The Thinker (Volume 5); A Review of World-Wide Christian Thought

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1894. Excerpt: ... geminated and grew. But now, after many days, the boyish hearer, no longer a boy, would lay a tribute of gratitude on the grave of the courageous preacher, who in the Oxford of twenty years ago ventured to utter the truth which is now almost a truism, and to stir the slumbering minds of youths lulled to rest in the forms of decaying dogma. DOUBT AS A DEGREE OF FAITH. By Bev. Canon W. Awdry, M.A. Let Us suppose ourselves to be in a great church on a morning when the Athanasian Creed is being said. Besides, perhaps, some who are really unbelievers and are coldly silent, and some who profess unbelief, and are restlessly fretful or indignant, we shall be able to distinguish by their demeanour three classes in the congregation. (1) The great majority, who say or sing their verses, as they would say or sing their verses of the Psalms, with full clear voice, unembarrassed, little moved by the words they are saying, so that their looks and tones vary little from verse to verse. If we could read their thoughts, we should find some to whom it was a matter of course, who really did not think about what they were saying; others to whom it was just a formulary, like the words spoken by the bride and bridegroom in the Marriage Service, too often without the slightest idea of their meaning, but with a recognition that it was the thing which had to be done for the sake of the purpose in hand; others, again, there would be who had turned their mind to it a little more, but, unable or unwilling to take the trouble necessary in order to satisfy themselves intelligently on the subject, have come to the conclusion, I need not trouble my head about it. The proper authorities have directed that it shall be said; and they know best, and are responsible, so no doubt it is all right. (2) There will be a mu...