New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-09
CURRENT RELIGIOUS OPINION

Tn The Prophets of Irsae" DR.. ". Robertson
Smith saws: 1t is manifesty absurd to think that
the very best of the Bible can be made by those
who read il for the nourishment of their religions
life so long as the history of the revelations which
il contains Is imperfectly understood" The SEN
tence Confirms the opinion held by many intelligent
CHRISTIANS that Professor Smith is untrustworthy
as n man of observation and judgment. The very
hest use OF the Bible" namely the formation OF the
highest Christian character, OF Oodlike and
ChrIstlike character, IS made ~ persons VINO are
entirely ignorant of the history of the reveal
tons" or only partially acquainted with IT, Inc
very best use of the Blb'e Is absolutely lndepen-
dent of such knowledge. The history. for which so
much is claimed enters IN no degree whatever into
the most beneficial and practical use OF the Word OF
God Thousands of thousands draw nourish-
meptD refreshment strength comfort, n hope that
will never be cOnfounded, peace Moving like a
river n iov that is the fOretaste and earnest of
celestial BLISS, from the Scriptures, without
Thought as to the history of the revelations" The
Word of God is not in the slightest degree dependent
for It's power and Its iull power upon the knowledge
so strongly commended. or upon external evidence
OF any kind. The power OF the Word lnheres In
itself II is God speaking to the soul OF man IL IS
itsuwn best evidence. The history of the Church
nroyes this conclusivelY.-lT Christian lntellI-
gencer.
-IJhe Christian at Uork finds it strong testimony
TO Emerson's Deficiencies that he never succeeded
in arousng any antagonlsIn. And whoever falls IN
this fails in possessing one OF the chief elements OF
greatness" II is possible that the Editor OF me
Ihrstdn at Work had not arrived in this country by
the year SIS. or he might have found the exchange
know that anyone ever threw brlckbat at MI.
Emerson OF at Mt Darwin either for that matter
but they both had 10 pass through the ordeal oil
laughter aud rebuke Very fortunately, they both
lived at a time when ideas were measured by ideas
when truth was tested not by manning the body OF
the man who uttered it. but by weighing the truth
itself In Emerson and Darwin had lived three
hundred years ago. they would have made antago-
nism enough AS twas, they created an opposition,
traces of which still iDger even In the pages OF ne
Christian at Fork Inc Christian Register
II il somew hat bewildering TO the mind OF
worldly pleasure seeker 10 find where the churches
draw the line between legitimate and illegtlmate
amusements. when the newspapers tell that the
proceeds of the gate-mOney and the purses of the
brighton Beach races OF June 20 Will be donated to
n church on the island; and an account Of church
festival in Iowa is given. where the ladies OF the
congregation were enshrouded in sheets. and sold to
the highest bidder who when he received his goods
was expected to furnish her with ice cream and
srrav-berries This is novel; and yet the thought
will intrude that the amount of real, living Chris
tianifv in a church that will resort TO such methods
of raising II oney must be small indeed.-lThe Chris
tian Union.
The reaction against materiallsm in science and
dogma in religion has set IN. Science must become
imbned with the spirit Of religion and religion must
adopt the methods Of scienee.-lIhe jewish
Tribune.