Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-04-21
IBrooklyn Citizen.l


senses, can accept such self-contradic-
tory nonsense?
New York SUM-.
Eventually the Presbyterian church
will be Obliged to deal with these ques-
the other. either by enforcing obedience
Ito the Westminster Confession, with its,
doctrines of the infallible inspiration of
Scripture and "Of Gods Eternal De-
cree" or by positively and formally re-
ljecting them and completely trans
forming the Presbyterian creed accord
ingly.
dorchester Post Express.J
Dr. Hills way of expressing dissent
from the Presbyterian creed is too SEN
sational, ard can not fail to offend
many persons not accustomed to such
language from the pulpit. Some of
them Will think, no doubt, that he has
approached dangerously near the line
iof blasphemy. But regard it in what
i.ever9lisht one may, 1t is to be deplored.
lit is not theological controversy that
4 the world IS in greatest need of now;
| it Is the practical application of the
teachings Of Christianity to the thou
sand and one problems that confront
/ the man anxious to improve the condi-
ton of his fellows.
[Chicago Evening Postl
l Why is not the confession revised and
made to conform to the spirit of the
age,gto reason and the modern con-
science? Because. DR.. Hills truly an
swers the majority of Presbyterians
Insist upon the retention of articles
/ deemed nonstrcus by the liberal
minded. But revolt is inevitable, and it
is occasionally manifested in dramatic
| ways. Usually the dissent is unac-
acknowledged The process OF reconstruc-
tion is gradual and slow, but it is pro-
ceeding in all denominations. Ethical
obligations are regarded as essential,
lard dogma is losing It's hold The liter
alists and traditionalists fight hard, but
the stream of tendency is toward mer-
icy, charity, hope and love as the basis
Eof religion.
Trey. j. H. o. Smith, Union Christian
The controversy over Mr.. Hills SER
mon and subsequent resignation from
/ the Chicago presbytery is not a ques-
5tion Of personalities. 1t is part of that
agitation which has been gathering
force for years which concerns the
\ whole creed question and the whole
church. The best remedy for the creeds
is to enforce them. If the doctrines
A they contain are necessary for saliva
ltion. of course they should be sub
united to every applicant for member
4 ship. Ifsthe welfare of the church is in.
VOWED in the doctrines set forth in the
slfcreed, the church will prosper as the
of the church is enforced
Human creeds are human opinions en-
4 acted into laws. enforced by human
penalties, and have been the cause OF
4 disturbance, division and arrested de-
yelopnlent to the extent of their con-
sistent enforcement. The Catholic must
leave his pope, the Protestant his as
sembly, the Christian Scientist Mrs.
/ Eddy to interpret the truth. No one
a can object TO the expression of views
upon the partof any of these, but when
Ithes undertake to close the case and
determine for all time the limits of in
tvestigation. the creed becomes as falls
L bic as its authors. The creeds have not
entireIy arrested the progress of the
bctlurch, because the church has not
| been loyal 10 them. The things neces-
sary for salvation and for th. Welfare
lof the church are found in the word OF
j God, which was given for this Very
purpose. If God failed can men sue
#ceed?
.EIRev. r. A. White, Stewart Avenue
UniNersalist.i
! Referring to universaiism recently, a
leading Clergyman of this cit. said:
4 ut is difficult to say which is most
disastrous in its influence upoE morals
A q theology which makes Gods wrath
the dominant tone or the theology
i which meanls perverts Gods love and
RECKLESS in morals" The Implication is
THAT while Calvinism makes God bru-
astal, lFniversalism makes Him morally
4 indifferent. Eniversalism differs from,
n the Calvlnistic theory of punishment in
4 basing it upon scientific facts. The
punishment Of traditional Calvinisn
was purely arbit.ary7-a hell of flame
for spiritual error. l set up an inn
4 aginarN sin and decreed an eterna
punishment for it. With no Vital reia-
il5tion between the sin and the form OF
duration of the punishment.U Universal
3lism defines sin as the conscious break
Ling of law, whether that law is physi-
i cal, mental. moral or spiritual EVIL is
AZ the result of broken laws. whether con.
isciously or unconsciously broken. Uni
4 versalism rests upon the scientific doc.
Urine of the inevitable relation of cause
Il and effect. No ecclesiastical plan Of
II forgiveness, no shibbolstll of church ol
4 priest can rescue the sinner from hi.
II jus, punishments. Only, punishment,
lis natural, the punishment as TO kim
land duration is adjusted by natura
flaws to the sin or evil There is no ac
Ecident about it, nothing arbitrary abou
lit. Divine punishment includes ever,
4 kind of pain. physical, mental or 20
!! conscience, now or hereafter. conse.
4 quent upon broken laws God Hi,nsel
Il can not save sinner from the natu
raj result of disobedience to eterna
4 laws.
WHO ARE THE ELECT?
To the Editor Of the Sun--Dear Sir:
once knew an old gentleman. a nativ,
of Scotland and a rigid Presbyterian
i to whom one day l said, You have al
4 ways been a Presbyterian; explain L
me what is meant by the elect" H
! replied: Doctor, the general publi
a should not know too much about thes
4 questions; it is enough that the teach
\ ers of theology should be familiar Will
them: still, as you are good friend o
a mine, and know you will not repea
II what 1 am about to tell you, al leas