New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-10
,CFTYODTSf VINDTCAPED.

The practically unanimous acquitLal OF Dr.
Borden p. Bovine Of charges Of heresy has
been by far the most interesting and, we may
add. the most important incident OF the Meth
odist Episcopal Conference now in session In
BROOKLYN Il IS agreeable TO record that,
through iudicious management, II was not per-
rnitted 10 be made sensational in the common
and offensive meaning OF that word There
was nothing in # to "split the ears OF the
e-roundlincs" But beyond doubt, IL com
mauded the keen and sympathetic attention OF
the thinking world in an exceptional degree.
1t was no slight thing for one Of the metropol-
tan conferences OF the largest Protestant
Church IN America to deal with charges OF
heresy. preferred against one Of the most emf
nent theological and philosophical scholars that
Church has produced Upon the result Or.
Bovine is himself to be congratulated Still
more in some respects, is the Church TO which
he belongs TO be congratulated upon what is not
only its acquittal Of him. but also its v1ndica-
ton OF itself
For In such a case the Church itself is virtual
" upon trial Heresy is a matter OF interpreta-
ton There IS no hard and fast definition of It
Beyond certain limits, no man can confidently
saw This is heresy' and This IS not as he
might saw. This IS an eCuilateral and this
scalene triangle" Before heresy can be defined,
or q hereto convicted the point Of view must
be defined From the point Of view OF Gahleos
iudges. It was heresy TO believe that the earth
moved around the sun. From the point OF view
Of some theoIogians Of Edwards's time, 1t was
heresv 70 believe that unbapdzed infants dy-
ing. could escape eternal damnation Ever
since II was announced that DR.. Bovine would
he brought to trial for heresy there has been
keen curiosity 10 see whether the Church or
Wesley. that most liberal Of theoogians, would
odoD+ a 1oolnt OF view from which the teach
IN .7sa7 aa hpraf fl
cal. That It has not done so is cause for pro-
found rejoicing among all fits members and
friends.
..Trr+o the Jews n stumbling block, and unto
the Greeks foolishness" was the authoritative
description. centuries ago. Of one Of the basic
doctrines Of Christianity. II might seem IT.
reverent 70 draw q likeness between any phi
losophv OF mans devising and the doctrine
which was. through inspiration, preached TO the
Corinthians. Yet we are not so sure or that
Truth is truth, and all truth is OF God. de-
vout and profound philosopher Of these days
may be privileged to see new truths, or, rather.
new manifestations or aspects OF old truths-for
all abstract truth is old-as surely as any or cen
turtles ago Moreover such new revelations OF
truth may as OF old, be to some who are as de-
vout as the Jews OF that day a stumbling
block, and TO some who at least think them
selves as wise as the Greeks foolishness. we
remember hearing pious theOlogians exclaim in
horror against the heresy and blasphemy OF
saying that the fossils in the rocks were not
created just so, but were put into that condition
through long processes Of nature. But the
geologist who put forth that "heresy" was as
surely revealing Gods truth to the world as the
Apostle who preached justification by faith.
1t is. then, q gratifying thing and not less
gratifying because 1t was confidently expected,
that the Methodist Episcopal Church, or at any
rate the important part OF it represented IN
this metropolitan conference takes point OF
view from which it can regard sound logic,
acute reasoning and profound scholarship as
entirely compatible with piety and spirituality.
Nav. more. We may believe that It regards
those former things as actual aids and adiuncts
70 the latter. Ii holds that while man may not
"by searching find out Cod" yet it is not only