New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-09
FAITH THAT EXAMINES.


traditional dogmas of Christianity, even If they
seem 10 run counter to reason ana historical
facts. is Just now being urged upon Christians
by certain self elected champions OF Christian
ity. And for refusing to accept this view
Bishop Potter is being assaulted as nm agnostc,
il not actually an nfdel, by certain critics of
the baser sort Many of the men who urge
this view are utterly insncere. They are not at
all concerned for the defence Of Christianity but
are anxious only to put somebody in hole"
nv forcing the Church into an absurd and I'M
tenable position. from which it would ultimate
" he compelled to recede. They are actually
serving the cause of infdelity, stealing THE
.liyerv Of the Court of Heaven to serve the
devil in" Yet many unthlnking Christians
who vaguely fear the results Of investigation
and thought are inclined TO accept their cham
pionship. There Is nothing at once more ludi-
crous and pitful than the spectacle of these
good brethren bending their backs to drag into
the citadel of the faith this Trojan horse, blind
10 the fact that when 1t has once entered the
enemies concealed in it will emerge in their
true colors and cyncally laugh at the credulity
Of those who trusted them.
II is encouraging to See however. that the
orthodox believers are not all deceived by this
dav School Times" contains an article. entitled
THE Faith That Examines" which efectually
exposes the dishonesty and falsehood Of such
n view. This periodical is the foremost sun
dav school Journal in the country, if not in the
world It contains a weekly exposition Of the
international lessons that Is used with profit
in thousands of orthodox Sunday schools and
its loyalty to the Christian faith cannot be
. ntfa no m
ton that Christian dogmas must be accepted
without question. 1t declares that the Bible
gives no countenance to such notion, but, on
the other hand, encourages spirit OF inquiry.
The greatest enemy to the faith is "the lazl-
mess and Indifference Of mems intellects.
(which take up things Mt second hand, and
"iudge not for themselves the thing that Is
right" rather than adopt the Biblical lnjunc-
ton "to examine all things and to prove the
spirits" to ascertain which are Of God. "Much
that poses as faith, and uses the language of
faith. is nothing but subtle sceptlcism, which
Eat heart fears that the truths of the Gospel
"arc mere notions Of pious dreamers, which
will not bear the test of investigation. This
"scepticism shows itself in the tmdty with
(which new truths are received. as though they
must somehow lead to the overthrow Of the
Things IuOSl SuIfIH btHt''u We -
"shows itself in the laziness with which men
Substitute dull acquiescence In traditions
"instead Of testing these traditions by the
"mcans God offers for the purpose. 1t shows
itself in the intrusion OF the will into the
province of the understanding, as when peo-
"ple make up their minds to believe this or
that without regard TO the evidence on either
"sidp II shows itself in the partisan rancor
ofo
"view IS assallcd as one who is disturbing the
"pcaceful slumbers Of his brethren. 1t shows
Itself in the craving after authority with
(which men adopt the nursery rule. open your
"'mouth and shut your eyes, and see what
"'heaven will send you.
Every candid and intelligent Christian will
acknowledge the truth Of this. Free thought
NAV be. and often is devout thought Indeed.
unbelief is due to the neglect OF inquiry, ana
10 the obscurantsm that results from the alb
dication Of intelligence and reason in the sphere
Of faith. As THE Times" says, the only faith
that Is worth anything. the only faith that can
endure in world OF sane and thinking men
and women is the faith that examines, that
questions. and through that process, often. per
hans both painful and puzzng. comes at last
n make itself n real and vital factor In the
daily life. And so the poet cried out OF
heart full of profound faith In the eternal
vcrties:
There lives more faith in honest doubt.
Believe me- than in half the creeds.
Why Is II that men will pervcrsely run counter
70 the facts Of human experience. and try TO
make religion. which should thrill and pulsate
with life. an articuated skeleton. preserved
from the past, to be enshrlned In cabinet, and
cazed nj with ignorant and unreasonlng awe?
As Of learning so Of religion there Is no
ROYAL road leading TO II. II appropriated at
nil. II must be appropriated only through
stern soul conflict oftentmes fought alone In
the shadows Of the doubtland
Ex-King Milan is not working al his trade
hut the "incldents" OF Il seem 10 go with him