New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-10
CHRISTIANITY AND INTELLIGENCE.

\ cynical critic of religion remarked recently
that the logical outcome Of the Salvation Army
uropaganda would be- 10 drive intelligent people
out of the Church. leaving 1t with sort or
sanctlfed sans culotte membership. The re-
mark IS not quoted here in disparagement OF the
Salvation Army, but it suggests the thought
that in It's anxiety to reach the masses the
Christian Church to-day may forget or ignore
the equally important duty Of reaching the in
telligent and OF holding them when they are
reached. The popular cutlery against the con-
illusions OF eminent Christian scholars is
striking illustration of this tendency. These
conclusions. we are told. would puzzle and
alarm the simple and the ignorant. But no ac-
count is taken Of the educated and thinking
people in the Church whose faith in the funda-
mental verlties Of religion may be strengthened
by the reconsructive work of reyerent chris
tlan scholars. Is the Church doing It's duty III
ignoring these people? Can 1t hope to live ana
prosper rs n vital force in the world II 1t allows
the intelligent and thoughtful classes to drift
away from It. even though it should retain the
allegiance of the unthInking masses: This Is
the question which. II seems to us, confronts the
Church to-day
OF course We shall he reminded that the
Church first addressed itself TO the ignorant
But this is only half truth. Iterate peasants
and slaves were. indeed among the first to ac-
cept the Gospel But so also were men ana
women in the higher walks of life In fact. the
message of the Church was singularly fitted to
reach the hearts and Consciences OF those rep
resenting the culture and scholarship OF the age
The Gospel preached by Peter and Paul ana
Polycarp and IrenRus was certainly not sans
culotte gospel. 1t was the noblest appeal 10 the
intellect as well 10 the conscience tnat had
ever been made, and as result 1t was able 10
dominate the worlds civilization in less than
three centuries Without in any way depreciat-
ing the good work Of the Salvation Army IN
this generation, II Is proper 10 say that IL
would not and could not have accomplished
this marvellous result There was in the co.
gent preaching of Peter, the Galilean peas
ant. md the nervous and fiery appeals OF
Paul. the pupil of the great Gamallel, not
rho slightest suggestion of Salvation Army
methods except the all cOnquering earneStneSS
and zeal that gave dignity and power to the
words Of the peasant and simplicity and FORCE
70 the words Of the cultured Pharisee. Inc
common people heard Christ gladly. not be-
cause He appealed 10 their ignorance. TOT lie
never did that but because He appealed TO their
Intelligence. We speak of Christianity as
leyclling force But 1t is really an upllftlng
force. Instead of dragging the intelligent down
70 the capacity Of the ignorant, 1t lifts the most
Ignorant up to the heights Of intelligence far
above the clouds Of ignorance error and preJu'
dice.
Now. II is admitted that many Intelligent per
sons are drifting away from the Church. WIN
ont clearly formulating their objections 10 the
Church. they believe In general. that the simple
creed Of the early Church has come to be over
loaded with opinions. speculations and dogmaS
that are not merely untrue. but alien to Chrls-
tionitv They ask the Church to review some or
those things and in the light Of the better knowl-
edge Of today modify them, without touchlhg
onv Of the fundamentals of the faith The I'D
crols in the Church are disposed 10 respond 10
theIr appeal but the conservatives are supreme
r., the councils Of the Church. and their only
terms to these intelligent doubters are uncondl
tional surrender Accept every jot ana uttle Oh
"the complex body Of dogmas, opinions ana IN
"terpretations that the Church has built up OUT
"of the simple teaching Of It's great Founder or
.oleo got ont OF the ChurCh'-that Is the only
message of the Church to sincere scholars ana
thinkers who are unable TO accept the tradl'
t,onal theology And because 1t Is the Church
,o losing men and women who by the exercise OF
. uttle common sense and Christian charity
might be retained in It's membership.