, 1877-11-25

| Then VIC hare chapters dealing with ''The In
s1,,r.t;on OF the Scriptures. Modern Moaiiica-
lions OF the Doctrine OF Inspiration, 80 Author
ship aud Authority q the pcntateusn :n and
| .'T1e Old Testament Canon Generally" J" " The
| lrophecies.'' TEcism Of the Jews Impure aud
Progressive Origin Of the Gospels" y Fl
| deity Of tho Gospel Eistory-Naturc and Linn
its"
IL the second volume we get the II Considera-
:iu;l OF the Gospels - The Limits OF Apostolic
Wisdom aud Authority, Is Miraclcs,'' Re$urrcc-
t!ou u Jesus IS Is Christianity a Revealed Re-
ligiout' :. Christian Eclectic.sm,'' THE Great
Enigma
Mr. Gregs preface to the first edition Of his
book gives the general purpose OF the hook: It
is only necessary to quote the following from
this preface to show this purpose:
Much observation Of thu conversation ana con-
1royersy ct the religious world had wrought the
conviction that the evil resutln: from the received
notions 10 Scr!pt4Eal authority has been I'M
,1e1re]y underestimate wis compelled to see
tEat there is scarcely lpss and dlrflonDs1n con-
ception Of God current among ilen scarcely mar
fotS and malignant passion OF the hannah heart
scarcely moral obliuity. rca1cclya political error
lnisdce, which Biblical texts arc .lot and may
not TIC without my violence tn their obvious els-
nGeat:on. atiducc, to cUurtenancc aild justify TN
the other hand. WAS compelled ~ see how many
clear, honest, and aspiring minds have bccn ham
rrcd and bailed in their struggles after truth anL
I.il, how many
rESDEIt, PURE, AND LOVING HEARTS HAVE
BEES HARDENED.
perverted, and forced y denial OF their uobler
na;u:c and t'SiE better instincts by the ruthless IN
flucEce 0: sumo passages Of Scripture, which
seemed in the elea1e*t tansusse to to CO..; con-
No work. contributed more than Alr. New
mans '.pha$cs Of Faith y TO force upon
n'e the conviction thSt but little pro.1s*s can hs
feeling till the question OF Biblical authority shall
have been placcd upon sounder footing. anu
viewed III very different ligh:
The three conclusions which have chiefly en-
dc4vnred 10 make clear arc these: hat the tenet
Of the inspiration Of the Scriptures il bascless and
uutcnabie under any form modification which
leaves to it doc1natic value: that the Gospels are
not tcxtually faithful recordS Of the sayings ana
to Hun words which He never uttered. and deeds
w!icn He never did; and that the Apostles only
partially comprehcnded ard itnpe:tecty trans. A..
establishment Of these points Is tic contribution
IL III. progress OF religious science which have
attempted to render.
Nor. | earnestly hope, will the book he regarded
rs antasonistlc to the filth " Christ 1t Is with
strong conviction that pon,tlar Christianity is not
the religion Of Jesus that have resolved TO pub
iith my views. What Jeeus really did and taught,
and whether His doctrines were perfect or super
human. ale questions which anotu ample mat1eftor
IN independent work.
The above will convey very clearly
THE PLAN AND PURPOSE
Of "The Greed OF Chris:endom." Those who
are fnlnilar with those very interesting and in
deed charming books republshGd from tue En-
glisl- edition q few years ago, - Enig1aas OF
Lifc'' and Literary and Social Judgments"
will not need to bc told with what difference
and grace Mr.: Greg approaches auy opposing
forces, nor with what skill he proceeds to COM
hat them. iu The Creed OF Christendom>" The
book will be doubly acceptable just now, when
such CURIOUS specimens rs the irrsyerenu Bonn
,stes Cook cone 10 the front to rove the
pnoyabc by ayalanches Of words, and torrents
Of rhetoric run mad. The cool, dispassionate,
earnest seeking after Truth for Truths sake
Which alfnla1cs every page Of Mr.. Gres,'s book
is in notable contrast to the weak and intemper-
atc assaults oi the man Of Biologic spasuls ami
n.