New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-08
THOUGHTS ON RELIGION.
DEFENDING THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
MAN REPRESENTS IT TO BE.

NOT THE INToLERANT BODY WHICH DIR. BRIDG-
MAN REPRESENTS IT TO BE-
TO the Editor Of The ribune'
Sir VIII you kindly allow me small space IN your
valuable paper 10 say few words on the charge OF III
tolerance as made by DR.. Bridgman against the Bap-
list denomination. No denies DR.. Brdgman's rght
to leave the Baptist Church and join another, his
convictions are weak and he concludes that his teach
ngs for over thirty years have been only sounding
brass and q tinl1ing cymbalS But do deny his
right hide himself behind the treadbare pea OF IN
tolerance of that Church. which has treated him with
the utmost tolerance and forbearance. Dr. Bridgman
views have been known for years in the denomination
yet he has been allowed to preach right along without
molestaion and could have remained all his life had
not been his own choice 10 break the connection
Perhaps it would not be out of place Just here TO ask
DR. Bridgman why since his views had changed SO
many years ago. he still remained III the Onur0h
preaching and teaching its doctrines. When man
Joins any church he tacitfy swears allegiance to It's
creed and if he has any character viii cherish and dc
fend 70 the last al the time allowing Others the
largest liberty of worshippng God according 10 their
conscience.
If Dr. Bridrnan really thinks that the Episcopal
Church will give him more tolerance and larger liberty
than the Church with which he has been allied nearly
all his life. he is not the wellinformed. intelligent
man have always supposed him to be. Doubtless the
Episcopal Church viii open its doors wide enough to
receive Dr. Bridgman. but within its jurisdiction
those wide pOndcrous doors will close, nevermore TO
open for him. unless as an exit should the Doctor
prove himself tickle TO his second love as ne did To
the first. Behind those portals he will find himself
hedCed about with sharply defined line Of thus
far beyond which will impossible for him TO 60.
and the broad minded Doctor will be Obliged to limit
his wandering propensity within the boundary marked
ont for him. The case of the Rev. stephen IL.
Tyng occurred not 50 long ago but that Dr. Brdgmah
can recall what happened TO that Iberaminded man.
when he began TO fratsrniZe too freely with non
Episcopal ministers; while only few weeks ago Dr..
Ralnsford of st. Georges Church, NewYor]N, was.
TO say the least sharply rcprmanded for inviting non
Episcopal ministers to assist him in the Lenten ser
vice DR. Ransford ONLY avoided an open issue by the
ptfu plea that he did not consider these men as Ii
istars of the Gospel but only laymen, an av0Wd s
narrow II is Insulting to Chrlsuahlly' 01I0S ~0
Baptsts have never gone 50 far as that. III, o
Than the Episcopal liturgy there IS nothing NOR
beautiful and comprehensive. 1t i far reaching ana
covers args Gqnd; nd yet Is To prsyeT coming
from the heart 10 that read from OOoh' IN tbir
isters who complained TO Dr. Brldgnan Inat ' Ana
o+binT nnch 10 pray for in the evening. must be- 10
say the least men OF exceedingly limited S'iot, -
they do not look after their iocks as goo scpneus
should. l should advise such men 70 NsiL ~ P ia
and sick TO acQuaint themselves With tue wants any
woes of miserable humanity to VISIT tne oeTNaN'o
brsbands and parents and fill themselves win ios
- =, boin and IN minister to these unfortunates thai
III, tbe Sabbath comes these Christian teachers VIII
no So f,u o things to pray for that tho passion ana
earnestness of their petitions both mormH a 6ne
ing will storm the very gates OF Heaven HHu O'"3
rich blessings 10 this Groaning. suffering Wortl.
So in loaving the Baptist Church DR. Brln-nlh mus mus
not lay the blame on those n Ch"n nnb RIcb i -
dear TO their hearts whom undu" aIDilioi V .b
tempt nor wOudbe aTtstocracy lnre rom ~ ~ t ~,
and narrow mindedness. "A BAfIISA "'-i-N-'
Brooklyn, May %, 1891.