Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-12-04
Theoloeical Change

AB i'geport journal tells Us that al Epis-
copa clergyman of that Connecticut
town surprised bis congregation py preach
ing sermon in favor Of the doctrine OF pur.
gatory. or Of an Intermediate state, in which
The souls of the dead are purified ano pre-
pared for admission into heaven. But there
was nc occasion for surprise. That theory
is accepted even if not openly advocated by
a great payt Of the Episcopal clergy aud Is
favorably regarded by many OF the ministry
of other Protestant denominations.
At the General Convention Of the Episcr-
paiisDs resolu ions looking toward prayer Tor
the dead, whose use can be Justified oaly on
such theory, were defeated by majority
so small that it was doubtful whether the
prevailing sentiment was not really IN taeiF
favor, fear of misconception ss to Romish
tendencies preventing The more timld OF the
deputies from expressing their true convic-
lions. the vote showed, too. tbat belief in
the doctrine proclaimed by the Bridgeport
clergyman is not confued 10 any one of the
parties of the Church, but extends through
them oil, Low Churchmen and Broad
Churchmen Joining with High Chnrchmen in
supporting the propositions The Rev. DR..
Maau, of Missouri was ooly boder than the
rest in Offering tho more important resolu-
lion on the subject but it is not improba-
bic that when the next General Convention
&c eets three years hence the timi6ity Of the
majority will have departed, and prayer for
the dead will be established as an avoWed
doctrine and usage of the Episcopal ChuTcd.
A. the meeting of the Missionary Board
Of TIE gregationaists, also, 1t was made
manifest that a minority, powerful lnteilec-
tualiv if not numerically, is prepared 10
take what amounts to the same ground. 1t
absolutely rejects or doubts profoundly the
doctrine of damnatiou as taught by Calvin
and the old Puritan doctors of theology. Its
sense Of justice is outraged by the theory
that the heather are to be damned indis
criminatsly for not accepting Christ even
though they know nothing of Him and it
ia inp npossible for them to obtain the know
ledge These Cougregationalists would be-
lieve n future probation for the heather
wherein they could receive the instruction
denied them on earth, But if there is to
be purgatory for the heather there mnst
be a purgatory for all souls, since even
where the instruction is impaired on earth
it is impaired by mortal and falllble men
or, the true teaching is rejected, not from
wicked perversi,y, but from conscientious
inability to receive it The tares eDgender-
ed by custom, circumstances, and heredlty
may have choked out the wheat from soil
ready for its growth.
There is also large party OF the Pfeaoy-
teraus which is getting Itself ready to take
the same position. They recoil with horror
from the doctrine of demnstion as pro
pounded in their ancient Confession l.
shocks these good people 20 fnd. es many
of them are now finding ous for the first
time, that they have been protesting to be
lieve that infants born and yet to be born
are doomed to everlasting misery They
cannot even believe that anybody is pre-
destinated to hell. Hence the theory that
the souls of men will be purified for heaven
in state of purgatory is likely TO become
grateful to the many Presbyterians who re
ject the old doctrine of election. 1t ia the
only escape for them short of downright ur
belief Aud if souls under probation may
properly be prayed for. why also may not
the souls passing through the purgatory fires
of the future probation be made the subject
Of the prayer of faith?
We see, accordingly, how general is the
tendency toward the doctrine preached by
the Bridgeport clergyman. Nor is it a
tendency toward the Church of Rome, for
1t shows itself in the communions which
are most unaltersbe in their hatred of
Rome.-N. Y Sun.