Editorial December 2, 1905 Issue

The True Liberalism

John B. Willis

The so-called broadening of religious thought in late years has been very marked, and in so far as the change has signified an increase of charitableness and consideration for the convictions of others, it is an occasion for thanksgiving. The dreadful wrongs recently inflicted upon the Hebrew people, tell a pitiful story of bigotry's legitimate fruitage; and while moved y a sense of horror and humiliation that this twentieth Christian century should be dishonored by such events, it would be well for us to make sure that we ourselves are not giving place to prejudices which are nothing less than the seedlings of cruel hatred and ungovernable antagonism. The fact that the great majority of the Christian people of all lands are inexpressibly shocked by such occurrences, gives encouraging evidence that human thought is advancing. Though the sanguinary forms of religious persecution are still rife in restricted areas, though discourteous reference to the faith of others, and even ridicule of honest convictions, still mar the pages of many a Christian publication, the spirit of a larger and nobler liberalism is marching on, and the possibility of a repetition of the unspeakable offences of religious history is being farther and farther removed.

In this reaction from old-time bigotry and later puritanic prejudice, however, many have fallen into the error of extending a welcome to every variety of thought and teaching. Broad-mindedness is interpreted to mean that "one thing is just about as good as another." that it makes little difference what we believe if we are only honest in our convictions, and that patterning after the ancients, who admitted every god to their pantheon, we should keep openhouse to all ideas and philosophies, regardless of their content or historic influence. To be guarded and discriminating is thought by some to be narrow and unprogressive, and accessibility to the surging intrusions of mortal sense is insisted upon as the only generous position to maintain. This kind of mental hospitality is utterly demoralizing, and its results are saddening, ofttimes, beyond words. The mind becomes freighted with a medley of unsorted and conflicting opinions, each of which is given entire freedom to assert its authority over the surrounding rabble, and not infrequently the very kindness and sympathy of noble souls increases the possibility of their becoming a prey to "every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men . . . whereby," as Paul has said, "they lie in wait to deceive." In these last days many who were driven from their old home of childthought by the assertion of an intolerable dogmatism, have thus wandered into a land of hopeless and deadening uncertainty. A false sense of liberalism has led them into a darkness and discouragement which often ultimates in agnosticism and silent despair.

The true liberalism is neither a reaction against all faiths nor the absorption of all faiths. It is, first of all, a disposition and an ability to take a sympathetic and considerate point of view, and to respect the freedom for others which is claimed for one's self. It recognizes the possibility of elements of good in every faith, and these it would emphasize and conserve. It loves the truth supremely and rejoices in its demonstration, by whomsoever effected. It eschews every ill digested opinion, and abhors the wanton criticism and reckless misstatements of a self-satisfied ignorance. It seeks to make practical proof of its own ministry, and to win by recognized worth and merit rather than by the disparagement and detraction of the faith and works of an-other.

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