Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-07
REV.HEBER NEWTON
On Orthodoxy and the Bible-He Be-
Iieyes the Books that Comprise
1t to be SIS
Human as AuE Writings on the Earth,
and Much Of Them UBht for.
Publication.

NEW York, January 4-The grea. sensa-
ton here Just now is the position Of the rec
tor Of the AEthon Memorial church on
1.-THE Wrong Uses Of the Bible Last Sun
dav he preached a sermoa on this subject, in
which be said: Il IS a wrong use Of the
Bible, TO 20 TO IL ss an authority in
zuy sphere except that of religion and
theology. In olden times the Bible was
appealed 10 10 answer such questions as
how the world came into being, how il was
to be ultimately destroyed, and many other
problems Of like nature. In these days the
people were seeking for answers TO questions
OF this kind, and the Bible gave the answers
in some Of the finest specimens Of poetry on
record. The story Of the creation and the
beautiful legend OF the 9ardea OF Eden,
however, were but variations OF the ssme
story which had been told before, but they
were related in grsnder style than ever be-
fore, As the human race has advanced, how
ever. and human knowledge has increased,
man has learned that these cid stories OF the
creation were written TO satisfy the lodgings
of thirsting curiosity which could not be
thoroughly satisfied in the coalition Of man
at the time when they were written. 10
pretend to use the 3 bic Ia these days SIS an
answer TO the questions regarding creation
and the progress OF the human race Is wrong.
The traditions OF the creation embrace a
crude theology which was all sufficient for
the age in which they we're promulgated.
But in this century We should make at
tempt to reconcile Genesis with the theory
of the origin Of spseies. Let us discard at
once all ideas of this kind. 1t Is wrong use
OF the Bible, to construct IRON II bib
heal system of religion and theology and in-
sist that unless this system is adopted as The
r ha nna nj
the greatest moustrosities Of the Christian
world is The Christian caiechism which is
put into the hand of Sunday-school scholars.
II is wrong to quote the writers OF
the Bible, even 10 the sphere OF the
ology, as Of equal authority. II, IN resd-
ing work on political economy start
ling assertion is found, the reader turns 10
the title page, and If the name OF John
Stuart Mill y found there he accepts the as
sertion as coming from high authority. II
the name OF Henry George appears as the
author, be is inclined to accept the state
ment, because Mr.. George, unknown three
years ago, is a man of genius, and has shown
that be understands his subjec'. II the
suthor of the work is unknown and unrecog-
nized az a man Of genius, the assertion is
passed over as unworthy Of belief, unless
supported by higher authority. The Bible
should be treated with the same crucial tests
of criticism that are applied TO other works.
Inspiration does not destroy individuality.
"The name of ST. Paul" said the preacher,
us the greatest Of those OF the apostles in
the Bible, and for one am willing to accept
his doctrines. But when We turn to an OBJ
scure writer, even in the Bible, if We have
common sense we will pass it by. All the
narrow, bigoted doctrines said TO have come
from the Bible have come from some obscure
writer in whom there was no genius OF in
spiration. 1t is wrong to use the Bible 10
m auufacture from its writings any system Of
theology which is 10 be received as absolute
and final. Religion is mans conception Of
the power in which we live, and move, and
have our being. Theology is mans COZ
ception about that power. Religion and
theology ought TO 60 together"