Evening star., 1909-04-24

Rev. G. w. H Troop.
Rev G. W. II. Troop, who resigned
as curate of st. Johns Episcopal Church.
Georgetown, recently, to enter the minis
try Of the Unitarian Church, had an in
terview with Bishop Harding during the
week. Later he announced that he will
preach his first sermon before congre-
cation of Unitarians the third Sun
day of May. He will announce the cities
in which he will deliver sermons later.
In a statement setting forth his reasons
for leaving the Episcopal Church. he
said Yes, am very glad 10 have the
opportunity of adding something to the
statements | already have made on my
resignation from the Episcopal Church.
My conscience has been troubling me
ever since | saw in print the statement
of my attitude toward the doctrine of the
deity of Jesus Christ. for fear that what
then said might lead toVhe impression
that was entering the Unitarian Church
for purely negative reasons. Now. ] am
not entering the Unitarian Church merely
because | have ceased to believe certain
things. | am not joining tina. body under
the false impression that 1t holds the
minimum of faith possible for those who
call themselves Christians. I would not
like any one to think that my abandon
ment of orthodoxy has been A grief to
me. On the contrary. it has been the most
joyful emancipation.
Liberal theology has been to me what
the sight of the cross was 10 BunNan 5
pilsrim-the lifting of great burden from
my soul.
Il already have been free in the inner
chambers OF my mind for some time But
the further step that l am now taking is
going to bring me freedom in the eyes Of
the world as we'll.
II am entering the Unitarian Church
because ] believe that it has fuller,
cladder gospel TO proclaim than have any
Of the orthodox churches-a gospel that is
really good tidings of great joy.'
Il am not entering the Unitarian Church
merely because / have ceased to believe
certain things and because / am doubtful
about others. but because the great posi-
tive beliefs of religion by which / live
seem to me to be much more clearly set
forth by Unitarians than they are by or
thodoNy. Not only SO. but many of these
great positive beliefs are obscured and
even denied by orthodoxy.
Here are a few of these beliefs to
which | refer: The fatherhood of God.
the brotherhood of man: the progress of
mankind ever upward and onward the
ultimate triumph of good over evil and
happiness over pain. not only in the race
as a whole. but in every individual man
man not fallen, but evolving; man the in
carnation of God. and not only Jesus
Christ: mans judgment the ultimate seat
of authority in religion, and not the voice
of pope or Bible or even Jesus Christ;
mans influence upon man the great me-
dium of moral regeneration. and not sac
ramental other form of supernatural
grace: the true humanity of Jesus Christ
the right and duty of every man TO think
for himself in religion as in everything
else: 1.-THE Legitimacy and sanctity of
doubts: religion as finding the true sphere
Of its operation. not merely In the per-
formance of church duties. but in the ac-
Tive field of mans varied labOrs.
Such faiths these l do firmly believe
@ n o
they are most certainly not faiths which
can easily be derived from the doctrines
Of orthodoxy. Indeed, in many instances
they are denied by 1t.
Yes ii is true that this new theology
constitutes the creed of the broad church.
man But it is only by a good deal of
theological sleight-of-hand that he is able
10 reconcile il with orthodoxy.
Il have found that this new theology,
this Unitarian gospel. forms a very con-
siderable portion Of the real creed of lots
of orthodox people. But these people only
imagine themselves orthodox. Their lives
show complete divorce between religion
and theology.
Minister to Be Called.
The session of the Chevy Chase Pres
pNterian Church is in correspondence
with two Princeton Theological Seminary
students Messrs David NJ I.yslc and
Gsudcc with a view of securing either
ono or the other for the vacant pastor
ate Mr.. Lysle will preach tomorrow
and Mr. Candee probably the following
sunday
\ church social will be held at the IL
brary building Tuesday evening, and it is
expected. that Mr.. Lyse will be present.
A meeting OF the subcommittee of the
Presbyterian Church Alliance was held
This week to consider the matter of the
alliance assuming the remaining indebt-
edness on the lots in Chevy Chase circle
upon which the church will be built IL
is hoped that definite plans for building
viii be adopted within the next few
weeks.
Birthday Anniversary of Gen. Grant.
The eightyseventh anniversary of the
birth of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant will be OBJ
served in the Metropolitan Methodist
Episcopal Church. John Marshall place
and 4 street. tomorrow evening.
Re-. Dr. John Reid shannon. the pas
tor. viii preach Spiritual Lessons
from Events. Battles ard Victories in the
life of Gen. Grant
\ number Of Il. 4. Il. posts and other
patriotic organizations of the District are
expected to send delegations.
Musical Service.
\ musical service will be given by the
choir of the First Presbyterian Church
tomorrow evening. The service has been
designated IAN evening with the choir
The program follows:
organ voluntary, Sunset Melody" Vim
cent; The Lord is i'll His Holy Temple. -
tieble. quartet Jesus. Lover of MY
Soul, W. e. Williams: bass solo. Come
Holy Spirit" Wagner: soprano solo, 1.-The
Earth is the Lords Lynes. organ solo
Pilgrims Chorus. Wagner: duet. tenor
aud bass. My Soul is Weary" Shelley;
trio, soprano, alto. tenor. Now Abidetll
Faith, Hope and Love" Shelley: offer
tory. organ solo, nocturne. Mendelssohn;
tenor solo. For with the Lord" Shelley
quartet. II VIII Magnify Thee" Mosen-
;hal-kien. ''Nunc Dimttis' Gcible; or
gan postlude. Batiste.
The choir is composed of Mrs. L. a
Roberts. soprano: Miss Mary Il. Finney
contraito: Charles Stevenson. tenor. and
II. II. Helwig. bass Mrs. G. +. Schultz is
the organist and director.
Election of Officers.