FROM OUR EXCHANGES

with contributions from C. S. Nash, J. Wolfenden

[The Congregationalist.] The ferment in England over Rev. R. J. Campbell's championship of the new theology and the eagerness with which the matured expression of his opinions through his just published book has been awaited on both sides the Atlantic, reveal something far deeper than a sensational and transient interest in a conspicuous individual who has become the target for much criticism. Influential and picturesque as Mr. Campbell's figure before the eyes of the world just now is, he could not have made theology a theme of general discussion among all classes and in all sorts of publications, were there not a movement of the public mind toward the things of the Spirit. And when the smoke of controversy has cleared away, it may be seen that the greatest service Mr. Campbell has rendered the Church has been the stimulation of this already latent interest in Christian truth. He has undertaken to map out a positive and orderly system of thought. He may be greatly in error in some of his premises and conclusions; but he has sought to state his views in definite terms, and unquestionably has influenced that increasing number of persons in the community who want to know just where a Christian preacher and teacher stands, and who also want a surer footing for themselves.

[The New York Observer.]

The Lord Christ is with men to-day. He has gone from earth, and yet he is here. Jesus of Nazareth passeth by as truly as he once did among the Galilean highways. He is still accosting men alike in their sin and their godliness—he has a look, a scrutiny, and an offering for men of all classes and conditions. As he stopped to open the eyes of a blind man or to cleanse the lepers in Judea, so now he waits to be gracious to modern men who, though they think they see, are yet blind, and though they pretend to know are dead in the corruption of sin. The truth to be preached to men to-day is that Jesus is near—that he has a question for every conscience, and knocks at the door of every heart. We must preach a present Christ, or we have no Christ at all to preach.

[Prof. C. S. Nash, D.D., in the Hartford (Conn.) Seminary Record.]

There are limits to the changes of opinion which the churches can allow in their schools. They must, indeed, stop forbidding their teachers to follow the light. They must learn to welcome all new truth and applaud its discoverers. They must cease to fear. They must exchange creed tests for tests of life and efficiency. They must give all pioneers time to substantiate their discoveries. They must so hold the practical aim of producing the denominational ministry as to make their teachers feel unfettered.

[J. Wolfenden, in The Standard.]

There is to-day [in England] a more diligent search after the grand elements of faith than there has been for many a long day, because of the dogmatism of what is called the "new theology." Men may heap hard epithets upon the pastor of the city temple, but I am sure his deliverances are being used by God to produce clear discrimination between real faith in Jesus Christ and much of empty pretension and formalism.

[The Universalist Leader.]

That is the finest enthusiasm which shines forth out of a soul without noise or fury, speaking its word temperately, doing its work heroically, serene in its satisfaction, never striving to be heard but always intent on faithfulness to the cause it loves.

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THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE TEXT-BOOK

May 18, 1907

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