New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-06
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
PROFESSOR CARDS LECTURES.

PROFESSOR CARDS LECTURES.
TIE EVOLUTION OF RELIGION. The Clifford
Lectures delivered before the University OF 81 81
Andrews in sessions la909l and lo9l-9 81: ny ho,
pS"uophv 'u in It the University Of Glasgow late
Fellow OF Merton College, OXFORD 40 N,i, mO
Volumes. Pp. XIV, 400, and VII, 33f' Mach''iah
Co.
1t Is not many years since the appearance OF 'ohh
Henry Newmans subtle Essay on the Development
OF Christian Doctrine" excited the ire OF the coser'a
tive Christian world. which was firmly se'ueu III .ne
lclicf that Christianity was IieaVehu'scehue"
deposit not subject to growth or chahse' ~ Is
striking evidence OF the very growth which was Then
denied that the Christian thinkers and apoloeis's OF
a., rrose,, day assume the evolution OF religion
axiom which needs no proof, and that there Is grow
ing into shape profound philosophy OF rehe'ous
evolution that will ultimately ma OASIS Oh UNITY
underlying all systems OF religion, whether ancient or
,odern Men are no longer content 10 accept the
nrinciplcs of religion I'm general. or the doemas OF
fritsnv I'm particular unrelated facts, TO be be-
Neyed without any explanation. They desire to Know
in what form they first appeared and IN what respects
they have been modified developed in the ages that
have elapsed since their first appearance. Inc CROWN
~ this historical method of estimating religion has
among other things made obsolete much OF the ola
controversial literature OF Christianity. Inc great
object Of the od-time apOlogist was TO prove 'hat
certain doctrines practices were Scnpturai' vi Ut
least primitive. The modern apooS Isl Is more con-
cerncd with showing that doctrines or practices whoh
he regards as essential have grown naturally out ol
the fundamental Christianity OF the first century lie
does not expect modern Christianity 10 lie al eAao'
reproduction Of primitive Christianity, nor wouo lie
regard such reproduction desirable even IL II "c'
possible Christianity, in his view has oe'h iiou'n'u
I'm innumerabc ways. by its environment ana ny ue
necessity Of adjusting itself TO the varying he'uS oi
different ages and races. But this modlNca'loh OF
a sirn Of
I, l. 4 sign of life for. though the outward form
changes the spirit that anmatcs ii is the same ana Is
a potent factor in the life of the Church today Just
as truly I'm the past.
This line of thought IS inevitably suggested 10y s"'h
a work as that OF Professor Card. which Is "a no"y
noa,tod and admirably executed study OF Christian
evolution II is intended TO meet the needs, not 80
much OF those who implicitly accept Christianity rs
Of that large and increasing class OF thoughunl people
in every community who refuse to accept inc uos"S
OF the churches but who. nevertheless feel iha' 'cre
IS something in Christianity that man desires ana
needs.
Professor Card says:
In the present day there are many who find i hard
understand the signs OF The ~ Wn" o nrs
side by suspicion that in clingng 10 the orthouoA
forms Of the creed Of Crstendom they may De uru
TO themselves and may even seem To assent 10 u VOC
trines which they have ceased 10 believe ana chefku
forms they may be- casting aside ideas which are
essential TO their moral and spiritual ne VIVA, iu
viii make il possible for them to distinguish what Is
tenahle from what i untcnabe in the opposite caimS
which are made upon their behrl-cI.' xfrnt a NC.
both sides, they cannot help to some 'N'e"' az
kncwledgng
In other words to use an arthmctlcal figure, what
Is wanted today Is reconstruction OF religious
statement which shall represent the greatest
common diyisor Of faith and the least common multi
ple OF dogma. II evident that these diffcui'ies
cannot be met by the obole>ccnt theology OF the
medieval period whose only argument was 'he
formula Thus saith the Lord" and which took no
account OF the progressive movements OF history ana
of human life They only be met. II they are 10
be met at ALL in the words OF Professor Cairo by
Those better methods Of historical and philosophical
criticism, which are maklne ,r doom o, u o pos CON-
much less hard To READ thAh II wa. 10 Pi' m-,n
Grafton. and above all by tho great rec"hclHe prlc
pie OF deycopmeni upon wnc IN, me- M, int"
our hands the leaden rule 81 Lca.a ~;oili' CUR
which can adapt itself TO all the INEQUALITIES OF me
varied and complex structure OF human opinion IL
has it possible for us to UNDERSTAND inc er,1s
and to detect how ideas up under forms which
are Inadequate them and which finally they tmro IS
Off when they have reached maturity. II has maze
IL possible for to give more satisfactory because
a more discriminating. answer TO many quessnonhs
which a previous generation settled win u simple
Yes, or no." TO stop the strife of waring dog
matlsms by showing that thG gHo nnrub Y t be-
tween more or less of each.
These quotations accurately reflect the spirit OF Pro-
lessor Cards lectures. which are at once rational
and revcrent exposition OF the fundamentals of Chris
,ianj,y and of their evolution in history. In his
treatment OF the subject Is lucid In style and logical
IN argument. The GOODNESS and hardness OF his
scientific method warmed and NNihed by
prophetic enthusiasm and by an essential hnlnahh"Ss
that put him into sympathetic relations Win inc
x.der Professor Card has put the Christian world
finder substantial obligations by this noteworthy con
: tribntion To what may be called the department OF
scientific theology. form Of theology which seems TO
be destined 10 become dominant in the world OF Chris
tan thought.