Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1886-10-18
Monday, October is, 1856.
HE AMERICAN BOARD.

ACTS XIV, SO: And after they had spent some tim9
there they were dismissed in peace from the breth-
zen unto those that had sent them forth.
Up t. the present time have not deemed
it best TO introduce in the pulpit any direct
reference to the serious questions which for
months nave been pressing for settlement in
the administration of the American Board.
1t has not seemed to me profitable to disturb
the churches with questions which might
withdraw their attention from their religious
work ,and which we have earnestly striven by
all private means in our power to pre-
vent coming to an open and public issue.
The same reasons which have thus far led me
to keep silence in this pulpit lead me this
morning to speak. After the representatives of
the American Board chad spent some time
in Des Moines they dismissed in peace
from the brethren unto those that sent
them" A statement of what not
done IS we'll as what was done,
at the recent meeting of the board, may now
be made in the interests of harmony and
peace And as 1 am aware that in tn lily
especially, intense sympathy has been Eelt
for mi sionary we'll known and beloved
among u.s. who has been kept back from his
work, l trust that such representation o.
the matter as l am able to give this m Ia
ing may serve to alley excitement, and help
also the friends of the rejected or suspended
candidates for missionary appointment to
wait awhile at le at with patience until we
C N see still further down the way out of
this grave difficulty which the good hand of
pa evidence opened for US at the recent meet
ing of the board, and which, however long
it may take us to follow it to the end, hence
forth no man can shut against us.
shall pass over with a few words the
theological controversy which has developed
of late around the supposed opinions of some
concerning possible probation after death.
That phrase never hes been chosen or used
by the brethren whose theology has been IS
sailed as the adequate phrs Sc by which they
would express their own thought in its
proper connections I'd its Christian sisnih-
cance. l believe it is the first time l have
had occasion to use ii in tn pulpit.
1t does not represent the main move
ment and concern of the SO called new theol-
oey the sup erne motive of which would be
more appropriately designated IN single
word as the real theology. 1t has seemed to
many of US from the beginning of recent con-
troversies that greatly exaggerated and dis
proportionate place mas been given in the SEN
sationalism of a portion of the religious press
aud in the conSeq uent fears OF many good
men, to an opinion concerning the possibility
OF one gracious opportunity for all men,
which opinion is not q new theory in
historical theology ard which has lately been
revived by many eminent biblical scholars in
other countries besides New England and
suggested as a permissible and to some de-
gree helpful answer to ole of the darkest
perplexities of the Christian faith. 1t has
seemed to many OF us singularly unfortunate
that the vast missionary interests OF a church
should be put in peril for fear lest sugges
ton concerning a conceivable method of the
application of universal atonement to the
world might prove hurtful to any, and we
have teen unwilling to exalt to the RANK OF
CI,,.is% Il
or dogma of man concerning subject w.tl
regard to which we can fud in the Bible oGiy
hidden prophecies.
[ would not be understood as deny ing
any theological idea may have impo :tance
its proper place in our Christian thinkil
and a suggestion may prove timely and
full which may enable to set the truth "a
the incarnation in larger relations to ne
whole creation, or which may open to fai u
more glorious possibilities of the length and
the breadth of the love of God, which pass
eth knowledge. But hail it as one of the
huppiest results of the great debate which
was held week ago Thursday upon the
platform of the American Board, that it
brought out clearly and with emphasis the
fact of the secondary and subordinate i'm
portan of the theological issue which mas
too long been represented as of essential
significance and the fear of which has carried
men even to the suggestion of a ConGrega-
ment of a eat missionary society.
Indeed, between the preacher of the opening
sermon and those whose views he would
have condemned heretical the whole off
ference in the last analysis seemed to be on
ly difference as to the method i'll which
God may be conceived to save great multi
tude, whom no man can number, OF heatht n
souls. The preacher did not deny, but at
firmed that great multitude wodld Id
saved, but he objected to the Ch1lstl-srF
method in which others have conceived IL p
be not impossible that they might De saved.
Now this difference may be matter OF theo-
logical interest, but it is not of missionary
Importance.
pass by without prolonged discussion
the the illogical ISSUE which was raised at the
meeting of the board, not only because L re-
gard it as of secondary Importance, but also
because the action of the board settles 10th
ing dda be setted by ' Tote
of men. The opinions of few gentle
men who are met upon a platform
ard discuss Profound Theological problems,
will have as much or as little weight as their
scholarship and their acquaintance with the
subject may lend 20 their utterances. The
theological action or non action of the board
is of importance chiefly as it may affect the
az ninistration Of the affairs of the hoard
The practical question which has been press
ing for decision relateJ to the method to be
pursued i'll the appointment OF missionaries
That was the practical question at Des
Moines around which all Others were grouped.
My further account of the proceedings Will
be made with reference solely to the practi-
cal question of the hour. In the report of
the committee which opened the discussion
of last Thursday suggestion managed 10
frd tolerated admission which was not ap-
proved by the committee and which was
expressly disapproved by the chairman,
Loft ha
that the question of the theological fitness
of candidates be referred to a council selected
in each case rom the vic1nage. Early in the
course of the discussion which ensued a mo
ton was made b. well known layTnan al
the instance of the minority that the whole
matter be referred to a committee of ten to
be appointed by President Hopkins, and of
which he should be one. This concll1atory
motion was voted down by the majority
Resolutions intended to commit the board to
the theological position of one portion Of its
constituency were introduced and met by the
objection that in 1871 the report had been
adopted that neither the board DOR the p-u-
Dental committee are in any sense tkeo-
logical court to decide matters of doctIinal
dispute. The proposed theological reso-
luton was amended, modified and finally
passed in form which opponents of it
declared was ambiguous and did not cover
the individual cases which are pressing fo-
decision. The resolution, which was passed.
by vote that was not counted. declares thai
"the board look with grave apprehension up
on certain tendencies of the doctrine OF pro
baton after death which has been 1>cent'y
broached and diligently Dfomulgated"and c.
tainly those of who have noticed t.
crude and exaggerated statements in whit
that doctrine has been preached and dii
gently promulgated in the articles against it
our denominational papers would be the lie
to deuy that such tendencies seem to be, :,
the board declares, "divisive' and perver
sive and dangerous" While the majority of
the board, however, evidently intended to
put on record vague theological warning
against a supposed teaching of
some, and in so far Forth, as they
make a theological declaration, violated
the historical precedent of the boa-d con-
corning matters of docIrinal dispute, it |
should not De forgotten the other haad |
that the board did not assert the dogma of |
the necessary decisiveness for eternity in |
all cases of the present earthly life which the |
home secretary 10 his correspondence had |
elevated to the rank of leading Christian |
doctrine, and male a condition CT mission |
ary appointment. The boar1 were publicly |
asked to make their meaning definite and |
clear if that was the position which they in |
tended to take, and it is matter of thanks |
giving that through restraining grace tkeo-
aiatl frOD