New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-08
M uAc.pruI-R AND DE- HR1DGyAy.

TO the Editor of he TIL b u ne.
Sir: AS the aim OF The Tribune is to be fair and
Just TO ALL the writer is that you will permit him
to make brief statement in your columns in the in
terest Of truth justice. y Of readers
Dr. MacArthur's published interview With Of your
reporters concerning DR.. BTdgmals change Of religious
views was made an occasion for questioning the Orho
doxy of DIR. Macarthur. That is to say, some who
read his statements led believe that he indored
Dr. Brdgmans uttcrances upon the doctrine Of future
punishment Those who made such differences were un
fair to Dr. Macarthur Ills reported remarks upon the
action OF DIT. Bridgman simply intended 10 be
kind and fateTna and not an Endorsement OF his IN
depreciation Of the doctrine discussed In his notable
sermon. What said upon liberty Of thought is what
is emphasized and believed by every Baptist preacher
The Baptist denomination was the first advocate OF the
doctrine OF sOulliberly. BaptsIs are not and were
never intoerant They give TO every man the right
of individual Judgment. Those acquainted with DR..
Macarthur know him TO be strict Baptist, but in spirit
he is broadly catholic and In charity unstlnted ana
thoughtful But lie believes in tile Bible as
whole and breaches ifs doctrines without ques-
ton or compromise. No one would charge MN
with hercsy or heterodOxy who heard his sermon
last Sunday morning on Future Punishment and
Divine Love-" that should have appeared In
full In the columns OF The Tribune and put III con
tras with certain sermons that were markeu ~itn
eoarseness of rhetoric and vulgar looseness OF stat
ment. The writer was listener al the Saiyqy
Church. and there was one opinion as to the Orth0d04
preachers discourse. The large audience listened Win
profound attention to the powerful putting OF he
truth. Dr. BIidgman's right 10 leave the Bapust
Church. of which he pastor and TO join himself 70
another Christian body no one questions But was II
In good for him 10 charge the denomination ne s
left with illiberily and narrOwness anu 10 complain
that any exercise Of liberty was made an occasion or
suspiciOn or adverse criticism. IL Is known 10 the
vrier that for nearly two decades Dr. Bridgman has
held 10 the idea Of universal salvation for Two decades
bs archaeological views have been what they are 10
dav For the same time 1t has been generally known
that he believed in interdenominan0nal com
mnnion But through all these years he has
been undlsturbed In his pastoral relations Dur,
inc this time religious editors have SAID hnu
Things of him and good measure OF fraternity
has been meted 10 HIN by his brethren has Dr
rd 1nan left the Baptist denomination for the reasons
he has givenl Does he really expect larger hbefy
among EpiscOpaans A fair CONSTRUCTION OF tie
Creed of tne Episcopal Church. which he Is to sub
scribe will warrant less freedom Of speech man Us
aI0v.t by Bapsts. Perhaps what + lacking here VIII
be II . up by the beauty and impressveness OF the
liturgy which has special charm for the gOOh doctor
This we have % say that II the EplseopsI IHurSh
receives DR.. Bridgman aud Invests him win the
djrnity of a rector and at the same time disciplmes
DR. Heber Newton for alleged heresyI we are yet 10
learn what ecclesiastical consistency is,1,
New FORK, MAY 20, 1911 OhIHODOA'