The Monist, Vol. 2, 1891-1892 : $b A quarterly magazineVarious
Philosophy
The Monist, Vol. 2, 1891-1892 : $b A quarterly magazine
Various
Philosophy -- Periodicals
The case, however, is somewhat different again where the new opinions
adopted by a minister amount to an abandonment of the fundamental
doctrines of his church. That may not exonerate him from demanding a
formal and public declaration of the church, but this being secured, it
must affect his relation to the general world. Should it be proved that
he may be legally tolerated, he must then consider whether it is his
legitimate means of influence, or whether he would be substituting for
his own expression the mask of an extinct faith. The ethical principle
above affirmed relates to the first practical step of the minister whose
beliefs have changed. The progressive and inquiring mind that continues
in a church where it is barely tolerated does so at great peril. Where
the swift foot agrees to march with the halt the pace must be that of the
halt. Sceptical minds occupying pulpits even of liberal denominations
are likely to discover, should such engagements end, that they have been
unconsciously arresting their own development in finding a conciliatory
_modus vivendi_ with the reactionary brethren. There is, indeed, a class
of fine intellects, like the great English Broad Churchmen already
named, whose comparatively advanced views are the result of larger
learning; they have discovered that two and two are four, and gathered
courage to deny that the amount is five. These constitute the right
leaven by which great organisations are raised to higher standards of
knowledge and veracity. But there are original and philosophic inquirers
whose particular power were only buried in such organisations, without
elevating them. These are due to the corps of pioneers in the direction
whither the organisations are advancing. Their task is original research.
These cannot wisely wear the uniform of any religious or political party.
Mr. Call was such an original mind, and after he had left the English
church his course was to the maturity represented in this ripe book on
“Final Causes.” But had he not passed eleven of his best years in the
church, out of his true habitat, we should have more fruit of this fine
flavor. It is therefore a voice from his experience that here reaches us,
as from his grave:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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