The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-22
TmE SUPREME LAW or. FAITH.

TiE SUPREME LAW OF. FAITH.
Tn, Constitution of the United States
declares itself to be 1.-THE supreme law
OF the land Itattaches the attributes
Of supremacy to all the laws of the
United States made in pursuance there
f. SO aud also extends this supremacy to
all treaties made. or which shall be
made. under the authority of the
United States. And, in order to give
practical operation to this idea, II fur
ther declares that the judges in every
State shall b. bound thereby, anything
in the constitution or laws OF any Safe
10 the contrary notwithstanding.
Judges aud Lawyers. i'm dealing with
this Constitution. considered in refer
cuce s. the subjects embraced within
its provisions. never dispute Its author
Ity. The only question with them re
latcs SIMPLY 10 rs meaning; ana THIS
being ascerlained by just and proper
Interpretation Of It's language, Is the
end Of all dispute. The meaning of the
words binds courts, gives TO Con
crCss all its powers. limits those
powers, and determines the rights
of the people. 1t is true that the
Constitution NAV he amended by the
method prescribed; but IT Is always
takeu lust a. il is at the time, the SUI
pr. me law of the lard. ana everything
else in the civil structure and opera
lions of American society must yield TO
It's regulations.
What then is the Bible considered
IN relation 10 human faith ana practice,
and ia reference-tO our moral and spir-
itual obligation u God and man, and
how should il be tTeatedf The time
bonCred answer of Protestant Chris en-
dom j.. that the Bible. thus considered,
h the fupreme and infalible rule OF
faith and practice. Ii Is such rule.
NOT because ChTistendOm has accepted
and affirmed #. but because II Is the
Word Of God. and carries with IT his
supreme aud inlallble authority. in re-
spect alike 10 what il teaches, whether
historically OF dOetrinically, and also
10 what IL commands and promises or
threatens. All Scripture being the
opncustc. or given 10y inspiration
Of God is for this reason the
supreme rule. IL is enough. to
know his one fact by the affirmative
faith of The understanding. The law
for man as to " hat he shall believe,
AID as 10 what he shall do or omit. Is
given i'm the fac. itself To dispute the
authority Of an admitted revelation
from God is stupidity and temerity
of which the most arrogant inlidelity
cannot consciously make itself guilty.
He who recognizes the Bible as a divine
revelation, thereby, by the terms OF his
faith. ends ia his own mind all ques-
tions a. to its authority. Il is not sup
possible that, thus thinking and thus
believing. he should dispute this au
thOTitv. When God speaks man is
bound TO believe what he says. and dc
what he commands.
The real question, then. after one has
conceded the divine authority of the
Bible Is simply this: What does that
book ssy touching matter Of history.
or doctrine, or a duty to be dOneY This
question does not always answer itself
without study, aud some times very
considerable study. OF the Word of
God: and yet that word is not 50 OBJ
scure, or 50 antiquated in its language,
or SO difficult OF apprehension in its
contents. as to exclude an answer suifi
GENTLY sure and clear for all the great
purposes Of religious faith and practice.
The Bible Is-wha. ii purpOris TO be
IN fact, a revelation frcm God ami of
God. and Is not a cODuudrum which
nobody can understand. Common
minds can sufficiently apprehend its
teaching to know. 10 a definite certain
Is, what 1t teaches. and thus make it
practical guide. The language Is that
of common life, aud the ideas are at the
level Of The ordinary apprehensiye
power of the human mind. While there
is literally 10 end 70 the field Of
thought which the Bible opens. aud
v bile scholarship may travel in this
field FOR ages ard yet find something
new unletteftd minds can enter the
field and gain all the knowledge they
.roally need for the purpose Of holy
living on earth aud blessed immor-
lalIty after death.
There Is. for example. not the slight
'est obscurity as to the real character
.aud relations of the Bible God, or as TO
He person of the Bible Christ, or as to
1he purpose Tor which he came into
bis world. or as 10 the import aud de-
tsgn of his sufferings and death, or as
d the conditions on which sinners are
n be saved by Him, or as 10 the fact
j bat men are sIuners aud need the sal
katIon of grace, or as TO the existence
% the human soul after death in anoth
b state OF being. or as 10 the fact OF
btufe resurrection of the dead and
lOal Judgment, or as TO the connection
etween conduct aud character in this
IT, and eternal destiny in the life 20
5Ome. The doctrine of God the doc |
brine Of Christ. the doctrine of saliva.
lion the doctrine Of duty alike to God
nd man. and the doctrine Of tiual des |
Biny--all there points are made 80 plain.
Nod are 50 fully and repeatedly presen.
10 10 the Bible that the way fariog
|nau. tao fool. ueed not err IN respecl
~ them.
p,,t ara shasa M yayeta.;a. Ia ,ko