New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-03

proof. Both are at the basis of reason. They
undcre all Paul's argument, but he does not
argue them. In practical affairs this is always
done, and Paul was cmimentiy practical. lie
gave his life to converting Gcntiles and TO con-
vincng Jews that Gcntcs had a night TO ne
converted. He did not attempt TO cXpound meta
physics. But he not afraid Of metaphysics.
He never went out of his way either to explain
or avoid it. But if metaphysical theory prom
ised to serve his purpose, he swung 1t around nj
full arn-sWccp, with the heartleSt goodwill. not
caring though the whole thing went TO pieces IN
the handling, if only he made his point Inc
carefully constructed system Of theology, Win
lacings and dOvctaiings between Divine sovcr-
eighty and freedom Of the VIII. was nov
made by the Apostes but by the later the9Io
twist Of theological candor and ingenuty when
makes Paul preach the. opposite Of his humane
ard liberal thought. He has passed through =
looling-slass world lie taught that God would
not confne himself to the Jews. but was rather
of the GenteS also and men have hrlugglcd 10
into wicked doctrine that God would save or
damn His creatures rs lie pleased. Paul taught
that God would save rs many IS ne wished 10
save and we render it that He will damn as
many IS He wishes TO damn Paul preached that
God would not pass by or rrrrobatc the GcntllrS,
and we Gentllcs turn upon Him ana say that lie
shall.
The author enters con amOrc into the Andover
controversy and the numerous issues involved
in il. That controversy is thus stated Inc
president and professors of Andover are charged
with teaching orthodoxy what they have sworn
TO regard as hctcrodoXy. The conservatives 40
not plead that the new departure. or its essence,
future PROBATION, is false but that it is not what
the founders of Andovcr Seminary pledged the
professors to teach" And the professors are.
therefore, accused of acting d>honorably. This
is an old question in Andovcr Many years AGO
Professor Park. Of Andover. who is now the cham
pion of orthodoxy and the prosecutor of Pro-
fcSSor Smyth on the charge of hcresY involving
dishonesty. was himself regarded hereto. and
was denounced by the orthodox Concregationalists
Of that day. Ilst rs Professor Smyth is now de-
nounced. "llow can the professor they asked.
reconcile his position with tie principles of moral
integrity? On the one hand, distinct and cX-
pcit declarations of doctrinal belief and pledges
TO teach in accordance Herewith: and, on the
other hand. course of teaching apparently con-
trary.' Almost exactly the same thing is said
Of the ncw-dcpartrre men to-day. I'VE have
the striking spectacle Of group of solid New
England Christians conscicntiouSly striving TO
Dust President Smyth because he cannot keep step
on the creed with Professor Park: and we 90
back thirty years and find another group Of
sanity men trying Just as hard to oust Professor
Park because he could not keep step with DR.
Woods on the cltcc!ism. And we 90 back thence
twenty years and find that Dr. Woods made no
prctcnce of keeping step at all. He made the
march right loyally but he deliberately pro-
claimed from his mountain-top the world over
that the catcchlsm often out Of tune, and
that he and his comrades had no scruple in march
ing 10 their own music"
We have no space 20 dwell on the chapter re-
lating TO the claims Of the Churches. which. by
the way. contains plea in favor of the Episcopal
Church. by the late Walker Blaine that is both
acute and rcvcrcnt Nor can we do Justice T. the
chapters Biblical inspiration, Christ's Divinity
and miracles. which are. in many respects the
most impressive in the book. The mcdaniel
theory of verbal inspiration is not merely given
up. but Giscrcdited aS impossible and absurd. in
the light of existing facts II finds no support in
tie Bible itself. but grew gradually into its
present form in a later age. The Bible. the au-
thor believes. contains the record Of Gods deal
inas with men. it written by falbc men,
and is. therefore. contained il earthcn
vessels
As for the theory that Christ was no more than
remarkable peasant. and that miracles cannot
happen, the author makes short work OF it. That
lie was indeed God manifest in the flesh is
proved 10y Christianity, which is otherwise I'M
cXplainabe. The works that lie has DONE they
bear witness of Him. and if He was indeed God,
no sO-callcd miracle need stagger us. Indeed
philosophically. miracle is only miracle be-
cause finite creatures Of day do not under
stand all the laws of nature. The telephone
would have been literally miracle in the days
Ct Christ. We see through glass darlllv and
can only know in part. But when We shall Sc,
Him as lie is. all that seems miraculous will (
find its explanation in the wonderful law Of God /
As we haye already minated. this book viii |
he sharply criticised by many but in freshness OF
fhf raa1t e llYretu
analysis il takes It's place as one Of the most i'm
portant Of the recent contributions 10 Biblical
literature.