The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-06-18
How Shall Infidclity be Trcatcdt

Not 10. since the subject of religious
faith and its present hold ON society was in
troducod in II party of gentlemen who had
all been bred in orthodox Protestant
churches, nearly all OF whom were pretty
regular church-go"rs. nominal professors Of
the evangelical belief, and not negligent i'm
Observing the conventional religious Gus
toms. Yet Of the whole number including mon
Of difcrchtagcs, there was not one who hcsi-
tatcd toavow that he was skcptical about
the doctrines which he Lad been brought up
to revere. OF this party some even went SO
far as to question the immortality Of the
soul, holding that the soul was no more i'm
mortal than any other manifestation Of
force They suffered themselves to be-
ranked with tho faithful. while all the time
they were really rank inildcls.
II IS undcniable that very many ~ our
young men now being graduated from the
colleges are afflicted with religious unbclicf
This skcpticism is also noticeable in the
universities of England, spite of their ccclc-
slastcal surroundings; it is well-nigh uni
vcrsal among the German students; it is
very extensive among those Of France; it is
pervasivc in Russia; and even in Italy and
Spain it is too common t. excite remark.
We SEQ. too, that skcpticism has entered
the ranks Of the orthodox ministry hero.
The Rev. Dr. ELAUvLLE having boldly an
nounccd that the old orthodoxy is dead
force, and that il is in opposition to the
principles of religious truth, has been rightly
driven from the pulpit Of the Reformed
Dutch Church, tho rost conservative Of
Protestant Sccts In leaving the communion
in which hc was reared nc declares that he
is NOT tire only hereto who requires to bc
cut o0. and prophecies other convictions on
similar grounds, though how many even Of
those ministers VINO substantially agree
with him will dare to announce their hcicsy
/, doubtful Yet il they are honest men they
cannot help doing as DR.. BLAUVELr did.
Whatever may he the opposition to his re-
lislous opinions. there can only he respect
for r.an who upholds what he believes to
be true, cyon at hceXponsc of his dcnonina-
tional standing. 50 far rs orthodoxy is con-
ccraol. it Is really IN less danger from
avowcl opponents than from lukcWdrm adj
vocatcs preachers who pretend to believe
in it. in order to keep their places.
On Saturday large number Of Prcshy-
terrain cicrs, men sailed from this port to
attend the Pdn-pr, -hyterian Council, which
Will assemble at Edinburgh next month
Among the number were some Of the most
distinguished representatives IL that COM
muuion 10 tho TINTED states Nudeuuuina-
ton stands higher among, us for the ability
of its d.Ninos than the pic-hy terrain. i is
also very rich and conservative COM
muuion, including in its membership many
OF the most serious and solid men Of the
country. II Is Calvnistic 10 the backbone,
unfolding in its orthodoxy, austere in its
practices, and not swaycd by the winds Of
passing notions. prc9bytcr'auism stands
rs u rock TO resist the floods Of
iuN.olity. In holding its Ecumcnical
Council at Edinburgh. it selects tit place
for conference. The ancient capital Of Scot
land is historic ground Of CalVinism, and
there the Presbyterian divincs will bc sur
rounded 10y the most inspiring monuments
Of thcir faith, ana inclted by the memories
Of its triuuphs.
1t them, passing by minor matters OF
ccclcsiusticism devote their attention to the
subject Of modern inlideity, which now
ralses SO threatening head. How shall il
be conquered? Is it an enemy to bc treated
with, or shall the campaign against it begin
with renewed intensity all along the line Z
These are questions which may well engage
the serious attention of the presbytcrians at
Edinburgh next month, for religious skcpti-
Clsln s,euls to bee gathering force.