New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-19
THE REV. MR.. MULLALLYs ATTITUDE

THE REV. MR. MULLALLY'S ATTITUDE
1T WOULD KEEP THE CHURCH ISOLATED FROM
ALL LIVING ISSUES.
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir l have evidence that The Tribune Is read by
quite number OF people Since you published my
brief letter respecting the ambiguous Presbyterial
treatment OF Or. Parkhurst I have received COM
munications heartily indorsing the position there
taken, and also several marked copies OF The
New-York Sun" OF December u and 49, the former
reporting the action of the NewYork Presbytery.
and the latter defending the course pursued by tho
Rev Mr.. Mutually. My only thought now in re-
ferring to the matter is speak OF the fallacy OF
the argument by which that journal defends his
reverence. and condemns those who differ from his
views. Mr.. Mutually has just good right to be
a Democrat as he has TO write four ''l's' in his
name And yet the fact helps amazingly in the
matter of Interpretation.
The Sun" in stating Mr.. Mullally's views and
ground Of defence. says:
lie took the ground that the Presbytery, as the
with Or. Parkhurst's reform measures" since they
Christian minister Christ" said Mr. Mutually,
was not a social reforner. and His Church is not
eo sSiIr"'"'0'' society but the exponent OF Inc
1t is to this position that many Of our face-for-
ward ministers take exception II the argument
proves anything az all. 1t proves altogether too
much 10 is OF the same kind OF reasoning that
slavery out OF the pulps. in the days In which
or speaking out, for conscience sake.
against the sum OF all villanies." 1t would keep
out Of the pulpit to day all mention OF the tenn
perance reform ard other reforms with the life
and power of which the very atmosphere Of thought
ard conviction is loaded. BY such arguments an
ecclesiastical fierce would be reared so high around
from the touch OF the living issues by which. and
only By which the pulpit and Church may serve
their generation by the will OF God.
II is that Christ a social
former" II Is not true that His Church Is not q
philan throNic society" II Is more than phllan-
thropic society: but the whole includes the
parts. the true Church OF Christ includes all
throDes The truth that underlies all reform and
the spirit that imates all good works are drawn
from the Hel. and from other source. To
deny this is approach TO infdelity. How absurd
II is and how fatal to the redemptive energy OF
the Church TO take the opposite ground With all
the false conservatism that weighted the Church
and depressed its power who can deny that II was
It's application TO moral questions. that, like q
power behind thrones and Legslatu lures and public
sentiment and political movements, prepared the
way for savery's overthrow? And equally true Is
II that the Church must come forward under .ne
leadership OF her Lord to guide the social forces
that make for righteousness in the new situations
and exigences that rising. thick and fast, In
these suspicious times.
I may saw IN closing that n constant, daily
reader OF 'The sun" well as The Tribune. ana
thus save my friends the trouble OF mailing 10 me
copies Of the Rev. Mr.. Mually's ecclesasIicai or
gan. . A. PAfhE 81 hIEss'