The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-06
A Haven for tho IIeretics.

American representatives at the London
International Council OF the Congregation
alists. are taking pains to remove the i'm
preston made by the cable reports OF the
proceedings that the tone OF the meeting
was hostile to the new biblical criticism. 1t
seemed strange that it should be 80. for
there Is no branch OF Professionalism which
has been more friendly to the new school Of
theology than the Congregationaist family.
When, therefore. the Rev. DR.. GOODWIN Of
Chicago proclaimed the stiffest Calvinism
In the opening sermon before the Council,
and severely rebuked the teachings OF the
Andover school as to the fallibility Of the
Bible. future probation, and the salvation Of
the heather, there was much surprise among
those who are familiar with the sentiments
Of the great majority Of the American dele
gates. 1t Is explained now. however. that
he both bored and irritated the meeting
with his long discourse. and his
views are sharply criticised by the Con-
gregational papers OF London. The Eng
lishmen. apparently. expected something
very different to como out OF the new and
bounding Chicago. They did Lot look for
theological conservatism from that quarter.
But it is great mistake to suppose that the
West Is OF free-and-easy religious belief.
1t seems TO be less affected than the East by
the present theological revolution. Some Of
the severest judges OF DR.. BRIGGS were
Western Presbyterinns. and the General
Assembly. which by nearly unani-
nous effort sought to unhorse him. was
held at the Western city OF De-
troit. The prevailing influences OF the
environment were OF the most conservative
kind. So. also. the most uncompromising
opponents OF DIR. BROOKS were in Western
dioceses. The diocese OF Ohio brought the
Rev. Mr.. MAcQUEARY to prompt trial for
his heresy, though In New York the Rev.
HEBER NEWTON WAS left unframed.
The vast and enthusiastic meeting OF the
Christian Endeavor societies has been
held lately at Minneapolis in an atmosphere
OF the strictest orthodoxy. The theological
revolution had its start In New England
and In a Presbyterian divinity school in
New York; and 1t has received little impulse
from beyond the Alleghanies. II the Lon
don Council had selected It's opening preach
err from among the Congregational minis
tiers Of our Eastern States. from the home of
Punta nisn, it would have been hard to find
man OF distinction in the pulpit who had
any sympathy with the views OF the Chicago
Calvinists
The tone of Eastern ConsregatIonalsm
was rather brought out In an address by
Prof. STEARNs OF the Bangor Theological
Seminary when he said that the theory If
the damnation of the hcnthcn had been
abandoned. and hospitality extended No the
new biblical criticism, with Its denial OF the
infallbility of the Scriptures aud explosion
OF the old belief AZ to prophecy. So far as
his opinions Of the Bible go, DIR. BRIGGS
would be eligible for a proiessorship In any
OF the theological schools OF the Congrega-
tionalists. at tho East moro particularly.
He might possibly be shut out from
Andovcr, but only ms being too orthodox.
The views expressed at the Council by
the Rev. Dr. BRADFORD OF Montclair, In
New Jersey. MS to tho "doctrinal conditions
OF Churcn me nbcrship," Indicate CoHgIega-
tionalisln Us the haven in which heretics
generally can find rest and security. lie
proclaimed sQuarely that the Church is
guilty OF IN absurd presumption when 1t
arrogates to itself the authority to lay down
- tests for admission Statements OF belief
concerning the Bible. tho plan Of salvation.