The sun., 1894-12-28
Brother Platt's New Religious Afilia-
tiOns.

Brother PLATT's change Of his church re-
lationship involves no corresponding change
in his theological views. Nor was he driven
out of the Madison Square Presbyterian
Church because his doctrinal opinions are
in any way heretical rs measured by the
Westminster standard. He left simply be-
cause DR.. PARKHURsT assailed and abused
him on account of his political opinions
DIR. PARRHURsT wants to be the political
Boss himself and he will not tolerate rival
Boss in Brother PLATT.
Brother PLATT is tired OF being preached
at as a political sinner and a moral repro
bate, upon whom the means OF grace are
vainly expended. He wants to worship in
peace He wants to be at ease In Zion. But
to attain his desire he has not sacrificed his
theological convictions. In going over
from DIR. PARKHURsT's church in Madi-
son avenue to the Marble Church
in the Fifth avenue he. has rather mani
tested the tenacity with which he clings to
them. The theology Of the Madison Square
pulpit is as eccentric as its morals, and in
remaining under its irregular teachings
Brother PLAT really yielded to sinful ap-
petite for sensational oratory rather than
sought the strong meat Of sound doctrine
for the upbuilding Of his soul He went to
church for entertainment, and not for spir-
itual nourishment When, therefore, at
last the dish was spiced with OBJ
jurgations Of himself as practical
politician, the rest of the congregation
might relish 1t all the more, but naturally
it no longer suited his appetite. The
Hon. SMITH ELY, in a neighboring pew,
could enjoy the fun at the expense OF fel-
low statesman, but Brother PLATT, as the
particular butt Of the pulpit, felt differently
Religiously, however, the experience has
been profitable for Brother PLATT. He under
went a change Of heart His morbid appetite
for the sillabub of pulpit sensationalism was
destroyed, and was replaced by healthy
craving for the nourishing food of sound doc
trine. He had gone TO church to have his
ears tickled. Hereafter he will visit the
sanctuary to strengthen and uplift his soul
with the Calvinistic theology on which he
had been fed in his youth and earlier man
hood. The Reformed Church TO which he
goes is Calvinistic in doctrine, though its
creed is based on another confession of faith
than that of Westminster. This is the confess
sion adopted at bort nearly three hundred
years ago. and the Reformed Church has
adhered to that standard of doctrine with
out any OF the infidel tendencies which have
been so marked among the nominal Pres
byterians OF late years. 1t is branch OF the
Dutch Protestant Church, established here
when New York was still a Dutch
colony; and its conservatism is indi-
Gated by the circumstance that, until
m mai "a val -ta1
Dutch language continued to be used in its
services. Its theological belief is expressed
in the Five Points Of the Council OF bort;
PredestinatiOn or election, the definite
atonement of CHRIST, total depravity, con
version by grace alone, and the persever-
ance Of the saints, all Calvinistic doctrines.
Brother PLATT, accordingly, relinquishes
no theological convictions which he has held
as Presbyterian in going over TO the Re
formed Church. The passage from the one
Church 10 the other is frequently
made by ministers as involving only
change Of exterior relationship, and
not of essential doctrine. Brother PLATT's
orthodoxy was made questionable by his as
ISOLATION with the go-as-you- please Madison
Avenue Church, IL is made first proof by
his acceptance at the conservative Marble
Church. However he may be politically, he
is sound thsOlogically as tested by the
CalyinisIic standards
The Marble Church, also, is peculiarly
conservative as belonging 20 the collegiate
system Of churches Of It's faith in this city,
an organization which Is richly endowed,
like Trinity Church Of the EpiscOpaliAns.
Under its present pastor, the Rev. DIR.
BURRELL, IL has entered more than formerly
into the philsnthropic activities now 80 gen
orally associated with Protestant churches
IN New York, but Il has shown no thsO-
logical lANitY. Brother PLATTs strict
PreSbytsrianIsm aud seRse Of reverence
will never there TeceiVs the shocks 70
which they have had to submit In the
AAdisOR square Church. A0EsOVsg, Instead