Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-08
DOUBTS md DOUBTERS.

is aught in scripture or in religion calculated
to make men letter. The greatest hind
rance to the progress of Christianity IS
doubt-doubt as to the plan of salvation,
the efficacy of the atonement, the utility of
ood works, the justification of faith. The
doubters are not men to be desplsed and put
as ide as unworthy of consideration, for they
are, for the most part, men OF education
and intelligence who trace effects back to
heir causes-in short, who judge the tree
by its fruits. They are men of standing in
the social, intellectual and political world,
men of large views and keen discernment,
who accept no belief without thorough and
searching investigation.
Ministers of the gospel and others pro-
fe ssing the Christian faith are too apt to
con denim the doubters without hearing.
They do not seem to consider that what to
them may seem unquestionable5 truth
may be to others, differently constituted
mentally, involved in mlsts of uncertainty.
All men do not think alike, nor do they
arrive at their settled convictions by the
same process of reasoning. Hence it Is
necessary to tolerate differences of opinion,
and to accord to persons of Numerically
opposite views equal credit for sincerity. 1t
is somewhat difficult on occasions to bring
ones self to such plane, but it is never
theless necessary in order to avoid that spirit
of intolerance that has in the past brought
such disgrace upon the cause of religion.
There is much more of reason for doubt
pon theological subjects than most adher-
ents of the several religious sects care to
acknowledge. What is perhaps more dis
tas teful TO them is the fact that they them
selves furnish the bases for doubt. 1t must
have been remarked by all persons of dis
Ger nment that no two sects fully agree as to
the proper Interpretation Of the language of
holy writ. Some assert that the sacri-
fee on Calvary was full atonement
for all sins, and that he who died that we
mig ht have life there made his work COM
plete Others claim that by faith alone can
men be saved; others that good works are
esse initial, while still others declare that
combination OF the two must precede the
life everlasting. On other points OF doc
trine there are as great if not greater diver
gences of opinion. The Calvinists hold to
ore doctrine, the Episcopal church to an
other, the church of Rome to another, and
the more liberal or advanced churches, such
as the Congregational, adhere to entirely
Uhor crtnh ant Hnn-
tors as these disagree, how is the public out
side to come to an intelligent decision?
The differences among the religious sects
are the chief causes of doubt and unbelief.
1t is impossible for those who believe that
the doctors of divinity are sincere to recon-
Gle these differences in the inter
probation of the scriptures, and hence it often
occurs that they reject all, and if they
do not become confirmed in6dels they are at
best doubters, refusing to accept doctrines
| until they are folly convinced of their rea
sonableness. Nor can we condemn them for
this. 1t is far better for man to hold
| doctrine, as it were, in allegiance, than to
blindly obey this or that self-constituted
teacher of the word when his reason revolts
against it. Yet many do so. Wearying of
the conflict among religious people and in
their own minds as to creeds and points of
| doctrine, they seek escape by accepting out
wardiy this, that or the other theory, join
church, and try to convince themselves that
they have done their full duty. Yet they are
never fully satisfied but are, and know
themselves to be, religious hypocrItes ever
afterwards.
Another cause of doubt as to the efficacy
of religion may be found in the bad example
set by church members to the outside world.
The professions of the church naturally lead
one to expect exceptional virtue
and rectitude of conduct in
those Who outwardly appear SO
devout; who make long prayers and bemoan
the transgressions of others; who speak SO
feelingly of the beauty and the regenerating
influence of religion. Yet there is little or
no perceptible difference between the daily
walk and conversation of those who profess
| religion and those who acknowledge no such
| restraining influence. In fact, the religious
scamps who occasionally develop are gen
orally of the worst sort, casting ordinary
rascality completely in the shade. When
such person achieves notoriety he confirms
the doubts of thousands into the belief that
religion is merely a sentiment, without that
| quality which makes men more honorable in
their dealings with their fellow man.
Doubters have q right to exist, and they
will continue to exist as long as there is such
divergence of opinion among religions.
What the majority of thinking people want
in the way of religion is creed that is rea-
sonable and at the same time COMFORTS with
revealed truth. They will not accept that
which is imperfect in one sense, for they
will argue that il error exists in one point
of doctrine it may exist in all. Without
perfect confidence there can be no sincere
belief. 1t is therefore necessary, in order to
remove doubt, that confidence in the reality
of revelation and religion be established. To
accomplish this end it is important that the
dogmas that now divide the church be re-
conciled, and that there be for all Christen-