The Portland daily press., 1893-03-08
TREND OF THEOLOGY.
We've Of Prominent New York and
Brooklyn Clergymen.
Rev. DR.. Rainstord Speaks of Episcopal
EIasticity-Rev. Thomas Dixon Hopeful.
DIR. Talmage's CHEEKY Ideas-Dr. Park
hurst ON Christian Sentiment.
Especial Correspondence


hurst on Christian Sentiment.
Especial Correspondence
NEW YORK, March 2.-ssThe nineteenth
century is drawing to an end, but before
its weary eyelids are closed in death it
bids fair to witness the beginning of a
mighty struggle in the religious world
struggle the issue Of which means, in
the Judgment of many, either total ship
wreck or new life to Christianity.
Heresy trials are the order Of the day.
Our great dailies vii with each other in
serving up to their readers lengthy re-
ports and exhaustive editorials upon
church matters. The nations Of the
earth are agog. America was the battle
ground of human liberty. It will also
be the Waterloo Of the coming contest
May the truth prevail" Such were the
words uttered by an editor Of religious
periodical at recent semiprivate gath
ering held in this city.
To obtain the opinions of others upon
this important subject the writer inter-
viewed several prominent clergymen of
different denominations.
Rev. w. S. Rainsford, D. D., rector of
st. Georges Episcopal church. New
York, said in brief that the Protestant
Episcopal church Of America had for its
basis of belief the Apostles Greed, the
Scriptures {old and New Testament) and
the liturgy. The Episcopal church was
far more elastic than any other and did
not force men to definitions. No mod
ern scholar regarded the Bible as liter.
ally inspired. Such conception could
now only be entertained by the vulgar.
The church had existed before the Bible
and was distinctly historical. The Bible
was the result Of Christianity mot
Christianity Of the Bible. Christianity
was a life, not book, and he had yet
to see life that was not subject to the
laws Of evolution. Religion changed
with the times and grew with the growth
of mems minds.
Rev. Thomas Dixon, Jr., of the Tween
ty-third Street Baptist church, New
York, insisted that Christian clergy
man was bound to believe In the actual
divinity Of Jesus. but admitted that there
were without doubt historical, scientific
and chronological errors in the Bible.
But such errors, in his opinion, did not
destroy its authority on moral law or
deprive it Of being a revelation from
God. A century ago atheism was more
rife among the educated than today. In
fidel France was drifting back to belief
once more. Christianity changed with
the ages. It was life and expanded with
the life of the race. He accepted the
miracles of Christ without hesitation.
Referring to the frequency of divorce,
he attributed the fact to the inferior
status given women. They were not al
lowed to earn as much as men and had
to seek marriage in order to live. The
result was disastrous. Ten women
sought divorce to one man. Out of the
whole number of divorces granted in
this country an extremely large proper
ton was instituted by women. He be-
lieved we were approaching the tropics
Of civilization. The good were growing
better, the evil were growing worse, but
still the future looked promising.
Rev. T. De Witt Talmage, D. D.,
Brooklyn, considered Christianity the
mightiest influence on the earth today.
The in6delity and sophistry Of the age
could not halt It minute. All opposi-
ten to Christian religion he comparable
a grasshoppsr in 'front.' Of q Chicago lin
tied express train. Then1odern criticism
of the Bible would do it no ha1m. The
so called ssbread minded" clergy and the
scientists wasted their time trying to
fight religion. He-had not given 10min-
utes in 10 years to the study Of Biblical
technicalities, but was content to know
that Kindness with big z was the
principle Of the gospel He thought
none of the Christian denominations
could be spared. Each one had its pecu-
liar rniss;en. The Baptist church en-
phasized the ceremony Of baptism; the
Episcopal presented the dignity. majesty
and fern of religion; the Methodist dis
played spontaneity, hearsineS and emo
ton, and the Presbyterian demonstrated
that the DEGREES of God and the free will
of man could exist together.
Most Of the modern brain was Chris
tain. John Milton died an intense be-
Iever. Hugh Miller wes once an elder
in DR.. Gutherie's church, Edinburgh.
Right Hon. William E. Gladstone is an
ardent Christian, as was also the late
Cyrus w. Field Of Atlantic cable fame.
The doctor expressed his unqualified be-
lief in a personal God, a personal devil,
heaven and hell, as well as the literal in
SEPARATION of the Bible-otherwise he
would consider himself hypocrite.
Christianity was not subject to any laws
of evolution. Mans pedigree was from
God, not from the brutes. If he thought
the latter, he would live in stable with
his 4-footed kindred the rest Of his days.
Rev. Charles II. Parkhurst, D. D.,
Madison Avenue Presbyterian church,
New York. did not doubt the actual di-
viEity of Christ. It was an essential
doctrine which he accepted implicitly.
The Bible was also the inspired word Of
God. He was convinced Christianity
was holding it's ground notwithstanding