The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-05-25

the teaching Of our great creeds that the
nature OF the resurrected body is not
affirmed. You are free to believe this in
the llilteral sense of the body laid in
most men read it.
concerning the sacrament of the Lords
supper, We are free to believe almost
anything that commends itself to Chris
tan consciousness. On all these themes
on which the creeds are silent it is nat
ural that men should think. Opinions
must be found and held, and the Chris
tan, be he layman or Clergyman, is left
free to form his own opinion, The
Nicene creed is a charter of liberty. It
frees us from nine-tenths of the burning
questions with which Prostantism is on
fire to-day.
Our great creed" concluded the
speaker, sis the reconciliation of Chris
tianity with itself. Christendom is torn
and dismembered before our eyes. 1t is
paralyzed with doubt. The strife of
creeds is seen on every hand. Man can
not find shelter under the reformation
confessions Of faith, with their long
drawn metaphysics. He who reads the
signs of the times sees the alternative to
throw overheard the creeds or to SIM
plyfy them. To-day could our Protestant
churches be content to part with their
reformation confessions of faith and
adopt that great Catholic creed which has
come down through the centuries, there
would be an end to strife and contention.
DR.. Bridgeman would not have to leave
his church for his views on the questions
OF future punishment, and DR.. Briggs
could excite no contention i'll his church
on the question of inspiration. Our great
creed is the reconciliation Of Christian
faith and modern thought of theology
and SCIENCE
ACCEPTED THE EPISCOPAL CONFESSION.
New YORK, May 24.-Rev. DR.. C. De-
Witt Bridgeman, who resigned the pas
torate OF the Madison-avenue Baptist
Church last month because the minority
OF his church did not approve of a sermon
IN which he expressed a conviction that
Gods punishments were remedial"
to-day accepted the Protestant Episcopal
confession in the Little Seamen's Chapel.
1t was an ordinary confirmation service.
Owing to the prominence of the Doctors
former place, Bishop Potter wished to
hold a special service and receive him
into the Episcopal Church. To this, how
ever, he would not consent. In accord
ance with his own desire, therefore, he
was confirmed yesterday with more than
score of little girls, daughters of people
who attend the Seamen's Chapel.
Mrs. Bridgeman, her children, and DIR.
Alfred l.. LOOMS, the well-known physi-
clan, were also members of the confirma-
ton class.
DIR. LOOMS was an officer in DIR. Bridge
mans church, and determined to follow
his pastor into the Protestant Episcopal
Church. He said to-day: For many
years have felt attracted by the order
and liturgy of the Episcopal Church,
but was unwilling to yield and
drop away from the denominations
with which / am still closely con-
nected by ties Of friendship for more
than twenty-five years. My views have
been very well known as to the matter of
UNCONVENTIONAL communion. Close COM
munion, it has seemed to me, is incon-
sistent with that courtesy Of Christian
charity which ought to be exercised be-
tween the Christian churches. 1t cannot
be justified by one and the direct COM
mand of our Lord, nor by one injunction
of any apostle. 1t is based simply on
inference.
1.-The question of duration of punish
ment has little place in any mans preach
ing. Still, L felt it my duty to declare my
bellef, that those who from the natural
instincts of their hearts had renowned
the old doctrine might not be disposed to
discredit any record of our Lord. Not
withstanding this utterance, my church
wished me to remain as their min
lister, and were the Baptist doctrine, as to
the right of private judgment and indie
pendence in each church anything more
than mere theory, would have kept my
other views in reserve, as / had done for
years, and lived and died as their pastor
1 felt, however, that violent hostility
would be aroused in those who assume to
act as our ecclesiastical guardians, and in
order that my people might not suffer
from the reproach and hostility and isola-
ton their loyalty would involve, forced
my resignation upon Them"