The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-01-25
Ghosts. and To that extent the legend divsrges
from the MoAAio history.

from the MOSAIC history.
wo may add in conclusion that Canon Raw.
linson has no difficulty In demonstrating that
the whole experience OF Joseph. and the toler-
alton which the Israelites enjoyed for many
years afterward. 10 easily explained BY the
chron illogical coincidence OF their advent with
tho dominance OF Hyksos or allen Kings. who
were themselves intruders from Syria or north
ern Arabia The subsequent persecution OF
jacobs descendants was only one OF the results
that inevitably followed the revival OF race
hatred and traditional exolusiveness incident
to tho reconauost OF the Milo country by o ma
tive dynasty.
Liberal CAristians In Episcopal Psipits.
When we apply the term Liberal Christian
to the Rev. DIR. JAMES s. BUSH. who has pub
lished a collection Of singularly striking SER
mons in a volume entitled The Evidence Of Faith
tOsgood). we do not, OF course. use the words
In the somewhat narrow sense which they often
bear in Massachusetts. whore the author lives.
Ho is not Unitarian. but m Episcopal clergy
man. and tho circumstance adds interest and
import to his unconventional. Independent
methods OF inquiry. and to the breadth and
cnndor Of the conclusions reached. 1t Is true
that another American Episcopal clergyman
has OF late evinced like un1inching willing
ness to sift by tho light Of modern historical
and critical exegess the reasons for the faith
bling supports OF outworn dogma from what he
deems the indcfeasible warrant OF Christianity.
We need not say that In the Anglican Church.
OF which American Episco aiAnism 10 a rather
tender. shrinking. and tmid ofYshoot. such
latitude and bodness in discussion has long
ceased to startle or Incense. The day Is
gone. never to return 1t may be hoped.
when such modest and tentative applications
OF the critical spirit as were embodied In tho
. IT..
and obiurgation. But for many reasons. chief
OF which are the calling dependence OF an
American Episcopal Clergyman for livelihood
upon the approval OF his parishioners and the
comparatively scant diffusion OF ripe and accu-
rate knowledge in tho community at large a
disposition to admit what. in presence OF the
transformations wrought by scholarship and
science, can no longer DO contested-while at
the same time affirming with unshaken con-
stancy and ardor the fundamental truth and
divine mission OF Christianity-is an excep-
tional. surprising. and significant phenonce-
non. Alike by the social observer who watches
heedfully the tides and cddies Of opinion and
by the earnest student of theology. who would
fain reconcile thirst for the new ionrnin.
with zeal for the old faith this book by DIR.
Bush will be taken up with curiosity, and pom
dered. we believe. with profit.
1t Is frankly avowed b. DR.. Bush that the
ened men in the once universally received no.
ton Of n plenary verbal inspiration. II is read
in the tAnglicanl churches appointed but II
is interpreted by Anglican divinesl as tho
spirit giveth UNDERSTANDING" Tho Thirty
nine Articles themselves arc variousy OK
pounded. For example: The resurrection OF
tho body is no longer inculcated by intelligent
divines as it was taught and believed by those
who framed the articles" There are with
In tI,nr
England who insist upon a right to exercise
the freedom OF honest Investigation. and to
distinguish between the substance and tho
form OF the Christian faith. With such in
aurers. who are not in the least dismayed by
the epithet latitudlnarian. or even by the
charge OF herssy. 1t is evident that Dr. Bush Is
in lively sympathy and 1t is the aim OF his SER
mons to demonstrate that their point Of view
is in no wise incompatible with loyalty to Christ
or to the Church. He believes indeed III we
have caught his menninG). that strenuous
efforts to enforce Q rigid adherence to the form
| ularies OF doctrine would under tho intellectual
conditions OF age. prove fatal to the stabil-
| ity and growth OF Christianity. regarded as an
organized and corporate institution.
| Tho frankness and sincerity OF tho stand
made By DIR. Bush may DO exemplilod by some
crucial declarations in the Introduction. For
instance: In tho Roman Church IL is an arti-
petual. Professionals generally believe that this
gift WAS withdrawn some time In tho second or
third century OF the Christian era II belief in
miracles Is based upon human testimony the
Catholic position il quite as tenable a. the
! Protes TAM. II it depend upon priOri reason
| ing IL IL still stronger. For God does not
| change either in power or purpose. and there
| Ia quito "a much need to convince the ignorant
| and unbciievin. by miracle to- day rs there was
In " I'M ~ ha hri atj in oh Az
! all events. it. Is certain shat both Catholics
| and Pro.estants unite in making this tthe
| crodihility OF mraclesl tho corner stone In
| the whole fabric OF Christian belief and the
| matcrialist is triumphng already in the hope
that. this support bein. withdrawn. the whole
! must tumble into ruins" DR.. Bush does not
enter into minute discussion OF the possib i'll
! ity Of miracles or tho credibility OF those re-
counted in tho Scriptural narratives. But he in
dicates very plainly his own opinion on tho
| subject: III tho fate OF our religion does. in
| deed hang upon an issue like this then tho
! time Ia not far distant when the Christian
| faith will b. confined to the ignorant. the cred
ulous. and tho supsrstitIous. mastered by the
| tyranny OF corrupt priesthood. Christianity.
to hold its placs In tho minds OF honest and
| thoughtful men. must have Its credentials Ia
realities which can DO verified. Its truths, to
| be received must be susceptible OF proof
which denss criticism and is accessible to
all who do not purposely set their minds
| against it," But IL such proof can bs
no longer looked for in tho arguments from
miracles. from the fuiflment OF prophecies.
or from tho plenary inspiration OF the Scrip
lures. where then shall II be foundp That Is
the question to which DR.. Bush confines him
self The specific purpose OF these sermons Is
architectural. not critical; to build up. not to
pull down. and therefore. without pausing to
abjure disputable dogmas or discard unsound
testimony. they endeavor to trace an unassail-
able line OF apologctics by adducng tho proofs
OF Chrlstianitys divine origin presented in the
character and teachings OF its founder. Their
object is to justify tho -afflrmancs that 1t is
the glory OF our religion and the pledge OF it's
| perpetuity in the world that it bears within it.
self this proof. md that wherever it's great
central doctrines are proclaimed they carry