New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-19
MODERN VIEWS or INSPIRATION.
DR.. MCHEsNEY SAYS THAT THE BIBLE IS GIVEN
TO MEN TO LIVE BY AND NOT TO
FIGHT OVER


There was large attendance at the Madison
Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church last evening when
the Rev. DR.. Ensign McChesney preached upon
Modern Views of Scripture Inspiration' The fol-
lowing Is a synopsis Of the discourse:
The ancient apostolic view ohnsDlratlon is found
In Pauls oft-Guoted words to Iemothy. Prevailing
modern views will not depart FROM it. The apostle
declared the fact Of inspiration, but its extent
In the nature of the lie could give no complete
list of inspired writings. lie declared also the
Of inspiration but not its method In these days Of
hot discussion about the Bible should remember
"First-Christan truth has survived and advanced In
the midst Of struggles. Even heretlcs have been Of
use. They have broken up mental lazinoss and stag
nation. With all the evils they have wrought. thew
have driven Christian thinkers again and again to
clearer and better thinking.
"Sccond-The present discussion is not half so mo-
mentous as some imagine. The men at present most
under fire do not deny the fact of inspiration. They
differ with others as to It's extent and method. am
not here to defend their views With some of them
l have publicly expressed dissent. But Just now the
fact needs to be loudly proclaimed that they do not
deny Scripture inspiration. Ask them DO you be-
lieve that God speaks through the Bible: that
the Scriptures able TO make wise unto salvation
that they haze value and authority above all other
religious books and they will be amazed at the cues
lions. Most likely they will feel injured and insulted
by them.
"Third-The first question for US to ask with refer
encc TO the points in dispute is not what is safe
but what is true p We need not, we must not be
afraid OF the truth There is danger as certainly in
believing too much in believing too little. To assert
style of Inspiration for the Scriptures that they do not
assert for themselves is one way Of making intdeB
our ambition should not be to season our views so as
to mako them palatabe 10 infdes. Nor on the other
hand can we afford to be overcautou5 lest we disturb
the prejut1ces OF some Of the saints.
"Fourth-Whe we hold firmly and according to the
apostolic rule the fact Of inspiration, we should be
careful not to overload the fact with supersttous
views as to its methods. We are overlooking II we
hold as some actually do to the infaliblty OF our
TRANSACTIONS. We overlooking If we claim too much
in the way Of verbal inspiration. We overlooking
IL we refuse TO recognize the human element That so
often appears in the Scriptures along with the divine
aFifth-We must not be absorbed or distracted by
minor questions to lose sight of the supreme HSc-
tcal purpose Of the Scriptures. The Bible IS given us
TO live by and not to fight over. 1t Is TO be trusted
and followed rather than TO be perpeually held under
the microscope And, has said, IL IS not given
to tell about the heavens, but 70 show us the way
to heaven
"Sixth-Christ Himself is the best and strongest guar
antce Of Scripture Inspiration and saving Acquaintance
with Him the best answer to all essential questions