The Presbyterian of the South : [combining the] Southwestern Presbyterian, Central Presbyterian, Southern Presbyterian. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1909-1931, February 24, 1909, Page 9, Image 11

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February 24. 1909. THE PRESBYTER] M. N'orlli. I.L.I).. finished thi- tenth year of his pastorate. Hie services consisted <>f a coiunu-nioralive sermon 111 tin* im ?rtiiiu.- m-l ??? 1 > 1 1 .# .1. .1 ... ...^ ........ mm lit I IM."IMIK|U MVl'UII 111 I lie I'VCIling by the pastor, with special mitsie by the choir. Three of the hymns were written for the occasion. Kev. Joseph 15. North came to this pastorate in tS?^> front < iarden Memorial Church. Anacostia. 1). C\. and before that had been the pastor of the church in Kingfisher. < iklahoma. lie has twice been clcctd Moderator of the Presbytery of New Castle. and i< recognized uEftr J., ^w. ' ?K. - 'JjV^j^^2S|^f330G9 Manse of the Makemie Presbyterian Church. as an authority on eccU siastical law. ilis pastorate here, where he is greatly beloved, is the longest of any in the last one hundred yeafs.. On tite 27th of January his parishioners ;srave him a pleasant surprise, and presented hint with a purse well tilled with gold. THE NEW THEOLOGY. By Rev. H. W. Burwell. The uore we read from the nnhli-dii-J nttormwoi tl) >0 who speak with authority upon thi> subject, the more we have confusion the worse counfoundcd. That which one will declare to be fundamental will be either trimmed beyond recognition, or emphatically denied by another. The principles which it is sought to establish have never been crystallized into anything that could be dignified with the title of "a system." and the very best that now can be said about it is that it is a movement. or propaganda, having for its purpose the replacement of the time-honored truths of Christianity by the so-called "assured results" of the destructive criticism. a conglomeration of contlicting theories and notions which, whatever it is or mav become, is not and can never be truthfully called Christian. Its advocates IiaiK a great deal and write more. They bring to their help the most beautiful and high-sounding phrases. But though thev mav garnish their pathway with the most choice specimens of linguistic tlora in an attempt to cover its emptiness, the flowers wither and their perfume degenerates into a sickening, deadly stench :an of the south. <> whenever the anxious, yearning soul has cried out tor God and His saving truth. The real character of this new theology can he better understood when we study its teaching upon those truths which have alwax s been fundamental to our Christian belief. Its Teaching Concerning God. A few years ago 1 )r. Lyman Abbott, speaking before one of our great universities, defined God as "a force." Dr. R. i. Campbell, the self-annointed hiirh nriest of thn Now Theology, declares. "The New Theology, in common with the whole scientific world, believes that the finite universe is one aspect or expression of God. but it thinks of it or hint as consciousness rather than a blind force, thereby differing from some scientists." I >r. C ampbell is more than welcome to tile credit due for any modicum of truth or logical consistence to be found in that sentence. Starting with the sweeping declaration that the Xew Theology believes in common with the whole scientific world, he closes with the acknowledgment that they differ from some scientists. I suppose that this latter class are not included in Dr. Campbell's scientific world. lint far more serious is the fact that for this new teacher of men. God is either "it or him."?not exactlv a blind force, but at best only consciousness. And yet he professes to believe in the Trinity. What kind of a Trinity? lie first assumes an infinite space filled with matter, then proceeds to divide it up. Through this division he secures the finite which is the second form or part of his trinity. His third division is derived from llaeckel's explanation of the Cosmic process by taking it for granted that the "infinite is pressing in and up through the finite.'' Thus for the answer. "There are three persons in the tlodhead. the Father, the Son and the Molv t iho>t." we are asked to substitute. "There are three terms, modes, or phases in the it or him, the infinite, the finite and tli? activities of the former in and up through the latter." Starting with the assumption that the universe is (iod's thought concerning himself, lie declares. "As far as I am able to think it along with llini. 1 ami my leather (even metaphysically speaking i. are one." This, then, is the God whom, "in common with the whole scientific world." they would have n> worship as a worthy substitute for the one living and true Deity who has uncovered, for the illumination and betterment of mankind, the glory of his grace, the wonders of his love and the bounty of his providence! l;or the triune, personal, saving God they would give us an empty "it or him" who. at best, is nothing more than c< msciottsness. \\ itli what lofty gusto do they proclaim this as scientific! It may be science, but only such as that which Mrs. Mary 11. G. Kddy endorses in her question. "Is God a person?" Glibly answering. "No, God is not a person; God is a principle." On one occasion Dr. A. I*. Dixon was invited to speak at a convention of this persuasion. Among the speakers was a lawyer who also figured as an up-todate theologian. During his discourse lie made this statement: "I worship the everlasting it." Dr. Dixon took as his subject. "The Simplicitv of the Gospel." and sounded this note of warning, "brethren, if many