The sun., 1881-01-23
The New and the Old Heresy,

Formerly, when heresy was scented out in
our churches it was usually OF sort SO
subtle that only theologians were able to
distinguish the difference between 1t and
orthodox doctrine. The accused minister
would perhaps contend that there was moth
ing which could properly be called heretical
In his teachings; and the council before
which he was tried would spend its time in
drawing metaphysical distinctions which
might seem foolishness to the ordinary run
OF people. AS rule, his belief was really
the same as that of those who suspected
him OF heresy, only that his mind was so
constituted that he saw the doctrine in ques-
tion in slightly different light.
Ecclesiastical trials for heresy have,
therefore, very much mystified the public
In times past, and frequently have caused
them great amusement. Why 80 terrible a
hubbub was made over SO little matter.
they could not understand. 1t seemed to
them like tweedledum and tweedledee; and
yet they saw, as the results Of the contro-
versy, violent theartburnings, lasting breach
es in churches, and personal animosities
long continued. Perhaps the so-called her.
etic only believed a little more than the
rest, or he may have had shade less of
belief, or he may have merely used terms
which were little different from theirs,
while his belief was in substance the same
And yet some of the bitterest ecclesiastical
wars OF the past have had their origin in
theological variances OF just this sort
Nowadays, however, heresy trials are
very different. Tho opinions denounced as
heretical do not need to be examined as
with an intellectual microscope to discover
wherein they fail to agree with the ortho-
dox standards. 1t does not require an ex-
pert theologian to apply the test. Every
body can see that they are herctical, for
they are based on a square denial OF the
very premises OF orthodoxy.
We have had OF late several trials OF this
sort, especially in the Congregational
| Church, which seems to be honeycombed
with inhdelity. A young man up in New
Hampshire was called to be the pastor OF
| a church, but when a council examined him
as to his religious faith it appeared that he
| had no definite theology; that he was in
reality an infidel, though he was not lacking
in religious feeling; and this is often the case
| with iniidels.
Congregational minister at Rochester
| In this State and another at Buffalo, refuse
! TO preach the doctrine of hell, and oppose i,
on grounds which, carried to their logical
| conclusion. would upset revelation, inspira.
| tion, ehd the orthodox faith altogether
| They denounce hell because its existence il
repugnant to their reason, their sense OF
| justice, and their love of humanity. But
where would the theory OF the fall Of man
tho scheme OF redemption, the doctrine o
| prcdcstinatOn, and all the Fundamental
doctrines of our Christian theology in it:
full development be il they were put to thu
test of human reason and human justic,
only? And what should we do with tn,
revelation and inspiration ON which the.
arc supposed to rest
Yet these ministers arc still called Con
gregational, and churches listen to thei
preaching gladly. They merely give voic
to the general distrust in the old theology
Their iniidelity is OF the sort which has be
come popular during the last ten years an,
instead of rebuking them for it, churches ap
plaud them for their courage in giving
expression. Ecclesiastical councils may re
luctantly put them under the ban, but eve
among their judges are probably many un
confessed sympathzcrs with their hercsy.
One of these genuine and unmistakabl
cases OF hcresy has lately occurred at Son
crvile in the vicinity OF Boston. The Rev
Mr. PIERsoN, the pastor OF Congregations
church there, has for n long time been sus
pccted OF inlidclity. About n year ago
council tried him on the charge deilnitvel
made but even pretty rank intdelity is to
Grated by the Massachusetts Congregation
alism of these days. and thus Mr.. PEI
son got clean bill of health theolog
cally from tho council. But some of HI
church have continued to be dissatisle
with his religious opinions, and the upsh,
was his resignation of his pastorate last Sun
day. and statement OF his reasons fC
leaving his pulpit.
What arc tho opinions OF this Congregi
tional minister, a year ago pronounce
sound in the faith by Congregational coul
cil2 In what respect do they differ fro
} the orthodox creed? II find myse
no longer able TO accept the doctril