Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-02-08
Grlfftio MS.
From the Free Presbyterian.
Modern Infidelity.

Modern Infideliiy.
IL the denial Of the plendry in,pirdiioa of
the Scriptures is infdelity, then there are no
doubt infdes amoug the advocates OF the
most important modern reforms. They arc
found chiefly Among that class of anti-slavery
mon who-ior want ofa better tern-nre
called Gnrrisonians. I'VE Use the term for
convenience, not by way Of reproach.) That
all who hold GARRIsoN's views of the United
States Constitution, aud of Christian Nom
resistance, deny the plenary inspiration of
the Bible is not true. Whether or not a ma
jorily Of them do, we do not know, nor is il
Important we should. Neither do we know
what is Mr.. GARRIsoNs own opinion on
this subject. That some of the most prom
inent OF the class to which we refer, do de-
ny tho doctrine alluded to above, is certain.
They generally make no secret OF their
views. For whatever is frank and open, ia
the nvowal of their sentiments, they deserve
credit That there are, besides these, many
Socialists and advocates of other real or
pretended reforms, who repudiate the doc
trine of plenary inspiration, is true. The in
hnence of these varied classes is extensive
and powerful. They embrace men of the
finest intellect, and of admitted purity of
moral life Many of them urc also men of
great natural kindness and bsnevolence OF
heart; aud many of them exhibit u philan-
thropy and expansive bcncyoence, which
ought TO put to the blush many, OF orthodox
creed, who rail most loudly at their iheoreti-
cal infideliiy. That the views of these va
Tisus classes on neral, social aud political
questions are gaining ground, aud that along
with these views their opinion Of the Bible
isspresdlng, in many directions, il is useless
TO deny.
II becomes, then, matter OF vital mo-
ment, TO ascertain the cause aud the rcmehy
of this species of unbeiei. As the Bible
reveals the only hope for man in this world
and the next, and as the authority OF the
Bible rests on the doctrine of it's plenary in
spiration, TO know how this doctrine may he
most fully established, and how the progress
of the opposite belief may be most etiectual-
ly arrested, are questions which must lie near
tho heart oil every friend of God and man.
j, is obvious 10 all acquainted in any degree
with the subject, that the former modes OF
augmentation are insufficient. Ii is OF
course true, that the way OF proving the i'll
spiration OF the Bible is the snine IN all ages.
The arguments proving the gcnulneness and
authenticity OF the books OF tile Bible, the
proofs from miracles and prophecy, are es-
ssntally unchangable. The only effect oi
time on these various proofs is 10 increase
their weight, as fuller investigation developes
the accuracy aud purify OF the sacred text,
and as prophecy becomes more and more
completely fulfilled. The force of these ev-
licences will only increase by the lapse OF
time.
But these to the mass of men are not the
most accessible or the most conclusive proofs
of the inspiration of the Bible. The inter-
- a Z N,n,,, sI n Ii
ness, and consistency of the teachings of the
Bible, aud from their effects in transforming
human character, and controlling human
conduct, are nj one the most Obvious and the
most convincing. Ii is when mankind be-
hold the Bible working AN entire revolution
of the whole moral aud intellectual being oil
their fellow men, that " the excellency oi the
power" OF the holy Scriptures is seen "to
be of God" We are then brought directly
10 what we conceive the principal cause o
the infidelity of which we have spoken, snt
consequently TO its remedy. IL is the failure
of the Church to exhibit the fruits of thi'
radical transformation, and the exhibition o
their very opposite, that has filled the lane
with unbelievers in the inspiration of Ih'
Bible. An entire change, therefore, in th'
whole spirit and practice of the Churches
is the only efiectual remedy. II will not d.
IN this age Tor the Churcl, OF her hIih's'cis
10 denounce iniidelity. and argue, as sh'
once could, from the known bad character
Infidels. She dare not challenge compar
ison between the conduct OF her own minis
tiers and members, and those whom she de
nounces MS unbelievers. The advantage
here is against the Church and with the In
fidel. This is a humiIiating confession, bu
truth eonlpsLs il to be made, and being true
is useless TO disguise it. Hence tile arsu
ricut, from the glorious effects OF receiving
the Bible as inspired, is lost 10 the believer
of that doctrine aud turned against lhen.-
What ought TO have been their mighties
weapon Of defense, is the most fatal lmple
nent in the hands of the unbelievers.
The Interpretation of the Bible, by tll
prominent commentators of the country, ha
had a similar effect with the practice Of III
Church. Instead of showing, (which is rea
Iy the TRUTH, that its teachings harmonic
with, and really incucnte all true reform, I'll
interpreters The Bible have generally mad
it, on these Subjects the minister of SIM
They have distorted its holy pages into
seeming justification of the most atrociot
social and political crimes drunkenness
$ssr, slavery, caste, passive obsdisncs to 60