The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-06-03
o1SUNDAY TH0UGHTSDo
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MORALS& MANNERS
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BIZ A CLERGYMAN.


years, this is the best year. If this be OPP
tisnism, then let pessismism make the
most of it
But while this is true. il is also true
that we have not yet reached the millen-
MUM. Nor is the millennium likely TO
slide into town on the next train, either
from the East or from the West. Our age
and country, this place and year. are only
relatively the best. As compared with the
past, today has infinite reasons for self
congratulation. But when we measure
what we are by what we ought to be. we
may well chant the miserere. There is q
spirit OF divine discomfort abroad in re-
igion, in politics, in society, in ethics, and
in economies; not because we have not
improved upon yesterday, but because we
have not anticipated tomorrow.
This is the real explanation of the ap-
parently pessimistic tone of modern
thought. 1t is pessimistic in expression
only, and optimistic at heart and in pur-
pose. We see wildly the evils that sur
round US. We feel them strongly. We
resent them outspokenly. These are the
conditions precedent of their speedy re-
moval. The world-old struggle OF right
against right, OF the many without prlvi-
leges against the privileged few-is nearing
its end. We are going to have a
new law and new order. SOci-
ETY. shall be constructed on the
golden rule. Nor are we going through
the horrors OF another French revolution,
as the alarmists prophesY. We have what
the eighteenth century lacked, free insti-
tutions, popular intelligence and free
church. If pulpit. press and pedagogue
are equal TO their opportunities we shall
gain, without further turmoil than that
which inevitably waits upon all great re-
adjustments, the liberty. equality and fra
ternity which mankind sign for, and these
will be peaceably domesticated under the
dome OF the capital and beneath the roof
of the school house. while in the church
yOnder the To deum is sung. Our only
danger today lies In the possible moral
recreancy OF the formative and energizing
influences OF society, which may God
forefend.
Inspiration, in its simplest definition, is
the bible as the word of God, in such a
sense that, though written by men. and
bearing indelibly impressed upon it the
marks of this human co-partnership, it
nevertheless was composed under the in
fiuence OF the Holy Spirit, who saved the
former from essential error and made il
the adequate expression of the divine
mind and heart and will.
1t is quite certain that the bible claims
for itself verbal inspiration. This is adj
mitted by the best critics OF all schools
and especially those Of a negative ten
dency. ArchdeacOn Farrar, Tor instance,
comedies that 81. Paul made the words
OF the scripture identical with the words
of Cod Tholuck admits that in the epis-
tie to the Hebrews certain passages of
the old testament, where God is not the
speaker, are yet cited as the words Of
God"
Since this is so beyond dispute the real
issue on this question is brought out
plainly and stringently. According TO
writer in the current number of the H0Hi-
letic ReUieiC, it is this: Are the new tesla
ment writers trustworthy guides in doc
tTine, or are we at liberty TO reject their
authority and frame contrary doctrines 10
suit ourselves7 If the latter pathway is
taken certainly the doctrine of verbal in
spiration will not be the only one de-
stroyed and the labor of revising the
creeds OF chrlstendom may be as well
saved, and the shorter process adopted OF
simply throwing them away"
There should seem to be but
two courses open to honest men.
One is to accept the bible in it's
entirety as q divine revelation. The other
is TO reject it. The middle men who ac-
cept 1t IN spots and reject il in spots; who
90 through IL with JehOiakim's penknife,
cutting out what ofiends their personal
notice, and retaining only what is agreea-
bic 10 their reason and conscience, are in
an absurd position. If the bible is a di-
vine revelation 1t is not against, but above
reason. lis impossible to explain a
supernatural record by natural processes.
If the bible is not divine revel alton,
then 1t Is utterly unworthy and should be
relegated 70 the company of the Arabian
Nights" and '4Esop's Fables" Between
these two positions there is no logical
standing-place. OF course a man NAV
consider his yagaries reasonable. So, a
man may stand on his head and regard
that as natural position. But in both
cases the community is aware of the abb
surdity and laughs at the fool.
Here is a boys essay on tobacco: ITO
bacco grows something like cabbage, but
] never saw none cooked. | have heard
men say that cigars given 'em on lection
day for nothin was mostly cabbage leaves.
Tobacco stores are kept by wooden In
juns that stand at the door and fool boys
by oferin' 'em bunch Of cigars what's
glued into the Injun's hands, and is
made Of wood, too. | tried 10 smoke a
cigar once and felt like epson salts. To-
bacco was invented by a man named
Walter Raleigh, whose head was cut Off
When the people first saw him smoke
they thought he was a steamboat and was
frightened. MY sister Nancy is girl
There is a Teller that comes 10 see her
named Leroy. He was standing on the
steps on night and had cigar in his hand
and said, 4 don't know whether you like
smoking or not And she said, Leroy,
the perfume is agreeable But
when nv big brother Tom lighted his
pipe, she said: Get out OF here, you
horrid creature, the smell of your tobacco
makes me sick.'i snuff is Injun's meal
made out OF tobacco. took little snuff
once and then / sneezed."
An eminent preacher justifies the use
by the church OF exceptional agents and
agencies, and advocates the adoption OF
what shall break up the monotony of life,
which tends to death. Advent and Lent,
for instance, whatever else they may
mean, mean prominently, il is insisted,