"OBSTACLES TO TRUTH."

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7392, 19 August 1889, Page 6

"OBSTACLES TO TRUTH."

At Trinity Congregational Church last night the Rev. John Hoatson delivered the second of the series of lectures on "Obstacles to Truth" to a very large congregation. The subject was "The Loye of System as an Obstacle to Truth." After indicating the need and value of system in researches into knowledge, the speaker pointed out that the undue love of system often proved to be a hindrance to reaching truth —especially what was commonly called religious truth. The creeds, confessions, and theological treatises of the past were indicated as affording ample illustration of tbis statement. The exactitude of wording, dogmatism, and evident attempts after consistency which marked them, showed a love of system, which hampered the expression of, and investigation into, truth. The very nature of the truth had been misunderstood. What was infinite could not be bound down by human words. Only certain aspects of truth could be set forth by finite minds. Yet the spirit which asked of any teaching, "Is it according to the standards we hold?" and, if not, at once rejected it, clearly implied that the whole truth was compassed in those human standards. Further, the methods of Revelation had also been misunderstood. Only one Revelation— the Bible—had been admitted, and that was considered complete and final. All reason had to do was to accept it, collate texts, and drawinferences. Although such a view was fast passing away, the dogmas it created were still widely held. The speaker urged that the Bible was not a revelation, but the history of one; that God had given others In nature, history, and through the conscience ; and that these— forming one great whole—were still in process of unfolding. Christ's promise of the Spirit of Truth to lead His followers into all the truth was for all the ages, and not alone for Apostolic times. To tbis idea of progressive revelation the lover of system was opposed. He wished for finality, failing to see that search and conflict are the essence of the higher life, and by his love of system he often hindered the progress of the truth. Again, this tendency often led to the mutilation of certain truths in order to fit them in with others. Outward mechanical agreement was that which the creed makers too often sought. They feared the charge of inconsistency. Oα similar grounds those who are known as harmonists of the Gospels too often worked. The result was frequently a distorting of facts and forcing of words anything but desirable. Maofe presentment of God's truth must at times oeem to involve inconsistencies. For, as Frederick Robertson said, "Truth is made up of two opposite propositions, and is not found in a via media." Both should be held firmly, and the advent of the great reconciling principles averted. The speaker also showed that in the scientific as well as the theological world, the love of system often hindered truth. Materialism, for instance, ignored all suggestions of the spiritual realm,, such suggestions involving facts that demanded notice. The lecture concluded with an appeal for a proper use of system based on a recognition of the infinite nature of the truth.

The third lecture on Sunday evening next will be on " The Aversion to, or undue Love of, Novelty."