The Portland daily press., 1898-05-02
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.
Rev. b. Fay Mills Discourses on Twentieth
Century Greed and Religion.

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Rev. Il. Fay Mills Discourses on Twentieth
Century Greed and Religion.
Rev. B. Fay Mills, the distinguished
youny rreacher whom Portland several
years ago became greatly interested IN
through his evangelistic labors here, and
who has lately come into prominence
by his remuneration of certain orthodox
beliefs, occupied the pulpit at the Con-
gress Squarej Universalist church, yesCel-
day. The church was densely packed,
both morning and evening.
The pastor, Rev. Dr. Blanchard, highly
complimented the speaker, IN the priei
introductory announcement at each SER
vice. The theme of the morning d1s-
course was, Twentieth Century Creeds.
and in the evening "Twentieth Century
Religion" Both sermons were delivered
In Mr.. Mills's characteristic and I'M
pressive manner and he held the closest
attention of the large audience.
In beginning his morning discourse
he said he does not know what the creeds
of the twentieth century will be, but
he predicted steady advancement in
religious thought. The most reasonable
religious thinker of the present time is
he who continually holds his faith to the
light. No perfect theology has yet been
written, but as we as a human race are
growing to know more physically, scien-
tifically and morally new. Scientists are
frequently obliged to alter their opinions,
as new truths are brought to their vision.
Many customs that centuries ago were
regarded as the highest virtue. would
now be considered heinous crimes. Abra-
ham, swhen he slew his son on the sacri-
fetal altar, was acting in accord with
the highest moral belief of his time.
Slavery and polygamy. which were years
ago looked upon as right, would not be
tolerated today.
theology is always the last thing to
change. Religion changes faster than
theology. There is no ancient creed that
wholly harmonizes with modern thought,
but there is not a creed of today that
has not in 1t some of the substantial
truths embodied in the old. 1t is a good
thing today to forget some Of the gods we
have known. The ancient theology con-
structed the idea of an absent God, who
made the world, set it in motion ard
then retired and left 1T to run itself. The
belief in negative. God is declining.
Prohibitions are right, but not perfection
"Thou shalt not,' is not religion. Re-
ligion is an inspiration toward high
ideals, not an order to refrain from
wrong. The idea of a negative God .is
superseded by the belief in a God of
practical righteousness.
] Another conception that is also being
discarded is that of an unkind God, who
be appeased. Such parsonage was never
anything but demon, and we may bury
that conception along with our childhood
ghosts. The idea of partial God, re-.
jecting some people and elevating others,
is going, but has not entirely departed.
/ "When all these gods are dead and
| buried, what will we have lost?" asked
the speaker, and this question he answered
with the single word, Nothing :"
Faith in God is the belief that he is the
kind of God we think he ought to be.
! The nature-worshippers who saw God in
all things were nearer the truth than
| some Of our ancestors who saw God from
afar.
The preacher then defined the physical,
Intellectual and spiritual nature of man,
and he took sides against the theory that
man was created in perfectio and has
since been growing bad He believed
the story of-the fall of man was devised
through mans modesty in putting on
himself the blame for sin. instead OF
on God. We have record of the existence
of man for 80 600 years, and as far back
as we know him he has been progress
ing. Nota syllable did Jesus ever utter
that could be tortured into the idea that
man was begun perfect and fell under the
domination Of sin. s,tft II
Continuing this line of argument, Mr.
Mills said that what man needs is, not
grace for sin which man as a race has
committed, but the great inspiration OF
the gospel progress. The human process.
sion has not yet caught up with Christ.
Certain things have been taught us
concerning Christ toward which we may
Indifferent; some of them need repudi.
ation but there are others which should
be cherished.
The idea that in some way Christ lad
appeased the wrath of God was speeially
mentioned as one of the teachinps not
entitled to belief The conception of hell
as place of eternal torment was ridi
culed. and Mr.. Mills added that the most
prominent Orthodox expounders have
given up the belief in endless suffering.
Do you think God would like to have
you practice the golden rule, and not
practice it himself? That the streets of
heaven are paved with gold is another
idea that has long since gone. Our ideas
of heaven and hell must be something
more than popular jokes.