The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-29


Lnr MD,,ii, and reprinted from tho nth Eng
fish edition by tho John W. Lowell Company.
contains twelve essays. contributed by eleven
ClerEymen OF the Church OF England, all OF
whom wero Mt ono time tbetween tho years
1878 1850 engaged In the work OF university
education ut Oxford. by their educa-
tional functions they found themselves CON-
PEELED to attempt TO adjust the Chris
tian faith TO tho undisputod data OF modern
science and modcrn criticism. They believed
tho Christian faith to DO as adequate now as IL
ever woS to interpret life and knowledge In
their several departments: but they we're also
conscious that. for this purpose. tho true mean
ing OF the faith needed to be dlscncumbered,
Interpreted explained. They hold in other
words. that It is tho capital business OF II
Christian teacher to translate into the common
tongue tho mysterious aud sacred language
of tho Christian religion; to speak tho word OF
God afresh IN each age In accordance with tho
novelty OF tho ago upon tho one hand
and tho eternal antiquity OF truth upon tho
other To do this tho first condition Is that
man should appreciate tho times he lives in.
and accordingly tho authors OF this volume
have approached tho work OF roadjustment
with tho knowledge and conviction that the
present epoch ia one OF profound transforma-
ton intellectual and social, Astounding in new
great changes In the outlying depart
ments OF theology whore 1t is linked on
10 other sciences. and to necessltate q
general restatement OF its claim and
meaning. Tho contributors to Lux Mundi"
begin by accepting the theory OF evolution.
alike In its cosmological and It's biological
aspects. by acquiescinG In broad construction
OF tho hypothesis OF Scriptural inspiration and
by liberal concessions to modern criticisms OF
tho Old Testament They recognize that such
admissions cannot be made without new
formulation and exposition OF some Christian
doctrines and they contemplate consequently
q development OF theology which they regard
rs no less legitimate than 1t ia Indispensable.
BY this development they mean u process
whereby tho Church. standing firm In her old
truths shall enter into tho apprehension OF the
now social and intellectual movements OF each
nse; and because the truth has made her FREQ
shall show herself able to assimilate all new
material. welcoming and giving Its place TO all
now knowledge. throwing herself Into the
sanctlncation OF zach new social order. bring
Ing forth. out OF her treasure, things new and
old and demonstrating again her power OF
Witnessing under changed conditions to the
catholic capacity OF her faith and life.
1t Is obvious that a series OF stndies In the
ology, conceived In such a spirit. represents an
the authors OF Essays aud Reviews" The
publication Of such papers as those before US
by Anglican clerGymen would have been not
merely impossible. but unthinkable. thirty
years ago. Even now, owing mainly to tho
place from which they emanate. their appear
ance has excited nm extraordinary amount
Of attention In England. 1t is. however, u
sympathetic rather than an ireful atten-
ton; how far the great body OF adherents
Of the Anglican communion have advanced
In the space OF u generation Is indicated by the
fact that the Guardian. the newspaper or
gan OF the Established Church. treats tho |
authors Of these papers with tho utmost
Difference. although 1t docs not sanction all OF |
their admissions. or assent to all OF their con-
illusions. Even by the most infexible de'ond-
ers OF orthodox dogma II Is frankly acknowl- !
edged that =" Lux Mundi Is inspired BY tho |
most ediIyinG motives and embodles an eXem- |
pary effort to put tho Christian faith into an |
acceptable relation to modern intellectual and |
moral progress. II its authors have failed IN |
tho ondeaNor to put the new wine into the old |
bottles. 1t Is because In tho opinion alike OF the
aGnostIc and Of the orthodox theoogian. tho |
nature Of tho materials render3 IN adaptation |
OF tho XII nd impracticabe.