Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-01-26

IN the f6Druary number OF the North
American Review, Prof. Geo. p. Fisher
of the Yale Divinity School, whose wri-
tings on the supernatural origin Of
Christianity and on ecclesiastical histo-
ry are well known, comes to the de-
fence of the Christian Religion against
the attacks of modern doubt and infidel-
ty. No abler or more eminent advo-
cate for the orthodox faith could be
summoned into the controversy that
has lately been waged on this high
theme, and it is not too much to say
that Prof. Fisher justi6es every expecta-
tiOn by the vigor and clearness with
which he handles the subject. He pro-
ceeds IN very orderly manner to main
tain series of positions in regard to
the origin, essential character and beni-
ficent effects of the Christian faith,
which are intended in themselves to fur
nish the answer to all objections and
eavils. In the FIRST place he takes ad-
vantage of the position that Christiani
ty is no new thing whose present exist
ence calls for justification or apology.
1t is inwrought with the very fibre and
substance of the best part of modern in
stitutions and civilization, and has con-
tributed more than any ether force to
making them what they are. We are
impresSivelv invited to imagine what
they would have been without its agen-
cy. The idea that Christianity has been
bane to mankind is very effectually
disposed of 10y an appeal to history and
the experience of the race. In tracing
the development of Divine Revelation
and the gradual establishment of the re-
liglon of which Christianity is the con-
summation, Prof. Fisher gives very
broad Interpretation to the idea of in
spiration in the writings which contain
its record and its precepts. Thereby he
is enabled to meet with skill and effect
some of the most telling arguments of
the skeptic and the infdel. He claims.
for instance, that the Divine method
was to select chosen people and lead
them gradually up to the plane upon
which the fullness Of truth could be re-
vealed to them with possibility of be-
ing received and propagated. There was
no sudden transformation of human ma
ture, no violent sweeping away of old
institutions and miraculous introduction
of new system to which there must be
sudden and complete adaptation of
mankind, equivalent almost to new
creation of the race; but instead of that
the chosen people were dealt with as
men of their own era, and those that
surrounded or came in contact with
them were similarly treated according
to the requirements of the stage of pro-
gress reached from time to time. Hence
the evils and abuses characteristic of
ancient days were not suddenly rooted
out, but were restrained and mitigated,
while the forces were set at work which
were to effect their annihilation. This
idea of the gradualness of revelation
and the modified character of inspira-
tion avoids vast array of difficulties,
but at the same time it approximatcS the
process of religious development to that
of political and social developments and
the growth of civilization generally. To
many minds it will seem in no small |
measure to abolish the distinction be-
tween religious revelation and the gen. |
eral supervision of human affairs which |
all devout minds attribute to the Deity. |
In dealing with the facts and doctrines |
of Christianity, Prof Fisher displays |
much Of the same breadth of method. |
While he resolutely maintains the gen
uIneness and credibility of the miracles |
of the Saviour and the Divine Character
of the Gospel record, his arguments re-
garding the authenticity, substantial /
and essential truth as to facts
of the New Testament scriptures, are
such as would be applied to any other
writings. Considered in
that light they are Well-nigh conclusive,
but they are in some respects, quite diff
fsrent from what we have been aceus-
toned to in religious controversy. The
testimony of the disciples is tested as
human testimony, and the records treat
ed as subject to the ordinary accidents
and Incidents of literature. All this, of
course, does not affect the essential
character of Christian revelation or the
religious belief and practice that is
upon it, In dealing with these,
the learned writer has strong case, and
presents it with much vigor and force.
His contribution to the controversy will |
be regarded with great interest, as fur
nishing the latest statement of orthodox
views in what may be regarded as an
form. Taking it as such,
not the least part of its value will be
found in the evidence it affords of the
character of the most strict
y orthodox thought of the day.
Other articles in the February num-
Der of the Review are: "Do the Spoils
Belong to the Victor2" by President
Andrew d. White; "a Remedy for Rail-
way Abuses" by Isaac L. Rice; "Repu-
liation in Virginia." by Senator John
w. Johnston; and "The Lancet and the
n w - hv Harry Rargh