The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-22
Religious Developments.

The religious news Of the day continues to
be interesting. suggestive. and important.
An exact report Of the speech OF the Rev.
DR.. LYMAN ABBOTT at the recent dinner Of
the Unitarian Club Of Boston. shows that this
distinguished Congregationalist minister
and theologian halts between the theories Of
universal salvation and humiliation for
the incorriglbly wicked. He said that he
had "long since abandoned the horrible
travesty Of Divine justice involved in the
doctrine of endless sin and endless punish
ment." His belief is that "at the last COPS
grace will triumph in every soul. that all
men will be brought to righteousness and
to GoD:" but that "if any soul defeats
COPS gracious will. on such GOD will not
bestow that gift Of Immortality which Is
only in Him and in those who are at ono
with Him.
DIR. ABBorr's creed. therefore. is that IL
all men are not saved. those who are cast
out will not be subjected to eternal torment
in hell. but will be annihllated, or destroyed
utterly. His sentiment Of humanity re-
volts at the thought that the wicked are to
undergo the everlasting and exquisite tor
lures described by JONATHAN EDWARDS and
by the Fathers Of the Church., He wants
them to be put out Of their misery at once.
Last Sunday Bishop POTTER introduced
the Rev. DR.. BRIDaMAN to the Harlem par
ish Of the Holy Trinity as their future
pastor. DR.. BRIDaMAN is the Baptist minis
ter who was ordained lately as IN Episcopal
deacon. and in due time he will be made q
priest of that Church. 1t was reported
some time ago that he also had rejected the
doctrine OF hell. but in a recent card he de-
clares his belief in future retribution. as 1t
is held by the Anglican Church.
Bishop POTTER made the remarkable
declaration In the sermon which he preached
at Holy Trinity that wealth has been the
cause OF more evil than all the pestilences
that have scourged and desolated the raco."
He said also that "the more lowly people
are apt to BIO the happier" Yet 1t is wealth
for which all the nations and peoples Of the
world have been striving from time imme-
mortal. Wealth is essential to civilization.
Without wealth. and private wealth also.
we should have had none OF the great
colleges for the diffusion Of education In
this country. The grand cathedrals OF
Europe could not have been built. and the
erection OF our own proposed cathedral
would be impossible. Without wealth art
would die out for the lack Of the patronage
which gives 1t necessary stimulus.
Does not the evil OF society come rather
from poverty than wealth. and is not that
the reason everybody wants to get rlch2
Heaven is described In the Apocalypse as
glorious in its gold and precious stones.
and as the fulfllment Of the most extrava-
giant dreams OF boundless wealth and
luxury. II "the moro lowly people are
happier than the RICH" they do not think
so themselves. They want to be rich. too.
The wealth OF MONTE CRIsTo Is not more
than they desire.
The Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church.
at the corner Of Fifty-third street, has
been suffering from the competition Of
neighboring Presbyterian churches to such
an extent that at one time there was
talk OF removing 1t to another situa-
ton: but it has been decided finally to keep
1t where 1t is. and make 1t free and pop
ular church for all sorts and conditions Of
men. Pew rents are to be abolished. and
the expenses arc to be betrayed by private
contributions. The musical features OF the
services arc TO be made more attractive,
kindergartens are to DO established and
various philanthropic works are to be I'M
dertaken to draw people to tho church. We
doubt IL they will succeed. The only really
healthy growth possible for church must
come from the popular interest In the re-