The Arena, Volume 4, No. 22, September, 1891

In this lively 1891 issue of a popular cultural review, a passionate essayist surveys the surge of “newer heresies” sweeping through American religious life. He recounts how once‑feared institutions such as the Inquisition have vanished, yet the fresh wind of higher criticism now rattles churches, journals, and even the quiet homes of pious women. The piece paints a bustling intellectual scene, where every class—from seasoned theologians to curious laypeople—debates the meaning of faith in a modern world.

The writer argues that the present anxiety is largely misplaced, insisting that truth remains steadfast despite the noisy debates. He likens today’s inquisitorial scrutiny to the historic Council of Ten, warning that even a modest stray thought can summon relentless oversight. Yet he reassures listeners that a divine hand still guides humanity, suggesting that the current storm of ideas will ultimately enrich, rather than endanger, the spiritual landscape.