The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1863-03-20
Startling Theological Develop.


The Charleston Courier. Of the 25lh,
contains very interesting, and, in come
respects, very important letter, dated
the Goth nit, from it's Nassau correspon.
dent. This important information re-
lates to some recently promulgated theo-
logical views which. If allowed 10 20 nm
checked or unmolested, will not only I'M
sert!e, but absolutely oyerurn all our
previously conceived opinions as 10 the
authenticity Of the Bible. The views adj
vanced are startling in the extreme, and
# received, will set the heretofore reig-
ious world. whose principles are founded
on the Divine origin of the Bible, adrift
upon a sea Of doubt and uncertainty,
without rudder, chart or compass. 10
admit the correctness Of the verdict OF
the Ecclessstical Court, Is 10 accord a
triumph to inidelity, and to surrender
principles and opinions held dear up to
this time, even TO the extent Of suffering
msrtyrdom for them by Jews and by
Christians OF all denominations. We
invite to the following the earnes: atten.
ton Of our readers:
The last mail steamer brought in the
English reviews and magazines forJanua-
I nv. There Is not 4 book store, nor store
where books are sold in Nassau, and one
who has passion for periodical literature
is forced 10 seek for it on the tables Of
| the public library. a recent visit To that
convenient institution, affoI ded me the
opportunity Of taking notes OF the con-
tents of the reviews, and propose 20
write them out for the benefit OF those
Courier readers who are suffering by the
interruption OF the foreign mails.
To begin with the Liberal organ, the
audacious and powerful minister
Quarterly: the articles are upon English
+, Cpnvicts, "lhe Literature of Bohemia"
Bishop Colvnzo on the Pentareuch,"
Indian Annexations," Victor Hugo's
| Les Miserables," The Microscope and its
/ Revelations" Greece and the Greeks"
and THE. Italian Ministry" BY far the
most important subject is that of the al
| legged revolution in progress in England
relative to the belief IN the historical au-
thenticity of The Bible. Over year ago
= SERIES ot power vi artc t, We're publish
ID III book form entitled Essays aud
! Reviews" in which the accuracy of the
historical .porlions Of the Old Testament
were severely criticised. The strict CON
| structionists took alarm. Numerous re-
pies appeared. and the authors of Is
says and Reviews" were called before
| the Ecclesiastical Court to answer the
charge Of here,y. TO the surprise Of
many. the accused were acquitted and
according to the Westminster, the Court
laid down the principle that the clergy
of the Established Church are not obliged
to maintain every part of the Bible as an
in allible record OF past history, and eve
ry word as the sacred utterance of the
spirit of God"
In the midst of the confusion created
by this decision disappeared the FIRST
volume of The Pentaleuch and Book If
Joshua. critically examined" by Rev
William CoIenso, Bishop OF Natal The
author takes the ground boldly that the
Pentateuch Is not reliable as u historical
record. and that it was not written by
Moses. He places its authorship at a
date considerably posterior to the events
it recites. The Westminster emphatic
ally agrees with the Bishop, and the
whole is discussed with the conclusion
that the intellectual world is abou, to
take the Bible as an expression OF mems
ideas Of Gods will, rather than an eX
preston OF the VIII of God himself
The National Review, the new London
Quarterly, IS beginning to take a high
rank forability It's bold and ludepend-
ent in its opinions. The following ex.
tract from an article on Bishop Colen2o's
book. will certainly be OF interest as an
illustration OF the situation" IN the re
ligious world:
The mass of Englishmen would be
surprised it they knew how tumultuouIy
the spirit Of rebellion against religious
dogmu>m. and specially the dogma of
bhural lniullIhlllly, is seethlng IN the
breasts of men who yet SHRINK from no
torety and the odlum winch 1t brings
AS body, the educated world has dis
carded these notions already. Among
the younger generation OF students, the
Bible is lreely regarded rs opcapG 10 IN
fettered criticism. 1t is only ia public
and IN print that they fear to be candid;
among one another they take the subject
for granted. Religious liberty is the
watcnword of the taclt un ieIstandln-
which prevails in literary society on the
subject"