The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1891-10-06
Two Critics Criticized.

MIR. EDITOR: since the pubic Is
being entertained and doubtless in
structed by friendly and courteous
controversy on the Bible and Bible
teachings, it may be we'll for us to IN
quire if there be not another side to this
question. Bro. Burgess, Bro. Hammond
and the Friend represent vast multi
tude of men who have been taught from
their infancy that the sacred Scriptures
were the inspired Word OF God, without
mixture of error. Having imbibed this
belief, they are teaching the world that
God says this and God says that, quoting
chapter and verse as the only evidence
required to settle the question of the
divine authority of whatever they teach
us.
Now, it is we'll known to every en-
lightened inquirer after truth in our day,
that the sacred volume, SO much revered
by US, contains but a small portion Of
the writings of those $50 called) mouth
pieces of Jehovah, that the vast amount
of literature written by between fifty and
sixty different authors, and covering over
period of at least fifteen centuries, was
submitted to the judgment of human
beings (and not angelic proof readers) to
| decide what parts were and what were
not inspired, thereby reducing the ques-
ton OF inspiration to the simple matter
OF the opinion of these men.
These opinions or decisions were given
| to the world as the inspired oracles of
God-His perfect law, and His will con-
| corning men, accompanied by the ex-
press injunctions that we should not add
to or take from the words therein writ,
ten and approved. Rev. %, 10.
1t is furthermore we'll known that the
ablest commentators centuries later re-
lected, as not being inspired, a portion
of the New Testament, and that a very
large portion of the Christian church to-
day reject, upon the same ground, a por
ton of the Old Testament writings.
The writer of this article has been a
constant attendant upon public worship
for forty years, and among evangelical
churches only, and yet / have never in a
single instance known or heard of
preacher or pastor who has offered to
instruct his congregation or his flock on
this most vital question, How came we
NY ChC 4)IUl01 anu ny WIldL duGLlOIlCy UO
we receive it as the inspired law and
teachings of the Divine Creator?" while
they have ever been faithful to urge each
separate tenet of their sect, never for
getting to refresh the minds of their
nearer by reference to I'd Tim, 3, 16
Now, Bro. Burgess studies the Bible
for the same reason that the commander
of besieged garrison throws up breast
works and digs rife pits, viz, to fortify
his position, and his sect finds in both
the Old and New Testament ample
material with which to construct their
defenses. Brother Hammond is in the
same boat. l speak from experience,
having devoted twenty years to careful
study OF the Scriptures, as then sup
posed, to store my mind with divine
truth; but, as l have since learned,
more to fortify myself as Baptist, with
this result, that came to believe that
Jesus Christ, his twelve Apostles and
the disciples from the day of Penticost
on, were all close communion Baptists,
and how the Roman Catholics and the
rest Of the Pedo-Baptists got into the
Church, was to me mystery, for l
found at least forty-seven religious sects,
each presenting to the world a set of
doctrines or articles of belief. each differ
ing from the rest, and yet all resting on
the eternal and impregnable foundations,
of "thas saith the Lord" and each
separate sect urging the importance OF
having Zone Lord, one faith, and one
baptism" Eph. 4: 5.
Now, how shall we bring order and
harmony out of this Babel OF opinions
and beliefs?
Nothing easier, says Brother Ham
mond. Only come and be immersed,
thus obeying the command, and follow
ing the example of the great Head of
the Church, and the storm will be over,
and your spiritual barque will be safely |
anchored in the quiet harbor of peace |
and unity. Gal. 3: %.
But, says Brother Burgess, while that |
is one step toward the golden shores,
you must keep holy Saturday, and not |
Sunday, else you defy the command of |
God, and trample under foot the author
ity of the Great Jehovah. Exodus
20: 10.
Next, the great Pedo-Baptist family
cry out-verily, President Edwards and |
John Wesley, one hundred and fifty
years ago, taught that infant sprinkling
was Christian baptism-and surely they |
were both learned and godly men.
How then shall we, as disciples of one
Master, become united as one?
LAYMAN.