The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-12-18
Asto the Value of Tradition.

We published not long since su ex-
tract from letter written by preacher
on the value OF Tradition. The point
made by him was that we are dependent
on the traditions OF the early Church, cx.
tending over long period, for our in
{ ormation and assurance as TO the author
ity of each and every book in the New
Testament. "Down TO the fourth century"
said the writer, there was much contro-
versy over the Canon Of Scripture"
That is as 10 what books were and were
not inspired. 1t was finally settled that
certain books were inspired and that
others were not. This settlement, the
writer claimed, was made solely by the
traditionary knowledge OF the Fathers
who compiled the Canon, and therefore
the Sacred Books came to US by tradition
only.
A lady who read this extract in the
INTELLIGRNCER, sends US copy Of the
Christian Standard oI December 9th, con-
tanning a review Of the position taken in 1t,
and requests US as a matter oil "justice"
to publish it, or at least an extract from
IT, The review in question assails the
position quoted as utterly untenable and
for the following among other reasons:
First-we have no authoritative or con.
ceded source OF tradition. II we ask the
Question-"What authors shall be re.
ceived as reliable and authoritative deliv.
erers OF tradition ?" who can give salts.
factory answer? II divine authority is 10
be given to any medium OF tradition, must
there not be divine commission given
him to teach and must not the evidence
o! this be clear and explicitH When an
apostle delivers lesson we acknowledges
authority and con6de in its truth. When
another says, "Thus saith an apostle" and
the word Is not found in the Scriptures,
we ask, "By what authority do you claim
10 represent himp and where is the proof
oil your inspiration iniallibly to report
himp If we claim that the biogrsphers,
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, must
have been inspired in order to make their
narratives of tho Saviours teachings and
acts of final authority, Of unquestlonable
credibility, can we be satisfied with any
!ess qualification In the reporters Of apos-
tolic traditionG Why make 1t matter Of
such vital Importance to the credibility oi
the gospels, that their authors should
have been inspired, and yet be entirely
unconcerned about the inspiration OF the
authors of tradition, when that tradition
Is to have the force and authority oi
divine law, TO be. in fact, q supplementary
word Of God! II the teaching Is to be
acknowledged as the will OF God, ought
we not to Be assured that 1t comes inial.
lIbly from Him.
But Is this, can this be 80 with respect
10 traditionS Who are its authorsp We
hsve seen that no Protestant, no reasona-
bic msn-iree from the slavery of an
ecclesiastical despotlsm-csn recognize
the Roman Church, her popes or her
councils, as reliable or authoritative
teachers in divine things They have
been the authors oi contradictions among
themselves; OF corruptions In the canonS
OF their own recognized tribunals; OF
erazures and interpretations In tho most
venerated standards OF their faith and
practice; and Of the vilest and most un-
blushing frauds against the freedom and
rights and teachings ci each other. And
upon this basis Of contradictions, and
corruptlons, and lying labrications, and
shameless frauds, they have built up
asystem OF superstition and ceremony as
toreign to apostolic Christianity as was
the old paganiSm OF which II has been In
90 many particulars composed. The mon.
archy and iplaIlibility oI the Pope; tho