The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-04-21
EDITORIAL BRIEFS.
BY REV. I. M. ATWOOD, D. D.
Canton, N. Y.

In the free and rational range taken by
the representatives of New Andover in
the Interpretation of Scripture, we see an
incidental benefit of schism. The scope
of exegesis is limited with the orthodox
interpreter, uniformly, by the paramount
authority of certain dogmas. So fair
mind and SO competant scholar as Al
bert Barnes begins his comment on 1.
Cor. XIV. %, with the remark, at must be
held as great principle not to interpret
this passage 80 as to teach the final saliva
ton OF all men," Other exegetes have
not been so frank ;.but that they have
quite generally held Mr.. Barness great
principle" is shown by their practice.
Prot Ladd, Of Yale, Newman Smith, and
the present Andover Professors, with
some others are making new era in
| American orthodox Interpretation. They
are rising to the level of the best Eng
lish and German biblical scholarship.
The Churchman is much affected by
the spectacle in Philadelphia of the
pastors and congregations of several
churches belonging to different denomi-
nations-Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist,
Congregational, Reformed uniting in a
series of meetings designed to draw them
all closer together in the bonds Of Chris
tian love. 1t shows, remarks our es-
teemed contemporary, what deep yearn-
ing there is in the best minds In all de-
nominations for unity. 1t does not fore
token-so runs the Churchman'S thought
on immediate coalescing of these sects
but it is a sign of dissatisfaction with
schism. When the time comes to consider
the terms OF union "the Church will have
something to say" observes the editor
and he ventures to assure all interested
that she will say no other thing than
what has already been said by her bish.
ops. And what did the bishops say o,
they said it is a shame that all followers
| OF Christ are not united in one fellowship;
that they are moved to do much and to
go far in order that this reproach be done
away speedily /; and that if Baptists
Methodists, Presbyterians, and the rest
would only make the little sacrifice of
accepting the Episcopacy, the bishops
would waive everything else, and union,
"organic union" would be accomplished.
The English Baptist Union, from
which Mr.. Spurgeon lately withdrew
because he could not work with
pastors and churches holding SO many
advanced" views, has adopted state
ment which cannot give much comfort
to the great preacher. The statement
makes clear that the dogma of the eter-
nal punishment of the wicked is the real
subject of contention. The Union affirms
that q majority of the churches have SUBJ
scribed to this dogma, holding it In "the
usual sense" but many, "while rever-
emily accepting all divine teaching, have
adopted other interpretations which
seem to them consistent with it, and the
Union has had no difficulty in working
with them" This is plain notification
to Mr.. Spurgeon, that if he has diff
Guilty in working with" those who do not
hold the dogma of eternal punishment,
the Union will not help him out of it.
He probably understood this when he
withdrew. It may be difficult to work
with those who doubt eternal punish
ment it is becoming every hour more
difficult to find place to work where
these doubters do not intrude.
I'm one of Darwin's letters he speaks
of the impression often made on his
mind of the Divine Source of things by
the evidences of intelligence, wisdom and
benevolence in the creation. But he
adds, "lhe horrid doubt always rises
whether the convictions of mans mind,
which have been developed from the mind
or the lower animals, are OF any value or
are at all trustworthy. Would any one
trust in the convictions of a monkeys
mind, if there are convictions in such a
mind ?"
1T is interesting to note here the
practical coincidence between Darwinism
and the orthodox doctrine of the Fall.
According to the latter doctrine human
nature is ruin. The processes and con-
clusions of mans mind cannot be trusted,
because his mind is in disorder. 1t was
sound, accurate, trustworthy, originally;
but since "the Fall" it is 30 far IMPOSED
and shattered that its best intuitions are
but illusory dreams and its most solid
interences only vain speculations. Reve-
lstion alone can guide man his reason is
sure to mislead him.
For different reason Darwin reaches
the same conclusion. He feels the mighty
uplift of the spiritual inspiration moving
in his great soul; but how shall being
whose whole stock of high and fine feel
ings have been so lately developed out
of the instructive tendencies OF the lower
animals know whether he ought to con-
cede to them any moral significance =?
He admits that fact like those presented
by the Duke of Argyle, often make the
persuasion of a mind in nature come
over him with overwhelming force.''
But how can he trust the intuitions or
inferences of a mind developed from
the mind Of the lower animals ?" Here,
as often elsewhere, extremes meet.