The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-02

the records OF original Christianity are not
the documents which they had assumed
to be in the traditional theory concerning
them. Their testimony was impeaChed.
The traditional church could not stand
when the traditional Bible was withdrawn
from beneath it,
The infalliblc church cannot rest on
iallible documents Christian institutions
may continue TO be useful necessary, VEN
cradle and truly sacrcd-wlll SO continue
to be, without doubt-but they cannot bo
again the tyrannous impositions which the
preslly Imagination has made Of them.
We may and we will, If we are wise, con-
tinue TO cherish the Catholic crccds rs the
historic symbols Of the Christian faith.
the ripest wisdom of the Christian CON
seriousness in the past, but we shall no
more feel their yoke upon the intellect,
cramping the fluent revelation OF God into
the rigid letter OF their utterancc, as in the
golden days of the theologic doctor. Mat
thew Arnold's readers know whittier criti-
cism is arena, however he NAV fail in all
finer work, is seen tending. The great
'sluggor' of the popular theological by the
people to deal stunning blows even TO a
Gladstone when he tries TO hold the ira
ditonalst's corner.
'But where are we TO be landed on the
other side? Robert does not lose himself
intellectually. lie becomes neither an
atheist nor matcrialist. There is no
moral bankruptcy. lie does not sink into
sensuaism even under tie sirens spell.
Although he stands in the darkness OF the
night all is not dark above him. There
are stars shining over him. lie discovers
that criticism, while disinlegratng his
traditional Christianity, has not touched
the religion which lay deep beneath il,
flowing up into IL from the profoundest
springs OF the human spirit, making il
green as in the summer days OF old. lie
loses religion and RECEIVERS religion. The
faith in God will outlive all suspicious
which criticism can raise.
What more is needed, indeed, than
this prophecy of the soul which bursts
from Roberts love as he lay dying2
zone day he suddenly caught Gather
ines hands, drew her lace TO face with
him, and studied ii with his glowing and
into his soul. 'lle made it, lac said
hoarsely, as he let her go-'lhis love, this
yearning. And IN life lie only makes us
yearn that lac may satisfy. lie cannot lead
us TO the end and disappoint the craving
lie Himself set in us. No, no-coud YOU
could do 1t? And he, the source OF
love, OF Justice
"Elsmere, pushing the conclusions Of
criticism rcmorsclessly, without the philo.
sophie vision in the critics eve, saw the
traditional Christ OF the Church disappear
behind him. But he saw by his side on
the other side of the slough Of dcspond
the Man OF Nazareth, and with glad sur
prise he started TO find that though lac had
lost the Christ In whom he had once
believed, he had saved Christ in whom
lac could believe with Joy unspcakablc.
ut is significant that in this very radical
story Of doubt no slightes, suspicion i
brcaihed against the historical character ol
Jesus. No critic doubts that the Gospel
OF st. Mark is, in the main, rs much
history ~ Iacitus; that Jesus il rs real u
historic figure rs julius Cesar. When
you hear the most eloquent lecturer talk
otherwise write him down ~ Charlaian.
Thus 10 IL follows as the night the day,
that our religion cannot pass by Jesus.
Ills place, even rs purely human being
Is high above all other teachers Of spiritual
things, Incompatible among those who
have tried to live the truths they taught
Without any trace of superstition, We may
unhcsitatinglv place our hands IN Ills
hands, press our hearts close against Ills
heart, aud, looking up into Ills iar.mirror-
ing eyes, trust the vision which they i'm
age, while We try 10 follow where lie lrul.
This remarkable book tells us the SUI
prcme religious duty of our agc. Els.
mcrc's heart lay in a work among the pco-
pie. The wTctchcdncss aud degradation
OF vast masses Of the London poor drew
him resis,lcssly TO give himself 10 the en-
dcay1r 30 help them, his fellows, ton more
human life, and on every thoughtful mind
should weigh the burden Of the same prob.
lem which confronted Robert Elsmcrc-
how shall this mass NJ degraded humanity
be lifted 10 a truly human placer lncrras-
ingly the conclusion has been forced on
wise students Of our social problem that
the deepest need Of our civilization Il n
fresh religious impulse. Noblcr ccono-
mics We surely need and wiser govern
mcnt But whence is 10 come the i'm
pulse?
"Such better ordered civilization can
only come In upon our earth only ~ q
wider knowledge is animated by purcr
motives. ~ sclfshncss is mastered by
brothcflincss; ~ natural Law Is ranked by
ethical laws. Tie inspiration 10 this
higher manhood can issue only from a
religion which shall rcawakcn the social
enthusiasm aud make picty one with
human iaithiulncsi, the love Of God love
OF man. II needs no seer 10 discover where
alone In our Western world the secrets oi
this transformation must be- found.
"fho secret Of personal peace which the
prophet of Galilce still holds for man. tire
secret Of social peace which the Naarcno
carpenters son alone can teach our an
archie word-this Is that for which souls
hunger and which civilization impa,icnily
awaits Further apart than England and
Russia, Matthew Arnold aud Count
Tolstoi alike turn 10 this old-ncw secret Of
Jesus, and mems hearts burn while they
preach the forgotten gospel"