p. 512 | Giving Way by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Nov 15, 1883

Giving Way.

By Editor

UNDER the names of "religious development," "modern thought," "advanced science," etc., a change is taking place in the religious world, the significance and strength of which are, perhaps, hardly apparent to the casual observer. One after another of those who have been, and are still, regarded as responsible leaders and guides in the religious world, are making concessions to the demands of so-called science, which are a virtual surrender of the whole scheme of revelation and redemption. This, we are told, has been the cry at every new astronomical or geological discovery, and yet theology has adjusted itself to the new scientific theories and been none the worse for it in the end.

Granting all this, does it follow that there never can be demands made in the name of science which, if granted, would undermine the very foundations of the Christian system? Or shall we make concessions in this direction, till we can go as far as Henry Ward Beecher goes, when he says that there are no infidels; that what is called infidelity is only another form of Christian belief. Only a step more is required to meet the extreme claim of Spiritualists, that there is no sin, and that all evil is only "undeveloped good."

We had always supposed that Christianity did possess some fundamental principles; that among these was a belief in the authenticity and credibility of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, a recognition of the fact that man by sin has fallen and must depend upon a Redeemer for his future well-being, and that Christ has provided the requisite atonement for all who will accept of it. But a claim is now put forth in the name of science, which confessedly antagonizes and destroys these great principles. Evolution affirms that man exists not by special creation, but by development from lower animal forms. If this is so, the record in Genesis is untrue; there has been no fall; the Bible is a fable, and Jesus Christ was an impostor. This issue bears no comparison whatever to any that has ever been raised on the subject of astronomy or even of geology. There can be no adjustment here. It must be either total denial or unconditional surrender; and the present outlook shows the religious world leaning rather to the surrender than to the denial.

H. W. Beecher avows himself an evolutionist; and among his first utterances thereafter, he speaks of the fall of man as recorded in Genesis as a "fabulous disaster." If that is fabulous, the entire Scripture record is fable; for it all proceeds upon that hypothesis; and the whole plan of redemption is an idle dream; for it is provided to remedy that evil.

When men in high positions stand ready to accept theories, the result of which is acknowledged to be such as above stated, it is time for the friends of truth and righteousness to be alarmed.

And now another name appears, no less than that of Dr. McCosh of Princeton, in the list of those who indorse the theory of evolution. The Elmira Sunday Telegram, of recent date, says:—

"The gradual adjustment which is taking place between Christianity and the theories of evolution is one of the most interesting features of modern religious development. An able pamphlet on this subject recently published by Dr. McCosh, of Princeton, shows the present aspect of mutations. Dr. McCosh is a Christian thinker of acknowledged power. He does not, like Henry Ward Beecher, leap at a bound into the hypothesis of evolution, but goes into it slowly, step by step, proving such advance to his own satisfaction. His attitude is that of one who would reject evolution if he conscientiously could, but who finds it up to a certain point irresistible."

The very fact that these men are persons of acknowledged mental strength and power, is what will give them great influence to lead the masses in a wrong direction if they are wrong. This is more fully stated in the following paragraph:—

"Theology took its stand on the special creation of man. It would not admit his descent through evolution from lower animal forms. But recently it has shown signs of yielding upon this point. The Dean of Westminster said at Darwin's funeral that the doctrines of evolution were not hostile to Christianity. Henry Ward Beecher proclaims himself as a believer in evolution, and now the careful Dr. McCosh, by strict logic, cautiously reaches virtually the same point. What these big men boldly declare the smaller ones will soon begin to see."

It is a sad fact that the masses allow the men who are esteemed great to do all their theological thinking and formulate their creed for them. We expect the result will be as here stated, and that smaller men and much of the rank and file of the religious world will follow the lead of these men.

What is involved in still retaining these men in their ecclesiastical positions is set forth in another paragraph from the same article:—

"The church will not fall, but it must be underpinned with new foundations and supported with new buttresses. For, see how much Henry Ward Beecher has discarded—how much Heber Newton has abandoned; and yet, they remain as ministers of the gospel and exponents of Christianity. The churches that retain them thereby recognize that neither the doctrine of the atonement nor the inspiration of Scripture is essential."

No one can say that this is not a just conclusion in regard to their belief in the atonement and inspiration, but what would the churches have thought of such doctrines twenty or even ten years ago? Again we quote:—

"If man sprang from simpler animal forms, rising by successive steps above his ancestry to his present high position, then there was no 'fall of man,' and this, Dr. McCosh would admit, must undermine the doctrine of the atonement. Henry Ward Beecher boldly takes this ground. He abandons the atonement as inconsistent with evolution."

The rapidity with which this change is to be effected, according to the expectation of its friends, may be gathered from this paragraph:—

"But the fact that some eminent divines have openly accepted evolution and all its consequences, and still not only maintain their Christian faith, but preach it with renewed power, shows that others may do so, and that the change may come more swiftly than most people now suppose."

We think our friends are warranted in expecting this religious revolution in the short time they indicate: for the barriers of faith seem to be everywhere giving way. That men who have been set as defenders of the citadel of Christian truth should manifest such a readiness to receive doctrines so utterly subversive of all that evangelicism has held so essential and so dear, seems almost unaccountable. It is phenomenal. We think, however, that there is one ground of explanation; namely, that that being who is the great impersonation of darkness and error, is working with demonic energy, and taking men captive at his will. No one can deliberately and blindly place himself on his ground without falling under his power. As already remarked, it is but a step further to the baldest claims of Spiritualism; and we look for the result of this movement to be the engulfing of the major part of the religious world virtually by the Spiritual philosophy, through which will be manifested great power. And then will come the fulfillment of Rev. 18:1-4.

Thus in whatever direction we look, whether to the physical, the political, or the religious world, we stand on the threshold of an epochal crisis.—U. S., in Boston and Herald.

A TOUCHING incident occurred at Philadelphia last week. Two men were convicted of burglary. One was named Wm. Baker, aged 25, and married. Before sentence was passed, his mother came into court and desired to make restitution for her son's share in the theft. She had come from Baltimore and brought her savings for that purpose. She produced a leather hand-bag and took out the desired sum, leaving only enough to take her home. The Judge refused to receive the money, but finally ordered the clerk to lock it up in the safe, so he said some one in the crowd would probably rob her of it. The mother said: "I didn't hope to save my boy from prison. I only pay this money because I want to do what is right."