The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-30
Famous Clergymen on the Au-
thenticity of Miracles.
NOT TRICKS. SAYS DR.. ABBOTT.
Rev. David Swing Thinks Religion La
Initiating Christ-Ethicai Religion
nisplacing Religion of Belief.

pose upon their creduiity7
II He did not, and the miracles are neVerthe-
less untrue, how did such fabulous stories origi-
nate and who was directly responsible for them?
II we reject snv mart of the scriptures as
literal truth. must we not reject all2 And ii we
reject the whole scriptures as mythical, must
we lot reject every semblanee OF the Christian
religion?
THE MIRACLES WERE NOT TRICKS.
Rev. DIR. LYMAN Abbott, of Brooklyn, n.
Y, is. perhaps. ons of the most widely
known pulpit orators of the United States,
a celebrity which ne largely owes to the
fact that having succeeded the late Henry
Ward Beecher as pastor of Plymouth
church. in the City of Churches, he has
most acceptably filled that famous divine's
vacant place. He writes the following
cheering words, which cannot fail to COM
fort and reassure all those who, like my
fair young friend, are harrassed by relig-
ious doubts and misgiyings:
NEW YORK, Aug. 2, 1891.
M, Dsnr. The specific questions which you
rais on the miracles aud their relation TO Chris
tianity is a large one. would not only like TO
answer il, but would also much Ike to comply
with your most fundamental request-"Assist
you to some solid foundation Of belief upon
which YOU might anchor and where you may
find relief from the distressing doubts which
now torment you"
Now thst solid foundation of belief is afforded
nv Jesus Christ himself. The life of Christ, as
il is portrayed in the gospels, ana the character
OF Christ as the portrait is there given, consti-
tute an ideal which we may all endeavor to I'M
itate, whatever our opinion may be respecting
such a question as the miracles. No one any
longer thinks that Jesus Christ performed any
miracles by tricks or that ne was any cher
than absolutely pure, simple, truthful. Even
John stuart Mill declares that to have lived In
such a way as would approve itself to Jesus
Christ is as high standard OF lie as can well
be conceived OF.
Now this is sure and solid foundation for
life Take the life and teachings of Christ; en-
deayor to live as He livet; endeavor TO conform
your character aud conduct To His instructions;
carry to Him as to a personal friend, or to the
God whom He revealed rs your Father, your
difficulties doubts your SINS. This is religion;
and II you are living this life OF love, and hope
and faith; If you are trying TO be Christ
like, and are looking to the Divine Spirit
to help you in your Christ-like life, there is no
reason why you should be distressed BY your
doubts, and no reason why you should allow
those difficulties to become doubts of the solid
foundation of belief on which you rest-that Is,
belief that righteousness of conduct is such as
is exenplifed by His life and made clear by
His teaching. And If You read that lie with
care, you will see that Christ never condemned
any man for intellectual doubts or difficulties;
that no one was separated from the sympathy
of Christ because he had doubts or difficulties.
For example, when Thomas said. 81 will not
believe in Christ's resurrection unless put my
fingers in the print of the wounds" Christ did
not rebuke him, but on the contrary afforded
him the very test which he demanded, the
doubt and difficulty of Thomas being a reason
for Christ's pity, not for his wrath or condem-
nation. Yours sincerely, LYMAN ABBOTT
MIRACLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH Law.
Rev. Russell H. Conwell, the eminent
Baptist divine, is known all over this
country as one of the most gifted of living
orators, his ACRES of Diamonds, and
other popular lectures having made his
name and talents known everywhere.
His answer to the inquiries given above is
strong defense of the miracles and Of
everything else contained in the Bible, as
will be seen below:
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 9, 1891
Dear Sister: How you could get into such
wild, inconsistent frame of mind about the mir
aeles and other things contained in the Bible
cannot see, unless you were led to think that
religion is a matter of feeling rather than one OF
principle or character. Religion is good sense.
So let US always keep down on the solid
ground OF good common sense, and
state briefly what the Bible has done as We learn
from history and see in our dali experience 1t
has refined brutal men. 1t has lifted woman from
condition OF slavery to the pure, noble, low
able position she can now hold. 1t has made
better laws 1t has established hospitals, schools,
colleges Libraries. 1t has founded thousands of
churches to teach Christ and His life of self.
sacrificing love.
It has encouraged the poor, strengthened the
afnlcted. held down angry passions, ana sweety
comforted the dying, and 10000 other things
cannot enumerate
Now TO any man who loves honesty and peace,
or to any lady with an affectionate heart, such
book must be valuable.
We see what il has done and is doing. Any
one with usual reason sees that Is it not then
most extraordinary book? Is 1t not worry OF the
highest honor-of love unspeakablef Would
you wish TO take it out of the world or snatch IL
away from your diving mother!
Let us then start with what we do know, that
the Bible is book to be loved for what it has
done for wicked, suffering mankind.
Now, IL q man had done so much good, he
might have tue envy and opposition OF the low,
vie and dishonest, but every good heart would
honor him, and would be verY slow TO d1seredit
ms motives or his truthfulness A book that
does so much good must be good DOOR,
A liar is not good man; 8 lying book is not
good book.
The influence OF the Bible makes men more
honest, more truthful more kind. more charita-
Die, more honorable, more ioyabie
II man had an influence like that you would
DeileTe what ne said even ii IN other mouths
snch things would seem improbable.
The effects the Bible produces show IL to be
inspired with the highest possible motive Tor
the good OF mankind. That TACT, so clear, should
give us words great weight
II was all written for human good. One who
feels that will read il as he would letter from
her eer ony Sp love and
ful wisdom. Whatever she writes Is Tor the
coed of her children, and he Is villain who
would try to pick out haws, MISTAKES ana I'M
probabilities in ais dear old mothers affection
ate letter
Ages of wisdom have proved the Bible true
IL Is silly for us, with our opportunities 10 set
mp our ideas against the wisdom OF centuries,
when we find that might.er minds, that the
great have stood by the BIole. We may listen
70 their suggestions. But the fact that We do
not understand or that things were done by the
Christ which we cannot do is no argument at
al against the truth OF the Bloie;
The miracles of Christ are al In accordance
with law, and some day man VII! understand
the law Until then let us not be led into fool
ish doubts bv some small mind which pretends
10 know all things or TO reflect all II cannot ex-
plains the grand divine old book. II has been too
true. too kind too faithful, to number me among
us enemies. IL Is true ~ mas no motive
Tor lying. Its precepts built up the noblest
characters. will stand oy II hope you will,
as "a strong Christian woman. Don't forsake SO
tTUe O friend
feel q neCuIiar sense of gratitude to Won for
coming to me in your peTpexity' y II Is such
His name Now, if God will permit me TO help
you, shall feel much as ii had found beau
tliul, noble lady ciinging 10 the edge of pre-
cipice and I had lifted her ont OF danger In
that case the rescuer ej0iees almost as much "a
RUSSELL H. CoNwELL.
RELIGION is INITIATING CHRIST.
Rev. David Swing attained great celebrity
some wears ago by the utteranee of IN
orthodox views, which eventually caused
his retirement from the Congregational
church and the establishment by him and
his adherents of an independent religious
organization in Music nall, Chicago. where
his brilliant sermons have attracted large
throngs OF delighted listeners
CHICAGO. July q, 1891.
Ny Dear Miss: In my estimation q valuable
religion is that which makes an effort 10 initiate
Christ You may believe " hat YOU can helieya
or wish 70 believe about the miracles 81 ",