MENTAL SYSTEMS 59
tal system. Manifestly he can do this only approximately. The problem of exposition as thus stated is difficult enough. But it is rare that the process is so simple. As a matter of fact, B often represented not one person but several. For instance, in the case of the preacher, the first task is to understand the Bible. But the Bible contains the writings of many men, and to render the matter more serious still, those men lived in remote and widely separated periods of time, and in strikingly different mental environments. Moreover, C represents as a rule not a single person but a congregation made up of many mental types. The purpose is not to exaggerate the difficulty. The bare statement of it makes it appear serious enough; but it is desirable that preachers shall become more sensible of its magnitude. Perhaps it would make the dogmatism of their interpreta tions and deliverances more modest, and contribute some what to their humility.
3. The problem of creedal union. Creeds and general formulas of every kind become less and less available as bases of union in every sphere of life. It is increasingly difficult to get men to agree upon them, especially if they are theoretical in character. Where the functional mean ings prevail in theological statements, it is easier to secure agreement. For example, if we say that Jesus cleanses the consciences of those who heartily yield themselves to him, and gives them moral power, we can count upon very general assent from Christian people. But if we set forth some theory of these facts, those same people will fly apart into widely separated and opposing groups. In the case of a creedal statement which in the past has acquired a wide acceptance, an ever wider latitude of private interpretation must and will be allowed. And what is true of creedal statements is true of abstract formulas of every kind. This tendency is an obvious fact of our present day relig ious, political and philosophical life. New theoretical creeds will spring up but will be able to rally to their standards smaller proportions of the total population; and
�� �
