Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-10-15
MIR. nEECHER ANDTHE CHURCH.

1
immovable thing in it, the Church, partakes
OF the motion. Since the reformation the
| Pfotestants, having nojnquisition to compel
| beretics 10 abjure their errors, are obliged
| to content themselves with accommodating
those who are obstinate in wrong belief. The
consequence has been that the excluded per-
soBs spread their notions and formed new
churches, where they in turn, excommuni-
nicate those who are heretics from their
| point of view. The result il, We
see the people, respecting whom Jesus
prayed 10 his Father 10 make them one with
the kind of union that made himself and
his God one, are divided into sects, and in
stead of the Army of Salvation, there stands
before the world a mob of scattered Skin
misher-, each division having its own gen.
eral; and thus efforts that should have but
one aim are split into fractions 10 the damage
of the Christian cause and the advantage of
an enemy that is helpless where "the bond
of perfectHess secures union. There are,
with satisfaction we recognize it, signs that
the era of repulsion is passing away, and
that Christian love will, in time not far
distant, apply the rule their Teacher gave
them the only gauge by which they are
authorized to test those who call themselves
CHRISTIANS: "By their fruits We shall know
them" We see this by the decrease of doctrinal
dispute, be the increased tolerance with which |
the Christian treats those whose opinions,
though as honestly entertained as his own,
are different from his own. We see it by the |
greater friendliness that exists between the |
adherents of different sects, by the greater |
patience that is entertained toward the Ro-
manist, the Unitarian and the Jew, and by
the tenderness rather than condemnation ex-
tended toward the unbeliever. The dispo-
sition is becoming general while condemn
ing error not to presume to condemn the
victim of error, for the most perfect of US
are not without errors, and have neither the
right nor the authority TO condemn it. The
case OF Mr.. Beecher, which has Just occurred,
is striking illustration of the fact that the
Church, while holding fast to the faith once
10 the saints, is allowing the toler-
ant law of love more authority than for
merly in its deliberations and decisions In
an assembly of the representatives of con-
siderable number of the churches of the sect
WIN "hANh NC 10 COhheOtCdI 4hi. DCCCuCI |
avowed views which, in his youth, would
have brought condemnation and e1communi.
,ation from his brethren in Christ. DESTROYS
hat his connection with the associated
churches should in no way make them re-
'ponsible for his opinions, Mr.. Bsecher, with
hat straightforward manliness that has al
ways distinguished him, formally withdrew {
L. | d,
vowed objections TO the Westminster con-
ession of faith, to the doctrine of eternal
to the notion of "original sin"
BE has reservations about the extent to
Which the Bible is inspired, and views the {
'tonement in very different spirit to the
PREVALENT Jewish-sacri6ce teaching. Yet with
III this, his clerical brethren could find {
10 sufficient reason for the separa- |
ion he proposed 10 take place, and they I
esired him. 10 stay among them. This is q
reat change from the old wrathful "turn- f
im-out" proceeding. The change does not [
ONE from a decreased regard for truth, but a
rom a more modest estimate of the power e
nd right of one man to decide for another 8
hat he shall regard as truth, aud from y
OSlAo " dCb III dCCUIuduCc Win the dutuOT- n
y of the views laid uvuI. Ly St. paul with {
,fereuce to Sabbath observances and eating f
leat offered TO idols. That apostle ex- g
orted his converts to be, each of J
lem, fully persuaded in his own
lind, and TO refuse 10 permit any O
AN to judge them in matters deemed,
that time, of great moment. We rejoice r
the change that has taken place, not only I
,cause it is more liberal and therefore more I
accordance with the example and teach nj
g of Jesus, but because it is indicative OF :
creased confidence in the truth of that | r
aching and of the firm standing of the =.
stem of life it inculcates. To ex-communi- :
lie man because some opinion of his, E,
lite Of his blameless conduct, may "endan- ;.
II the faith" 10 view the Christian faith as J =
ing endangered. by mortals alteration, =,
as poor compliment to that faith and one n
r. Beecher's brethren were not so weak as ~
pay.