The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-23
Explorations in Pnlcstine-BibIe History
Confirmed.


Confirmed.
). The zeal Of learned Christians and scientific
men is accomplishing great deal In the pre-
sent age to establish the truth of Bible history,
and, therefore, to undermine that formidable
structure of scepticlsm and hooking infldelity
which sprung up in the last century and
threatened at one time to overthrow Chris
tianity. Voltaire, Diderot Rousseau, the
French encyclopedias, Paine and host of
other brilliant writers, just preceding and at
the time Of the great French revolution of
1888, vigorously attacked Christianity and
the Bible history on which it was founded
as fable or myth. The human mind at
that period chafed under the restraints
of pricstly dogmatism and absolute mo-
narchcal government, which rested, in a
great measure, on priestly influence. The
leading or representative minds resolved
to break the chains that bound mankind,
but in their efforts to this end struck indis-
crminatcly at truth as well as error. The
beautiful character Of Christ was blackened,
the most sublime doctrines and highest moral
lily proclaimed by Jesus, and that ever
had been proclaimed, were condemned,
the facts Of Bible history that stood upon
better foundation than any in ancient history
were laughed at, and the finest ntellects were
employed in applying the axe to the root Of
religion which humanity needed. Philosophy
had run into madness. The good was Knocked
at on account of the evils that had grown up
under the pretended authority Of religion. The
frightfill orgies Of the nGdels of the French
revolution and the reaction since have brought
mankind to a more just and solter view of
Christianity. Unbelievers do not mock as they
did then. While they cannot bring themselves
to believe In the mysteries of the Christian reli-
glon they admit the excellence both Of its doc
trines aud the character of the Founder. Pure
rationalism has taken the place of ribald inf
deity.
Men now want q reason for everything.
They are not willing to take anything on faith.
This is the condition of the human mind at
present. 1t is so even in the churches
There are, no doubt, few devotees among
all orthodox sects who accept revealed religion
by faith without attempting to reason upon it;
but the mass OF those in Church membership
become SO because it is respectable, while
they are at heart sceptical. Whatever dis
coveries are made, then, to support Bible his
tory and to establish the truth of the Scrip
lures are blessing to the world. The meet
ing at the Fourth Avenue Presbyterian church
on Sunday night, in support of the society to
explore the Holy Land, an account of which
we published yesterday, should meet with
appreciation from all Christians. One Of
She interesting incidents of this meeting
was tho exhibition of a fac simlte Of the
stone discovered in the Holy Land,
with the Moabitish inscription illustrating facts
mentioned in the Second Book of Kings This
stone was set up about the year S02 d. G.,
and the inscription, which is we'll understood,
confirms IN q remarkable manner that portion
of the Old Testament which records the rebel
lion of Moab against Israel aud the Moabites
gaining their independence. We cannot we'll
overesimate the value of this relic Of ancient
history to biblical students and the cause Of
religion. In all probability there are many
such in Palestine and other parts of the East.
The society which has been formed here to
make explorations in cooperation with the
English Palestine Exploration Society should
receive the cordial support of our religious
communities and the learned. Our rich men,
bers of churches-and there are plenty Of
xhcm-irrespectivo of sectaran differences,
could not spend their money in better way.
The Bible is the most precious legacy Of the
past to mankind, and whatever tends to con-
firm Its authenticity and to undermine the
raLionalistic scepticism Of the times will be q
great and lasting blessing to the world.
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