The record-union., 1891-06-08
THE THEOLOGICAL REVOLUTION.
The Denial of He'll Means Entire Re-


construction.
Rev. DR.. Bridgman, for many years the
pastor of one of the most important Bap-
tist churches in town, has resigned his
charge because of objections made to
views expressed by him against the doc
trine of everlasting punishment.
He rejects the orthodox view of hell
fatty and decidedly, calling it ''ungod-
like and terrible" TO his mind the true
hell is not place of fire and birthstone,
OF eternal torture and agony ineXpressi-
bic, but 1.-The inward depravity which
selishness and unfaithfulness are GER
tain to breed''; the evil in the hearts of
men against which God burns with an
ever-increasing intensity, resolutely, per-
seyerlngly, and even until there is no
more sim" Practically, therefore, this
Baptist declares himself Universalist.
1t seems, too, that the great majority of
his flock agree with him, or at least are
not troubled by his heresy. Since the
preaching of the sermon in which he re-
Jected hell they have passed a vote of con-
fidence in him. He also says that he has
received assurance from many other
Baptists that they are III sympathy with
bis views, and there is no doubt that these
opinions prevail now throughout all the
branches of Professionalism. But the few
who still cling to the belief in hell look
on the doctrine as of prime and essential
importance, and acceptance Of it as = test
of orthodoxy which should be applied
with severity to all preachers. They are
strong in their aggressive power because
they have decided conviction, while
those who recOil from the doctrine of eY-
erlastlng punishment are merely in a
negative state of mind under the intlu-
ence of their human sympathies and
aversion to every kind Of suffering.
The believers in hell believe because
in tIa Io 4l,arc
ject hell simply because it seems to them
cruel and unjust that anybody should be
tortured eternally because Of his failure
to accept Christianity in this short earthly
life, even if, as in the case of the heathen,
he knows nothing about it. 1t is only
another example of the prevalent dispo-
sition.in these days to oppose reason to
faith. The believers in hell unquestion
ably have all the standards of orthodox
faith on their side; and therefore DR..
Brldgman steps out from the pulpit of
the Madison Avenue Baptist Church,
though he is in sympathy with the ma
jority of his flock, and, probably, with
the great majority of Protestants who are
nominally orthodox.
The Presbyterian demand for the re-
vision of the Westminster confession
started in a feeling that it would be un-
just to torture the heather in hell ever
laStingly simply because of their ignor-
ance of the gospel. The same revulsion
Of sentiment against the old hell doctrine
is sapping Congregational enthusiasm
for foreign missions. If the heather are
not to be damned, the motive Of sacrifice
to send the gospel to them is destroyed.
Pious people who agree with DIR. Bridg-
man will not deny themselves for the
conversion of the heather. They will be
disposed to leave them in the hands Of
God.
Yes, if the doctrine of hell is thrown
overheard, the whole system of Protest
ant theology must be rebuilded on new
foundation. II everybody is to be saved
and there is to be mo more sin," the
doctrines of rewards and punishments
must be expunged from all creeds. If
the obliteration is to be done at the dicta-
ton of human reason and human con-
ceptions of justice, all other doctrines of
the Bible must be cast aside at the same
demand, and Professor Briggs is the true
exponent of the new theology.
The appearance of the new leaven of
skepticism among the Baptisis is very
significant, for as a denomination they
have been hitherto the strongest of Cal
vinists, the most devout of believers in
the authority and absolute and literal in
spiration of the Scriptures. The theolog
zeal revolution is confined to no one of
the Protestant families, and extends to
them all.-New York Sun.
BEECHAM's pills act like magic on
weak stomach