The Portland daily press., 1901-01-12
PHILLIPS BRooKs,s PLACE IN THE
MODERN PULPIT.

mODEtAN fULFAIs
What the Germans call zeitgeist, spirit
OF the age, is fact to be reokoned with
and duly considered, If we would under
stand human events and characters
Thus the age OF Colombus was the era Of
discovery, and II he had not found
America, some one else would. Like
Saul, Columbus was somewhat taller
than his rivals, and 80 saw little
further. The same Is true OF the great
names In Astronomy, Geology, and ali
thu sciences The great names connected
with them, and in a measure synonyms
for them. such as Copernicus, Lyell,
Liebig, Pssteur, are entitled to the hon.
ors they have received, but there were
others who were only little lower and
slower in their discoveries.
10 this law Of progress, religion lie no
exception. II Luther had been born
earlier, he would have lived and died q
monk ana If he had not lived at ell, the
Reformation would have come all the
same, though perhaps in modified
form.
Again, by the middle Of the 10Th GEN.
tury, the theology OF the nth and 18th,
was more or less discredited. The live
points OF CaIvinism had lost their hold
ON the most thoughtful minds, while
more critical commentaries on the Scrip
lures, grew in favor. Meanwhile, the
clergy of all deu ON nations, aware of the
changed conditions, were conscious of
new spirit stirring within them, the CON-
sequence of which was q higher concep-
ton Of Christianity and more excellent
way of presenting it. Systematic
theology, bristling with sharp corners,
which no longer satisfied either the pull,
pit or the pews, was set aside and super
seeded by a nearer approach to the SIM
pil3ity of Christ's gospel and his mode OF
teaching. The change was like fresh
current OF air freely admitted into a
churoh closed during the presiding week.
No one denomination can fairly claim
the credit OF the new Departure. All the
churches felt Its influence, even though
seemingly resisting and combating it,
Nor was 1t limited TO our own country,
for it has been as great and apparent in
England and Scotland as In the United
States. The causes were widespread and
the change was in the air.
Here as elsewhere however, a promi-
hence is by common consent assigned to
a few names more generally than TO
others Among these. Phillips Brooks
stands easily first, primus inter pares.
In all denominations including his own
church, there were kindred spirits, but
those most nearly allied to him, will
readily accord the primacy to him, es-
pecially for the last forty years. Phillips
Brooks, himself, would not have made
thisss-olaim, nor indeed any other. He
never claimed anything for himself. or
made any proclamation OF himself, his
services, learning, talent, or auGht else.
10 the last day he lived, he was the most
modest OF men. as Of ministers. Not
word or look escaped him implying,
much less assuming, precedence of his
brethren, whether of his own, or any
other church. In this, as In other re-
spects, the life and character of Phillips
Brooks are worthy of the highest esteem
and veneration. Other ministers may
emulate his sincerity, simplicity and
spirituality. the sources of his strength
and springs of his influence.
Happily. the voice OF detraction, except
by clique of his own church was never
raised against him, and now that he Is
gone from us, all mourn his loss as OF
one whose persuasive eloquenos and sweet
bleness, most effectively com
mended Christianity to the men OF our
time.
His biography, written by his friend
Professor A v. G. Allen Of Cambridge,
has recently appeared, and will we are
sure, prove a mine which viii be diligent-
ly explored by clergymen, and carefully
read by the laity OF all denominations.
In Offering this tribute. we by no means
detrAot one 3ot or title from his fellow
workers who were imbued essentially
with his spirit, and active on the same
linea. As there were heroes before
Agamenmon and others contemporary
with him, so there were and still are.
men OF similar mould with Phillips
BROOKE. whom he would have been the
first to recognize a. leaders OF this church