New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-16
THE NEW MOVEMENT IN THEOLOGY.
NOTES AND QUERIES OF AN ORTHODOX
MINISTER.
REVIEW OF RECENT SIGNIFICANT UTTERANCEs BY
LEADERS OF RELIGIOUS THOUGHT.

LEADERS OF RELIGIOUS THOUGHT.
TO the Editor Of the Tribune.
SIR: There is comm0tion in all the
orthodox churches. IL may not have made much dis
turbauce on the surface but it very distinct In the
depths. The under currents are flowing VIII this
continue az it u.s. or will IL, like food, sweep over
ecclesiastical barriers go 10 form independent
body OF its owhi To what extent has 1t modified the
teaching OF the pulpit the temper OF the pew and the
tone of the press These all have changed The great
and terrible OF Jonathan Edwards would hardly
be preached in these days. the modern congregation
would not be willing endure them. There Is much
fine preaching the present time, but not from the old
texts on which fathers the changes OF Judgment
and damnation. Tho ungodly are no longer Informed
that they are hairhung and breeZe-shaken over the
fiery pit hell" and they do not now bow In terror
under the preaching which at time caused men and
women to fall 10 the ground Why is this Have men
become better or has the pulpit become worse Have
the people surrendered SIM the preachers given
up principle
The late Dr. Rothe OF Germany. said on occaslon
Christianity mutabe Of all things" Canon
Fremane his Gospel OF the Secular Life says that
Dr. Rothe only meant set forth the power OF Chris
tanity to adapt itself circumstances and to show its
capacity protng by discoveries OF truth In TINS
he voices the thought OF OF the most earnest ana
spiritual thinkers and preachers in Germany, England
and America Every observant reader OF more modern
theology has noticed the different tone nov employed
when doubts mentioned and criticisms are made
Once to doubt was in the estimation OF the Church. to
be damned TO criticse 10 invite crucixlon. what
O storm the Essays and Reviews " raised when they
were first pubished Every defender OF the faith was
stricken with alarm In England the opposition to DR.
TEMPLE one OF the essayIsts great that when IN
1863 he was designated Bishop OF Exeter tie chapter
actually divided on the Royal Recommendation-an act
OF independence paraeled but once before in modern
times Dr. Temple has never withdrawn. explained or
and in
the wear OF grace 1888 been chosen to he the
hampton Lecturer for 1884. THE choice" says Tie
Family ChurchBan, OF London, is an Interesting sian
Il the times"
THE MOVEMENT IN THE METHODIST AND PREsBY-
TERRAIN CHURCHES.
DR.. Henry " Harman, professor IN Dickinson Col
lcge aud one learned men in the ministry OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church. has written an excel
lent Introduction to the Holy Scriptures" which has
been published by the Methodist Book Concern. and has
passed into lis third edition. lie admits that Biblical
criticism like AL other branches OF our KNOWLEDGE Is
rrogressive" lie says also: Two factors are to be rec
ognized in the Bible tie Divine and the Human; ana
II may not ways be easy matter to fix the limits OF
each" This was Matthew AfnOd's starting point Dr.
Hartman does not attempt define these limits A
between the pOsiulatcs The Bible is the word OF God
and The Bible ooras the word OF Cod" we may cas-
fly infer his choice Ills able work bears the ibPrmn"W
OF the Methodist Publishing House, II Is the first vol
ume Of the projected Biblical AMI TheoioSeal Library
of The Methodist Episcopal Church. and mas been placed
by Bishops In the course OF study for young min
istcrs It's therefore. Of the standards OF doctrine
OF the Church.
Dr. J. II. Ecub prominent Presbyterian pastor In
Albany In sermon preached IN March last before the
Albany County Bible Society said among other strong
words: When the able ond deyout scholars OF to-day
with their varied ana improved critical apparatus are
making discoveries concerning the entire constitution OF
frrt f.t hal he NoT AZ
not make that ancient nl,take OF substituting reverence
for wisdom Reverence without wisdom Il superstition
We lovers OF this word Of Col most Of all, should re
ioice in very discovery concerning II. sOH We
find our faiths cmped OF their cherished dognas we
Will not sat down by the tomb TO weep but We
will turn our faces the day which must always
break forth with more hight and truth from this
Word"
Flint whose words rather nsionishei some OF the mem
her, OF the Pan-Presby teun Council; from the
recent discussions In papers ana reviews from the REQ
utons General Assemblies aud from the essays ana
sermons OF ministers OF the Presbyterian Church We
all at IN this most orthodox Orahch Of Tue Chufch
catholic the movement Is working
RECENT UrTERANCEs ABOUT CERTAIN DoGMAs.
The writer hereof ia personally acquainted with prom
nent ministers in several Of the Christian denominations
who hold 10 less stringent views Of revelation, the
theories Of the atonemen presented by Bushnell and
Mcleod Campbell and Ia the necessity OF restatemeit
OF the Christian doctrine of retrbution. "a have al
ready said very few, II any, sermons preached
ON the everlasting punishment OF the wicked. and many
thoughtful men OF all pcrsuasions and pursuits
gravel and earnestly discussing, both in public and in
private the whole question Of eschato0gy. This ques
ton IA under review Everybody is sensitive, and In
some Its points leading not altogether In har
mony with their brethren. When the eloquent Bishop
Foster the Methodist Episcopal Church. published his
work on Beyond the Grave" whispers Of heresy
heard all through Church. and the General Confer
ence enacted provision for the trial OF bishops charged
with teaching heresy. II Is not for TO say that the
Conference had the Bishop in mind Imcuon the fact
OF the Whispers and the fact OF the action OF the Con-
ference IL IL certain that Tor some reason, no
willing to present bill OF particulars TO the Committee
on EpiscOpacy, although much was said and written
about the heterodoxy OF the Bishops book
sermon preached AT Sc Mnrearet's, Westminster.
on April 20 last ArcdeacOn uate Canol) fnrrar said:
Cerem0Eia obsefVhncGs arc nor rclSlOn Long pray
ers religion Orthodoxy OF creed Is not religion.
Canon Fremautle says: Christian faith II not m ad
herencc to series OF Propositions, nut living SYM
patty and aspiration which shows itself In many forms
and Is the spring OF true and heahul life. Prebend
AIRY Row OF ST. Pauls London In his last work, Bcvc-
laiion aud Modern Theology COntrasted." says. n
Christianity Is TO retain its hold thoughtful men,
theOosans must cease TO PROFOUND Christian veres,
be accepted under penalty OF exclusion from tho
ing more than the deductions OF human from
facts OF revelation or representations t. these facts n
Imagination. and then announced as Verities resting on
Dr. j. H. McIivaine, Presby terrain pastor in Newark
n. j. formerly professor In Princeton College has just
ted The Wisdom Of Icy scrpare" The t.an S
TO quote at length from Il IL strong His chapter
Crceds CoufcssiOn takes ground against what he
calls stagnation I'm theological science which c0ds
ascribe To the ChuIch's former delyerances that
unchang eablencss and authority which belong the
Word God alone, that practically. If not In theory,
they placed level with the Scriptures them
selves" lilo says shall find IL easy Dint out nl-
nerOas particulars wherein the Westminster Confession
fails represent the truths OF the Gospel In true
Scpturs relations. Referring TO the Crceds and Con-
LESSONS OF Churches he We that evils
such elaborate systems OF theology, when solemnly
adopted and held confessions OF fit, be- enOr-
nous. especially in their influence upon tho ministry
For ii seems that thoughtful and console nous men
with deep convictions Oi human falblity la wing
before their the wonderful progress which made
in science and industry, Will shrink more and mo.e
from mourning snch obligations. and from the Office OF
the ministry In those cOnmuniOns which require IT,
What does 1t all mean Tie pupits and the presses