Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-11-28

the other upon infallible authority. How
ever much the various modes Of Christian
thought have in common, this difference
in the Fundamental idea is controlling.
The churches that develop out of liberty of
thought, and those that develop out Of Il
disciplined propaganda, differ not only in
their manner of grow tn, but III their hold
upon the thoughts and energies OF men.
What discipline is to an army il is to 4
church; and vast multitude Of brave
and enthusiastic men may be vanqulshed
by compact organization ably led into
battle.
1t IS not, however, easy 70 say whether
liberty aul ndividualiSm OIL the one side,
or organization and authority on the
otler, is productive Of the most enduring
results. The growth Of Christianity
itself, as against Judaism and Paganism.
is growth OF indiyidualism against pow
crful theocratic organizations. Roman
Pagani>m, identified with the Roman
empire, did all that authority enforced by
persecution could do to check the growth
of Christianity. Yet, by the force of en-
thu>iasm, il grew. At i later period,
after Christianity had won the victory,
and had itself organized 4 powerful en-
pirc, the Protestant reformation began,
and by mere indivdlali,m and enthusi-
;Sm grew strong in the face of authority.
Within the Protestant cl urchcs sccts
have formed and grown strong in antag-
oniSm To Protestant authority. Pcrsecu-
discipline, lave often been tried, and tried
in vain. Enthusiasm has been stronger,
as the development OF Methodism and
QuakcriSm within the Church of England
sufficiently illustrate. No man can set
any limits to the impetus of enthusiasm.
The strongest mOnarchies go down before
the onset of popular enthusiasm like the
sand-bmilt castles of children before the
breakers OF the sea.
Yet, there is this wc:kness about indi-
vidualism and liberty: They tend toward
subdivision and loss of united force. En-
thusasm may win splendid battle, but
discipline tells in the long campaign.
lndividuaisms, awhile bound together by
the necessities of seli-preservatiOn, are
strong against Il common adversary; but
after their battle is won their conference
is gone. The Protestant reformation split
up into Il dozen sccts rs soon us it had
gained its point so far rs 10 establish the
right of freedom Of conscience. The right
of individual spiritual liberty was rs good
against the synods and the councils Of
Professionalism rs against the authority Of
the Vatican. Sects formed within sectS,
and Professionalism, while strong enough
to hold its own, gradually lost its aggres-
sivc and expansive character. The geo.
graphical boundaries of Professionalism in
Europe do not differ greatly from those
of three centuries ago. So long as Il burn
ing enthusiasm for liberty OF conscience
held the Protestant world together, it
mace Roadway; but when enthusiasm
declined propagandism slowly died out.
But even in the most Protestant organ
i>ms there is some discipline and author
ity. The authority which formulates
confessions of faith may claim no special
or divine commission, yet it
has d certain force. 1t is in :he nature of
things that this authority, whatsoever it
may be, tends to increase. Against this
the individualism asserts itself, and sects
form within sects; and it is Il strange fact
that strong hostility is usually found
between sects who differ from each other
OIL the narrowest line.
The Episcopal Church illustrates the
tendency of the times. 1t contains within
itself the principle of authority repre-
scented by the High Church party, and the
principle of indiviGualism represented by
the Low Church party. The fact that
there is principle of authority pervading
the whole makes it church strong to
grow, and that flank Of the church which
adheres most TO authority seems to be
growing ut the expense Of the other.
I.llllc w iilllC IL 10 CStCuuiHS 'tSSii, S"P-
turing bishopric after bishopric. This is
not so much because the doctrines are VIC
toriouS rs because better discipline pre-
walls and better work is done. The High
Church people work together; the Low
Church work more rs individuals. Thus
the Episcopal Church seems TO illustrate
in miniature the contest that is going OH
in the whole Christian world. Authority
is gaining, and individualism barely holds
its own.
If it should happen that enthusiasm
which is the only thing that can take the
place of discipline-should wanc, the fight
will not remain doubtful. If the old
burning zeal which once fircG Mcthodists
and Bap,iSts and Presbytcrians is less
than it was thirty years ago, then these
churches are less powerful than they were
thirty years ago. IL matters not that
they may have more churches, more mis-
sionS, more Sunday schools, more libra
rcs, more tracts, more money, unless they
have the enthusiasm that binds all into
unity they must suffer \ loss of force from
friction and cross-currcntS among them
selves baltimore 4mericaa.
Dcvoured by Wolves.