Smyrna times., 1882-08-09
New England Theology.

+sO" AS3~SoAiNN = @ASS%SSSy
We have frequently said that a very
considerable part of the ministry ofthe
Congregational denomination, though
they are supposed to preach the
theology of the old Puritans, are in
reality either Unitarians or Universa-
lists. The COngregdtiOnGIist of Boston,
the leading newspaper of that commun-
ion, it seems, agrees with us exactly. |
This is what it said in recent discus
sion of the subject:
"We maintain that theory of in
spiratiOn which eXhausts its force in
the statement that the Bible contains q
revelation from God without itself
being one) that theory Of the Atone
ment which denies it's sacrificial, in
order to assert purely its moral quality
and influence; and a theory of the
future life which holds out to the sim
ner in some form hope of probation
beyond death, are not evangelical
theories. They are essentially Unita-
rian and Universalist, and fall outside
of the line which, by common under
standing, divides between the evangel-
ical and unevangelical bodies"
The younger men in the Congrega-
tional pulpits seem to be very generally
affected and deeply affected, by the
prevailing religious skepticism. Near
ly all the cleverest of them are Univer-
salists, and some of the most honest
and boldest avow their doubts of in
spiratiOn. They are as far removed
from the orthodox Puritan theology as
DIR. Claiming was when he seeded
from the Congregational body to found
Unitarianism. They have the same
indefinite faith as that disclosed in the
sermons of that eloquent divine, who
wrought so great change in the re-
ligious thought of New England. like
+, him, they preach q sublimated morality
t rather than the theology they were
educated to expound.
: Those preachers, however, do no
e follow the example of DR.. Claiming il
leaving the Congregational Church
a Their nocks are in sympathy will
/ them. They are all the more popula
/ because of their Unitarianism or Uni
}, versalism. Accordingly, they are like
ly to grow bOlder and bolder in thei
d liberalism.
, Knowing the feeling of the churches
Ie ecclesiastical councils are usually afrai
IS to declare such ministers heretica
y though there can be no doubt that tn
10 logical consequence Of their teaching
er of their loose theology, is downrigf
iniidelity. Even if council does pre-
to nounce against minister, he can fin
er churches enough which will be glad
IN get him as a pastor, provided that |
ed sufficiently sugar coats his skepticisr
a The average congregation Ofthese da!
lie would not tolerate a man in its pulp
le- who talked about hell. Nor is
1g alarmed when its ministers avoids ell
as barrassing disclosures by giving Il
de fundamental doctrines of Puritan til
nj ology the go-by. 1t has no relish
lat what the churches of generation
two ago regarded as the strong me
ne they required for their spiritual Il
wv, building.
Or Yet while the Congregationalists a
'he thus approaching the Unitarians, be
those denominations are losing streng
ry' The Congregational liberals do not
) Ill quite far enough to satisfy the Uni
ng- rians, while they irritate the Orthod
ers theUlogians of their own body. I
vas 'Unitarians do not meet the demands
ex- the more skeptical minds, and, inste
she of growing, they are losing siren!
nat because of the many desertion fir
wa, their ranks into those of the infid
ace, who wish to have nothing to do W
'led churches. There is no vigor amC
ora either the Congregationalists or
cog Unitarians. Together they are lie
lout ing into skepticism the young peo
of New England who naturally he'll
ght, TO them.
TO 1t is time, therefore, for the OrthO
party led by the COngregatiOnalist,
bestir themselves to protect the
Ve2 Puritan theology from obliterat
Would they not do betterifthey bo
man separated themselves from the ri
two party of liberalism which wears
their livery of orthodoxy only to serve
and cause of skepticism? Religious e
s. 1 estness and religious sincerity are
in a ing in New England, There is
and much pretenoe of belief where the
mself really no belief. 1t would be
lever thing to make everybody show his
nd a. colors.-N Y. Sun.
lVing -