Ross Winn

“ Orthodox Christianity today is a waning power. Its influence upon the intellectual world is rapidly approaching zero. As a world force, the church is a moral and mental bankrupt. Its vitality is gone. ”

“ The human mind is breaking the chains with which priestcraft sought to bind and enslave; and a new conscience is mounting the throne of the world's brain. The night of superstition and supernaturalism, of ghostly rule and priestly authority, is fading, and the day of human freedom is dawning. ”

“ Human progress is no longer a theory; it is a demonstrated fact. For centuries Orthodoxy has stood in refutation of this elemental proposition, but at last its followers have yielded to the irresistable influence of civilization. They are revising their creeds. Even the Presbyterians have made some intellectual advance since Calvin; they cannot longer subscribe to the doctrine of total depravity. Infant damnation is a proposition that is a trifle too tough for the Presbyterian conscience of today, and so it is to be banished from the creed. ”

“ As the power and influence of the church decline, the dawning light of Reason shines forth with increasing splendor, banishing the dark shadows which thru the long and dismal night of supernaturalism, have so long obscured the path of human progress. The face of humanity is turned towards the purpling east ”

“ The orthodox church has cut the anchor rope of religious certainty and is drifting out upon the great ocean of theological speculation, where many a frail bark floating the Christian banner has gone to the bottom upon Rationalism's rugged reef. ”