The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-04
INFTDELS IN THE COLLEGES.

The president OF one of Virginia colleges
is reported to have said that this country was
to the fate Of the Roman Empire and !
the first French Republic because the colleges
are. If not antagonistic, certainly indifferent TO
the teachings of Christianity
We think this is not only gross exaggera-
ton but indicates a 1amentable msunderstand- +
ing OF the situation as we'll ,.
The fact is that never in all the history Of
our educational institutions has there been such
unanimity Of belief in the principles OF Chris |
tianity and so much active and aggressive
Christian endeavor as DIT the present time. It
would be extremely difficult for this gentleman
to name single atheist connected with any OF
our great colleges universities. Agnosticism
has a larger following but they OF this cult
will profess that they are not agnostcs in the
sense of denying the established verities of the
Christian faith but only In the sense OF not
being bound by doglnas that stand the
test of scientific knowledge So far as in
fidelity is concerned 1t is naturally true where
men in the mass think for themselves that
here and there individuals may be discovered
whose opinions do not harmonic with the pre-
sailing belief, but nowhere to-day do these in
dvduals number so many exert great
influence, as to command popular following as
used to be the ease when almost every college
boasted of its "intdel club" And as for the
ethics and social obligations of Christianity. the
Christian activity in the colleges themselves
and the courses in the curriculum of every
institution will refute the charge that these
things are despised neglected
+ We think that the trouble with this gentle
of another age in determining his estimate of
conditions to-day. He is probably bringing
modern conditions under the microscopic ex-
animation of spirit out of harmony with the
principles of modern scientific thought and
modern intellectual progress,
The truth is that men not bound by man
made creeds as they Men are
exercising the right aud privilege of indepen-
dent thought they have never done before
They are denying the right of any other aggre-
CATION of men to make n creed and bind it upon
their eonsciences. Because of this fact, they
are not as credulous as they were. They do not
accept without investigation that which they
once regarded as established. because some
ecclesiastical council deereed il. They are
making larger demand that the articles of their
faith shall appeal to the reason. BY such pro
cesses independence of thought will inevitably
bring protest against and denial of much thai
utterance of some church or churehmen
! But all the while there has been sincere
and earnest effort to learn the truth and the
emphasis has been placed in this quest of truth
upon that which lies close to character and has
practical and large value. We believe that ONT
splendid result is that many have arrived
at a religious faith that cannot be shaken be
cause 1t Is founded upon evidence that Appeals
TO the reason rather than upon the credulou'
acceptance of a creed that handed dowI
from another generation.
Another conspicuous result has been that mer
in searching for the truth have placed the EN-
phasis upon the teachings of the Master. And
from their Investigations the present age has
inherited a view OF social obligations and o
ceding ages OF indiyiduasm to shame Never
in all history have men so manifested the spiri
of brotherly sympathy and kindness and ths
purpose to employ their resources in the uplif
and betterment Of the world as at the presen
moment. No man familiar with the grea
movements and forces Of contemporaneous life
will deny this.
1t Is true that in such period of Transition
many have swung too far In such a period o
religious aud intellectual liberty many have
gone 10 extremes In avoiding the extreme o.
narrow individual future salvation men have
emphasized too much the extreme of presen
social good. But this was to be expected. W.
depiore IT, We do not at all sympathize witt
that latitude which marks the times in many
particulars which space forbids discussing
But I'VE think that reaction will take place
The pendulum will swing back again and the
net result win be that we shall md a stronger