The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-04-04

Houest Eoubt a"d MaiIgpnzt Inf
deity.
Editors OF the Register.
There are instances OF honest DOUBT In
regard to the truths OF the Bible The
number OF persons who are perp!exed
by them is perhaps not so large as Tor
some reasons might be imagined. New
ertheless there are those who, notw!th-
standing desire to know the truth, are
thus troubled.
Such a state OF mind is no indication
of intellectual superiority to others who
are Tree from these doubts. 1t can be
traced to causes which are strictly cir
cumstantial. A man may firing it on
himself by the habit OF debating truths
of which, at the time, he is thoroughly
convinced. Or be may have been sub
;ected BY others TO mode OF training
which tends to produce it. Come as II
NAV, there is nothing in it to excite a
feeling OF pride.
Sincere doubt must gil the soul with
sadn. Sc. The problems with which the
Bible deals are the most important
which esu engage the attention OF men
Whence AMI? Whittier am / going Z
What shall be my destiny? By the
side OF these questions all others, TO q
thoughtful mind, must eli X into insig
nif,cance. To be in uncertainty as 10
the answer to them is enough TO over
wbelm the soul with gloom. And how
can there be a solution from any other
sourcesthsn divine revelation
Honest doubt ought to receive very
tender treatment from those who are
confirmed in their faith. 1t deserves
our pity, because OF the present
,adpess which it is calculated to
inflct on its subject, And it deserves
il also, because the end Of 1t may be OF
such sort that We could only WISH 70
avert our eyes from it. Honest DOUBT
il light is carefully sought and follow,
ed. will end in a faith which may be
ali the more firm because OF the expe.
riepce through which it has been at
tanned. But il that light ia not sought
and followed there may be a gradual
exchange Of it Tor q scepticism which
| loves to iced upon the d faculties whict
il can raise, or even for deiant!oppo
s;tion to the truth.
The remedy Tor this state OF mind II
a careful and prayeriul investigation o
the claims OF the Bible, together with
hearty obedience to the truth as 500
+ and a far as it is recognized. Soli'
ground may not be reached IN a day
but by.snd-by he who follows to
course suggested, will be able to Tee
L. that his feet are on rock which VII
0. be unshaken TO all eternity.
There are also instances OF fnahona''
!, infdelity In come cases it is u'd'sgu
n ed; in others it seeks to hide its res
character under the pretence OF hones
= doubt. But the suimas OF 1t IS amos
certain in some manner TO be revealed
Malignant infidel,ty originates 10
variety OF sources. Very often it spriot
largely from ignorance. The Bible b,
not been read, or has been read onl
with a view to pick flaws in it. As
!, consequence itsresl character is total
:, miss ppreh ended. Agaio, it often pr
y ceeds 10 part from deep-seated pref
dice Perhaps from youth It
u,;na has been trained to loo
upon the scriptures as an Invention
pr,ss,cralt or as 40 obstacle to huns
progress. And under the wrong 81
i. a habit Of bitter opposition Is iorme
And it often proceeds very largely ITO
a lie which 10 in cosfIct with the m
!. rali,y Of the scriptures. 1t isverJ co