In the infantile development of our race mere physical prowess was deemed the chief virtue and was the grand aim of all manly culture.
In the next higher stage of development intellectual power became the object of highest veneration and assiduous cultivation.
The advent of a still higher stage of development is now dawning, which is best illustrated by the docile spirit of a little child, which feels exalted by taking a low place, which understands that true dignity and magnanimity consists, not in assumed infallibility, but in a modest and humble acknowledgment of ignorance, of mistakes, and of the need of knowledge and guidance, not only from God but from men.
It is believed that it is not too much to expect that this stage of high development is to be found even among that class most unfavorably placed for the attainment of it.
Should this be the case, there will soon be the conservative and the progressive parties among theologians; the one holding on to both of the contradictory systems, and maintaining their infallibility; the other, openly cutting loose from all that conflicts with their common sense and moral sense, will manfully and honestly confess their fallibility and past mistakes.
Between these two parties will be a third class, who either from policy or from timidity, or from inability to form decided opinions, will maintain entire silence as to any thing involving entire commitment to either party.
What the Pastors will do?
The pastors of the people are that class in which the division of conservatism and progress must most immediately and most distinctly appear. And the reason is, that the question to them is a practical one, more so than it can be to any other class of men.
It is their business and calling to teach men what they must do to be saved, and every week they must appear before the public to give their opinions on this very question.
In this situation, the conservative class will include all who have taken the opinions of their theological teachers as an act of memory, with very little original thought or investigation. These, being helpless as to any ability to investigate or to reason independently, will continue to preach and teach in the same round as was given them in their course of theological study. Such will be alarmed and distressed at the changes in opinion all around them, and will mourn over them as departures from the good old paths of truth and safely. Such will be sustained chiefly by the old and conservative portion of their parishes, while the most active minds, both young and old, will become more and more restless and dissatisfied, or forsake entirely such ministrations.