The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-27
HENRY WARD BEECHER.
A Response to Mr.. Kennard's Criticism of
His Teachings.
Chicago Times.

Chicago Times.
On last Sunday the Rev. Dr. j. Spencer
Kennard, of the Fourth Baptist Church.
preached sermon reviewing Beecher's
theology. He asseverated that Beecher's
teachings had grown lax and dangerous
though he had not lost faith in him as a man
and Christian; that his definition of Chris
tianity omits the cross, and that the religion
of Christ is not in decepit state as he de-
clares. Mr. Beecher makes the following
characteristic reply:
Rev. J. Spencer Kennard;
Dear Sir-l have read your reported sermon de-
lvered yesterday, with great interest. have to
thank you for your kindness of feeling manifest
ed, and the absence of the rigOr of orthodoxy,
which seems to be but covert form of saying
"damn you" But am not saying this as an
expression of surprise; one would have expect
ed this excellent spirit in you. But the point of
my qualification is that the time has come for
an honest discussion OF the views of the old and
new theology. II conducted in a Christian
spirit, good can not but come out of 1t. 1t is
hardly TO be expected that either side will have
a whole victory. but another generation will
find itself upon a higher level. Allow me to say
OF my own position that L know that am Or
thodox and evangelical as to the facts and sub
srance of the Christian religion; but equally
well know that l am not orthodox as to the
philosophy which has hitherto been applied to
those facts. am a cordial Christian evolu-
tionist.
I do not agree, by any means, with all of Spen-
Ger, his agnnsticism, nor all of Huxley. 1yndall
and their school; they are agnosic-I am not,
emphaticaly, but am an evOlutiOnisu. Evolu-
ton strikes at the root of all medieval and or
thOdox modern theology; the fall of man in
Adam, and the inheritance by his pOsterity of
his guilt, and by consequence, any such view of
atOnement as has been constructed to meet the
fabulous disaster Men have not fallen
race, men have come up. No great disaster met
the race at the start: the creation decree of Cad
was fulfilled. Any theory of atOnement must
be one which shall meet the fact that man was
created at the lowest point, and, as believe, is
as to his physical being, evolved from the ami
NAL below him; but, as to his moral and
spiritual nature. is a son of God, new element
having come up In the great movement of evolu-
ton at the point of mans appearance.
Man is universally sinful; not by nature, but
by voluntary violation of known laws. In other
words. the animal passions of man have proved
to be too strong for his moral and spiritual ma
ture. Pauls double mantle old man and the
new man-is grand exposition OF the doctrine
of sin.
But enough of this. am not in my preaching
attacking orthodoxy L belong to this wing of
the Christian army, but cannot get my own
views out except by comparison of them to the
disadvantage of the standard views If TO any
1 seem to bring wit and humor to an 1rreverent
USE I can only say 10 it because cannot help
it. These things come to me. so must express
them, but not as sneeT or SCOT. though often
with impetuous feeling and with open mirth.
My life is drawing to an end few more working
years only have left. No ono can express the
earnestness I feel, that in the avdance of sci
ence which will inevitably sweep away much
rubbish in the beliefs of men, place may be
found for higher spirituality-for belief that
shall have it's roots in science, and its ton in the
sunlight of faith and love. Fer that am work
ing and shall work as long as | work at ali.
The discussion has begun. God is in 1t.
IL must go on. 1t Is one of those great move
ments which come when God would lift men to
q higher level. The root of the whole matter
with me- in a word, Is this: Which is the central
element of moral governmeut-love or hatre1i
| say hatred, for in human hands that is what
justice has largely amounted to- l hold that
they are not co-equal. True Justices print
tive form is simply pain, and this suffering is
auxiiary-pedagogic-t schoolmasrer until
men are enough developed to work by love.
Love is not auxiliary: it the one individual
force of moral government to which God is
bringing the universe. I've gone my length. l
should wish to live in the affection and con-
flenoe OF my brethren in the Christian minis
try, but [ cannot, for the sake of earning it,,
yield jOt or little of loyalty to that kingdom
of love which is coming, and of which am but
as one crying in the wilderness, prepare We the
way OF the Lord" l am atfectionately yours,
HENRY WARD BEECHER,