The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-13
TH0UGHTSbo
MON%
MORALS% MANNERS
BY A CLERGYMAN.

Tor tnaL. nor 10 IL lesurely ana LnOugnt-
full enough. In these rushing, painting
days when we are born in hurry, live in
hurry, die in a hurry and are carried TO
the cemetery in a trot. we have neither
time nor inclination to study theology and
construct creeds Thinking by telegraph,
conversing by telephone, travelling by the
lightning express, dining in the restaurant
of Bolt & Jolt, and making of home
mere lodging house, what have we to do
with theology?
Yet, strangely enough, our age feels
competent TO destroy, even though it be
unable to construct. IT'S the fashion at
present to a-hem and haw, to look wise
and be foolish over everything in the
heavens above, the earth beneath and the
waters under the earth. We doubt this,
question that and deny t'other, until we
convince ourselves and the world that we
are wise above that which is written"
What the ages have settled we unsettle.
What the greatest and wisest have held to
we dissent from. And there are those
amongst us who wouldn't hesitate to show
God Himself how to create and govern
the universe.
Take-as Illustrations the unrest and en-
piricsm OF the day, the heresies of Mac
Queary, the vagaries of Heber Newton,
and now within few days the case Of DIR.
Bridgman. Take the prior instances Of
the Apdover seminary and DIR. Briggs.
The presbyterian, congregational, episcO-
pal and baptist denominations are in
volved in the issues thus raised. The
trouble arises from the persistence OF GER
tain men in these denominations in re-
naming In these when they have con-
fessedly on all sides discarded the views
which prevail in and characterize the
churches they mis) represent.
There is no question in any quarter OF
the legal right of heretics to be heretics.
The preacher who does not believe has
the same right 10 proclaim bis unbeiief as
the orthodox puipiteer has to preach his
belief. But the hereto has no right to
preach heresy within the pale of orthodox.
Benedict Arnold had perfect right to join
the British, il he felt that way, but he had
no right 10 remain in the American camp
and plot to deliver West Point 10 the
enemy of the cause he prOfessed 70 serve
and whose uniform he wore. That was
treason. Messrs. McQueary, Bridgman,
Newton ct al, have a perfect right
10 20 over to the universalists or to
start church OF the holy mugwump; but
they have no right to remain inside of the
organization which called them To min
lister, but with whose standards of faith
they no LONGER agree, and stealthily
undermine the cardinal doctrines they
once held. This is to resurrect and
repeat the role of Benedict Arnold IN the
church.
The cry against "heresy hunting"
which these men inspire is only the old
dodge OF the runaway robber crying stop
thief" Let the heretics 90 where they
belong and no one will ''hunt" them.
They would cease 10 be heretics in the
universalist fold. They are hunted"
only because they are Internationally
where they are not THEORETICALLY. Let the
man who lives next door go next door.
II he enters and remains in my house |
must call in the police and have him
elected.
When a man goes over from protestant
ism to catholicism or vice versa his old as
socistes deplore his judgment-they can
not question his moral honesty And as
between the different denominations there
is a constant passingto and fro on the part
OF those whose views of truth have
changed Nobody thinks of pelting these
theological passengers with epithets. Their
right to 90 and come is instantly recog
nized. Their departure or advent is wei
coined. We ought to 20 where we belong.
Where, within a denomination, there
are several recognized parties clergyman
may change his party and yet remain in
the fold Thus in the episcopal church,
for example, low churchman may be-
come high church or a broad churchman
and be an episcopalian still. But il he de-
MES the trinity or the divinity of Jesus
Christ or any other doctrine which his
church has embedded in its fundamental
law, and which ali parties within the pale
profess 10 respect then his duty Is plain.
II is with charity for all and malice toward
none to withdraw.
All this is so clear that none but the
zealots heated 10 fanaticisn, would think
OF questioning it. All the denominations
have owed their origin to just such honest
action on the part of their founders. A
change Of denominational relations
usually involves many and sad sacrifices
on the part OF those who make 1.-THE
Eevering OF old ties, the parting with dear
friends, the surrender OF pleasant environ
ments. This is the price which men pay
for their convictions, and pay ungrudg-
ingly. For truth as we see it is more
precious than place or friendship. Ii men
VIII continue 70 think, they must be
ready to pay the cost of thinking But
he is a fool who, while boasting OF his
growth, insists upon still sleeping In the
cradle lie occupied when born. Out
grown relations, like Outgrown opinions,
should be discarded.
As a rule music draws men together.
The only place where it seems to drive
them them away is in the average church
choir. Strange that a subject so full OF
concord should he there so full OF discord
like sweet bells tangled out of time
and harsh" However, it may be at the
pulpit end Of the church. the devil is usual
ly In the choir.
In other places, as we have said, music
tends to unite. TopladY, stern, unyield'
ing Calvinist, and Charles Wesley, an
equally uncompromising Arminian, were
once debating the questions in difference
between them. The more they argued
the less they agreed-usually the case
when men debate in politics and in re.
ligion. Finally they arranged that each
should write out his theology in hymn
The result was that Toplady wrote "Rock
of Ages Cleft for Me-" and Wesley wrote
"Jesus Lover OF My Soul" And when
they compared hymns the Calyinism Of
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