Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1915-04-24
md VIEWS OF INTEREST IN RELIGIOUS FIELD
WORLD HAS ENOUGH ROOM FOR
ALL RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS
Truth Tested in Development of Spiritual Le-Freedo Ne
cessity of Progressive Experience.

There g room enough In the world
for men Of varying religious conVic-
tions. 1t cannot be expected that men
will have identicaIly the same ex-
periences Of religious truths. They
do not have the same ideas in Indus-
trial affairs or come to the same con-
clusions on variety Of matters in
which they are interested. Physicians
are not totally agreed on many
things in which 1t might be supposed
they could not possibly differ for
scientific reasons. The layman who
found his way in the sessions of the
American Medical Association con-
Vention at Atlantic City last summer
must have been greatly impressed by
the differences of opinion expressed
on various subjects. Lawyers are not
in unity concerning the Interpretation
Of the meaning of laws, constitution
al and statutory. Educators at their
conventions express a variety of d.
verse views on the principles and
processes OF educational work.
Why should it be supposed that In
religion there can be no variety of
ideas and cherished convictions tested
oy experience? Is not freedom de-
sirable in the religious life? II all
men were obliged to submit to some
creed or code OF beliefs previously ar
ranged for them, could any progress
In this field be hoped for? The spe-
cial progress made In religion is in
the deepening and broadening of
spiritual life and in the experiences
within the consciousness of man.
Freedom Is a necessity for this pro-
gressive experience, and the expert
ence must itself find expression in
stated forms OF beliefs, ever subject
to modification. The experience comes
first and then expression. To take
the views and beliefs of one genera
ton and to impose them on another,
as though the end of spiritual ex-
per1ence and expression had been
reached and there could be no further
experience, is getting the cart before
the morse, to use familiar adage.
Lacks Enlightenment.
One Of the quite distinctive atti-
tudeS OF Rev. William A. Sunday is
his intolerance. He assumes that
there can be no other point of view
OF religion than his own. II any
group of Christians differ sharply
with him, his method of disposing of
them Is very simple. He bundles to-
gether Unitarians, Christian Scien-
lists, New Thought disciples, and a
few others and consigns them forth
with to hell That Is the place he be-
lieves in most, judging by his fire.
quent and fond references to IL.
But his utterances plainly show that
he is not properly informed In regard
to these groups he so speedily and
deftly sends to the burning. Either
he ls not informed or he wilfully mis-
represents them. 1t is more charitable
| to believe that he lacks enlightenment
on the ideas of these various groups.
One of the first requirements of a
minister of the gospel more than any
! other public worker is that he state
| correctly the views of those with
whom he differs.
The Unitarian group is prepared to
defend itself whenever Rev. William
| A Sunday attacks 1t. They are get
ting ready in Boston. In Philadel-
phia they made gains In Paterson
it is reported. more of their literature
is in demand than was the case II
Philadelphia In these particular
the evangelist has been OF service Il
this religious body, and this servic.
has been acknowledged. The Uni.
tarians have not generally been dis.
| posed to publicity, but they have beer
Il
/ quiry has started about their
IDEAS In Philadelphia they entered
/ on a campaign of advertising in the
newspapers with good results. Chris
| tian Scientists, New Thoughtists and
| others have entered on no conspicuous
defense. They have generally adopted
the course Of ignoring the attacks al
| the tabernacle. It is hardly the
| Christian spirit that impels an assault
on the convictions OF any religious
| people. Every religious body, seeking
to do good and to live in accord witt
| it's faith and opportunity, has the
right to expect the respect 1t gives
to other religious bodies.
For some years there have beer
discussions on the possibility OF Chris
tian unity on the part OF churches
There has been feeling that IL
| spirit the churches of various names
| have been coming TO better under
| standing Of one another, and to 9
realization OF the necessity ana prac-
ticability OF corporation and a CO.