SPREAD OF UNITARIANISM.
By W. N. G.
At the recent Unitarian Conference at Saratoga, N. Y., Dr. Minot J. Savage is said to have declared that “the greatest hindrance to the multiplication of Unitarian Churches is the spread of Unitarian doctrines in the other churches.” The New York Observer thinks that Dr. Savage overestimates the conditions, but admits the claim in part. It says:— “That there are signs of its working here and there, however, among those supposably orthodox can not, unfortunately, be doubted. What might be called a kind of anonymous Unitarianism, a Unitarianism which does not frankly own itself, is but too prevalent in some local churches of nominally evangelical faith.” The Observer also concedes that the doctor is right when he says, “There are too many who remain in churches whose doctrines they repudiate; too many preachers who declare in their sermons what is contradicted in the creeds of their churches.” Dr. Savage is also said to be bidding for recruits in the way of “union” and “independent” churches, and is quoted as saying: “There is really no need of so many independent churches outside of our lines. No more liberty can be found outside than within.” But the only liberty in which Christians can “stand fast” is “the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” (Gal. 5: 1); and that can hardly be expected in a church that ignores the divinity of Christ—a fundamental doctrine in the plan of salvation. The whole Gospel structure is based upon the fact that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16. W. N. G.