The morning call., 1891-10-18

T. F. Day, Rev, William Alexander D D., Reys.
d. Hnges' N. T. A; White J.. NJ. Smith, r: d;
Mereed p ofessor John Gamble. Rev. C. Z.
Babb, Rev. A. Crosby. h. J. Trumbu Rev. T.
{. EaSton, ID. Rev. j. q. Adams, Rev. James
curry, &. ID. Gray. Arthur Foster, Justice J. d.
Thornton and Others well known in religious aud
business circles.
TO THE CREED WE LOVE.
The ceremonies were under the direction Of
Rev. W. b. Noble of San Diego, Modera tor of the
SYNOD OF the Pacific, and opened promptly al
O'clock with hymn GLORY to God on
High" After scrtptura reading by DR.. T. c.
Easton, ID. D., X v. Robert Mackenzie of the FIRST
Presbyterian Chui CHI In this city offered prayer.
Then followed another hymn. at the conclusion
OF which the Moderator Introduced Rev. A.
Crosby, Vice President Of The Board of Directors,
who spoke briefly Of the occasion and the future
OF the PRESBYTERIAN Church. In the course Of
his remarks he said substantially:
We are building In stone a monument which
shall stand and testify to The generations vet un-
born of the creed we love. 1t shall be a witness
TO the progress OF Coo children on the racine
Coast, rointing prophetic nBger to the future OF
our glorious church. 1t IL tn DO regretted that
so few young men are see+ ing the ministry. We
hear Of their success In other professions. All
over this broad land they are becoming eminent
in law, medicine and the other learned profess
stons. and yet how few seem to be willing TO give
their services TO the church.
We aIe often told that the church requires
too much of her devotees; that an education
for the ministry is too rigid and exacting-that
the standard Is too high. They tell us that we
must lower lie standard and then we shall ind
young men more ready TO enter the service OF
Christ say this should not be. If any change
is made Ihe standard should be rai>ed. We
want men OF thorough education; men with
brains and not afraid OF work"
HIGHER CRITICISM.
DIR. Crosby was frequently INTERRUPTED with
applause, aud when lie had concluded Rev. Will
lam Alexander, ID. d., professor Of church his
~, followed with learned essay on Higher
Criticism" believing the occasion an opportune
one 10 consider this matter, as the General As
sembly bad just repeated its solemn admOnllOn
TO the semlnares concerning II. He said incl
den ally:
THE phrase. higher criticism" which has
been In Use among the Germans ever since the
time of Eichhorn, In the middle Of tie eighteenth
century, is IN TACT a missioner. Higher Than
what? II would be impossible To tell the
Thing Intended by II is properly called literary or
historical criticism and IS Yeiy much the same
thing as that which our old English writers
meant By tie Internal evidences. Hence, we
mHsl not condemn the whole thing iDdsci I'M
inately. There are right and left wings among
The critics. There is reverent evangelical
and Christian criticism, which W. need not fear.
1t is a strong ally and friend OF supernatural rev.
citation. But there is a skeptical, irreyereut and
unbelIevug criticism which has been USED a a
tremendous engine for the destruction OF faith
In supernatural revelation"
NEEDS BE AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN.
After devOting some attention 10 the 'destruc.
tive critics and their methods. lie con lnued:
Il think now. 1t must be obvious til t any one
who assumes 10 act the part OF such critic has
need 10 be an extraordinary man. lie must
possess The highest possible qualifications both
OF head ana heart, together Win the most varied,
accurate and extensive learning. lie must be
perfectly at home with every part OF his subject,
a. modest as he Is learned and sagacious, never
allowing himself TO indulge In mere fances, or
TO be daZZed by brilliant cOn1ectureS. unsup-
ported by solid reason, thoroughly conscientious
and full Of reverence for ais subject and not am-
bilious 10 be thought original or TO surprise the
public With alleged new discoveries. And above
all, when the document is Il sacred one and IS
recognized by millions OF Christians as part OF
the foundation Of their faith, the critic must
himself be a man Of deep unfeigned piety;
otherwise lie cannot but lack that spiritual per
ceDtOn which results from being morally In
harmony with revealed truth; because spiritual
things must be spiritually di>cerned. Now as
have already iutmaied, in the proper hands
and within its legitimate sphere, the literary
criticism of The Bible has a most I'M
portant service 10 render. l am neither
Il prophet the son OF prophet,
and am not disposed to hazard any 'Gue>ses at
tiuth'; but | have strong and abiding cOnvic-
ton That The grand theological quesIio ion of the
age-tie one which is fundamental TO all oilers
Is the integrity of the biblical canon and the
cOmulrte trustwOrIhinesS OF its contents. For
the question is not settled as the critics some
lines confidently inform us; the last word mas
not yet been spoken They are long way from
being done with Us yet. And wnen It is settled
IL viii be largely done by means OF this so-called
higher criticism"
When DR.. Alexander had concluded, Mrs.
Louisiana Scott-FOste daughter OF the de-
ceased founder, laid the cornerstone. The
trOwel, suitably inscribed was presented by X.
}. Il umbull, Treasurer of the board.
Alter prayer by DIR. Noble ana the singing of
The "DoXOlogy" the exercises were closed with
benedlctiOn by Rev. Noah II &. Fife, pastor Of
the Fist Presbyterian Church Of Pasadena.