The Portland daily press., 1885-10-15
Rev. Mr.. BIanchard's Lecture.

Rev. Henry Blanchard delivered the opening
lecture Of his course on 1.-THE Divine Origin Of
Christianity indicated by its Historical Effects
on Tuesday evening in the vestry of the Congress
Square Church. Notwithstanding the rain, there
was large attendance.
Mr.. Blanchard began by expressing his pleasure
In meeting his hearers and beginning his course OF
lectures. These would be largely based upon
the volume Of the Rev. DR.. r. S. Storrs, Jr., of
Brooklyn, N. Y. He acknowledged also, his great
Indebtedness to the two series of Canon Rows
hampton lectures delivered in England The
line of argument, however, was one which the
speaker had formulated for himself many years
ago. He was very glad therefore, to have such
distinguished teachers publish their books. Mr..
Blanchard then proceeded to give reasons for the
delivery of his course. They are to be found in
the wide spread interest in the study of theology
and in the new views which new knowledge
brings. There are conservatives who are unwill-
ing to admit the need of change. There are pro-
gressives who see that old opinions concerning
the Scriptures, Trinity, Christ, Endless Punish
ment must lie largely amended, or wholly put
aside. There is II tendency, however, to go ahead
too f;st--to discard too much. Moreover, there is
large class Of persons Indifferent to the study
of great themes Some are Indifferent because
they are living merely for the senses. Some are
indifferent because they have found it hard to
come TO satisfying conclusions, and so nave turn
ed away from study of great subjects of thought.
The speaker would be glad to speak to the pro-
gressiVeS and to the Indifferent.
He then proceeded to show the changes which
have taken place with regard to old arguments
used to prove the divine origin of Christianity. 1t
was once believed that the Old Testament prophe-
sled Christ but DIR. Palpey, twenty years ago, and
Prof. c. Ii. Toy, a Baptist scholar, now a pro-
fessor at the Cambridge Divinity School, in his re-
cent work have irrefutably shown that the pre-
az a; to Ehrist q
than the expected Messiah. Once it was believed
that miracles proved the truth of doctrines. Once
it was ED that the resurrection authenticated the
divine mission of Christ. Now these propositions
are debated and often denied. tt is seen that
miracles cannot prove truth. II is held that the
resurrection cannot teach that Christianity came
from God
We must look deeper, therefore, for firm founda-
tions These are found in the doctrines and pre-
cepts of Christ himself. These show that they
came from source higher than man-from God
himself. This is the purpose of the course-to
of resurrection the doctrines of Christ themselves
their effects are seen in history must have had
divine origin. In the following lectures he should
show the influence upon the world of tie new con-
ccpton OF God, the new conception of man, the
new conception Of the duty of man toward God,
OF mans duty to man, in politics and society, OF
the duties Ut nations towards each other, the Ell
feet OF Christianity Oh the mental culture and on
the neral progress of mankind and on the worlds
hope oi progress. Showing the transcendent Ell
feet Of these new conceptions Introduced by
Christ, the argument is conclusive that these must
have come from Him who made and rules the
universe. Each lecture would be devoted to the
illustration of one of these points named above.
The speaker concluded his lecture by showing
what glorious results would follow the hearty ac-
ceptance of the argument. Reverence and love
for Christ would be increased SectarlaniSmwould
die--unity would come in the church universal and
with unity the greatly needed power to redeem
Jesus is the Christ of God, the Saviour of the
world.
The next lecture on ''The New Conception of
God introduced by Christianity will be given on
Friday evening, Oct. 3Oth