Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-11-18
HIS LATEST BOOK.
EXTRACTS FROM fHE MESSIAH OF THE COS
PELS BY DR.. CHARLES A. BRIGGS
Il Enters HiHutsly Into Discussion Of the Second
Advent and the Immaculate Conception, and IS
Dedicated to Prof Smith, "Faithful Friend
and B.aVs Companion in HOly Warfare

E--@N-
New YORK, November 1.-THE Com
nercidL Advertiser this afternoon pub
fishes a synopsis of the latest work OF
Professor Charles A. Briggs, Of Union
Theological Seminary. The book, THE
Messiah of the Gospels" is intended TO
follow "Messianic Prophecy" which
caused so much comment when pub
lished in 1886. 1t was the intention Of
DR.. Briggs TO publish The Messiah OF
the Gospels" in 1857, but the charges
of heresy were brought about that
time and be deferred publication until
now. The dedication reads as fol-
lows: ITO henry Preserved Smith,
true scholar, faithful friend and brave
companion in holy warfare, this
book is dedicated in sympathy aud
love-" In his latest book DR.. Briggs
has entered infinitely into discussion
of the Second advent. He is convinced
that the faith OF the church OF the day
is defective in its lack Of appprehen-
sion Of the reigning Christ, and In its
neglect OF the second advent OF Our
Lord.
The chapters upon immaculate con-
ception will, perhaps, call for the most
criticism. He says; "The blessed
virgin was residing in Nazareth OF
Galiee, betrothed TO Joseph OF the
ROYAL line OF David and heir OF
the Messlanic promises OF the Old
Testament. The time for the mar
rage had not yet come. God had a
higher appointment for her to fulfill
the virgin mother OF the Messiah. The
virgin conception Of Jesus as announced
by the Archangel is not to be inter
preted as If IL were miracle In viola
ton of the laws of nature; but rather as
brought about by God himself present
in theophany. The words Of the angel
imply theoDhanic presence. Though
it might be urged that the coming OF
the spirit upon her was an Invisible
coming after the analogy OF many pas
sages of the old testament; yet the par
allel statement that the Divine power
overshadowed her cannot be so inter-
preted.
"This annunciation represents the
conception OF Jesus as due TO theo-
phany. IL does not rotate the doctrine
OF his pre-existence; although that doc
trine is a legitimate inference. 1t rep
resents an early stage Of New Tesla
ment Christology. 1t does not go q
step beyond tho Paulism of the Epistle
to the Corinthians. II implies nothing
more than the sending in birth taught
by the epistle to the Galatians and TO
the Romans. 1t is really more print
tive and more simple Christological con-
ception."
Reference is made TO the light of the
logia, the discussion Of which played so
prominent a part az the trial Of DR..
Briggs for heresy. He says: The Cos
uels give glimpses Of the life and teach
ing of Jesus, from four different points
OF view. Mark is the simplest and ear
lest in com position. Almost all that is
given in Mark reappears in Matthew
and Luke; both Of these gospels using
the earlier Mark. Matthew is dstin-
guished by long discourses OF Jesus
upon several great themes. We find
very much the same matter In other
connections in Luke; but only limited
portion of it in Mark. 1t is evident
that the gospel OF Matthew has grouped
the words OF Jesus about several
themes. AS it depended chiefly upon
Mark for the historical material, II also
depended on the logia Of Matthew for
these dscourses.
THE logla of Matthew is the collec-
ton chiefly Of the sayings of Jesus By
the Apostle Matthew In the Aramaic
language. The logia was lost at an
early date, but the most, If Lot all, OF
its contents are 10 the gospel of Mat
thew and Luke. Luke gives them more
in the circumstances of thesr utter
ance. The gospel Of Matthew arranged
them in a topical order without regard
TO these circumstances. These discov-
cries OF Jesus from the logia OF Mat
thew are rich and pregnant with Mes
sianic material. The gospel Of Mat
thew gives other sayings Of Jesus aud
reports other acts Of Jesus which were
taken probably from other sources,
written or oral. The gospel Of Luke
uses the historical material OF Mark,
giving the logi2 from the sayings Of
Matthew their original setting, but IL
also gives original matter not found in
the other evangelists. 1t Is probable
that the material was chiefly derived
from a third written source.
1.-THE gospel OF John is different from
the other three, 10 that the material 10
mostly new. 1t gives as more the
esoteric teaching of Jesus, and events Of
a more private and personal character,
all bearing the marks OF deep and
thorough reflection upon athe life and
person of Jesus" 7o' Toe
DR.. Briggs makes special study Of
the second advent Of Christ He makes
the discussion OF the second advent OF
greater Importance than most theolo-
gians have deemed necessary, and has
brought many truths TO light that here
tofore have remained hidden, or have at
least been disregarded.
DR.. Briggs views on the doctrine Of
the resurrection have aroused consider
able comment Ii was said that be was
obscure. he says: THE hour Of the
resurrection is coming. 1t cannot be
said of it that 1t now is or that it 10 al
hand. We-hsve, however, a prediction
Of three rssurrections. the first spirit
ual, the last universal; the intermediate
one distinct from the first aud the last.
and impending, being connected with
the resurrection Of the Messiah himself.
Christ first predicts the importation Of
everlasting life TO ali who hear the word
OF the Messiah and bslisVe In God. All
such have passed out OF death into life.
They will no more die. They will not