Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-10-13
THE NEW DEPARTURE.
The Doctrines Of Atonsmsnt and Of
49,, He'll Disayowed., ri >
Beecher Tenders His Resignation to the
New York and Brooklyn Assoeia- 3
ton Of Congregational
Churches.
HIS REMARKS AT TUESDAYS. MEETING.

NEW YoRK, October 12-Henry Wsrd
Beecher astonished the meeting OF the
New York and Brooklyn Association OF
Congregational Churches, in the Park Con-
eregational Church, Brooklyn, Tuesday, by
Withdrawing from membership. He had
been assigned to open the discussion on
the subject Of Spiritual Barbarism." He
said that this subject had not been selected
by him. He supposed 1t was intended to
open the discussion on those forms Of hold
ing spiritual truths which might be called
barbaric, not in an offensive sense, but as
representing the
Primitive and Ignorant Methods
of looking upon spiritual life. But it had
occurred to him that this subject might
have been selected on account Of his eN.
nression OF views in the North A1aeriodn Re.
Tieu last August, in which he had described
some theological doctrines as barbartc. AS
tbs article had led to many inquiries and
comments concerning his own theological
views, be thought this good opportunity
TO state those views more fully than he had
ever done before, especially as he had de.
tcrmined to close his remarks with with
drawali from membership in the association.
He said he felt, as Christian gentleman,
that.it was not right for him to
Lay Upon Any One
the responsibility of his peculiar position.
His views had not materially changed in
forty wears. Although they had developed.
the development was all on the original
lines. During that period he had often felt
that his ministerial brethren were called
upon to bear an undue share OF responsi'
biiity for him, and now he had definitely
determined not to keep this association, or
its members, in such a position, and that
his defence should be no further, port oil
their duty. He believed that he
should not be any less in sym.
pathy with them, but rather in
Closer Bonds OF Love.
He would do anything for them or their
churches, even more freely and heartily
than before; but it was right that he alone
should be called upon to explain his own
views and doctrines, and that no one else
should be answerable for them. He theu
stated some views of the nature Of God, as
set forth in the Westminster Confession.
He said the eternal decree OF God, as set
forth, to create large part OF men and
angels for the purpose OF eternal torment
was barbaric, as putting monster in the
place Of loving father. Such doctrine"
he rejected with an impetus that
touched the very foundation of his soul.
The doctrine of mans total inability to
obey the laws of God he also rejected, as
we'll as the gross and physical representa-
tons of future punishment. He
Believed In Future Punishment
thoroughly, but ne believed the whole
some and restraining influence OF that doc
trine had been largely destroyed by gross,
carnal, corrupting, and diabolicaf notions
of hell. That he said, was barbAric.
He regarded the whole doctrine OF origi-
nal sin ss founded on the fall OF Adam as
barbaric. That was the conception OF men
who were ignorant on the subject.
He then proceeded to state formally what
he did believe at much greater length than
he had stated his views of what he did not
believe. He expressed in strong LANGUAGE
his full belief in personal God, and utter
ly repudiated all Patheism, and also the
theory of Matthew Arnold that God is
nothing but tendency, mere blind power
not within ourselves. He believed, al
though he
Could Not Pretend te Explain IL.
in the doctrine of the Trinity. He thou 2ht
he saw analogies in the higher develop,
ments of nature, In the lowest forms OF
existence everything was single: In the
higher forms not only were minu and mat
ter united, but each soul included multi
tude of faculties. Man had a physical ma
ture, and also q mental, moral and spirit
nal nature, more or less developed. He
saw no reason why in the highest range oil
being, there might not be unity com.
posed of three persons really distinct yei
really one. OF course, he said, be could
not understand this, but that did not prove
that it was not true. He made no attempt
TO divide the functions, offices and work OF
the Trinity. All his own thought and
faith were concentrated upon Jesus Christ.
So literally did he believe Carist to BE- d.
vine that he could not really
Pray TO Any other Being.
He sometimes tried TO pray to the Father
but always ended by addressing his prayer
TO Christ. His faith, Therefore, in the di
yinity of Christ was stronger than WORD:
could dexpress. Yet he believed lhlt Christ
in taking the elements Of human nature
became subject TO all the laws that govern
man that He renounced not only external
elory. but also the knowledge and wisdom
which He otherwise hid; that when Chris
YVES a child He had only the knowledse o.
a child, and grew in knowledge as literally
as He grew in stature. His belief in the
absolute divinity of Christ lay at the
foundation OF all his creed.
he also believed in divine Providence
both general and special. He believed II
answer to prayer. He thought there were
millions of prayers that were not answered
Because They Ought not to BE,
but that millions of prayers were answered
not merely by reaction upon the soul O.
the person praying, but in other ways: M
believed in miracles, because be belleyee
that they were Just as possible to-day a.
they ever had been IL only the same cir
camstances should happen. He emphatic
ally believed in the two great miracles o.
the New Testament, the miraculous concep
ton and the resurrection OF Jesus Christ
He thought there was nothing in all thest
things that was inconsistent with scienct
or philosophy. He had always been accus
TONED TO keep up with the state OF science
in its Developments, and he accepted II cor
dially; nor did it ever disturb his faith II
these I'm damental things, although II IN
creased his yaii. Of faith in some OF tn
old formal interpretations and creeds. H'
tLen passed to the ....
Inspiration OF the Bible.
concerning which he said that he could &C
cent almost every word contained In the
Confession of the American Presoyteilar
Church. The inspiration there stated wa
not that of the book. but that OIL the men
who wrote the book. He did not believe
In verbal inspiration, but ne believed rev al, /,
the direct infiuence OF God upon me SOU,
of men who wrote the different books d
the Bible, although in vefy different de
grees.
Thus far Mr.. Beecher proceeded withou,
iuferrnption. but when he passed TO tht
subject OF the atonement he was interrupt
ed with many questions. The result Of b.:
statement upon the whole wss that be did
not believe In the theory Of substitution.
or in the doctrine that all punishment
which belonged to the human rsce or any
part Of II was concentrated upon the head
Of Christ He held that human eouis may
only be saved through suffering, and that
Christ, as the representative OF the divine
nature on earth, suffered beyond al
Others for the sake Of men, and as an
exhibition of the eternal love Of God and OF
(,rdr. uiIlinOusss IN stiffer in order To rave