The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-07
TALKING ATPARK AND CAMP
Lectures from Professors to the Large
Audiences Gathered at Bethany.
The Meetings at Camp Acton in the Cause of
Higher Christian Life Better Than
They Have Been for Years.
BETHANY PARK.
Instructing Lectures by Learned Men on
Various Topics.

Instructing Lectures by Learned Men on
Various Topics.
Yesterday, as one Of the visitors at Beth
any Park said. was "a good, strong day."
The morning prayer-meeting was led by
Elder Swift, of Angola. but the chief inter-
est conferred in tho five lectures, of which
two each were delivered by Profs b. j
Radford, of Eureka, ILL.,, and j. w. McGar-
vey. of Kentucky University. The one in
the evening was by Pres't A. r. Benton, of
Butler University. At Q A. NJ Professor
Radford talked on Reading and Study for
Preachers" Preachers in their reading he
said, should not be governed exclusively by
their personal tastes, nor read merely for
the sake of reading. They should have
regular hours set apart for different kinds
of literature, and be careful as TO the man.
ner OF reading. Newspaper and light liter
allure can be hastily read. but for standard
works, and those requiring study, the
reader should have at hand the pencil and
the notebook. Do not contine yourself to
any one department. but give
attention to all. The next point
discussed was what to read, and the first
book, the speaker said, should be the Bible;
but a preacher should not cOnfine his study
TO- that book alone. He should read even
what he would forbid his congregation to
read, such as Robert Elsmere,n "She" and
THE Qnick and the Dead" In his study
he should elaborate the suggestionsreceived
from his reading, and be always engaged
In carefully preparing some production.
Professor Radford was followed by Prof.
IN the Bible" The first Greek Testament,
he said, was printed i'm 1882. and many
other editions soon followed this, but the
first critical edition did not appear until
l1OI critical New Testament was lately
tons in reading in the different editions
extant: Intidelity began to boast of the
folly of putting faith in such an inaccurate
work. This was the greatest crisis that
mas ever occurred in the history of Chris
tlanlty. Richard Bently now stepped forth
as defender of the Bible. He examined
the classics, showing them to be full of
errors similar to those found in editions of
the New Testament. He pointed out 10000
variations in different editions of Terence.
book much smaller than the New Testa-
ment. Manuscript copies of the Testament
were then sought for and compared. show
ing more than 10000 variations in reading.
lie then spoke of the work of Bengal,
Wetstein. Griesbach and Tischendorf. es-
peclally the latter. who devoted his life to
visiting the various converts and librar les
In all parts of Europe, Asia and Africa in
search of original New Testament manu-
scripts. His most important discovery was
the Codex Siniaticus, part of which was
found in a waste basket. and about to be
used as kindlIng. In conclusion, the Pro-
fessOr showed that the results of careful
comparison of the various manuscripts
proved that of the 10000 variations, one
half consisted of mistakes in spelling and
in the order in which the words were ar
ranged In the sentences, the insertion or
omission of pronouns, articles, etc: but
that the sense was never thereby in
the least affected The carefully-written
manuscripts had few mistakes.
The first lecture of the afternoon was by
professor RadfOrd, on the general subject
of "AnthropOlOgy," or discussion of the
origin and development of man. He showed
that many leading ethnOlOgists claim that
Even Darwinians lean toward the idea of
an original one pair. On the other hand,
some believe that the human race orig
mated from more than one. Many hold
that. instead of every thing tending towards
drift. The Bible teaches that sin is
degeneracy. The speaker said that
there is certain point beyond
which development does not continue un-
less the thing developing is taken hold of
and carried forward by higher power
Following this. Professor McGarvey spoke
about the evidences of Christianity dis
cussing what is, in fact. the vital ques-
tion of the whole matter-the resurrection
of Christ from the dead
In the evening DR.. Benton discussed the
question of Higher Criticism and during
his remarks he gave some account of the re-
cent assaults made upon the authenticity
of the Old Testament scrip. "Thisis critical
age" he said, lin which every thing in the
transactions and records of men must
stand and give an account of itself. Sci
ence, religion and government must all
submit to the demand. If we have hereto
fore neglected the study of the old text, re-
cent events and discoveries have compelled
us to study it. The antiquity of these
books. and the absence of all other
history of the periods dealt with
by them, make this of prime interest,
and the conflict that once ragged around
the New Testament has given way to a
consideration of the Old. The Doctor then
spoke at length on the relation the books
of Moses bear to the discoveries and theories
of modern thinkers.
To-day will be q continuation of the work
of yesterday. with addresses by Prof. Nc
Garvey, L.. Ii. Jameson and DR.. Benton.
Tomorrow will be Christian missionary
day. Friday morning, at Q o'clock, there
will be meeting in the tabernacle of all
those who are or have been in any way con-
pactaH with Rnflar Ifpiyaroifv