DR. CLIFFORD ON TOLSTOY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1025, 14 January 1911, Page 9

DR. CLIFFORD ON TOLSTOY.

DID HE MISS.-lIIS WAY? Dr. Clifford, in a sermon at West.bourne .Park recently, dealt with Tolstoy's intorpietation of the Sermon on the Mount. Nothing, ho said, justified Tolstoy's inclusion oil tho roll oF tho heroes, of Faith more.than his willingness to follow tho teaching of .Christ in all its rigour. Dr. Clill'ord suggested that Tolstoy mado three' fundamental mistakes: (1) 110 did not deal fairly with the context. Christ in tho Sermon on the Mount was dealing with customs based upon tho Old- Testament, teaching, and setting in opposition to them the law of His Kingdom. For example, Tolstoy held that punishment for evil was opposed to the law of Christ. Yes, admitted the preacher, punishment which, was purely vindictive, not restorative. Capital punishment was forbidden by tho' Jaw .of Christ, and you had 110 right to execute it. upon any man, even upon a Crippen. (2) Tolstoy forgot that government was machinery which was capable of being ! used for purposes, that would help.. (3) Tolstoy misinterpreted tho teaching of Christ as regards ■non-resistance. Was it really meant that a Christian man should stand by and scc'ovil wrought that ho could prevent? Wo must conclude that Jesus was giving a pirticii: lar principle applicable to social life, but not a law of universal application. Whilst wo honour Tolstoy for shaping his own life wo recognise that in lii.s interpretation of the law of Christ lie. missed his way. Tho heart, of Tolstoy's' religion, however, was Love—the love which came to men as the _ result of obedience to Jesus Christ.