New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-21
LYMAN ABBOTT'S TEACHINGS.

Even if DR. Abbott had not predicted that ne
would be denounced for his utterances to Har-
ward students last Sunday, such treatment couid
have been fOreseen. For centuries there nave
been progressive and conservative elements in the
Christian Church. between which there have
been differences of opinion about dogma; and
so long as men and women are endowed with
brains disagreement must continue in the very
nature of things The discussion thus excited
is sometimes conducted amably and sometimes
bitterly Burning at the stake is no longer in
fashion as q method of evincing disapproval o.
new and unacceptable doctrines, but verbal
abuse is still common. DIR. Abbott has had ample
reason to be aware Of that fact
It is for the pulpit and religious press, not the
daily newspaper to pass Judgment upon the
soundness of DR. Abbott's views. There are other
phases of the subject however, Of which the
Iaty may properly take note. One is that Ques
lions which TO day are apparently of overwhem-
ing inheritance are ignored to- morrow. There
was a time when man who believed that the
earth revolved on it's axis and moved in an orbit
about the sun deemed worthy of death. y
second significant fact is that the constant adj
vances which are being made in thought result
from the agitation which follows the utterance of
a striking idea. The doctrine is to be chal
lenged by somebody, more or less animated
controversy ensues. and eventually the world
rejects the suggestion as baselesS discovers
that II is not without some elements of truth
Though little has been done toward the formal
restatement of beliefs. there is strong demand
for concessions of that sort in all Christian de-
nominations, in order TO keep in outward har-
mony with real changes which have taken place
in the faith of church members Theology is
science Like other sciences, it makes progress
Progress is effected only in consequence of ar
gunent and reflection which have been provoked
by the discovery that an influential person has
modified his convictions on some topic in which
the public takes great interest. New ideas are
not necessarily correct, of course, and if they
are unsound they sure to go TO the wall
To worry unduly bout the expression of them
therefore. Is unnecessary.
The considerations which lead people to at
tend church are various Some, but not all, of
the members of a congregation are in full sym
patty with the doctrlnal standards of the organ
ization. Others are attracted because they hear
so little about doctrine and because the preacher
is q spiritual minded man or an eloquent speaker
few persons doubtless go from force Of habit
and now and then the dominating motive is a
praiseworthy desire to please ones wife or to
offer a wholesome example to ones children
Social ties, and especially habtual cooperation
in certain OF the noble activities Of church.
also have a place among the controlling motives
of the attendants Besides these classes there
is another not Il small one, ether-that is seen
in places of worship. 1t is composed of Young
men, usually of good standing and character
but who are for one reason or another unable
10 accept all of the dOgmas which are still cur
rent. They not bound by any domestic or
other obligation TO continue the practice of
going 10 church. and their doubts and skeDti-
cism tend to esrange them from it, Now II
Is an Indispuabe fact that DR.. Abbott has q
peculiar hold on the affection Of such persons
This NAV be due, and probably is, TO the fact
that he has taste for scientific reading and has
found a way to reconcile Ito his own satlsfac-
ton. at least the teachings of the former with
what he deems the essential lessons of the Bible
man of his gifts and experience who can
reach hearts and minds that other clerpvmen
cannot touch is certainly entitled TO be treated
with respect not to say veneration nv those
who have detected the secret of his power
No enumeration OF the qualities which in com
bination constitute the ideal preacher yvouId he
complete which did not include an oyerpowering
sense OF human infrmity and vivid convention
of the best means Of correcting IT, II ia per.
Missile perhaps TO set up these two character
istics as a standard in estimating the practicaI
value of n clergyman in an enlightened COM
munity If such an assumption be granted II
would be well to ask those who enioyed Dr.
Abbott's mnistrations regularly for wears before