The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1891-10-13
Two Critics Criticized.

MR. EDrroR: Since the public is
being entertained and doubtless in
structed by 4 friendly and courteous
controversy on the Bible and Bible
teachings, It may be well Tor Us 70 IN
quire il there be not another side to this
question. Bro. Burgess, Bro Hammond
and the Friend represent a vast multi.
tude Of men who have been taught from
their infancy that the sacred Scriptures
we're the inspired Word OF God, without
mixture Of error. Having imbibed this
belief, they are teaching the world that
God says this and God says that, quoting
chapter aud verse as the only evidence
required 10 settle the question OF the
divine authority Of whatever they teach
US
Now, it Is well known to every ell
hghtened inquirer alter truth in our day,
that the sacred volume, 50 much reyered
by Us, contains but q small portion OF
the writings Of those so eslled) mouth
pieces OF Jehovah, that the vast amount
OF literature written by between fifty and
sixty different authors, and covering over
a period OF at least fifteen centuries, was
submitted to the judgment OF human
beings and not angelic proof readers to
decide what parts were and what were
not inspired, thereby reducing the ques-
ton OF inspiration 10 the simple matter
OF the opinion OF these men.
These opinions or decisions were given
70 the world as the inspired oracles of
God-His perfect law, and His will con-
corning men, accompanied by the ex-
press iniunctions that We should not add
70 or take from the words therein writ
ten and approved. Rev. -, IS.
1t Is furthermore well known that the
ablest commentators centuries later re-
iected, as not being inspired, portion
OF the New Testament, and that a very
large portion OF the Christian church to-
day reject, upon the same ground, por-
ton OF the Old Testament writings.
The writer OF this article has been a
constant attendant upon public worship
for forty years, and among evangelical
churches only, and yet ! have never in a
single instance known or heard o.
preacher OF pastor who has offered to
instruct his congregation or his flock on
this mast vital question, - How came We
bY the Bible, and by what authority do
We receive It as the inspired law and
teachings Of the Divine Creator" while
they have ever been faithful to urge each I.
tenet OF their sect, never for
getting TO refresh the minds of their /
nearer BY reference 10 I'd Tim, 3, Is
Now, Bro. Burgess studies the Bible 4
fo- the same reason that the commander /
Of besieged garrison throws up breast .
works and digs rife pits, viz, to fortify I
MS position, and his sect finds in both I
the Old and New Testament ample 4
material with which TO construct their 1
defenses. Brother Hammond is in the
same boat. 1 speak from experience,
having devoted twenty years to careful /
study OF the Scriptures, as then sup
posed, to store my mind with divine
truth; but, as / have since learned. I
more TO fortify myself as Baptist, with
this result, that came to believe that
Jesus Christ. his twelve Apostles and
the disciples from the day Of Pentieost
on, were all close communion Baptists,
and how the Roman Catholics and the
rest Of the Pedo-Baptists got into the
Church. was to me 2 mystery, Tor |
found at least forty-seveD religions seets,
each presenting 10 the world a set Of
doctrines or articles OF belief. each differ
ing from the rest, and yet all resting on
the eternal and fmprsgnable foundations,