Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-01-07
As BAD As lNGERsoLL.
An English Clergyman outstrips the Rev
Mr.. MacQueary In Criticism of the
Ilihla

A remarkable interview IS reported in
Vit and Wisdom as having taken place
recently with the Rev. 4. W. Momera,
Professor at Kings College. The Pro-
lessons views. II they are truly repre-
sented In this interview, seem, In point
Of hereodoxy, go so far beyond the state
mentS which excited so much controyer-
sey In Lux Mundi.n We Subjoin some
Of the more salient passages:
The Bible does not make the ghost
Of vestige OF claim to inspiration in
the orthodox sense. All that is good
and great in il is inspired. But the BIZ
bic is full Of contradictions and inaccu-
racies which are not inspired, therefore
il cannot be inspired as whole. No
educated man can honestly believe II Is
inspired in history or science. Huxley
In science or Freeman in history are far
more inspired. The inspiration OF the
Bible must be restricted TO moral and
spiritual matters, and even then II Is as
low at times as any book. consider
that In MemOriam is in advance OF
It. Johns Gospel, but In MemOriam
would never have existed il Christ or
ST. John had not first lived. It's best
part, the power OF suffering, Is taken
from 81. John. Both the writers OF Lux
Mundi, and Gladstone in his 'lmpreg-
nable Rock OF Holy Scripture, admit the
bad science and history of the Bible.
Take the Bible at its best In philosophy,
and then il is only on level with Ger
man criticism. st. Paul at times is
quite no TO Illegal. IL is a mere ques-
ton Of degree and subject. All that is
highest and best in us is inspired.
Every good and perfect gift cometh
from God have this question Of in
Spiration very much At heart. The
false. although strictly orthodox, view
OF il has done true religion untold
harm. As Hawthorne truly says, The
reason why the mass Of men fear God,
is because they diStruSt His heart But
such 4 God Is in reality no God. lie Is
but a false imagination OF ignorant men.
If you attribute to God characteristics
unworthy of man. aud incOmpatibt
with Infinite aud eternal love, YOU are
worse enimies 10 the cause of real re-
llgion than the most vrulent Of open and
profeSsed atheists, That hateful phrase
God is a jealous Godr Think Of Mary
Cabot, in Gates Alar,' deSpairingly cry
ing out after her brothers death. God
wants all his love. He is Jealous God.
am nothing any more TO Roy. But it
is inspiration We mustn't say any
thing against it,.
Hell is another word FOR punishment,
which is a matter OF experience. |, OF
course, do not acknowledge the ortho-
dox hell. As regards miracles, simply
say that the whole trouble is explained
thus Miracles are seen by those who
crDccf TO see them. There is no reason
TO suppose that when'a miracle occurred
a violation Of nature took place. Some
Of Christ'S miracles. such rs those OF the
spirits, may have been akin to
the modern hypnotiSm. The evangelists
were honest but ignorant. Remember,
the unSciontitic mind looks upon the I'M
the uSual-as' the special
proof OF God.
The interviewer .hen asked, Don't
you believe Christ rose again >"
Dr. Momeria replied Certainly not
Why, do You? Come. |
shall have TO Interview BoU. All great
teachers have had an immacu
late conception, physical resurrection
-Gautama as well as Christ. But
Christ did not rise in His body. Flesh
and blood cannot inherit the kingdom.
1t must be a spiritual resurrection.
AS regards the Church" continued
DR.. Momcria, in reply to further qucs-
tions. IL can only say that think the
Christianity OF Christ and Of eccleSiaSti-
cism are as wide apart aS the poles.
Christ did not wish to establish 4 relig-
ion of creed or of ritual. but of conduct.
There are only two beliefS-GOd and Inn
mortality-which are fundamental to
goodness. Our destiny hereafter de-
ponds not on what We believe or pro-
fess to believe, but on our conduct. /
wish the Church would realize that She
must 20 forward with the times. Truth
cannot Doe symbohled by circle, but
rather by an infinite line. The Church
which insists solely upon righteOusneSSiS
the only Church that will not pass away
The best creed in the world will never
save a single soul.