New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-24
DOGMA VERSUS FORKS.
BY THE REV. r. =. 4. VAIL.

bN THE REV r =. 81. VAIL
The religious world is but mildly interested in
the case OF DR.. Garter. and simply wonders what
Will he the outcome. Its attitude is significant of
times, for fathers in their day would have
been keenly agitated. and our remOter ancestors
would have risen in Men have been i'm
prisoued, racked and burned for less. Here is a
man who challenges the authorities OF his Church
upon this that subordinate point. but upon
the whole system of its faith: and not with mild
dissent. but with total reputation. Yet this Pres
bytery sustains him, and 50 approves his position
that ii asks the General Assembly to adopt it
the organic law Of the Church And this ecclesi-
astical body IS Presbyterian,
The fathers fought doctrines with marvel
lous zeal Not only did CaIvinist quarrel with Ar
meuian. hut Presbyterian separated from Presby-
terrain. No point was So fine that II could
tain the superStructure Of denomination, for
eternal destinies rested u0on correct apprehen-
sion Of the system of doctrine" But since those
days welcome change has taken place. other
subjects now occupy the mind OF the public. and
dOCtriral discussions are regarded the peculiar
function Of professionals People I'm general have
learned associate religion from doctrine. and
TO believe that if the life be true theories may
differ without harm They have ceased 10 so To
church for instruction in the system and seek
there. instead Inspiration. hope. strength and
fort. They choose their communion not be-
cause Of doctrinal agreements. but for thousand
other
The ecclesiastical organization slowly but surely
catches UP the popElar sentiment while ago
Professor SONpe. OF Boston l DlNerSIJN, was tried
by the NethodlStS ior HereSy livery one IeIt II 70
be anachroniSm- No doubt he differed widely
doubt he is good man. and a scholar intent or
teaching The truth His trial was almost farce.
Now it is the Presbyterans Think of the change
I'm decade, Ten years ago proposal 10 revise
the Confession rejected Ivy the Church courts.
and DR.. Briggs who professed his sincere accept
ance Of the Westrtustsr symbols was condemned.
Now the Confession has been authoriJatively re-
viSed. and DIR. Carter who has the temerity to say
t4at even so II Is burden ana mat Us God Is an
idol. Il not only upheld by MS PreSbytery but -
be entertained by the Assembly but 1t Is none the
less a revolution that ne is not branded as
The giving up OF subscription To the Westminster
Confession OF Faith by Union Seminary is another
tn recent WORDS OF Lyman ABBOTT is sun another
Yet ne who supposes that religion is dccaying mis-
which passes away: The interesting thing is that
edge what the peoD!e already know. ard that the
time has arrived for the passing OF heresy- The
new century opens upon a larger faith and
kindlter spirit
THE SEARCH FOR STRAY SHEEP.
An excellent work in the way of house to house
canvass is being carried on just now BY group
OF uptown churches IN the 19th and 21st As
sembIy districts These districts lie between Six
tieth and Observation-Disclosures SITS. on the
West Side The churches thus far engaged in this
neighborhood effort are six EpiscopaIian. three
Presbyterian two lutheran. two Baptist and two
Methodist and one congregational one Moravian.
one Reformed and one Universalist. The canvass
i oeinS made under tHf SUPERVISION OF the tedeTa
ton of Churches.
Each church accepting DISTRICT has about elev-
ca hundred families assigned 70 Il, or three
four blocks. the case nay Be It's canvasser
calls upon each family the block, inquiries the
name the number Of persons IN the family.
whether church attendants. and II SO. upon what
church; # not. what il the denonlnatonal prefer
ence. whether the children 20 10 Sunday school,
and
When a church canVasser has completed his jour
ney Of investigation through the houses of the
block he has secured a large amount OF eCcleSias
teal information both varied and valuable. This
information Is sent the office OF the federation
in the Bowling Green Building, where the work of
tahulatlon and distribution is done As soon as
possible the returns To- the respective churches are
made. The names and addresses oi all families
claiming ATTENDANCE upon any one ~nufch are sent
TO that church Epis"opaiiaus having no church
home are reported to the nearest CplscupaI church
cEurcheSs lreshyJeriauS to tha nearest PreSby-
terrain church. non-atteudant Roman catholics 20
the nearest Roman CathcGS church. and so on
Thus nearly every family gets its name 10 the par
ucuiar cEuIch 70 which 1t naturally belongs AFTER
that II rests Win inc church receiving the report
10 look il up and gather IL in BY this method OF
associated eLoft and Interchange If Information
results are obtained in the discovery II stray non
atteGeants "nlGh no one church could secure tor
itself. The Method Is iCeal
As an. Illustration OF the discoveries made, take
certain residential block between columbus and
Amsterdam ltes- where a canvass has recently
been made. The tota! number of families IS - OF