The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-08-08
Reecher Believes Wi h Darwin.
CHICAGO, July 23. 1883.
Dav Dr Spenrer keunari.-

CHICAGO. July 23. lsS3.
Rev. DR.. j. Spencer kennard:-
Dear Sri have read ,our reported
sermon, delivered yesterday, with great
interest. | have TO thank YOU for your
kindnes. OF feeling manifested and tue
absence OF that vigil OF orthodoxy
which seems 10 be but a covert form
of saving damn you. But | am not
saving this as an expression OF surprise
One would have expected this excellent
spirit in you; but the point OF my gratlii-
cation is that the time has come Tor an
honest discussion OF the views OF theo ola
aud the new theology. Ii conducted III
Christian spirit rood cannot but come
out of il. 1t Is hardly to be expected
that either side will have a whole victory.
but another generation will hnd Itself
upon a higher level.
Allow me to say of my own position, that
| know that | am orthodox and evangell
! cal as 10 facts and substance ofthe Chris
tan religion, but equally well L know
| that | am not orthodox as TO the phlios
| ophy which has hitherto been applied TO
those facts. | am a cordial Christian
! evolutionist. do not agree. by any
means, with all al Spencer his ~agnostic
ism In all of II ixley. Tyndall, and
their school They are ~a2nOstlc. ! am
not, emphaticai ). But | am an evolution
list, and that stIikts at the root OF all
medi8val and orthodox modern theology
= the fall of man In Adam and the inner
itance by his posterity of his guilt, and
by consequence, any such view OF atone
ment as has been constructed to meet
this fabulous disaster. Men have not
fallen as a ace-men have come up. Ne
great disaster net tba race at the start.
The creative decree Of God was fulfilled.
and any theory Of atOnemeEt must be
one which will meet the fact that man
was created at the lowest poln5, and. a.
[ believe, Is "a 10 his physical beng.
evolved from the aaImaI race below hin,
but, as to his mora and spiritual nature,
IS a son of God, a new element having
come in the great movement OF evolution
at the point of mans appearance.
Man is universe ly sinful rot by ma
ture, but by a voluntary violation OIL
known laws. In other words. the animal
passions of man have proved to be too
strong tor his moral and spiritual nature.
Paul's double man. the "old man and
the new man. is a grand exposiilo OF
the doctrine of sin especially IN the
seventh chapter of Romans.
But enough Of this. am not in my
preaching attacking or thodoxy- | be 'Ong
10 this wing of the Christian army. But
| cannot get my own views out except by
4 comparison of them TO the disadvau
tage of the standard views. If to any
| seem to bring wi, and humor to an IT.
reverent use, | can only say do 1t be
cause | cannot help it. So things come,
SO | must express them, but not AS a
sheer or scott, thouIh often with impet-
lous feeling are with open mirth.
My life is drawing 70 an end. A few
more working year. only nave | left No
one can express the earnestness with
which feel thai in the advance of science,
which will inevitably sweep away much
rubbish from the belief of men. a place
may be founG for higher spirituality.
tor a belief that shall have its roots in
science and its top IN the sunliph It of
faith and love. For that an working
and shall work as long as | work at all.
The discussion has begun. God is in
it. 1t must go on. 1t is one Of those
great movements which come when God
would lift men to a higher level. The
root of the whole matter with me is. in a
word. this:--Which S the central ele-
uiCb u Otd SOSCl uuucuI, lONO VI
hatred? Il say hatred, for in human
hands that is what justice has largely
amounted to- hold that they are not
coequal. True justice in its primitive
form. is simply pain, and this suffering
is auxiliary, pedagogic-the schoolmas-
ter until men are enough developed 20
work by love. Love is not auxiliary.
Ii is the one undivided force OF moral
government to which God is bringing
the universe.
Forgive my length. | should wish
to live in the affection and confidence of
my brethren of the ministry. But |
cannot for the SAKE of earning it WELD
one lot or title OF loyalty to the kingdom
of Love which is coming, and of which
| am but as one crying in the wilderness.
Prepare We the way Of the Lord" !
am ~afectionately yours,
HENRY WARD BEECHER.