The Portland daily press., 1897-02-08
A POEM OF NOBLE LOVE.
DIR. BIanchard's Sermon at Congress
Square Church.

square SnuEcns
Rev. DR.. Blar chard delivered the Sec
ond sermon of his series on "Studies In
the Higher Criticism" yesterday morning.
The theme was: 1.-The Song of Solomon
"a Poem of Noble Life.'' The text was
taken from the VIII chapter, 9th verse
of the Revised Version:
"oet me as a seal upon thine heart, as
seal upon thine arm
For love is strong as death;
The flashes thereof are flashes of fire,
A very flame of the Lord. "
He was glad to consider the theme.
Higher Criticism seeks to know the
truth and exalt the Scripture. DR..
Drivers Introduction to the Old Testa-
ment" should be owned and studied by
all who wish TO know the Bible. The
new volume, edited by DR.. Lyman Alb
bott, entitled: ssThe Bible as Litera-
ture,'' should be read. DR.. Griffis' s
hook, "The Lily Among Thorns, is a
valuable study on the Song of Songs
which is Solomon's." To call 1t the
song of Solomon indicates the old and
erroneous view. 1t was believed by the
Jewish scholars that the book was an
epitome of Jewish history. 1t was be-
influence of Origen, that it was pro-
found mystical book which spoke Of
Christ and the church as bridegroom and
BRIDE Archdeacon Farrar in his = History
of interpretation, gives long. long
list of various views concerning it. The
Higher Criticism SHOWS that it was
written by an unknown poet to celebrate
noble love. 1t was produced IN time
later than Solomon. It was meant to
denounce polygamy and sensuality. 1t
gloritied simpla, constant love between
one woman and one man.
BY the great majority of the critics it
is believed that its story is that Solomon.
in one Of his travels, saw lovely sun
burned maiden in the country and fell
deeply in love with her. Carried to
Jerusalem, the women of the court
praised her beauty and her good fortune
in winning the regard OF the King.
She is deeked to receive Solomon. He
adorns himself to WOO and win her. But
her heart is with her shepherd lover far
away. She refuses Solomop's love. She
dreams of her absent beloved. She
hears his voice and longs to be with
him again in scenes of home. Solo
mon sues again. She still refuses his ad-
vanCes. Ihe women deride her: they
wonder how she can resist king. Solo
mon sees, at last, that he cannot win
her. She is set free. She joins her lover
and the blessed marriage takes place.
DR.. blanchard said that the history
of this poem shows how stubborn men
are in refusing to receive the truth. For
hundreds of years scholarly men have
held TO the old, baseless theory Of alle-
CORY. Conservatism is good-is needed.
but stubbornness is evil.
We can see how joyous are the conclu-
sions Of the Higher Criticism. DR..
Griffis shows his great happiness in his
new views as set forth in his "Tho Lily
Among Ehoins." He seems, at first, to
syaggerate the beauties of this poem Of
noble love. Bnt as the student pursues
his study, and llIe after line of beauty
appears in the completed picture, he SECS
that DR. Grifiis does not say too much
in praise. The fippant critic may not
see beauty; he may condemn the poem
in parts; but he who studies thoroughly
learns to thank God that this book has a
place among tie Scriptures. Its great
lesson is the nobleEess of love and chat
this is a gift from Coda very flame
from the Lord America needs to hear
it's message that only love consecrates mar
rage. When we see foreigners seeking
A rnerican wives assured THAI women can
be had for titles; when we know how
many marry for money ard position,
we may well &c glad that this picture
Of the Shulamite maiden and her
shepherd lover shines out from the
Bible. When we know how many unions
are formed to be followed by divorce,
when we learn how portentous is the
aumber of divorces, we NAV ask The
clergy to show this picture If the past
in all it's beauty. 1t will help men to
see the glory of love- Great is the work
of Higher Criticism whioh shows the
loyeliness of this poem. Young man
antsmaidan shall feel the nobility of their
love. They shall accept it as gift OF
Gcd. Many a marriage shall have q
deeuer hallowing. as the beloved feel
profounder love towards God, because
of, sacred love for one another
The third sermon of the course will be
given on Sunday. February 21st. Its
thene will be "The Message OF the
Book of Daniel.