New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-19
THE SQUIHES LIBKARY.

been followed by strenuous efforts to explore
tho mysterious library OF Squire Wcndoyer.
What was most destructive to Christian faith
in that remarkable novel was tho implication
that there was on accumulation Of historic in
formation and hostile criticism somewhere in
existence by which the value OF the New Tesla
ment writings was hopclcSsly dlScredlted.
Robert Elsmcres religious convictions wcro
shattered when he gained arccSS 10 that won
derful literary stCrrhduso containing the latest
results Of German scholarship and French hnc
English agnostic criticism; and the inference
drawn by many an illinformcd and superficial
reader OF Mrs. Wards pages. as Vincent TymmS
well SAYS, il that scores Of Chm stan preachers,
who have accepted the traditional testimonies
and argumentH Of the seminaries Respecting tho
trtIstw orIdineSs ~ the Gospel narratives aud
the lcttors Of Paul would be compelled 20 aban-
don their pulpits il they were banished for
SEASON 10 Squire Wrndoyer's alcovcs and put
npon their ronSicncrs 10 reason honestly about
what they should find IN those mysterious vol
times The controversies which have arisen in
England between the0logianS like DR.. Waco
and agnoStcs under tho leadership OF Professor
Huxley have served the important purpose Of
dispcllng exaggerated notions respecting the
COMPASS and scope ~ anti Christian literature
and scholarship II the latest imprint.
DR.. WAGE who is principal OF Kings College,
made the moderate statement that whatever
critical opinion might be held respecting tho
origin and structure Of tho Gospels, thcro could
be no reasonable doubt that those testimonies
afford true account Of ChnSt'S essential be-
lief and cardinal teaching. Professor Huxley
in reply challenged the general credbIity of the
Gospels, and appealed 10 the main results Of
Biblical criticism as set forth in the works OF
Strauss, Baur, ReuSs and VOlkmar in support
Of the agnostiCS position that men can know
absolutely nothing Of the authorship aud gen
uincncss Of the New Testament writings Tho
controversy has drawn out two replies from
| DR. WAGE, n rcjoindcr from Professor Huxley
| and numerous other papers in the English re-
| views. We make no attempt to outline tho
| course Of this interesting discussion, our pur-
| pose being 70 lay stress on tho fact that Pro-
! fessor Huxley, while covering the essential
! ground OF historical evidence, which compelled
! Elsmcrcs withdrawal from the English Church.
| fails TO produce any OF those convincing vol
umes from the Squire's library. The works u
! Strauss, Baur ReusS, Nolkmar Holtzmann and
| Rcran, to which he refers as containing tho
main results Of modern Biblical criticism. arc
| on the book shelves Of the mass Of well-cd
ucatcd Christian preachers. They know tho
! arguments and are not convinced, AZ Esmere
| too readily was that their position in the pulpit
! Is an untcnable one, and that TO be strictly
honest they must step down aud ont, confcSsing
that they are teaching what the results OF mod
ern critical study render impossible for them 10
| believe.
Professor Huxley, in referring to these we'll
known authorities on the agnoStic side, seems
| to imply that there is substantial agreement
among them respecting the results Of the new
Biblical criticism. DR.. WAGE and Vincent
! Tymms have no difficulty in dispclling this H..
fusion. Professor Huxley himself refuses to
admit that Christ died upon the cross and
thereby commits himself to the older school Of
criticism; but the newer circle Of agnostic
writers In Germany generally follow Remains
theory, which, while admitting the death, ex.
plain the resurrection appearances TO the Dis
cipleS as subjective phenomena. So far from
having access to Squire Wendover's mythical
library, the learned Professor does not appear
to have kept pace with the course of critical
and literary study Of the New Testament on tho
Continent. Indeed, he seems to have closed
his eyes to the recent development Of Biblical
criticism, while the English thcologians who
are answering him, unlike the Elsmere Of OK
ford, have thoroughly explored the field. Mr..
Hymns sarcastCally suggests that if Mrs. Ward
had reported the mysterious conversations
which destroyed her hero's faith, or il Professor
Huxley now would enact the part OF the Squire,
there woVld be, more realism in the talk bout
the nCy,FctgiolS reformation. The wonderful
library WA not cataogued in the novel II
Mrs Ward had cited Strauss Rcnan, RcuSs,
| Baur and the other names on the Professor
list her book would not have left the impression
on the reading world which It Immediately pro-
| duccd. The Suuire's Hbrarv apparentlv con.