The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-19
yoICE OF THE PEOPLE.


commend your position as to DR.. Kelley's
ayowal that the time has come "when a man
can believe that his reason dictates with
out fear Of personal consequences. There
never was time when he could do this.
and il is not so now, and never will be so
as long as there are creeds to fetter minds.
The creed is the church. Without it there
could be no church. The object OF the
creed is to bind all the parties to the doc
trines specifically stated. The moment
man dissents from any cardinal doctrine Of
the creed he is liable to be tried for heresy,
and is subject to expulsion. The writer
once exercised his reason and the common
right OF publisher in inserting an article
in his paper, knocking the bottom out Of
hell, as Ingersoll would say. He neither
Endorsed nor denounced, and vet he was
tried for heresy, though not convicted, and
afterward followed with persecution, until
compelled to withdraw. Witness the con-
troversies in the colleges, conventions
and assemblies over the doctrine Of evolu-
ton, and the new departure in
the economy OF salvation, which al
lows probation on the other side OF Jor-
dan for the benefit OF the ancestors OF the
heather, made necessary by the revolt OF
the heather world against the dogma OF
the church that their ancestors are
damned because they failed TO believe
and accept that which they did not and
could not know. The controversy has
reached the courts, and may end with
new creed, including sort of purgatory
for the benefit Of the ignorant, which will
certainly be an improvement ON the old
arbitrary style; "You will and you won't,
you shall and you shan't; you'll be damned
II you do, and you'll be damned II you
don't" Well, I'm on the side OF the
heather, and say, give them chance on
the other side, as they had none on this
side.
But to Mr.. Kelley and his reason:
When any man dissents from cardinal
doctrine OF his creed, il he cannot convert
his creedists and remodel the machine 10
suit the new light then he owes 1t to him
self as an honorable man; 10 the church,
which he has no right 10 disturb, and to
the community at large, TO step down and
out into the broad world, where no creed
letters the human soul Then, and only
then, can he become fully free 10 follow
his own reason ON his own responsibility.
What is true OF the Methodist creed IL true
Of all oreeds, even the universalist and
Unitarian, the most liberal oil all.
John Wesley maintained his relation
TO the church Of England; hut his was not
q doctrinal difference; only n question OF
methods. McGlynn tried hard To keep
his position, but even his followers, who
drop dead at his meetings, are denied
Christian burial.
II is not question OF the soundnefs of
the Rev. Kelley's new departure: but one
Of doctrinal agreement. 70 correct errors
and reform abuses is all well and proper;
but 10 change cardinal doctrines II quite
another matter, and rs q rule results Ia
dissension and division. There Is 4 vast
difference between party based on poit-
ical doctrines and church built upon a
creed which is assumed 10 be- the inlallible
Interpretation Of an infiiliblc revelation,
and rs such TO contain the conditions OF
salvation and damnaiion Your CORE
spondcnt, like other logicinns 90 who rca-
son by comparison, fails because the two
things are not exactly alike. II the Rev.
Kelley or any other person wishes 10 build
up church without creed, with reason
free, that is his right. But Il Is not the
fair or honorable thing 10 claim and enjoy
the shelter Of building while tearing The
building down about the heads of the
people who really own Il, aud that too in
the face Of n solemn covenant, publicly
made, with the moral force Of an oath,
10 believe, teach and conform 30 the cstab.
lished doctrines and usages Of the church.
Nor Is II u question OF the good these ag-
grcssive minds NAV do. The right OF
private judgment ~ natural right, but
the man who binds his conscience by n
creed valves that right during his connec.
ton with that church. lie retains his
right only in matters not embraced In the
creed. Oh Is again wrong when he says:
Beliefs depend upon evidence" Re-
ligious beliefs do not depend upon eyi.
dence or reason. In fact, the major propo.
siions arc beyond evidence, reason or
comprehension; hence mens accept their
beliefs nj the dictation OF others, and with.
out any reason.
The logical conclusion Of the whole mat
ter u, that when the party or pricstly creed
don't suit the disscnter. the best thing for
every honorable man IA 10 get out and find
or make creed 10 suit himself, and not
sail under false colon.
Again "B." mistakes. Popular demand
l. not proof that the new teaching issound.
Curiosity may be nm important motor In
the attending crowds. The history OF tho
world shows n popular demand for the
gravest errors In science and religion. Az
the light Of reason increases, our idols
crumble and fall. Hundreds Of millions
have accepted the Bible account Of crca-
ton, rs Interpreted by priests. Now, no
respectable clergyman dares affirm that the
world Is only 5000 ycan old. Ignorance
Of higher truths makes the multitude
clamor for lower. Men clamor for that
which suits, which u determined by ca
pacity, aud may live down error. Or they
ciamor for that which suits some other
person, and Is accepted because they can.