The Portland daily press., 1896-11-16
TIE HIGHER CRITICISM.
DIR. BIanchard's Sermon at Congress
Square Church.

Rev. DR.. Blanchard preached sermon
yesterday morning at Congress Square
church on "The Higher Criticism and
Its Great Value"
In connection with the lesson from the
Scriptures, DR.. Blanchard read extracts
from the lectures of Rev. K. y. Horton
ian English Congregationalist) to the
Yale Divinity sohoolon "Verbum Dei'-
the word of God. On page ITO, the words
appear: 81 say there is no foundation in
the Bible itself for the common practice OF
speaking of it as the Word of God. Bold
ly challenge those who thougntlessly en-
ploy the term. Ask them, what reason
have you for the decomposition, what
support in Scripture, what assurance of
prophea or apostle, what hint OF the Lord
himself. that this collection Of writings
may be fitly described by so august
name. Startled as many good people are
by tho question. they yet, If they are
honest, are bound to admit that the
usage is without Scriptural authority; if
they are dishonest, they angrily turn up
on those who put the question, and de-
nounce them as infidels.'
The text was from jeremiah XIII.
2s-'He that hath My word, let him
speak My word faithfully" DR..
Blanchard spoke substantially ms follows.
AS tie sermon occupied forty minutes,
the report is, of course, exceedingly con-
densed.
A series of recent events has induced
me to speak to you this morning on
"The Higher Criticism ana Its Great
Value" The Rev. DR.. Staokpole OF
Auburn read to some of his brethren i'll
this city a paper which was scholarly
and candid and judicial. Even the ex-
cellent report which appeared in the
PRESS showed these characteristics to
all who read with care. Inevitably, how
ever, such words provoke disapprobation.
Some are afraid that the Bible will lose
reverence and influence. But l believe
the truth will ma Ike US fTee-that the
truth about the Bible will only show its
Respondent beauty.
The Higher Criticism is only the at
tempt of educated men to discover the
origin and meaning of the books of the
Old and New Testaments. Historical
Criticism would be a better term. These
men study SO as to find out who wrote
the books, as far as may be discovered
what light history throws upon the times
of their writing, what the words meant
to those who used them. There are five
names I would mention. Rev. Il. +.
Horton who crossed the Atlantic in order
TO speak to the students at Yale. Rev.
DR.. James Martineau, who wrote The
Seat Of Authority in Religion. Elk
President A. d. White of Cornell Uniyer-
sity, who wrote IA History of tho War
fare of Science with Theology" Rev. DR..
George 1. Ladd, who gives us "What is
the Bible?". and Rev. Dr.. Orello Gone, one
the foremost scholars of the Universalist
church who bas written Gospel
Criticism and Historical Christianity,'
and 1.-THE Gospel and its Earliest Inter-
pretations." These Lass are warmly
commended by Evangelical scholars de-
spite their radical views.
There are five results Of Higher
Criticism. They may be stated thus:
The Bible is Literature; there is no
peculiar inspiration given to any man to
fit him for the work of writing; inspira-
rion Is not infallibiltty; all Christians
are inspired; the consensus OF opinion
among higher critics is constantly grow
ing. The his her critic is the illumination
of the Bible. The points enumerated can
all be buttressed by the authority of DR..
Ladd. In his "Whnt is the Bfbie?" on
page 331, he says "1he Bible is literature
this is claim which has given much
of it's Impulse and guidance to the re-
searches of modern biblical study. From
II the inference it is Immediately made
that the writings which compose the
Bible should be subjected to all the rules
of literary criticism, should be treated as
literature in determining their value,
their origin. thei1 meaning, aud their
use. On page II, he says. elm any legiti-
mate meaning of the terms, It is not
truly Catholic doctrine that the Bible is
the Word of God. On page 9s, he says.
"Not one word in the entire Bible can be
ft hat ia
ana peculiarly infallible inspiration has
been given 20 any one in order to fit him
for the work of writing. Page 433 has
these words, "The Bible. ITSELF from the
first verse in Genesis to the last verse ih
Revelation, does not contain a single
word to encourage the opinion that any
special kind of inspiration was given to
it's writer's, in the act of writing, or to
qualify then. for writing. On page 437.
be says, "Inspiration is not infallibility
and the claim that it guarantees infalli-
bility of any kind must be most distinct
~ denied. /" On page 424, be declares,
IA according to the teaching of the New
Testament, also, Christianity is the i'm
parting of spiritual life, the inspiration
Of every believer. All Christians are in
spired -
DR.. Blanchard then spoke with great
earnestness of the great value OF Higher
Criticism in showing 1.-The deathless
lUso u alnuuB A1kACA SAiutOS.
Erasmus was sick in body, but he pur
sued the truth despite of every danger.
1t Is a thrilling recital this story of the
heroes who from Erasmus to DR.. Briggs
showed their love of truth. pit teaches
the 1aity to love the truth. For many
men hold on to old opinions regardless Of
new knowledge" They repeat the old
creed. cling to the old system. wish to
be Orthodox. They should love the truth
wherever it leads. The Higher Criticism
will inspire them to seek this. Sit
shows the gradual ennobling of the idea
of God as Israel gave that idea to the
world. It rearranges the books. II