Selected Sermons of Schleiermacher: translated by Mary F. Wilson

IT seems desirable that those who make public references to a man of note should have an opportunity of making themselves acquainted with his opinions and character. A religious paper some time ago filled up a corner with this little piece of intelligence: "It is a very notable fact that a son of Hegel, a son of Schelling, and a daughter of Schleiermacher, are not only orthodox Christians, but most deeply interested in the progress of religion." Another periodical presently repeated the paragraph, prefaced by the remark that what is true in regard to faith--that it is not hereditary--is happily no less true in regard to unbelief. No; faith is not hereditary in the strictest sense, as Schleiermacher took pains to make clear, enforcing in his baptismal addresses, as well as on other occasions, the truth, "that which is born of the flesh is flesh." And yet we know, not only from Scripture, but from the undeniable witness of history, public and private, that there is a blessed heritage of faith; that "the seed of the righteous is blessed"; and she were no true daughter of Schleiermacher who should be otherwise than most deeply interested in the progress of true religion.