The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-12
D~ISTEMpERED THEOLOGY.
What Shall a Minister Do When
Church and Conscience Conflict?

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: Your
editorial article on Or. Melish's confess
sion that a certain phrase In the burial
service Is q lie, and that he knows In
reading It that It Is a lie. touches tho
capital distemper Of modern theology.
What IL n clergyman to do who comes
to disbelieve IN m of tho solemn utter
ances which no Is required officially to
make? Shall he leave his church. or at
least declare publicly that he rejects the
statements that offend him? Or snail
he stay and keep silent?
The position that he should keep
silent lest he grieve the many good
hearts to whom the doctrinal phrases in
question are the truth Of God Is un-
q~uestionably the current solution OF the
ethical problem involved. not only
adopted in practice but defended in
books; not only covertly invoked to
soothe the private conscience, but openly
set forth as part of "A new and ingenious
philosophy OF conformity.
| crave space OF II ScN to givc II
as my Judgment that this solution Is
calamitous. II Is c~alainitous ultimately
to the integrity OF tho individual. Tor
II destroys the primary qud!ity or a
preacher. namely. moral passion. Moral
passion cannot live In the dead hand OF
tdsulSlIN. AIu ~ ~ "'e
long has been so, to the church. When
has any church bound to an orthodox
creed urged and impiored men to seek
truth?
Seek TRUTH Yes, on condition that
you do not transgress our theological
boundaries. Love truth? Yes. but II in
love tor Il YOU DENY any of the articles
you will 60 10 hell. Tn truth shall
make YOU free? oh. yes. but he care
full. or we snail burn you at the stake.
This, be 1t our shame to confess, has
been the historic attitude of Christian
churches. And quite In line with this
Is the attitude which would forbid an
honest doubter to be an honest man,
because of the susceptlbilities OF tinid
Iiety. How bring men Of honor 10 the
ministry or the membership OF such IA
Christianity or how. IL they come. re-
tain them?
Tho proposed excuses FOR dupliclty
would stop progress and sti1e truth.
Mankind has made a Few steps forward
20 the light, only because there have
been glorious apostatcs. Paul was
Missed by his former brethren and many
OF them vino did not hiss him wept for
him with broken hearts. Jesus was
called q madman by His " family.
Their hearts too were broken to see
HIM a rebel from the pontirs aud the
priests. but without such men We
should to-day be towards all. sitting
conteutel IN our caves, and chatter!ng
even worse superstitio,s than Ne are
INDUCING now,
Let mo say IN conclusion that there
Is no tenderness in picty that truth will
permanently injur.. There ia no holy
nope OF mankind that truth " II destroy,
More than this. whoever. in order TO be
true, reuouuccs familiar consultations
and accustomed solaces, will unques-
tionablv be a hundredfold recompenscd.
II Is not "a consolation OF the higher
spirit but Of the lower emotions, to hug
n delusion that We fear to examine.
Nor Is any JOY so pure as that which
Is tot afraid to look reason in the face.
WILLIAM l.. SULLIVAN.
Associate Minister, All Souls Unita-
rian Church.
NEW YoRK. November II.