Mr. Strathmore and Father Frontford might not unfairly be said to
represent the two extremes of modern theology: on the one hand the
relaxing of creeds, the liberalizing of thought, the breaking down of
barriers which have divided the church from the world, and, above all,
acquiescence in individual liberty of thought; on the other hand, the
conservative element taking the position that individual liberty of
interpretation means nothing less than a practical destruction of all
standards, and that what is called the liberalizing of thought can
result in nothing less than the utter overthrow of the church.
Undoubtedly either would have declared that he held the other to be a
devout and godly man; but he must inwardly have added, a mistaken and
conscientiously mischievous one. If Mr. Strathmore was right, Father
Frontford was little less than a mediaeval bigot, unhappily belated; if
the Father was correct, then Strathmore, despite all his influence, his
popularity, his power of attracting great congregations, was little
better than a dangerous and pestilent heretic.
One morning Mr. Strathmore sat in his study talking to a visitor in
clerical dress.
Pages:
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233