THE VAGARIES OF INTELLECTUAL PROTESTANTS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 1, 30 April 1897, Page 17

THE VAGARIES OF INTELLECTUAL PROTESTANTS.

T is now definitely announced that the Rev. Dr. Watson, better known as " lan Maclaren," who is certainly one of the greatest literary geniuses of the day, is to be cited before his " Presbytery "on a formal charge of heresy. It appears that for a long time past Presbyterians of the old school have had serious misgivings as to lan Maclaren's orthodoxy, and the publication of one of his late works, "The Mind of the Master," has at last enabled them to make definite charges against him, What are the particular Presbyterian " fundamentals " on which this great writer is said to have gone astray is not a matter of any interest to us. The interesting fact for us is that there are good grounds for supposing that he has gone astray, and his case is interesting because it furnishes an example of the working of what appears to be an inevitable tendency in Protestantism. If a man of exceptionally high intellectual ability arises in the ranks of Protestantism it almost invariably happens that sooner or later he drifts from his theological moorings and becomes, from the point of view of his original creed, more or less seriously tainted with heresy. Professor Henky Drummond, who died quite^lately is another striking example of the same thing. He was certainly a man of exceptional ability, a perfect master of English style, and a writer whose works had an immense circulation, and exerted an enormous influence among a wide circle of Protestant readers. Yet it is now admitted that he was hopelessly "unsound" on what is perhaps the fundamental doctrine of evangelical Protestantism. Hosts of similar instances — they are literally too numerous to mention — might easily be given but we may content ourselves with citing men like Professor Beiggs and Dr. Lyman Abbott in America, and Professor Mojierie and Canon Gore in

England as typical examples of Protestant "rulers in Israel " who have not only departed from their original creeds but have taught doctrines which, if carried to their logical conclusion, would seriously undermine the very foundations of the Christian Faith. And the tendency to which we have been referring shows itself not only in the case of individuals but operates also on a large scale amongst whole classes of men. This it is which gives rise to that wonderful theological phenomenon, the school of " higher critics," which consists of professors and doctors of divinity, who devote all their learning and energies to whittling away the foundations of historic faith and to depriving the Sacred Scriptures of every vestige of their supernatural character and origin, There is an inevitable tendency in Protestantism, on the part both of individuals and of classes of men distinguished for exceptional learning or ability, to indulge in a sort of theological tight-rope walking, and it is the exception and not the rule when these intellectual acrobats manage to preserve their balance. The explanation of this tendency is very simple. It is the natural and inevitable outcome of the Protestant rule of faith. The Bible and private judgment is the one great chart and compass for the Protestant, and the cases we have referred to are excellent illustrations of what the Protestant principle will do when allowed full play by strong and logical minds. Once reject the principle of authority in matters of faith, and each one is left by the nature of the case to his own private theorising and speculation. The proximate result in the case both of individuals and of classes of men is the rejection of a portion of their original creeds ; when sufficient time has elapsed to allow the principle to be carried to its full and logical conclusion the final outcome will be scepticism and infidelity. It is difficult to see how lan Maclaren's brethren can condemn him without at the same time condemning themselves and their rule of faith. The difference between him. and them is not oue of principle but of degree of advance along the same line. They have told him to read and judge for himself. How can they discipline him for doing it because he does not happen to find what they think he ought to find ? The vagaries of Protestants — more particularly of intellectual Protestants — furnish a convincing proof of the absolute necessity of some external authority to which appeal can be made and which has the power to enforce obedience to its decisions. If there is to be such a thing as fixity or unity of faith at all, it can only be secured by the existence of a supreme authority which will keep in check the excesses and extravagances of the human intellect and restrain its exercise within due bounds. Of all religious bodies the Catholic Church alone possesses such an authority and the Catholic Church alone furnishes an impenetrable barrier against the inroads of heresy and error. Even Protestants are now beginning to recognise the advantage of the Catholic position, and Professor Peck, a non-Catholic, writing in the Bookman, makes the following eloquent admission :—": — " In these days when doctors of divinity devote their energies to nibbling away the foundations of historic faith, and when the sharpest weapons of agnosticism are forged on theological anvils, there is something reassuring in the contemplation of the one great Church that does not change from age to age, that stands unshaken on the rocks of its convictions, and that speaks to the wavering and troubled soul in the serene and lofty accents of Divine authority."

Rkv. Fathers Hanley, CM., and McCarthy CM., commenced a week's mission at South Dunedin on Sunday last. The opening sermon was preached at the 11 o'clock Mass by the Rev. Father McCarthy, and in the evening the Rev. Father Hanley preached on the Importance of Salvation. Both the evening devotions and the early morning Masses are crowded each day and the mission promises to be a great success.

It was announced at the meeting of the confraternity of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour on Wednesday night that a special collection in aid of the Hawke's Bay Relief Fund would be made next Sunday at the Offertory of all the Masses at St. Joseph's cathedral and at the church of the Sacred Heart, North-East Valley

Rev, BitoTHER Bodkin, who was for many years in charge of the Christian Brother^ work in Dunedin, has been re-transferred to hi b old position. Brother Bodkin arrived from Melbourne by the Wakatipu on Saturday morn ing 1 .

In another column appears an interesting character sketch of Miss Rose Kavanagh, a most gifted and promising Irish poetess. Miss Kavanagh was for many years the Irish correspondent of the Tablet. The memoir, which we take from the Derrtj Journal, is written by her nephew, Mr. Frank Meenan, a youth of nineteen, who is at present a student at St. Mary's College, Dundalk.

An unfortunate accident occurred in the gardens yesterday afternoon (says the Oamaru Mail of April 20) by which the infant eon of Mr. James Cooney, eighteen months old, lost his life. It seems that a number of little ones were playing on the bank of the stream leading to the culvert under the road to Mr. Chase's, when the child fell in and was swept through the culvert. He was promptly rescued at the other side, still alive, and the assistance of Dr. Garland was called, but all efforts to restore animation proved futile, death resulting from shock to the system. Very great sympathy is expressed for the parents.

We understand that Mr. Thomas Hunt, who has been acting as Messenger at the Magistrate's Court for some considerable time past, is about to be appointed to fill the position of Bailiff and Court Crier, lately occupied by his father, the late Mr. M. J. Hunt.— Nelson Colonist.

On Easter Monday (says the Roxburgh correspondent of the Dunstan Time*) there was a picnic up to the Pleasant Valley claim, and the Roman Catholics held their annual picnic in the recreation reserve. Games and races were freely indulged in, as were also the refreshments so kindly provided by the ladies of the congregation. In the evening a most enjoyable social was held in the athenseum hall, the dances being interspersed with well rendered songs. The action song ' Tommy Atkins,' so successfully performed at the visit of the Vincentian Fathers, was reproduced by special request.

We regret to learn from the Liverpool Catholic Time* that MrDenis W. Moran, the only surviving brother of the late beloved Bishop of Dunedin, lies dangerously ill at the family residence, Ballycurry, Ashford, County Wicklow. Mr. Moran has had the biography of our late Bishop in hands for some time. It is earnestly to be hoped he will be spared to complete so desirable and interesting a work.

One of those ceremonies which somehow are always interesting, took place at Lyell on Monday last. Rev. Father Rolland uniting in the bonds of holy wedlock a young couple who are great favourites in that district, namely Mr. Mathers, one of the proprietors of the Cocksparrow dredge, and Miss Ribet, whose family are amongst the oldest of the up-country settlers. The wedding, our reporter gays, was celebrated amid universal rejoicing, invitations having been issued to a large circle of friends and acquaintances far and wide, all of whom gladly responded, bestowing bright smiles, cordial wishes, and substantial presents on the happy bride. Our reporter forgot to mention where the honeymoon was spent but promises full particulars next mail. — Inangahiia Times. April 21.

With this issue the Tablet commences the twenty-fifty year of its publication.

At St. Mary's Catholic Church yesterday (says the Nelson Colonist of April ID) the services were in accordance with the spirit of the great anniversary, and the sacred building was beautifully decorated with red and white flowers, evergreens, etc. The Very Rev. Father Mahoney preached an impressive discourse last night to a very large congregation, which included many visitors.

At the Hibernian sports a pictorial or stage Irishman appeared on the platform in an effort to dance the Irish jig. He was "got up" in a style of immensity that would have done credit to a negro minstrel troupe ; but why anyone should suppose that such a rig out was ever devised by an Irishman in his sober senses it would be difficult to conceive. The dancer wore a long flytailed green coat, "bright red vest, red stockings and corded knee breeches, with a battered in bell topper to crown all. We have no hesitation in saying that if anyone appeared in Ireland in such a costume he would be chased from one end of the country to the other, and i would be only by the greatest good luck if he escaped with any oft his clothing on. It might be as well if dancers understood that such caricatures are not looked on with favour by judges of Irish jigs, who never saw anyone in their native country running loose in such a state of eccentricity. — North Otago Time*.

The concert in aid of the Catholic Free Schools (says the Ihavies Star of April 20) eventuated in St. George's Hall last evening, there being a large attendance. From every standpoint the concert was a complete success, and the programme and dance pro-

vided every enjoyment. Mr. Cowley was recalled after rendering " The White Squall." and in the duet " Gendarmes " Messrs. Walsh and Carmichael had to oblige with a repetition. Mr. Johnston gave a highly creditable rendition of " Doras," and was encored, and the other items were all well received. Excluding the vocalists whom we have mentioned, the programme was as follows : — Opening chorus, " Whispering hope," choir ladies ; pianoforte duet, Misses Fortune and Garvey ; eong, " In happy moments," Mr. Carmichael ; song, '■ Remember me no more," Miss G. Palmer ; recitation, Mr Egden ; song, " The carnival," Mrs. Brace ; song, " Dream voices," Miss Fagan ; pianoforte dve 1 -, " Sans souci," Misses Fortune and Garvey ; duet, "Hearts and homes," Misses Lottie and Evelyn Tasker ; song, " I was dreaming," Mrs. Dunn ; duet, "In the dusk of the twilight," Mrs. Bruce and Miss Fagan ; recitation, " Musical,' Miss Egden ; duet, " Life's dream," Misses Palmer ; song, " Irish through and through," Mr. Walsh. The accompanists were Mrs Bruce and Misses Fortune and Fagan.

We take the following from the Thames Star of April 13. The funeral of the late Patrick Francis Wall, the victim of the accident at Karangahake took place yesterday, the cortege arriving at St Francis' church, Shortland, at four p.m. It was then composed of about a dozen vehicles, containing friends of the young man, but after the church service was read by the Rev. Father O'Reilly, the procession was extended, several Thames friends and sympathisers joining it and following to the Shortland cemetery, where the last rites of the Church were read. Judging by the number of young men present, some of whom were working mates of the deceased, he was apparently held in very high esteem by those who knew him best.— B.l.P.