Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-01
HETERoDoxY

| A MASSACHUSETTS clergyman, OBJ
| N viously man of the stamp when
at one time burned witches at the
| stake, has raised delicate issue. In
some way the Rev. Gustavus Adolphus
Hoffman became involved in the matter
of note representing certain amount
of money due the Christian Bible col
lege of Boston. When the pledge
became due and the theological school
attempted to collect, the Rev. Gustavus
declined to make good on the ground
that when he obligated himself he
Since then he has discovered, accord
ing to his allegations, that It's authori-
ties take no stock in the legend rela-
tive to one Jonah and the whale. which
is evidence enough, to him, of the het-
erodoxy of the school. The courts of
the Bay state will be asked to pass
upon the matter.
This incident opens up a wide range
for discussion. The first thing to be
established is legal definition of the
much abused term orthodox" After
the provincial courts have threshed the
matter out, or ungracefully 'passed the
buck" to still higher courts, we may
reasonably expect that other Hoffmans
will arise and raise perplexing ques-
tions regarding the orthodoxy of theo-
logical institutions These attacks upon
the preacher factories of the country
-knI fGh
chairs of theological jurisprudence in
both law and divinity schools.
There is a still more serious aspect
to this question. Not only is the peace
of mind of theologians threatened by
the daring of the Massachusetts expo
nent of the "kiver to kiver' cult, not
only are the authors Of natural his
tories liable to impeachment, but If the
courts should happen to decide in favor
Of the contentious of the Rev. Gustavus,
who is there with imagination so case
hardened that he will not be able to
discern the broad possibilities In the
application of the general principle
established by the courts to domains
remote from those of theology?
Take the field of politics, for instance,
which goes, or should go, hand in hand
with religion. Suppose, for example
that Brown has been elected to congress
on the Republican ticket, after having
affirmed, in public speeches and through
the medium of the press, his "unalter-
able devotion to all the fundamental
principles underlying that party. UP
rises Jones, who voted for Brown with
the explicit understanding that the lat
ter was an orthodox Republican, believ-
ing firmly in the principle OF protection
for that greatest of all home INDUSTRIES
the trust Jones demands the resigna-
ton or expulsion from congress of
Brown after he learns that Brown has
betrayed the confidence reposed in him
by supporting a measure intended to
deprive fat and still fattening trust
of the protection 40 OF 45 per cent
tariff duty has afforded it.
If the courts determine that the Bos-
ton divinity school accepted or secured
money, or a pledge to pay money. under
false pretenses, that it allowed the Rev.
Gustavus to run along home under the
that it was orthodox when 1t
we'll knew that it was heterodox, and
if it is ordered to refrain from pressing
it's claim or seeking further moneys
until it hangs out a banner inscribed
mot Orthodox" may we not dare to
hope that the courts likewise will apply
the general principle to politics as we'll
as to religion? Is it fair to compel the
hauling down of the flag Of piracy in
religion and to let it float over the craft
of politics?