Morning journal and courier., 1883-03-03
Lecture to Theologians.

Rev. Dr. John Hall Speaks fn Regard to the ApOlOgettc and DemomfnattOnal Work. The last in the course of lectures to theo- logical students was given in Marquand chapel yesterday afternoon by Rev. Dr. John
 Hall, of New York city. In the course of his remarks he said: We will confer to-day in regard to apoIogetic and denominational pulpit services In religious discussions we are privileged and free to speak, although timid people are sometimes frightened at these free discussions. We have to try to think reasonably and should not shrink from discussion. The Lord must sanctify the heart and then we shall be ready to give a reason to every man for the hope that is within us who ask us. You and need not to be told the reason for the hope that is within us. Christianity as life is often canvassed by men, and we are to be ready to give 8 reason for this hope. We may sometimes be obliged to answer fool according to his folly. He may show by his questions that he knows not what he is talking about. We are to try to shape our answers for the good of the cause If man asks to be instructed we should be always ready to give him an ans wer. With honest seekers we are always to be honest, and with due solemnity give the
 reasons. That religious doctrine which you
 and I hold ought to keep us in meekness and fear. It is very well to tell our people this duty. We are not fanatics, not enthusiasts,
 but every true Christian is an honest believ- CT in the truth and God leads him along We don't want our people to blind their eyes to what we say but we want them to study for themselves, and we as teachers should be able to qualify our people to study for them selves. We are bound to 50 teach them that they can at all times give answer for the hope that is within them. When we come to l the character of the questioning we are led to wonder at the answers that Christians may find to answer them. There never was a plainer or more simple instructor than our Lord. Look also at the teaching of the 1 Apostle Paul, how easily he meets are put to him. Read his discussion of the resurrection. His answer to these questions l were, :FThou fool" and he goes on his way. You may say to the questioner, look into the Bible for yourselves. If we have made a mistake we are sorry for it. As 8 general ! rule those who raise objections do not make them against Christianity, but as 8 rule it is against the forms and difference of views of Bible teaching. You may not be afraid to appeal to facts when the doctrine of scriptur- al ethics is under discussion. Who will say ! that navigation is all folly because a ship is sometimes wrecked Our blessed Lord set | forth 8 free gospel, but he did not spare the l seribes and pharisees If men do not ac- cept the truth then you can appeal to facts l notwithstanding all the failures we have to ] overcome. Our Lord never claimed 6 monopoly of all the maxims of truth, but he recognized the prophets. There isa form ot l objection sometimes put in this way. You
 say you are bound to be holy. That is mer l cenRry. There may be certain appearance 1 of plausibility in their questions and you | should be ready to answer them. There is s I personal God against whom we have sinne6 l and if we do not repent he will cast us from
 him. Admiration, love, gratitude, these are
 what we should seek for. have l no need to tell you, gentlemen ! specimen and hurry on. One will take cart
 not to waste time on things which are of nt l moment. The Bible is our authority and VI 1 are to hold fast to it as the basis of oul Professionalism as against Catholicism. ! would stand up for the ministry and Puri
 tanism of living as against the morals o I many foreign cities Do not give any ad I vantages to those who oppose or controver I truth. There is no particular use in planting | 8 cannon to get rid of flies. A man vii
 sometimes set his thoughts in yer,
 terse manner. He will magnify tn
 importance of the task he is about to under
 take. There should be no want of magnan
 unity on our part in discussing any question
 but we should be just and fair all around
 Sometimes men say there should be no COZ
 troversy in the pulpit. say to you tha
 there will be conversation in the pews. It
 better to have two strong arguments tha
 three and one of them weak. Always kee
 your temper and speak gently, speak gently I fondly hope the Puritans will hold thei
 ground on their own soil. Preach in th
 spirit and prove by your preaching that .yo are always ready to give. reason for th
 hope that is within you