The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-10
Unrest in Relirious Circles.

The differences Of clergymen of the same
denomination relative to the Bible ADD what
it teaches may not be greater now than at
many other periods Of the history Of
I Christianity, but that they are very notice
able will not be denied. 1t may be that
! they seem to be greater than they really are
| for the reason that the newspapers devote
SO much attention to them.
I The announcement that minister of this
or that denomination has views which are
not in harmony with those Of other minis
tiers of the same denomination is not
unusual, and excites very little surprise.
Long established doctrines do not command
as much respect as they once did. Whether
this condition Of aft airs is the result Of
patient investigation in connection with
scientiic discoveries and more accurate in
formation concerning matters dealt with in
Biblical history, or to a tendency toward
agnOsticism, is a question which might be
an interesting subject for Inquiry.
1t Is certain that in the periodical
literature of the day there is a great deal
that is calculated to unssttle long estab-
lished religious beliefs And the fact that
articles of this kind are printed shows that
there is a demand for them.
Only recently the Rev. DIR. MacQueary
Of Canton. O.. an Episcopal clergyman,
was suspended six months for publishing
Whist was contrary to the creed of his
church. Rev. DR.. Bridgman. the leading
Baptist clergyman of New York, has just
resigned his pulpit because his belief that
there is no such place as hell is not approved
by some Of the leading members of his
congregation. The Rev. DIR. Briggs, a
Presbyterian, who is the professor of Biblical
theology in the Union Theological Seminary
in New York, is regarded by some as a
hereto and, It is understood, is to be called
to account for denying in his inaugural ad-
dress last January the verbal inspiration Of
the Bible and expressing a belief in moral
regeneration after death and ultimate sal
walton to all.
And there are those who assert that the
teaching Of DR.. Hsber Newton and Or.
Rainsford, OF New York, are not in entire
harmony with the doctrines of the Episco-
pal church. These are only few of the
clergymen who are conspicuously out of
harmony with the accepted doctrines Of
their respective denominations.
1t is well known that the election of DR..
Phillips Brooks to the position of bishop Of
Massachusetts does not give general salts
faction. Only last week Bishop Perry said
that he did not believe that DR.. Brooks
election would be confirmed. 1t is charged
that Dr. Brooks does not believe that the
episcopate is a dlvinely appointed order,
though it is not alleged that he has ever ex-
pressed publicly such belief.
Are the differences between clergymen of
the same denominations going to continue
and become more radical! This is a ques-
ton that is worthy of thoughtful consdera-
ton, because il they are it is apparent that
there will soon be divisions in denomina~
tions, and the number of religious sects will
be greatly increased.
Perhaps the differences will be productive
Of good. Who can say that the ultimate
result of them will not be common ground
upon which all Christians can stand and
work together tremendously?