The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-08

assailing the inspiration OF the Scriptures.
upon which rests the whole structure OF
Protestant religious faith. DIR. BRIdGs was
already instilling tho same subversive doc
trines into the minds OF the Presbyterian
students for the ministry In the Union
Seminary OF this city. An Episcopalian
clergyman in Ohio was reaching the con-
cluson afterward published by him that
the Scripture story OF the virgin birth OF
JESUS Is q myth. He and many other min
isters OF orthodox churches were explaining
away the Incarnation. the miracles. the
Biblical account OF the creation. and the
Christian doctrine OF the Resurrection. as
poetical figures and images and not facts
and the records OF facts.
The Christian faith was attacked more
dangerously. because more subuy. from
within the Church than it had ever been
assailed by it's enemies without the fold.
The shafts Of theological criticism were
directed against its very vitals. and during
all the eleven years since the organization
OF this Christian Endeavor movement these
assaults have been kept up. and they have
been growing holder steadily. Disguises
have been thrown Off and the mutineers OF
the Christian army have been made mani
fest in their true colors. The Presbyterian
Church. once supposed to be rooted and
grounded on the strictest orthodox faith
beyond the possibility OF disturbance the
strong and healthy tree OF Calvinism. is
now suffering most Of all from tho blight OF
this worm Of infidelity. Practically it has
no standard OF faith. for It Is engaged in
trimming and pruning the Westminster
Confession to suit the tastes Of the spirit Of
unbelef. and DR.. BKIGGs and his colleagues
and followers are still within the fold of
Presbyterianism. though they ere at work
to destroy it's Biblical foundation.
Yet even at such time the Christian
Endcavor movement so speedily gathered
force that in eleven years it holds in New
York the greatest religious Convention.
numerically. ever assembled In this coun-
try. The number Of societies affiliated In
it approyimates 2OuOo their membership
is million and half. and the chief rail-
roads Of the Union are strained to trans
port the vast multitudes Of those who at
tend the Convention. These societies.
too. are founded on the very faith as
sailed by the critics OF the Bible.
1t Is the simplest, most unQuestion!ng
Biblical faith. 1t is belief in JESUS CHRIST
as the Lord and Saviour. and personal de-
votion to Him as the Divine Master made
incarnate. It takes the Bible as q nara
tive OF facts and as a body Of doctrine Di-
vinely inspired. true, and infal.ibie in its
truth. 1t is faith as absolute Us the faith
Of the middle ages. though it is modified
by Professionalism. 1t is real, earnest,
sincere. implicit. 1t is without doubt
and without criticism. 1t Is also
SO far aggressive that even in this
year OF political activity it brings together
a vast multitude from every part OF the
Union. and all OF them inspired with fer
vor OF enthusiasm which does not yet APP
pear in either Of the great political parties.
The Madison Square Convention is an as
semblage OF momentous significance at this
period. 1t proves that the ancient religious
faith is still warm among the people. and
that the assaults Gifts enemies are kindliD S
its fires anew and not quenching them.