The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-11-27
The ETHICS OF FAITH.
DISCOURSE BY THE REV. MIR. DICK
ERM1

ERIN N.
Delivered mt the Church of tho Messiah
Yesterday FOrenOon-Thv Logical Ol
Ethical Relation between Faith ant
conduct.
Delivered by Rev. Mr.. Dickerman Sun.
day Morning
The Ethics of Faith. Text Phil. Nv. 8
We are not unmindful that in the en-
deavor to preserve sincerity in the
household of faith, we are liable to find
at the very threshold the charge of self
Righteousness. We are also aware OF
unwritten rules of ecclesiastical ETH
quette and UNCONVENTIONAL comfy that
may be violated, even in an honest at
tempt to keep the pulpit above re-
proach. Theology has become so I'M
popular that one hesitates. not little,
in setting aside the good form of con-
ventional liberalism in religion. 1t is
painful enough to be considered a
self-appointed guardian Of the truth,
and to be conscious of the little effect
our words may have in turning the cur
rent of opinion so strongly set towards
houndless ocean of d3ctrinal agnosti-
cism. But one intent on direct and
clear-sighted gaze toward the truth
eff tn fob sir rIa OF Il;
interests and prospects. We believe
there is occasion for our contention,
which we humbly submit to all candid
minds
The Presbyterian church affords us
a concrete illustration of our plea In
that body we have an example of the
attempt to work out the principle of
faith held in ethical relations. The
Presbyterian church is considered the
least progressive of all the larger Pro-
testant bodies. That, of Itself, with
non-descript theologians, is sufficient
condemnation. Whatever may be said
of its doctrines, the Presbyterian
church, just now, is the most interest
ing body in Christendom TO students of
comparative denominationalism.
On this particular field the most
strenuous conflict between authoritative
faith and the right of private judg
ment is now being waged. The most
Protestant sect suffers confusion from
the application of the essential prnci-
pie Of Protestantism-the right Of pri-
to i,rIc ,nr,f P1Jt hi fcIt tc 20
fully prescribed by this particular
church, whose doctrina standards are
so clear-cut and unmistakable, and the
ordination vows of it's clergy so uncom-
promising, that no mind innocent of
New Theological cauistry could fail to
find an indictment of heresy against
those who take liberty with these
standards The Presbyterian church is
in great tribulation over ministers
whose pulpit utterances Or books con-
tradict the Westminster Confession of
faith. which they solemnly professed to
believe. At the same time this church
is on trial before the public, which has
a right to demand that the confession
be revised or maintained in all its in
tegrity In all fairness, let it be said,
that this demand includes all churches
that publish confessions or articles of
belief.
The Presbyterian church seems now to
be the only one making any effort to be
consistent with orthodox classification
as fixed by the Evangelical Alliance. 1t
proposes only to be just to the men sup
posed to be the victims of dogmatic
bigotry and narrow prescription. This
church has simply raised the question
of honor-a question which would be
sufficient anywhere but in church cir
Giles. 1t ought no longer to be necessary
to prosecute a man for heresy when a
religious teacher has dev1ated from the
accepted and published belief of his
church. He has no moral right to re-
main where only confusion and bitter
ness will result from his contention. 1t |
is pitiful to see those considered eX- |
perts in teaching righteousness practi- |
cling the arts of evasion and strainng a |
moral principle that in the outside |
world would be quite simple. The |
cause of truth and progress would |
make vastly great ter strides If all reli- |
gious bodies would make it impossible |
for ministers to trim the creeds to their |
taste and hedge their borrowed errors
with ambiguous qualifications. The
work of reform in the Interests Of 10y I
alty to principle instituted by the Gene
raj Assembly of the Presbyterian church
is wholesome: and it is hoped that the
restless spirits within it's communion
will go quietly to their own places, or
conform to the classification which now
them. Believe or leave is
the order of consistency and candcr
The problem before the churches under
these strained relations is not the truth
or utility of this or that doctrine, but
the far deeper and important question
are we to have frankness or duple<ty,
or dishonesty, in our pulpits?
1t is then, in the first place, questioH
of ethics. 1t is particularly unfortu-
nate for institutions that advocate the
highest morals, and even claim graces
which are above morality, that the sus-
picion of playing fast and loose with
sacred things. should fall upon them.
The apostles of the New Orthodoxy ad
wise divinity students to hold and
preach only ethical views of the atone
ment and the destiny of man. Would
If be going too far to remind them that
heir church relations also should be
ethical? This whole matter of theolog