The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-09-08
THE RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY

THE RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY.
For nearly year the reading class Of
people has been entertained by pro-
longed discussion on the subject of reli-
gion, both friends and foes of Christian
ity contributing to it. Mr.. Ingersoll has
posed as the representative of anti
Christian thought, and endeavored to
present his opinions in the most impress
sive form. at the outset it is advisable
to note two facts: first, that whatever
may be the final verdict of mankind on
religion the interest on the subject is
really undated. Second, the decline
Of Mr.. Ingersoll's influence is plainly
observable in the difference of feeling
produced by these later effusions of his,
and Of those that were published in
North American Review a few years
ago. The excitement produced by his
highly colcred rhetoric and faulty logic
has passed away, and the sober judg-
ment of men is as much opposed to his
barren and irreligious agnosticism as
ever before.
Any one who has rational concep-
ton of religion feels how difficult it is
to square it perfectly with our under
standing. And this is very natural.
1t is not to be presumed, even for a
moment, that the human mind is capa-
BILE of understanding those mysteries
which nature and life contain. We may
note that the great difference between
the Christian and the unbeliever is not
that the same doubts and difficulties do
not equally beset them, but that the
sceptic emphasizes only his doubts, and
ignores the assistance that religion Of
fers for their solution.
We assume it to be principle be-
yond dispute, that in assailing system
of religious thought only the distinc-
tive fundamental principles of that re-
ligion should be assailed. And only
those doctrines can be considered fund
amental that are avowedly espoused by
the leading representatives of that re-
ligion in different ages. When, there
fore, the credibility of Christianity is
made to hinge upon the plenary inspir-
alton Of the Bible, and the literal inter-
probation of its passages, the contro-
versy is spent on purely side issues.
The doctrine of divine inspiration is
not determined by whether the Bible is
a purely infallible book. And the rich
est thought, as well as the loftiest ex-
parience of Christendom, confirms the
belief that the inspiration of the AL
mighty is as broad as humanity, and as
deep as the deepest spiritual wants. No
one disputes that there have been, and
are those who narrow the Interpretation
Of Gods relation to man; but the impair
tial critic will not insist on the unen-
dorsed Interpretation of the compare
lively few.
No man is capable of understanding
or discussing Christianity who does not
bring to it sufficient learning to
acquaint him with its historical devel-
opment, and spirit of reverence for
it's truths and sympathy with its aims.
Speaking of reverence one is forced to
remark the profuse avowals of rever-
ence made by Mr.. Ingersoll. 1t re-
minds one of the custom once in vogue
among duelists, when there was the
most ostentatious display of mutual re-
spect, as counterbalance to their dead
ly and murderous designs. 1t is all
very well to begin controversy on re-
ligion with distinct avowals of rever-
ence, but it would be wiser and more
just to reserve the avowals and main
tain the principle. In judging of the
reverence with which Mr.. Ingersoll
deals with Christianity, we should not
limit our structures to his more care
fully prepared articles in the Review;
we should observe the tone of his pop
ular lectures, considering both the sub
stance and manner of delivery. Those
who have both heard and read
his discourses on religion are fully
aware that they lack the element he
considers so essential. The common
wit and ridicule of the speaker, and the
course and irreverent applause of his
audiences, afford indubitable proof Of
the lack of that which he SO boldly as
sumes. There is an infinite difference
between the spirit of such men as j. S.
Mill, F. w. Newman and other emin-
emit sceptics, and that of Mr.. Ingersoll.
They do not say as much concerning
reverence, but one feels its spirit as
well as that Of anxious doubt and in
quiry, in all of their religious writings.
If we find it difficult to assent to the
narrow creed of some of our Christian
brethren, it must be impossible to en-
dorse the spirit that prompts the as
sault of infidelity on our religion. 1t