The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-03
A MINISTER SPEAKING OUT.
a Departure from Orthodoxy that Has
stirred Two Denominations.

Last Sunday. the Rev. Thomas R. Slicer announced
from the pulpit, his resignation of the passionate OF
the Park Congregational church. Brooklyn, and
preached a sermon giving his reasons for tandonia
orthodoxy The intelligence of Mr. Steers adhesion
TO liberal doctrines has oceasioned more comment IN
the Methodist church than in the Congregational
church. for he has been in the latter church for the
last four years only, while he in the Methodist
ministry for eleven years.
Every old Methodist minister has anecdotes to tell
Of the Rev. Henry Slcer, .'the War Horse Of
Methodism." he used to be called, for his denoni
national energy and zeal He took leading part in
the General Conferences in the half century Of his
ministry. He was q strong supporter of the timer
ant system. The wife of Father Slicer was the
granddaughter of of the pioneers of MethOdisrs,
and her father had been n Methodist minister also.
It, therefore, seemed in virtue of Hereditary appoint
inent to the Methodist ministry that Father Steers
son. Thomas, while still youth, mounted his horse,
and, with umbrella hanging from his pummel, and
his library in his saddle bags. started out as Meth
odist country circuit rider Now. after having been
an orthodox minister for fifteen years, he publicly
forsakes the faith.
Talking the subject yesterday he said that the
mythologic theology Of orthodoxy everywhere
breaking down aud giving way. Clergymen nemi-
nally orthodox felt it, and admitted it among them
selves. They make show of defending the old dog
mas, but they practically turn their backs upon
them Men have their livings to earn. and their
families to support, and they avoid shocking their
people by frank declarations of their opinions.
= But" said Mr.. Slicer, Il young. strong. and
healthy. can earn my living. and can not conceal
my conscientious convictions"
Talking of the influences that had brought about
most strongly impressed with the failure of the old
dogmas TO impress the hearts the lives Of men.
when after four years circuit work in Maryland he
went TO Colorado. Old-fashioned warnings and ap-
peals, based upon system of future rewards aud
punishmrnts. had no influence the strong. brave
men of the West. They were not to be scared from
honest conviction by threats of eternal punishment
He had gradually given up doctrinnl preaching and
had labored to inculcate practical righteousness To
impress good conduct should be the aim of Minister
!, effort and for years that and not the teaching Of
iogmas, had been his object IL had finally become
impossible for him to give such to ortho-
lox dogmas is implied by the position of or;ho
iox minister.
Mr.. Slicer says that there dis agreement be-
ween himself and his church the subject. Under
MS ministry its debt has been raised. and it is in
ionrishing condition. He had entered the Congre-
.atOnal church, because he liked its independent
'oley which gave TO the various congregations
vide latitude Of thought and action; but his church
lad received aid which intended for orthodox
ses and il would not have been honest for hin, to
ivert that trust by leading the congregation into
liberalism. Mr.. Slicer SAYS that he has no plans for
he future. lie is devoted to the ministerial calling
ut can not preach autiquated formulas that he does
OF himself belieye-N Y SIM