The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-11-21
THE AGE OF MIRACLES.

Mr.. Matthew Arnold is industriously en-
gagged in reforming the Christian Church.
Why he does not use his magnificent mental
endowments to reform the Mohammedan
Church or some other Church still more in
need of reformation Is not stated. Mr..
Arnold is just now engaged in crusade
against miracles as taught in the New Testa-
ment and elsewhere, and is clearly of the
opinion that miracles will have to go, be-
cause miracles have fallen into discredit
justly and necessarily, and through the very
same natural and salutary process which
had previously extinguished our belief in
witchcraft, is to be frankly admitted Also" 1t
would appear that Matthew Arnold entertains
the opinion that 70 believe in Jehovah's
power to work miracles, or that Christ, while
upon earth, did work miracles, is the same low
order of credence as the old witchcraft craze.
There is however, this great and astounding
difference. A belief in wichcraft is degrad-
ing. while faith in such miracles as are
credited to Christ, elevate, expand and en-
rapture mems thoughts. To heal the sick,
cast out devils, give sight to the blind and
hearing to the deaf, to enable the lame to
walk and to feed furnishing thous-
ands will, an amount of food
scarcely sufficient to supply the
wants of a half-dozen people were acts emf
nently commendable, good in all regards.
Wonderful acts we admit, and yet they were
performed amidst other works vastly more
surprising, and which, to rejecting minds,
excite adoring emotions Just what harm
has come to the world by belief in Gods
power to work miracles, Mr.. Matthew Ar
mold ought to make appear before he invites
the Christian world to abandon its belief in
the New Testament record. With this belief
vitalizing Christians, they have done what
little has been done in redeeming the world
from ignorance, from darkness. from
a wilderness. If the belief in miracles has
anywhere retarded human progress Mr..
Arnold ought TO be able to place the facts on
record, or, If those who like himself, disbe-
lieve in miracles have been more successful
in carrying forward the great civilizing en-
teIprises which excite hopes of the final fri
umph of Christianity than those who have
believed in miracles, Mr.. Arnold owes it to
himself and to his theories to furnish the
needed data. We fail to see why the Chris
tian world would be better off by discarding
its belief in miracles II is getting along
remarkably we'll while holding on to
that belief. It is the Christian
that builds Hospitals and School Houses. 1t
is the Christian world that takes care of the
insane. the poor, and the friendless-not to
the extent, perhaps, of it's ability, but in a
way that promises more glorious results in
the near future. Would it help on such
enterprises to cast aside belief in miracles?
Would the benevolent contribute more to
works of charity, if they could be pursuaded
that Christ did not heal the leper or restore
the sight to poor, blind Bartimas' eyes? or
what is still better. would il increase the
stride of the men who march in the grand
array OF progress, to convince them
that Christ did not possess the power to work
miracles2 Mr.. Arnold is of the opinion that
some other things besides miracles will have
to go. He says 1.-The materialistic future
state, the materialistic kingdom OF God. of
our popular religion. will dissolve like some