New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-18
A CLERGYMAN's PROTEST.


DOCTRINES THAT HE OPPOSES ~ Harmful TO
True RELIGION.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: As a minister OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church pledged TO faithful diligence in driving cut
therefrom Conceits and pretences contrary TO the
truth protest against these doctrines following.
| declare that they are false. and that they arc
doing harm in making religion seem to be an abb
strac;ion without practical meaning power:
First. | protest against the false teaching that
God has somewhere set UP book. a body Of men
or an institution 10 be infallibe oracle OF truth
The effect OF such teaching j. that men come TO
think of the truths OF religion unreal-far re-
moved from human experience. and rot by any
means TO be tried and proved. Else what need
OF infallible authorities? deny that there is any
such authority. And In particular deny the
right of bishops. whether in committees or in ocu-
menic councils TO speak conclusively for Cod or 10
dictate terms OF faith 70 other men.
Second / protest against the false teaching mat
there is deposit OF faith. or body of essential
Christian doctrines. divne!y formulated and sealed
and given to the Church 10 interpret ana 10 Keep
forever untouched The effect Of that teaching Is
vainy to exalt the clergy and TO make reHs'oh
seem 20 be a difficult science. That ohi! men 81
special training can understand. 1t puts theoiotF
in the place Of faith and love, and disposes men
70 think that the creed is more than the life. II
implies that a man can know the truth before no
has endeavored live truly. and so II DcSe'S Ill
teilec,ual pride and hypocrisy
| deny that there is any such deposit. Ana IN
particular ] deny that the Apostles ana Nloene
creeds are other than symbols of the Catholic
faith Thai faith cannot be put into words; us NJ
expression is in deeds Of courageous tai'h''i''SS
loving service.
Third. | protest against the false teaching that
the Incarnation is to be regarded as rrac'e ana
a prodigy-an isolated event. unrelated 10 inc
course of nature and the ordinary providence OF
off denies
carnat!on and thwarts It's meaning. The Incarh"-
ton shows us God subjected 20 the most ordinary
human condtions-that ordinary mon may ~.
Sra u,n ia rodIikepess and the divine sonship. Any
V.ach'p" IA weakens belief in the reality Of our
Lords manhood is contrary 10 the tath"hr ialtI.
DENY that the Incarnation is TO he reEardeb az
= mirac,,lors event. because | see its like every
where in nature. in history and n 'oIhi"on, on. ~
The lesson of nature is the humiliy ana s,eni.-
facement OF God omnipotence by dint OF urcleSS
patience The lesson OF history Is the pu,unE
And the lesson of daily living is nc Srea'heSs Ti
love and the futility Of SelISh auol.iol' So W -,
believe that God became man. that he was porn
in stable lived the life Of a laborer and d'ea i
In particuar / deny that the doctrine of the
yireinity Of our Lord mothfr Is an nv whcthor
it b. true doctrine accept IL 49, as or h'o'i'''
Fourth. protest against certain false teachings
concerning ordination VOWS. The primary ooIEa,
Church~holy and cathonc-beng the creation Of
the Spirit OF Truth. cannot intend that its minister
or 10 ANYTHING but the spirit of truth Nor can 1t
in+en6 70 give its commission to one who IS Wiling
to exchange for priest once MS 'loi"l ""eIN
and the daily revelation Of God.
/ deny that have taken any vow except 10 do
ard reach what God commands. And ] declare
.ha+ If had sworn to forever hold and tech
certain body of doctrines I should nave been ~iity
Of a very great wrong. kind of suicide ana sin
against the Holy Ghost. Such VOWS, | think. arc
not only unmanly and immoral but altogether IN
famous ,
And fifth protest against the false teaching
that man need give to religion only part OF MS
70. hiS
be the deadiest heresy that has al any time neaet
the Church | deny that faith without sef-anan-
donment and sk-taknC is good for anything.
Complete self-abandonment is what Christ asks.
and though men waiver and fail they must not set
their hearts upon a lower purpose. .
CHARLES FERGUSON.
Cohasset Mass. March 3, 1895.