Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-09-05
The Great Religious Problem.

liHeo1oiS II. IodcOH, IN Inc OUTLOOK. /
| The great religious problem before us
| is how to cast out the errors Of an ou.-
worn creed and yet hold fast to its
truths-how to avoid what the Germans
lcall emptying the child out with the
BATH Absolute unbelief is by no means
the only attitude toward religious ques-
tons that shows the reactionary ten
deney of today: every advance iowa "a
what are called more liberal views
shows its reaction among those who
find something unsatisfying in them.
We have in Unitarianism form of re-
ligious belief which ought, apparently,
to appeal to every one by its simplicity,
its reasonableness and its liberty. II
has had for its leaders men of high ia
teliectual moral and spiritual charac-
ter. 1t has counted In it's ranks many
of its modest names in our history; and
yet as a popular movement ii is fall
ure. There is a constant inflow from
other denominations, but this is offset
by constant reaction, largely toward
Episcopalianism, with occasional ac-
cessions to Roman Catholicism.
There is a very evident significance
| In the trend we have seen among
Unitarians toward Episcopalianism and
even Roman Catholicism. Two ele-
ments Of attraction are observable -
liturgy and authority. Religion Is no.
merely matter of the intellect, but Of
the whole soul. Most people do not go
to church to think, but to feel, and
whatever stirs their religious emotions
and at the same time gives expression
to them, gives them deep satisfaction.
This may not be highly intellectual. but
it is not irrational. as we would some
times like to imagine. Evidently then,
one problem of no little Importance for
non liturgical churches Is to recognize
more fully the sensuous element In re-
ligion and to provide for its legitimate
satisfaction.
Another element of great Importance,
though perhaps less distinctly realized.
Is authority-and coupled with 1t the
element of mystery. In the Episcopal
church, and of course still more In the
Roman Catholic church, the suggestion
of authority is everywhere present. 1t
is not generally obtrusive. but is every
where implied. a mind with its spilrit-
ual longings unsatisfied, perplexed with
the great problems of life and death,
wearied with intellectual efforts at
satisfactory explanation, is glad to
commit their solution to church that
will assume the responsibility, without
inquiring too closely into its title deeds.
When Unitarianism began. 1t seemed
likely to carry all before it. Jefferson
prophesied that in fifty years all Amer
lea would be Unitarian. But Its devel-
opment was soon checked. For all It's
reasonableness, the mass OF the people
refused to accept it. 1t was. as hey
said, too cold. The reason for this
GOODNESS lay, not in any theory con-
cerning the person of Christ, but In the
question over which the contest was
really waged-the doctrine OF total de-
pravity Small blame to the funital1ans
for protesting against that doctrine
in the horrible form in which 1t was
then presented. But In their endeaVor
to make religion more humane they
cast out that element in 1t which Is
most essential to human nature--tne
doctrine OF the new life, known also as
regeneration and as conversion. 1t is
the conviction that it's adherents nave
entered upon a new life which mas
been the power of religious movements
in all ages.
To sum up, then. in word the re-
suits which we have reached, the prob
lem which we have to meet is, "How to
maintain the spiritual life OF the
church in view Of the changing views
concerning the Bible and the conse-
auent undermining OF our religious
faith?" The answer to the problem ]
find to lie in new theology" founded
on Gods revelation of himself in hui