The record-union., 1891-03-08

,CH s, 1s91.-EIGHT P.
IN RELIGIONS REALM.
Expressions from the Various
Religious Newspapers.
The Religious Thought of the Day as
Expressed in tho Sectarian Press
Some Matters of Interest to Both
Ministers and Laymen.
The Christian Register Unit.) says:
Lent may not be much as an instita-
non, but certainly, in a busy world like
TINS, 1t is valuable as an oppOTtnnity; and
II is a wholesome sign of the times that
other churches besides those which have
inherited 1T as a sacred obligation, are be-
ginning to avail themselves of it. Ger
talnly, there is not too much of the ele-
ment OF worship among our liberal
churches; and we earnestly commend to
our readers the announcement OF extra
'Lenten Services in our Boston Unitarian
churches"
The Congregataonotist says: at is a
Slp,llfic1nt fact that fiffean rpiuirtarS ara
employed on the daily press of New York
city writing on religious topics. 1t does
not indicate missionary zeal on the part
OF the newspapers, but it shows that re-
hgion is matter of growing interest, and
that the constituency which is most yalu
able to the secular press demands to know
what is going on in the world of religious
thought and life. 1t is encouraging to
note that scandals concerning ministers
and churches no longer monopoliZe the
columns devoted to religious matters.n
The Chaistidm Leader Univ.) says: CDR.
Briggs makes himself offensive to tech
nicaP rationalists, by distinct avowal of
supernaturalism, and this with an inn
piled definition which abruptly separates
Biblical revelation from the notion OF the
humanity evolved; though net, of course
not, from the humanity tested. He ac-
ceptS the miracles as facts, but AYERS their
modern apclogists misapply them; they
are, he says, not so much miracles of evil
dence as of redemption We do not ex-
pect that our PRESBYTERIAN and other
noninally evangelical friends will look
to us for counsel; if they should be so lln-
eXpectedly wise as to consider our advice,
that advice is that they patiently consider
just what the real ISSUE is, else they may
do something ridiculous"
Of the expulsion Of Mr.. McComb, the
Presbyterian Banner says: ''It seems to
us, and it will so appear to the church and
the public, that the junior class and the
faculty of Union Theological Seminary
have put themselves in very unbecom-
ing attitude. They do not intimate that
what McComb reported WAS untrue;
therefore, they convey the impression
that 1t was true, and consequently place
DR.. Briggs in worse position than the
one occupied before. 1t is rathera bad
state of affairs when Professor can,
without rebuke, disparage the inspiration
OF the Bible, and yet the student who re-
ports 1t has to be expelled. Nothing is so
illiberal as assumed liberality. There is
no obligation resting upon student of a
theological seminary, who oconscientiously
believes that Professor is inculcating er-
ror, to keep his lips closed. No Professor
has right TO teach his students concern
ing the Bible, Christian doctrine, or any
thing else, what cannot be published to
the church and the world"
The Observer Pres.) says: "The stu
dents duty was to complain to the trustees
of the seminary before appealing to the
public against his teacher. Did he do so?
On the other hand, has the suspended
student furnished any untruthful state
mentS in regard to the utterances or gem
eral character of Professor Briggs teach
ing? Has he made known anything that
was not accessible to any one who wished
TO be informed, and which ought not to
be known to the church and to the world?
Until this is determined there will be a
suspension of public Judgment in regard
to the conduct of the student. 1t is sim
gular that the first practical result of the
recent agitation in regard to the extraordi-
nary utterances of DIR. Briggs should be
the expulsion of student who had under
taken to make them known. 1t is not at
all strange that it is generally asked
whether the same vigor and rigor will be
be shown in regard to the Professor whose
inaugural has been welcomed by the press
generally as an astounding victory for
the enemies of the Presbyterian Confess
sion of Faith"
The Interior (Pres.) says: "There are
some things in the Old Testament which
from comparison and reasoning from
other texts we may be in doubt about, so
the rule is followed of constituting
Scripture by Scripture, and this process
gives absolute certainty of bringing out
the truth. We are left in no danger what
ever of failing to understand the teaching
of the Word. But We're there any errors
in the original text? 1t depends on what
you call an error. The expression from
the rising of the sun till the going down
OF the same was in the original text, but
man who should charge error upon that
expression in book or Il conversation
now would only make himself ridiculous.
The Bible as it stands is the infatti6le
rule OF faith and practice, and there is no
error nor even obscurity in it in regard to
what should be our faith and our dutyn
The Examiner (Bapt.) says: 'Belief in
the absolute authority of the Scriptures is
what is stigmatized as 'bibliolatry.' The
idea that human reason can veto COM
mand of God, or modify truth that He
has revealed, is rejected by evangelical
Christians, but is very precious to some.
The notion that tradition can add to or
take from the Scriptures and possess
equal authority with it, which is the
foundation of Romanism, is now revived
by certain Protestant teachers. Those
who would ascribe supreme authority,
not to the Scriptures alone, but to q trim
ity consisting of the Scriptures, the rea-
son and the Church, are naturally and
niZe no authority outside of the Script
ures. Naturally also, some of them man
ifest this opposition by hurting epithets
In the sense we have indicated, every
Baptist, every Presbyterian, every evan
gellcal Christian must plead guilty to