The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-07

The Methodist Editor VIII Not Dis
cuss the Brooklyn Mans Theories.
.

Dr. Lyman Abbott's lectures on the Bible
are creating much interest and some eX-
element. In all that he writes or says
several qualities of the first Importance ap-
pear-an excellent style. neither too diffuse
nor too concise, colloquial, but digniied
never descending to slang. AS to matter
there is much information; but when he
writes or sneaks on religious doctrine there
is delightful vagueness reminding one of
a panorama of castles and mountains on
elevated heights. across which iridescent
clouds are being driven by the summer
breeze. He advances. retreats. mOdifies adj
vances again, here emphasizing and there
ignoring passages OF Scripture until the
result is q system OF tentative theories
which for the want Of a suitable express
sion We will venture to call Lyman Alb
bottled Christianity.
On evolution and the higher criticism the
genial confidence with which he asserts con-
jectural hypothesis as absolute certainties
without taking the trouble TO adduce the
grounds for his conclusions, is so remark
able. taken in connection with his frank
avowal made some years ago in substance
that he did not know what he would be-
lieve in few weeks or months or even
the next day upon the same subject, as to
be amusing.
Seers in the realm Of sentiment perceive
but do not reason. OFTEN what they utter
contains the substance of the highest rea-
son. In logic every step forward is author
lied by the preceding. Lyman Abbott diff
fers from the seer in that he throws much
or his matter into the verbal forms of logic
He differs from the losician in that he
spurns the restriction of ordinary reasoning
and from the philosopher in that he gives
too loose rein to his imagination. How
much further he will go in the line he is
pursuing Is impossible for him or anyone
else to forecast. but it is quite obvious
that the elements of his power are not
those or the apostles or the founders of
the great evangelical denominations or of
any OF those preachers who have been en-
lnently successful in aggressive spiritual
work and the transformation of commune
Ties INTO ceaSeieSS propagandistS of the Sos-
pei. Nor does there seem any reason to
believe that II his methods had been en-
pioyeC by them Christianity would ever
have become an established religion.
Some OF our subscribers have asked why
the Christian Advocate does not take
up and discuss his Theories. \ Suffi-
cient answer Is found in the foregoing.
1t may be added that in some respects
what in his teachings some of those sub
Scribers would like TO have opposed was
held by John Wesley and is. in our opinion.
true.
Some other things that he teaches We're
opinion, true. The attention of Wesley was
not directed TO them. and the world has
learned much on many subjects since his
DEATH Much that Or. Abbott teaches Is
peculiar 10 himself. ard there is no reason
why IL should be specifically antagonized.
teacher. and his method OF viewing re-
ligious subjects as radically faulty. he
holds I'm substance what many others hold.
and these topics are from time To time
handled according 10 the eXigency which
directs our attention TO them. with such
To command.
Those who follow DIR. Abbott implicitly
viii do what he does not do himself nor
even profess to do.