New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-22

cheering to send river rushing into the valley OF
the Jordan" We are constrained to say thst tnls
seems to us low and inadequate view OF the meth
DDS and means by which the Divine purpose Is car
red out. We do not see why Chinese Gordon
should take DR.. Newmans word for 1t that he ought
not to build the Jordan canal for Dr. Newman's
view Of the matter certainly cannot be sustained
upon Scriptural basis. 1t would be very difficult
to demonstrate any general fulfment Of prophecy
by direct Divine interposition. On the contrary,
the weight of evidence goes to show that
God does as a rule work through human agency.
1t has indeed been often enough asserted
that Biblical prophecies have been tempered with,
but the charge has in most instances been made by
unbelievers, and they have alleged that such
tamperngs had been perpetrated In order to effect
Fictitious fulflment of the prediction.
Dr. Newman probably would not admit the valid
ity of these accusations but he must be well aware
that the admissbty of human agency in such full
hlment is not only conceded by the principal writer's
upon prophecy but that it is a necessary hypothesis
for all who assert the genuneness of divine yatic
nations. And DR.. Newman might be embarrassed
If he was asked to explain the confidence with which
he assumes absolute knowledge of the Divine pur-
pose. If, as seems to be generally agreed among
enlightened Christians God has been operating
through human agencies since the beginning, there
can hardly exist any sound reason for concluding
that He is about to change His course now. Nor
can it be doubted that the successful carrying out
of Chinese GOrdOns" Jordan canal project would
be hailed trumphantly all over orthodox Christ
endom a fulhlment of prophecy. 1t is indeed a
pity that DR.. Newman should have taken so I'M
tenable position, and the more particularly be-
cause the number of the believers in miracle Is
steadily diminishing, and therefore if 1t is asserted
that there can be no Jordan canal until direct D-
vine action takes place afraid that very little
hope will be entertained of the renaissance of the
Valley of the Jordan.
In these days of agnOsticsm and nfdelity it is not
tho part Of wisdom in the clergy to insist upon
views which are obviously discredted by the
knowledge of the age and it is still more imprudent
for them to take up positions which are indefensi
bic even from the point of view Of pure orthodoxy.
Enlightened mon and women who arc also very
good Christians can see reason why the Divine
will should not be carried into effect through
human agency, and the more enlightened they are
the less likely they believe that such DEGREES
arc fulfilled in any other way. The rational Orlo-
dox presumption must be that if /" Chinese
Gordon" has determined to construct a canal
through the Valley of the Jordan. he is
the humble but direct agent of God in bring
ing about the fultilment of ancient prophecy.
And this view, which we have said is necessary
to any consistent belief in prophecy and its fulfill
ment, also involves a very much lOftier conception
of the Deity than Dr. Newman appears Judging
from his views upon this matter, to entertain. In
fact his conception has n SAVIOR of authropomorph-
ism which is calculated to deprive it Of value for the
educated Christian of the period.