The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-28
A New Reformation.

n New Reformation.
Dr. Heber Newton, rector of All Souls
Church, New York. has advanced an opin-
ion which is worth some discussion. He
believes that the present age closely re-
sembles in some respects the period in
which christianity arose, and that of the
Reformation. and that widespread re-
hgious change is imminent, in which there
will be as great an alteration of men 5
thoughts and traditions as that effected
by the Reformation.
This idea is somewhat radical but. Look
ins at the matter in a fair-minded ard
impartial way. it is not at all impossible.
DR.. Newton's conviction is that there are
three authorities to which man can APP
peal-the Church. the Bible. and Reason.
and that Reason is the highest of tn Sc
and the court Of ultimate appeal. 1t may
be remarked that when al prominent
clergyman of the Episcopal Church can say
thing like that without being turned out
of his pulpit next day, this fact in its Elf
shows that some sort of change has taken
place in the last half century.
1t might be 4 good thing for the various
religious bodies in this country to d scuss
what they think of it. Ii it is true that a
change in theological tradition similar in
its results to that originated by Luther is
even now taking place. the churches ought
to understand it, and decide what sCrt of a
movement it is ard where they want to be
when it is over.
There are hundred facts already gen.
orally noted which support this theory.
For about two hundred years orthodox
churches moved with exceeding slowness.
especially SO far as their individual men,
bers were concerned. The average COM
municant Gid not attempt to aralyze in any
scientific way the things which he heard
in church. He believed, or he did not be-
lieve. but he did not think. Nowadays
thinking has become general. What has
caused this change, and what will be the
result of it? Is it one OF these waves of
organic force which seem to sweep over
the world at more or less widely separated
intervals. or is it natural course of de-
velop!nert without an intermixture of
sentiment? Is it caused by social, political,
or educational conditions? Most import
ant of all, where are the churches in this
thing? Are they moving with it or trying
to stop it?
One reason for the movement toward ra-
tional religion, or none at all, which is
characteristic of the nineteenth century,
and has been such a sorrow for the ortho-
dox is PROFESSIONALLY the greater facil-
ity OF communication, and the general
education which has made the dissemina-
ton of ideas easy. Another, especially in
America. is the way in which the country
was developed. A population so widely
scattered as ours has been during much of
its history, cannot possibly remain closely
united in religious belief. With different
social customs and political traditions, will
come differences in creed, and interpreta-
lions of creed; and the discussion of these
in time brings enlightenment. Moreover.
the men who have made this nation what
it is were commonly men of practical ideas,
and hard common sense, and their infiu-
ence on the community was great. II the
hold on the American people. reason will
have to be the court of ultimate appeal, no
matter What anybody, says. We shall have
to have a faith that is; based on common
sense. or none at all. ~ 70 g-t4
The Catholic Church has had the reputa-
ton of being strenuous In matters of belief.
and few Protestants understand how great
has been the progress which this Church
has made since the Middle Ages. In Amer
lea. 1t has laid more and more stress on
conduct. ard less and less on occult things,
and thus fitted itself to deal with prac-
teal questions surprisingly WELL Its or
ganization is, and has long been, very
nearly perfect, appealing to more OF the
needs of human nature than any other one
Church ever has. 1t will have something
to do about this great upstirring of relig-
ous thought, if there is to be one. But 1t
will say very little. The discussion will
be done by the various Protestant sects.
There is one thing which ought to be un-
lerstood by everybody. The creed of the
average church member is mixture of es-
will have to be weeded out The fact that
-eason is TO be used as an authority above
hat OF the Church. or the Bible, will not
lffect the fundamental truths of either.
Christ himself gave two commandments,
which as he expressly stated, were the
oundation of all religion. and the only ones |
necessary to be obeyed. and they are very |
simple 1t is possible that after the great |
coming movement is over. the creed of
he future viii include not much more |
han those two commandments, because |
hey appeal to reason, and are incontro-
,ertible.
The beginning of another week. one Of
he last of the present session of Congress
I the Administration has its way. is a
good time to remind the twenty-six Demo-
rats in the Senate that, if Hanna and
lis associates are allowed to secure an adj
hair bod