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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 68

Preface

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Preface.

The origin of this humble contribution in favour of "the larger hope" seems to require some explanation. When I surrendered the teaching of Theology in favour of Philosophy, I did not cease to feel the liveliest interest in the former; nor was it even in my power to desist from active prosecution of its problems. Theology concerns man as man, therefore all men: and if one say lie takes no interest in its questions, he simply writes a heavy indictment against his own humanity, and proclaims that, however cultured his logical understanding may be, his deepest nature is perishing from moral atrophy. For reasons which I can hardly state—who can account for the current of his thought and feeling?—the question discussed in these pages latterly possessed my mind with enthralling power. I bad no rest in my spirit till I sat down at my desk and poured out my soul's contents on paper; and I have ever found the pen a magic weapon for making the thoughts clear, and discharging an overburdened mind and heart. The views here expressed were familiar to my mind thirty years ago, even when as yet a student; cherished when as yet I scarcely knew one who sympathised with them; sometimes possessing me with luminous clearness, and anon falling under a cloud of doubt and embarrassment; occasionally preached and page 4 openly declared, then for years put out of sight under the pressure of the active duties which are a minister's best shield from harassing thoughts, yet ever anew in hours of meditation, or by force of circumstances, coming back an armed host and reasserting their hold; and now, at length, after many ups and downs and revisions, have obtained from my mind that sort of inward affirmation which brings to one the security that he will not chain nor falter again, and that if ever he is to .speak he may speak now.

In writing I had no distinct purpose of publishing, and it has cost me some effort to come to this decision. For many reasons I should have preferred silence. I feared to create embarrassment, vexation, controversy, and dispeace within the Church; or to be regarded as an enemy of the Church whose highest good I seek. I feared my utterance might be premature, and questioned whether it were not better to let the new leaven of modern thought work on in silence, rather than mar its effects by rash disclosure of its potency; and this blind prudence is a subtle arguer. I feared the storm and bitter fury of theological animosity to me always an appalling spectacle, causing me to shudder with a great amazement. I feared, more than all, the reproach of having been a moral coward, and to he taunted with the barbed question, Why had I been so long silent? Why had I become enamoured of such sentiments only since breathing the air of a secular profession? Why had I not become firm and clear till it was convenient to myself to be so? Such questions, which naturally enough suggest themselves to malevolent wit and also to the annoyed feeling of good will, could only be answered by a fuller detail of autobiographical self-revela- page 5 tion than I can suppose myself called upon or entitled to give; and, besides, every one will answer them for himself through the medium of an already-formed judgment, which nothing I could say would much modify. But such explanation withheld, have I not reason to fear that my utterance of opinion is bereft of half its moral weight?

Notwithstanding all these grounds for hesitation, I have resolved to publish, and meet whatever joy or sorrow, love or hate, blessing or reviling may betide. I can no longer help myself. One cannot walk the world with a solemn belief hidden as a secret in his heart; else the thoughts meant for the nourishment of his spirit will become a fire consuming his life. No one has any call of duty to speak so long as a single doubt, misgiving, or obscurity lingers in his mind: but there is a point of luminous conviction which brings with it a summons to open confession. Besides, my fears are surely exaggerated. Persuaded that the whole Church is travelling in the direction of my views and with quick steps too, who has a greater call to speak in advance, than one so intimately connected with the Church, but in whose case there exists no occasion for putting in movement the elaborate and noisy machinery of Church Courts, whose words officially commit no one but himself who speaks them, and who can be left alone without Church hastening to any kind of formal decision which might only lay up stores for future repentance Further, it is clear that a great and blessed change has come over the theological temper of the Church. But few years ago, every new and divergent doctrinal view was greeted with a low, wild howl of indignation, reproducing in living form the very spirit of the Jewish Sanhedrim and there prevailed an intellectual terrorism that strangled page 6 page 7 page 8 future as is the discipline of a child's formative years; and it behoves everyone to withhold no contribution, howsoever small, to help the intellectual, moral, and religious life of the people.

For aught I can tell, this little publication may fall stillborn, and be deemed unworthy of the smallest notice; but should anyone deem it deserving of a reply, I pray that I may be answered by such as love Truth with candid minds, and have faith in no weapons but those of Reason, and of the Word and Spirit of God; by such as bear in their souls the scars of the inward conflict by which they have reached their conclusions, and who have learned, in the fight, the gentleness of intellectual pity, and sympathy with all searchers for Truth and God.

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William Salmond.

Duncdin