It is always a pleasure to read a sermon or discourse which is the product of a liberal mind, especially when it is evident that the author has boldly set aside the traditions and trammels of a stereotyped theology and struck out upon broad and independent lines. The people are growing more and more weary of the old theological plough and harrow. They long for new implements having a sharper point, broader share, and longer teeth. What matter if some new stones are thrown to the surface and some roots cut that were not formerly known to exist? The people are not alarmed at this. They are actually coming more and more to enjoy the sight of a new bright stone, and a fresh, crisp-looking root. They do not at all object to the smell of a deeper soil than that to which they have been accustomed. It has about it something refreshing and wholesome. And if the new harrow have somewhat longer teeth, it will nevertheless smooth down the rougher earth thrown up by the sharper point and deeper share, and the field will, after all, present a not less attractive surface than formerly.
We have been much interested in looking over a field recently plowed and harrowed by new implements wielded by the strong hands of the Rev. Frank L. Phalen, of the Second Congregational Unitarian Society of Concord, N.H. He has thrown to the surface a number of new, bright-looking stones, and cut several roots that have heretofore lain too far beneath the surface to be reached by the old plough-point. See how boldly he cuts down and how firmly he holds on to the handles in these sentences:—
"No argument is needed to prove that the religion of Jesus has been violently and almost brutally disregarded. No argument is needed to prove that Jesus himself has been misunderstood and misrepresented. The Jews declare it. The Catholics declare it. The Protestants declare it. The sceptics declare it; and nobody whose opinion is worth consideration denies this indisputable fact. It is an historic platitude.
