New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-16
DIR. r. ". HARPER on INSPIRATIONS
DISCUSSING THE RELATION BETWEEN 1hH
DIVINE AND THE HUMAN IN OLD
TESTAMENT PROPHECY.

Professor W. r. Harper prcsldenteiect OF tno .''
caeo University spoke for an hour ycsteru"S i"os
before the Baptist Minister'S Conference OH Nv
Divine and the Human In Prophecy Inc uaoer''''i'
was well filed, many clersymen from o'her uci,Vn'i'
nations and not few ladies avang themselves o. tN9
nrIviIeco OF hearing this well-known scholar Dr.
Harper explained the three possible mothodS oI
procedlre I'm taking up the study OF prophecy w
traditional. (o) a rrori, and (}) inductlVe. lie pro
fcrrcd the Inst named, which includes critical ana
rainstaklng examination Of tho MATERIAL casshcauon
OF the facts and considerations which the investigator
hos disclosed, and the statement OF conclusions oaSed
mon these facts The testimony furnished By tradl
ZION should be recognized and the influence OF ones
conceptions Of GUl should be acknowledged but these
and all similar questions are to be decided on the
basis OF facts.
After announcing his preference regarding the
method Of study, Dr. Harper asked series OF Questions
bclring upon the prophecy Of the Old Testament ann
then laid down twenty propositions TO which study Oh
The subject led him. lie mentioned first the wide
spread indifference on the part Of ministers and lay
men b. the real value OF the prophetic books OF tho
Bible and IN this list OF books he iucludes Genes'S'
Exodus Joshua, Samuel and Kings as well as part
of the Psalter. Any true knowledge of the contents
and any tr1le appreciation OF the principles Will depend
upon the knowledge and proper understanding Of trad
toral history political and religious and to some ex-
tent OF that wider similar history Of which
history Is essential because the history is fundamental
1t lies back of prophecy, supports and produces IT,
Islaeltlsh history differs from all other history in av
ing partly its product, partly also as gvcn to It by
special divine action, great lives, such those Of
Moses Samuel David and Isaiah Roman and Greek
history produced no truc prophecy. Whatever Of his
tory there is In prophecy is divine because it is part
OF that specially ordered Israeltsh history 1t Is
human because and in so far Is characterized by
tho limitations 10 which all human uterance is subject
The speaker then referred to prophets chief WORK.
which was that tf a reformcr: showed that large
part OF prophecy was conditional distinguished be-
tween prediction and prophecy, explained The true
form and substance Of prophecy, and defined old
Testament prophecy as "the Illustration and tho
declaration of the principles Of divine government"
lie said that the Israetish history the best his
tory Almighty Power could Inspire, acting In con-
sistency with other attributes and working In the
sarts of a people dragged down with sins; ana the
Isaesh literature was the best that the same power
opd inspire under the same limitations, In the hearts
OF people OF Semitic blood living at that period OF the
worlds history Yet the Old Testament not merely
confirms tho Word of God, but 1t is the Word OF God
The last proposition this: 1T was the literal
and artificial handling Of prophecy which blinded tho
ey of the Jews and led them to reject the Messiah
when Ho caIne. This literal and artificial
method has blinded the eyes OF men to-day, and as
result tho old Testament Is practically rejected from
being recloncd ms a part Of the divine work-n0t
merely by sepucs, but also by those proesstdy most
that they find nothing 10 help them In TINS great store
house Of divine material"
In thanking DR.. Harper for his address, an attempt
was made 20 ndOrse his statements. but this effort
failed lie received the best thanks" Of the Confer