The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-23
ERRORS IN THE BIBLE.
Baptist View of the Infallibility of the
JonLr

Baptist View of the Infallibility of thu
Book.
New YORK., June 22.-The Baptist church
has virtually adopted the theory that there
are errors in the bible. In an official man
ner the Baptist ministerial conference OF
this city listened to and approved an elab-
rate exposition of the theory that the Bible,
while being the inspired word of God
contains errors. Prof. William Il. Harper,
of Yale, and pGesident-elect of the great
Baptist university just founded at Chicago
by John ID. Rockefeller, made the exposi-
tion in the form of an address at the Bap-
fist tabernacle.
Prof. Harper declared that the inductive
method, which is the method of high criti-
cism, is the proper way to study the Bible:
that this method of study develops the fact
that there are many errors on points of
science and history in the Bible, and that
these errors may be admitted and be allowed
without ~surrendering the belief in the in
| spiration and infallibillty of the Bible III
faith and practice. I'm the past" he said,
sit was the literal and artificial handling
of prophecy which blinded the eyes of the
Jews and led them to reject the Messiah
when he came. The same literal and arti-
fetal method has blinded the eyes of mon
of to-day, and as a result the old testament
is practically rejected from being reckoned
as a part of the divine work, not merely by
skeptics. but also by those professedly
most devout, who nevertheless in word and
act confess that they find nothing to help
them in this great s%tolehouse of divine
material.
"There are new things coming, or rather.
there are new ways Of looking at old things.
Applause. 1t seems to me that there Is
before the Baptist denomination an oppor-
tunity that 10 other denomination has. The
Baptist church has always allowed it's mem
bers to interpret the word OF God eachfol
himself. l hope the Baptist denomination is
now ready to take a stand in defense OF
this principle. 1t seems a hard thing tc
a~ccept-hoW a man can admit the exist
ence of historical and scientific errors IN
the Bible and still hold to the scriptures as
the infal!ible, inspired word of God on all
matters of faith and practice. The errors
are there, and those who see them may also
accept the Bible asdivine.
There is no motive on the part of bibll-
cal students for bringing these errors for
ward. | would almost give my right hant
to be able to say that there are no errors
in the Bible. 1t has been said hat there
are many learned men who deny these er
rors: who say that What have been pickel
out as erroIs nave been subsequent,
shown to have been no errors at all. Blu
it is not difficult to see what motive thes,
learned men have for taking this position
or by what haphazafd method OF exegesl
they disprove the existence of errors.
1.-The editor of the leading Baptist paper
the Examiner, told me to-day that no Bap
fist was called on to believe in the absolut
accuracy of the Bible as to matter of his
tory and science. Applause. l aske'
him if l could quote him as saying SO
Yes he replied. but quote me with eau
tion.'" LA%rplause and laughter.
The Baptist preachers listened to the ad
dress and received it with great enthusiasm
They were the leading Baptist preachers o
New York City and there were visiting pas
tors from Brooklyn, Boston and Phlladel
phia. During the delivery of the address
DIR. Harper was frequently interrupted b.
the conference passed unanimously
resolution of thanks. After the adjourn
ment Prot. Harper was given an ovation.