New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-21
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND APOl OGETICS.

These are the second and third volumes Of
the international Theological Library. the editors
OF which are Professor Charles A. Briggs of this
CITY. and Professor Stewart d. F. Salmond, OF
Free Church College, Aberdeen, Scotland. ln
noticing. a few months ago, the first volume oil
the Library, DR. Drivers Introduction TO the
Literature of the Old Testament, we took oc'
casion to commend the comprehensive scope OF
the Library as meeting many of the religious
needs Of the day, and also its high standard oil
scholarship, as evidenced by Dr. Drivers work
The two volumes now before us amply conhrh
both Of these judgmont s Professor Smyth neeus
no Introduction 10 American Scholars AS "e
autbo, Of a number Of theological works marked
by religious insight and luminous statement ou'
moro especially as a leader in the progressive
theological movement in the Congregational
churches he has reached plane Of influence
.econd 70 no Christian thinker in the country.
On the ethical imports of Christianity he mas
sncnt MANY wears of thought and Investigations
Tho results of which are recorded in this volume
No one needs 10 he told how large place 'he
ethical side Of Christianity holds to-day IN the
tbourbt of Christians Of every name. Ana n
hook m that subject by Professor Smyth Will
therefore arouse an interest which perusal OF
Il will amply repay
In the field of Christian apologetics Professor
Bruce is re.oc nized as an authority Ihls SUD
icct olso is one to which the Christian world Is
devotinc a great deal Of Thought. Inc Ola Ut
fcnces 81 the Bible and Of Christian re-
licion have hecome obsolete or ineffective, iirst' nc
cause Christianity itself has modified its atu-
tude as 10 many features of dogma and doc
trne. and secondly. because those who oppose
and attack il have changed their mode OF war
fare md have discarded their old weapons
The apologize method Of Palcy would he use
less to-day in repclling attacks that Paley GA
not even dream Of And. therefore, book by
such a scholar and divine rs Professor Bruce an
swerng what tho living foes of Christianity are
saying at the present moment, will he welcomed
by all Christians who wish to see their ialtf
adequately defended
Doubtless the title of Professor Smyths book
will arouse the criticism OF those who may he
called material moralists. Why Christian ethics?
they will ask Is morality scctarian? But the
question Is really only bubble. BY Christian
ethics is meant the ethical impulse cnshrined In
the Christian religion, and considering how much
the Christian Interpretation of ethics has already
modified the worlds civilization. it is by no means
arrogant for Christian writer TO differentiat"
what is so much in evidence in the history Of
mankind. Indeed writer on ethics who should
ignore the ethics of the hest Christian conscious
ness would prove himself unfit for the task he
undertook. The Christian consciousness is not
an obscure episode in the moral progress OF man.
II cannot he dismissed with an epgram. ruled
out of court by the mere ipsn diNlt OF any man.
The ethics Of naturasm is without doubt fruit
full in certain results but it is only small part
of the ethical history of mankind Whether We
like Christianity or not we must acknowledge
The fact that il has not merely modified, but re-
created the moral consciousness of the human
race.
In the middle ages ethics subordinated TO
scholastic theology, and Christianity has not
vet wholly unlearned this mistake The natural
virtues clumsily joined to the supernatural
craces, without any suspicion that they are al
ways and ever inseparably one Modern Chris
tianity has first analysed and then syn
thetizcd these two aspects of the same fact, and
has given the world philosophy of ethics that
grows naturally ont Of human conduct and
fits into all the variations of human nature
There is no longer that dualism which charac-
terized the medieval philosophy, on one side
the moral standards of secular life and on the
other side tic moral prccepts Of the Church, with
yawning chasm between them. only TO he
be crossed by the frai and questionable bridges
of casuistry Right il right and wrong is wrong,
whether we consider il from the secular or re
ligous point Of view.
"Old theology is always becoming new in the
vi,alzing influence of ethics The Church will
not long refuse to bring any article of its faith
10 the test of its most Christlike sense Of love
and fairness 1t is reason enough for doubling
and for restudyng any traditional teaching or
received word of doctrine if il he felt 10 harass or
10 confuse the Christian conscience OF an age
Nothing can abide true in theology which
does not prove in genuineness under the ever
renewed searching Of the Christian moral sense
nothing is permanent fruit OF the teaching OF
Christ which does not show itself to be morally
Christike."
In that passage, which, unfortunately. is all
we have space 10 quote ont OF so many we'll
worth quoting, Professor Smyth gives an accurate
ncturc of the character aud scope of the new
theology OF to-day. The name Of the movement
Is really a misnomer; it is a new ethics rather
han a new theology. for it aims TO elevate to the
place of honor, the ethical content Of Christian
Inv. even though in 80 doing it may have to
tear down many venerable theological fabric
The department Of Christian apolosctics has
been revolutonizcd within the present generation
The discoveries OF science in all Its branches
he remarkable growth Of Biblical criticism, the
iecadcnce of old conceptions of religious truth
once thought TO be fundamental, and the marked
change in the intellectual and religious perspective
,f the world. have all contributed TO bring about
Ibis result. New difficulties about Christianity,
and new doubts concerning its divine origin, have
arisen, and they must he met by new arguments.
The Christian apologize is not addressed to
he contented slaves of opinion, whether Chris
Ijsn or nom Christian, hut to the great army, |
never so great as to-day. of honest doubters, |
sincere inqurcrs and earnest seekers after God |
md truth, who have genuine sympathy with the |
rood. an implicit rudmcntary faith in Divine |
Providence, spiritual reccptivity that responds |
q the teachings of Christianity, and vague, |
es.less longing for light on the dark problems |
If life and destiny that under wise direction |
you'd surely lead them into Christian dis |