The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-03-24

|. they "use false texts" and "decepti
: arguments" IDEAL honestly with Il
, build on air." their theory is a fable
born of "falsehoods," supported
: ''Scripture-twisting and wriggling
their arguments are 'cobwebs,' an
their zeal outstrips their judgment an
7 they plan to undermine the Bible
This is fearful indictment! VIII
are these daring, ridiculous, and illoe
ical sinners? As | call them up i
my memory, the first one who come
to me is Moses Stuart Of Andovel
whose lifelong study Of the Bible an
profound critical knowledge Of bot
its languages place him easily at tn
head or all American commentators
His well-balanced mind, conservativ
to a fault on mnay points, clears hin
from any suspicion Of being misled b,
enthusiasm or warping of his opinion
to suit novel theories. 'Moses Stu
arts Scripture View Of the Win,
Question" was the ablest contribution
thirty years ago, to this claim about
unfermented wine, and it still holds
its place unanswered and unanswera-
BILE. By his side stands DR.. Mott, the
head Of the Union College, with the
SHOWS Of ninety winters on his brow
Around them gather scores of schol-
ars and divines, ON both sides Of the
Atlantic, in our day Taylor Lewis
gives to the American public, with
his scholarly Endorsement, the. ex-
haustiye commentary by DR.. Lees on
every text Of the Bible which speaks
Of wine; a work of sound learning,
the widest research, and fairest argu-
ment.
The ripe scholarship, long study of
the Bible, and critical ability of these
men entitle them to be considered ex-
perts ON this question. In a matter
of Scripture Interpretation it would be
empty compliment to say that DR..
Crosby is worthy to loose the latchet
Of their shoes. You would think me
using only sarcasm, if I said so.
Now imagine Moses Stuart, with
his Learned ignorance" using false
texts" dealing dishonesty with the
Scriptures begging a question and
using cobwebs for arguments" " ''wrig-
Cling and twisting the Bible;" at the
ripe age Of sixty years, his boyish
zeal outstripping his Judgment i'm
agine him, with his infdel pickax,
zealously digging away up there on
Andover Hill to undermine the Bi-
bic" Of course, all Andover will at
once recognize the fidelity Of the por-
trait and cordially thank the New
York Greek Professor for informing
them Of his discovery of this Stuart
conspiracy with Dr. Mott to bring the
authority of the Scriptures into con-
tempt.
One thing DR.. Crosby wishes to be
distinctly understood: he does not
charge such men as Stuart with mean
ing to lie. Their main arguments
are falsehoods. They take up these
weapons without sufficiently examin-
ing them. They see they can be made
effective, but do not stop to inquire
whether they are legitimate" Now,
this is very kind in our New York
Professor. We had never discovered
the superficial character Of Stuart 5
scholarship, which left him open to
such mistakes, or his mischievous haste
and culpable carelessness in logical
methods, and it is very generous in
this new Daniel to assure us that, in
spite Of these faults, he ''can with
effort, of course, and some struggle
believe in the purity Of motive OF
such men, even when they 'trample
Oh reason and Scripture in blind
rush"
Now, the truth is, the only ''castle
built on air. in this matter is the
baseless idea that the temperance
movement uses dishonest arguments
on wrests the Scripture because il
maintains that where the drinking OF
wine as an article of diet is mentioned
in the Bible with appreciation aofey-
there are scholars Of repute on both
sides Of the question; but we do not
claim too much when we say that the
weight Of scholarly authority is or
our side, and not on that Of the Doe.
tor.
But suppose the weight on each side
wcre equal. What then? One theo
ry makes the Bible contradict itself
puts it below the sacred books of many
other nations in the striotness Of it!
morality, and sets it as an obstacle tC
tho highest civilization.
The other reconciles all its teach
ings one with another, lifts it to tn,
level of the highest moral idea. ant
makes it the inspirer and the guide il
all noble efforts to elevate the race