The Times, which, as a rule, keeps theology out of
its columns, except when it reports a Bishop's Charge, has ad- mitted a letter from Dr. Parker, pastor of the City Temple, advocating a new confession of faith. Dr. Parker thinks " sec- tarian theology the most mischievous influence of the age,"— which is like saying that politicians do mischief because they are contentious,—considers all articles, standards, and creeds merely human formulas, and pants for some wider law of comprehension. He would reckon " every man who adopts and practises the principle of self-sacrifice for the good of others a Christian," and the less theology he had, the better. That would not be quite so wide a comprehen- sion as Dr. Parker seems to imagine. It would include, no doubt, a good many diverse opinions, self-sacrifice being the first ethical precept of Buddhists, Christians, some sects of Hindoos, all Trades-Unionists, and a majority of modern Atheists, but the number would not be large. The selfish are more than a majority. But even supposing that the number were multi- tudinous, what possible good does Dr. Parker think that any- body would get from telling lies about them ? Buddhists, and Atheists, and Hindoos, and Trades-Unionists may be excellent people, but they are not therefore Christians ; and to affirm that it is good to say they are, is to affirm that falsehood is good. Dr. Parker thinks that chickens can be levelled up to geese, by calling them both turkeys.
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