"No one can possibly disagree with the sentiments which have just been
expressed," he began in his cordial, frank manner. "There is no truth
which we need in these days to keep more constantly before us than the
duty of being always eager for the advancement of the church, and of
employing all means to this end. The question which is of vital
interest is how best to do this. When the caution was given that to the
harmlessness of doves be added the guile of serpents, it might almost
seem as if it was especially intended for our own day and case. There
has certainly never been a time when wisdom was more needed than it is
to-day. The growth of doubt, the overthrow of old traditions, old
beliefs, old forms, in short of all that has been sanctioned by custom
and by time, have gone on in every department of human knowledge and
endeavor. The spirit of the time is restless, progressive, liberal,
even irreverent. The beautiful serenity of the church, its reverent
conservatism, its hallowed enthusiasm, for old ideals, are at variance
with the temper of the century. Since the church is the shrine of truth
it is impossible that it should alter with every shifting of scientific
thought, every alteration in the fashions of human opinion; and we
stand face to face with the trying fact that the age is not in sympathy
with the church.
Pages:
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254