcpticism.
This opportunity he has not failed to use.
with what results his carccrat that conscrv-
| alive institution has been almost too short
to show. Tho materialistic philosophy is
full OF fascination for young thinkers, and its
apostles are men who stimulate their follow
ers by reason Of their inspiring eloqucncc
and contagious zeal 1t is also extensively
colorng modern literature, and in many di-
| rections making its advances against the
old ideas. It's progress during the last ten
| years has been steady and now the works
of men like HUXLEY, and TYNDALL. and
DARWIN, though they might seem unat-
tractive to most readers, have large and
increasing sale, while the theories Of social
life dependent ON the materialistic philoso-
ply crop out daily in popular works, in
magazine essays, and even in the leading
articles Of the journals.
To stay this proud and confident host DR..
McCosH proposes as we have said, prac-
teal plan. Other speakers at Edinburgh
Us for instance, DR.. PATTON Of Chicago, con
tented themselves with abusing the new
teachings and warning the orthodox against
them but the venerable Princeton President
went at the enemy In a different and wiser
way The materalists, as Dr. McCosH well
understands, are not TO be frightened by the
beating of the Chinese gongs of the old the
| ologlans, nor are they to be dismayed by
threats Of Furnishing them with hell fire.
His idea is that the ministers shall devote
their time 10 planting the seeds of the Cos
| pei to awakening mems consciences, To
| showing them the necessity OF spiritual re-
| generation, and to the conquering Of the old
enemy of original sin. That is, they shall
| go on in the old ways. and not spend their
time in random assaults upon an adversary
who usually can bring to the field Of con-
trOversy better weapons Of argument than
they The dealing with the iniidel he would
turn over to "a special body OF Christian
knights, defenders Of the faith, trained for
the purpose. The modern knights of the
cross would work side by side with the par
sons, and would relieve the ministers Of the
labor of tackling the aggressive material
lists. Drilled and disciplined for this partic-
ular work, they would have at their COM
mand arguments drawn from Revelation,
philosophy, history, and science. SO that
they could meet the foe on equal terms.
There is much to commend in this plan Of
now are pretty sure to get confused, trippcd,
and dcmoralized in "A controversy with the
materialists, for while the matcrialists are
naturally wcll-informcd MS TO the old posi-
tlons of orthodoxy, and Of course know the
exact strength of their own, the theologans
venture on ground with which they are not
SO familiar. 1t thus has happened that the
materialists have treated the assaults of
the theologans with n good deal of CON
tempt, hardly dceming them foes worthy of
their steel; while the thcolognns though
denying that they were vanqushed and still
confident of their cause, have expended
themselves too often in unavailing abuse
If such trained body of Christian apollo
gist- a De. McC osH advocates were formed,
doubtless the two parties would be more
equally matched
The extent 10 which the new philosophy
has entered the Church at least the Prot
c-tant Church is much greater than Somc
people Imagine. Now and again We hral OF
"a minister like pr BLAUvELr, being discoy-
rird in horcsy because he announces his
sentiment. boldly; but there are many
others of Tia" clerical profession who though
scarcely MISUNDERSTANDING the fact to thcm-
selves have had their faith undermined;
while the spread Of the new doctrines among
the laity has been great and rapid 1t is
plain that the Church must in some practical
! way SGT about to stay this progress, if ii is