Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-04-21
cALvINIsTs CONVENE.
Ministers of tine Solomon Presbytery
Are Firm in the Doctrines.

portion OF northwestern Kansas, met
at the Presbyterian church last even
ing. The church was filed to hear the
opening sermon by Rev. William
Foulkes, retiiing moderator. The
sermon, which is usually intended n
foreshadow the most important matter
Of interest to be considered, was very
clear and concise statement Of the
Presbyterian belief in the inspiration
and inerrancy Of the bible, The text
was from jeremiah SO: 23: And 1t
came to pass that when Jehudi had
read three or four leaves, he cut It with
the penknife and cast II into the FIRE
that was on the hearth"
The preacher stated that the cutting
and burning mentioned here, was the
daring work Of Jehoiakim, and the
browning impiety Of that wicked king
Of Judah. The work was futile. The
roll was burned but out OF the ashes Of
1t grew another which was fac simile
Of the first with considerable adj
| denda.
The mutilatlng, burning process, the
speaker declared, is not lost art; but
is still In vogue. The great danger is
not from those who would cast aside
the whole bible ut once, but from those
who would cut out here little aud
there a little, and then pecemeal
destroy the whole. This is the process
OF the rationalists, whose sole aim Is
the overthrow OF the book by destroy
ing certain parts. This is the process
Of the higher critics also. They cut
out what does not, In their opinion,
belong there. There Is third class OF
mutilators, who take out what II not
10 their liking and retain only what Ia
according to their opinion and desires.
The final goal Of the mutilating
process is the rejection Of the
whols bible. The difference between
rationalism and higher criticism
Ia that the latter claims to lie
friendly to the bible while the former
makes no such claim or concession. The
process In either case is ratlOnalistic
and destructive. Higher criticism with
its three fold authority the bible, the
church and the reasons but an
attempt to combine professionalism,
papacy and ratiOnallsm and tends in
the end to the demolition Of the whole.
The lovers OF the bible have nothing
to fear froT this process. IL has been
carried on for % centuries but has
failed to destroy the grand old book OF
God. The history of the past and our
faith In God, the divine author and
protector OF the volume, declare that
the word OF God cannot be destroyed.
We will not give up the bible until we
find something better.
The business Of the presbytcry began
this morning. Rev, j. W. Crawford,
Of Ellsworth, was elected moderator by
reclamation; Rev +. + Thompson,
Of Cawker City, stated clerk; DIR. +.
s. Blayney, permanent clerk. Rev.
I. L. Lewis, Of Beloit, was elected
temporary clerk, this completing the
list of officers.
The effort to establish Presbyterian
newspaper was decided on adversely,
Rev. Eli N Sawtell was elected minis.
terial delegate to the general asse mbly
to meet in Portland, Oregon, in May
Rev, f, L. Thompson was elected
alternate.
Elder W. II. Swansea, OF Minnelpo
lis, was elected as delegate. Elder
G. f. Morley, of Abilene, alternate.
All the candidates pledged them
selves to be sound in the doctrines of
the cayanistic faith and in favor Of
u very conservative review OF the
standards.
The Elders association adjourne d
yesterday afternoon, reappointing DR..
VIM. Bishop chairman of the organize
ton.
woMAN's ssIONARr SOCIETY.
The Woman's Presbyterian Mission
AIRY society convened In the Lutheran
church this morning with large mum.
Der Of ladies present. Mrs. NJ. II,
Ilewett acted as chorlster and there
was some spirited singing. The morn.
ing was devoted to reports and routine
business. The society has passed
through a most successful year and
much active work has been done in oil
the churches of the presby terry.
Papers by Mrs. Worley, OF this city,
Mrs. Lyon, of Salina, and Mrs. Davis,
OF Newton, we're on the program.
This afternoon there were papers by
Mrs. Blair and Mrs, Gebhart, Of Salina
and greetings from other churches OF
the city, Mrs, Peters represented the
Lutheran, Mrs. Turner the Methodist
Mrs. Coye the Episcopal and Mrs
Dechant the Reformed. The church
was well filled with ladies at the exer,
clses.
Following the greetings the young
ladies took charge OF the meeting and
an excellent progia am OF pspeTs, music
and selections was given, Officers
were elected for the ensuing year il
both sections,