New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-13
SELECTIONS FRON THE MAIL.
DIR. PATRONS BACCALAuRE.Tr SERMON
PUBLISHED cNTrcLss UPON IT SPECIFIED
AS INCORRECT

PUBLISHED cMTrCEsS UPON IT SPECIFIED
AS INCORRECT.
% the Editor of The Tr,hrrn
sir: have waited for two weeks honlnr- that I'm
simple fairness some one would put IN needed re-
jonder TO the Rev. Frank Hyatt Smiths criticism of
Dr. Patons baccalnureate sermon. Mr. Smith has
quite mistaken Dr. Pattons utterances. AT onv rate
the criticism has unfortunately msreDresented those
utterances by unmtcntionally glrbllng the ouoaton
made. The quoted words. Christianity ia not a life
but DOGMA are but part Of complete sentence. to
which we should look for President patton,s meaning
The complete sentence IS: "Now | say dare TO say
that If must choose between life and dogma will say
Christianity is not life but dogma" My Inference
In regard 10 this sentence, especially when rsd il in
It's connection with the sermon as a whole was that
Dr. Patton did not regard Christianity as abstracty
life or dogma. 1t Is neither in abstraction from the
other 1t Is both To use the doctors own words,
II is life" but it is such "because IL IS doctrine
such view Of Christianity is surely less mar
row. more adequate and more complete than
that which regards il as life only. Right knowing
and believing ID say the least are likely to manifest
themselves In right living, while right living Is not
likely 30 maintain Itself long without right knowing
and believing. Hence / an inclined to agree with the
few pupils who will take sides with DR.. Patton's
statement
The assertion Of Mr.. Smith that our Lord never
enforced dogma is somewhat dogmatlc perhaps for
one so dslDclned to dogma and at the SAME time 50
disposed to observe tho spirit Of the Fourth Gospel
When presenting the one thing nccdful Christ, accord
ing TO the Fourth Gospel, says For II We believe not
that l am He, ye shall die In your sins lie also
said "For God loved the world that lie gave
His only begotten Son that whosoever beleveth on
Him should not perish etc Again: " lie that be
Heveth on Hin is not condemned, but he that be-
lcvcth not Is condemned already because he hath not
believed etc
That Christianity is life because It is doc
trlne'; that Dr. Patton has some justification IN
denying the opinion that Christianity Is life and
not doctrine has this consideration IN its favor that
Christ when asked "Wlat shall we do that we might
work the works OF God" answered aThis Is the
work OF God. that We believe on Him whom He
hath sent That Christianity is Christ aud that
Christ was a life aud not dogma" Is no doubt one
way of expressing a certain truth. but there lie a
sense in which Christianity is not Christ. Christ wan
person as well as a life Christianity is not a
person, but a religion, divine Institution, faith
manifesting ard realizing Itself in a manner Of life
For that reason l cannot regard doctrine as non
essential
As TO how Dr. Patton has risen into prominence
that is perhaps one of thOse things to which a
Young man may speculate wisely or unwisely. be
comlngly or Otherwise. As reasonable and perhaps
charitable explanation may be found I'm the fact
that the Church has seen In him faithful and able
defender OF what she regards as truth. No cause
can be clamponed no victory can be won without
some one being opposed, without some one being de
niglt be defended David Swing had To be defeated
What Mr.. smith by saying that DR.. Briggs
Is plzzling. 50 far as know. Dr. Brlggss trial is
TIE appointment OF Dr. Briggs % the chair of Biblical
theology at the present lunctuo, ln view OF a very
general suspicion o, 4ee not at S time cleared red
minds as the only course open TO the Assembly
! wish the Gsccaaureate sermon were published In
ID. f.. JENKINS