The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-07
Religious aeresy Only a Name.

Religious EereSy Only q Name.
Editor Morning Ne'ss: In your article
on the heresy OF Rev. Howard McQueary
you say that he was told that it would be
wise for him TO surrender his religious
opinions as regards his idea Of the birth of
Jesus and the material resurrection Of the
body. Religious convictions are not to be
thrown aside ss mere opinions or surmises-
something to be mentally played with and
tossed away at pleasure. The views of Rev,
McQueary are the result of much study and
reading. bis mind has gotten out Of the
old theological ruts and the dictum Of tho
logical schools. He is doing some original
thinking, thinking that will put others on
a line of new thought.
l have read bis late work, 1.-THE Evolu-
ton of Man and Christianity and it will
stand as a monument OF much thought and
much reading. Your writer has been read
ing theology for thirty years, and tbs more
read the more / am satisfied
there can be no such thing as religious her
esy. All theology is man-made creeds, dog
mas and tenets OF faith. Theology is not
piety or purity Of heart by good deal; it is
simply mental reason and deductions, and
he who desires TO think Is as much entitled
TO his opinions and convictions as any
church.
OF course there are churches, and when
one joins one OF any sect, creed or denominA-
ton, he or she is supposed to conform to the
teachings Of that church. Rev. Mr.. Nc
Qneary has become new teacher, and not
follower, and his church demands his trial.
So far 50 good, and if he cannot subscribe
to tho teachings OF the Episcopal church
without qualifications or mental reserva-
lions the Dest thing for him to do is to leave
the church and organize one of his own.
The world does not stand still in thought.
4,rsx, 80 ~ Al
vine nature es taught by all christians who
believe In the Immaculate Conception, set
aside the Mosaic law as it suited his opin-
Ions or convictions. He was q hereto from
the standpoint of Caiaphas, the high priest
st. Paul was noted hereto from the stand
point of both Pharisee and Saducee when
he threw aside the ordinance of circum-
cisioa and the eating of swine's flesh. He
was tried for hereSy, and In his able defense,
when accused by AnaniRs the high priest,
who said Of him: 1--WE have found this man
pestilent fellow, and q mover of sedition
among all the Jews throughout the world,
and ringleader of the sect of the Naza-
renes;" SAID st. Paul in answer to that
charge before Felix: "But this l confess
unto thee, that after the way which they
call heresy, so worship | the God of my
fathers, believing all things which is written
In the law and the prophets
st. Paul took the liberty, as every bold
and original thinker dares do, TO interpret
the laws and the prophets for himself. Jesus
did the same, and every church does the
same. hold when man joins military
company he should wear the uniform OF
that company and recognize the tactics Of
said company. But when he feels disposed
to write book of his own on tactics he has
the right to do so, but should leave the COM
pany. Ii Rev. DIR. McQueary is true to
himself and cannot hold his hand
against his church, he should,
like ST. Paul, throw off
the theological harness Of Ananias the high
priest and go it alone. That he did so, let
the christian thought of our day be his
mighty monument and shadow. st. Paul
had no idea of being knocked down with
the dead bones of prophets, dead hundreds
OF yea before he was born; he put his own
Interpretation upon the errors of the law
and the prophets; nor did he recognize
Ananias as any authority with him 1t was
emphatically Jew meeting Jew in the
temple. st. Paul said he made a good
fight ana that is the generally received
opinion among all christians.
Heresy then, Mr.. Editor, is nothing more
or less than a difference of theological
opinion. and 1 arm on the side of Rev. MIR.
McQueary in the fight he is going to make.
His book is in the Georgia Historical So
ciety. r. M. o.