The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-18
A DOCTRINAL TALK.
Differences Between Orthodoxy
and Unitarianism.
SERMON BY REvT.L.EL,oT. IN
The Portland Divine Speaks OF Prfn-
eipies That Unitsrians Maintain
and What They Dean Truth.

Or, and father of the Rev w. G. Eliot.
jr., OF the Unitarian church, of Seattle.
preached last evening In this CITY to
large congregation. Mr.. Eliot, in a mas
tsrly manner. explained the radical differ
ences between orthodoxy and what he
termed liberal Christianity In intro
cucing his subject he said that he took
occasion to present a dsctrina sermon.
thinking it the part Of wisdom to o-ca-
sionally bring forward in a definite man
ner the things commonly believed among
Unitarians, and also to meet the INQUIRIES
OF those who might be present--doub.er.
or critics-and give them an opportunity
TO hear the principles that maintain thu
Unltarians and the truths they trust. as
well as to make known to them the com
munications of Divine things which the
onitarians looked to f. the inspiration
OF their lives. Continuing he said:
In one sense. indeed, all the preaching from
this pulpit il doc.rinal, for preaching il onlv
teaching, and tesching is only doctrine writ
ten large. The instruction and exhof .ations OF
this place all spring from certain convictions
concerning Cod ana man, and duty ana DESTINY
deeply cherished by the speaker, who could not
stand here an instant without the conviction of
mighty, unfolding truths, living words of God.
from which they try to give messages and of
which they try to he witnesses. But occasions
come VIXEN we should present these truths
In definite contrasts, and describe them
In and through their cpposites. All knowl-
edge Is simply classification, and classes
are only known in differences. We
think the hour and times ripe for declaring
anew and strongly the radical distinctions in
the point OF view and in the methods of spirit
uai apprehension between what is known as
orthodoxy and liberal Christianity We should
note these differences with earnest charity and
with constant sense of the act that Christ
Ike lives spring up everywhere, under every
creed, from a deep subson of the unwritten
grace OF God This fact, however, when rightly
analysed. we think, does not at al. lessen the
Importance OF havirg right belief. True In
fsiiestusi conceptions are OF immense impo-t
ance, and historically affect whole civilizations
individuals may Be better or worse than their
apparent ereeds; but their creeds, so far as they
really express convictions, almost always color
life and character and Immediately affect all &C.
ton. And here let us spend moment upon
that "cant speech which Ia sometimes still
heard in the mouths of our own Unitarian people
that "it makes no difference what a man be-
lever, 50 that he does right" There is soph-
lam and danger in such words. The phrase
got its vogue probably from the vast amount OF
unconscious ssrnakelbelieye" that there is in the
religious world. For when creeds are made
standards of religious unions, one man may
take his creed at secondhand, may call it his,
without really understanding or appropriating
II, while another man may be without any such
formal profession, yet both OF these men may be
"doing right" leading what are called good
lives. And, judging specifically, an observer
might say 1t makes no difference what they be-
lieve, nor what their cresds are or are not But
II would be easy to show that each of these men
has at least with reference to conduct, some
under convictions and roots of confidence, some
real beliefs, which vastly concern their own
lives and other peoples. We do not say 1t makes
no difference what farmer believes about soils,
or what a sailor believes about navigation, for
we know that what he really believes he does
and acts upon; the crop or the voyage 10 pro-
foundly affected by that belief.
The Hindu people, the most religious portion
OF them, tAlieve that this material world is an
illusion, mere dream, and, acting upon this
real belief, take no sort nor manner of interest
In the beauty and order OF Nature, and cultivate
no physical sciences. What we call seis nee is
tmposs bic with that prior conviction of all
visible things being mere dream stuff. IL makes
an immense diff. ence In the civilization OF half
O continent. Torquemada, in Spain. believed,
in common with his age. that God hated and
punished everlsstingly hereto, and his belief.
being real profoundly affected his action. "He
thought he did right by torturing aud burning
thousands OF his fellow beings. That he did
not really do right let history declare, which
holds his name almost in execratlou. Let is
then be remembered that Unitarians, men and
women who are such from conviction, attach
vital importance to right thinking and to true
doctrine, although as q denomination they have
no formal creed. And, il you ask why Unita-
rians have discre lifted formal creeds, the answer
Is: Bseause of the abuse made OF them; be-
cause a creed that is made authoritative seems
TO US 70 arrest human thought, and to
shut out the living and progressive rev.
elatijns of Truth. But right belief, aud
growing into and more perf-ct
statement of IL, we deem to be duty of
the highest order. 1t is, therefore, We. and not
orthodox Christians, who are pressing the ques-
tioa Of belief. We. and not they, who push in
tellectusl activity, and we think il Is OF Gods
inspiration that our church exists TO vindi.ate
the deeper truth and larger methods OF His
grace. In order that they, well as We. may live
OWNER lives
Let US now note as sharply as we can that radi-
cal q. >erenee between the liberal Christian and
orthodoxy which is brought out by the ques-
ton OF authority. This lie the question, the
answer TO which constitutes the fundamental
divisions OF Christianity. What 10 your author
ity is a common query even in everyday af
fairs where mems judgments and conduct are
at issue. For example, how am to spell a GER
tain word? My friend and i differ. l say.
"Let us consult the dictionary, and l
lay hold on my webster But, says he,
consider Worcester the authority in spelling
third psrson might say, Consult the Century
dictionary; that, without doubt, is the highest
authority we now have about words either in
spelling or definition " Now, unless we can
agree upon one authority rs final or bstter Than
otaers we must agree 10 disagree. Take another
example. II man has q controversy at law,
Say about boundary aad some supposed Tres
pass, the parties frat appear in justice court
Then, perhaps the case is appealed to higher
court, and again 90 the supreme court OF the
STATE, aud again. when the subject matter is
Eomentous, the case may reach the supreme
court OF the United States That is the final
authority OF all law questions. beyond which
there is no appeal AL litigants agree TO II. and
Its answer settles permanently the principles Of
national law and Interpretation of statutes. 90
ia religion the special questions asked about
special doctrines are all secondary IN the great
main Question-about authority. Where is your
court OF hna. appeal1 Where do you go FOR
your final word and guidance. amidst conflicts
aud differing Testimonies and experieneesy Let
ne carefully note the answers given, and think
We shall ses how fundamental the offences
h9w distinctly they throw the thinkes into
Great diy.siaas or classes. There are three cited
authorities or sources of light which men can
Consider, when the question arises. religion
wise. as 10 what they snail think and do. one
ID the average consciousness, the ordinary intel
igence, the personal sense OF truth or error, OF
hight or wrong, or the average moral sense. An
other source OF light is called Revelation. espe
elal!y IL is contained in elect experiences and
reaorcs. Another source OF authority is some
holy OF men, who By superior wisdom or tradi-
tons are deemed qualified as inserprete-s-s
Cooperation, so to speak, who hold IN truat al
tne possible solutions aud answers. shortly,
We may describe them as reason, the Bible, the
Church, and let Us bring up TO these the three
actual divisions OF Chrissendom The Roman