The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-01-12
The UNITARIAN CLUB.
Does the Value Of the Bible Suffer
From Modern Criticism?
DISCUSSION BY MINISTERS.
They DO Not Seem To Think the Bible
In any Danger-The Annual Election
of omcers and Other business Also
Attended 20.

The Unitarian Club held its annual ban
ouet and election Of officers last evening
in Tilinghast's parlors. About seventy
five gentlemen were present and after a
short time spent in conversation and in
Productions they sat down to one OF TIL
linghast's banquets. After this had been
disposed of the topic of discussion for the
evening, "Does the Real Value OF the
Bible Suffer From Modern CritlcismT
was taken up.
President Colwell introduced the Rev.
Francis B. Hornbrooke of Newton, Mass,
as the first speaker. He said in part
"TLere are always those who think the
Ark of God is not capable or taxing care
OF itself The spirit of Christianity ought
10 be, Facts as they are, the consequences
what they will be, and why should any
one be afraid? The schools of criticism
were never better agreed as TO what the
old writer's said. whatever may be the dif-
ferences of opinion as 10 what they ought
to have said. As the times have changed
many books of the Old Testament have
been found to be in the wrong places, but
this criticism; most of which comes from
within the church, does not affect the
usefulness or the credibility of the Bible
rs whole The value of the Bible is to
inspire and its greatest test Is that 1T gives
/. history and is able to quicken our
natures. The Bible remains the book OF
the ages in spite OF all criticism and let
us see t as it is"
The Rev. Roderick Stebbins Of Milton,
Mass, was the next speaker. lie SAID that
the character of Jesus Stands forth with
renewed beauty assisted by all the criti-
cism which is brought against il. The
modern criticism tends TO transfer our
belief from the Bible TO God. The great
est fact in religious life is that we are
dealing with person OF character ana
love, the Christ.
The Rev Thomas ID. Anderson, pastor
of the Central Baptist church. was then
Introduced by President Colwell, rs a
Roger Williams among friendly Indians.
He said Modern criticism must not he
condensed because some people make IL u
block of stumbling We are not Obliged
TO believe all the critics say, but some of
it we do believe. 1t is cirried to extremes
in many cases and is like a certain modern
case in the courts when the lawyers are
trying TO prove certain things but the
evidence does not prove me charge.
Modern criticism turns our attention TO
the fact that revelation is progressive,
Another tendency which this criticism
has is TO turn men from tradition To truth.
We reverence tradition but must worship
only truth. The Bible will stand because
of the truth il contains and is authora-
tative because true"
utThe Rev III. |. Cushman, d. d., was the
last speaker, He did not think il wise to
enter into an extended discussion of the
matter. The Old Testament was the pro-
duct of natural life and the New Testa-
ment the product Of the first three-quar-
ters of q century of the life of n Christian
Church. 81 believe" said the speaker,
'in the old book which has been the COM
fort of so many hearts through all these
centuries, and l also believe in the one
revelation which began with Abraham
and ended with Christ"
The business meeting followed and the
reports of the treasurer. j. &. Johnson,
and secretary, Joel Metcalf, were read
aud accepted. The following officers were
elected for the year 1892: President, A.
l.. Calder: vice president, j. G. Ely; secre
tary, Joel Metcalf; treasurer, j. G. John
son; member of the executive committee,
w b. Dart