The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-14
SCIENCE AND THE RIFLE.

INC AlhAtS mas ldhfn OttdalOH flOIt
than once to express its disapproval of
recent lecture by the Rev. Dr. Ly-
man Abbott. OF New York, in which no
ridicued the Book Of Jonah. causing his
hearers to laugh with him aud make fun.
our criticism was that in doing this. DR..
Abbott was guilty of irIeverence and Of
encouraging irreVerence IN others
But his was only an incident in
series Of most Instructive lectures which
Dr. Ano.t, has been giving on the BIZ
bic ard W. c, 10, by any means. dissent
from some Ct his conclusions. For ex-
anIlc. we cite the following from one
Of his most recent lectures.
His subject was "The Scientific Con-
ception of Revelation" and among other
things lie said:
THE scientist approaches the Bible
from what may be called a scientific or
literary point Of view" he said. He
ASSUMES no theory of inspiration. He
does recognize that this book has had
a wonderful spiritual effect on the hu-
man race. lie does believe that ii Is a
truly unique book and in some true sense
If it contains no error nc answers that
he will look and see.
"The scientist, even ~ he does believe
that the book Is inspired, still bears in
mind that the book must be read as
other literature is read Inspired philOi-
ogy is not different from uninspired phil
OlOgy. The scientist mast assume that
the same laws CT grammar apply to III
spired literature as to uninspiccd htera-
lure.
IF you take up a history and It refers
10 Abraham Lincoln, you are perfectly
sure that it was not written in the time
of George Washington. Now, If you take
up the Book of Isaiah and read IN it
about Cyrus the Great you are satisfied
that the book was not written by Isaiah
one hundred years before Cyrus the Great
was born Thus the scientific student Of
the Bible puts the traditions aside as Of
very little value.
I'VE take this Book then, and open
IT. We find first of all that it is not a
book at all, but a library of sixty-siX
books which IL took LOO years TO bring
together. We find that the book is a
growth and that It grew out OF the
Church of God. The Church was not
founded on the Bible. The Bible was
founded on the Church. There is no
question about that. one thousand
years elapsed between the founding Of
the Church and tho completion of the
old Testament. and two centuries elapsed
between the founding Of the Christian
Church and the completion Of the New
Testament
THE student looks at the Bible and
finds there fiction. poetry. dramatic writ
ngs. etc. The Puritan could not believe
that there was fiction or poetry or drama
I'm the Bible, because we believe that
such things were wicked, but we do not
believe such things are wicked. Why,
therefore. should we accept the conclu-
sion OF the Puritan while we reject his
reasons for that conclusion?
"Will this view Of The Bible lessen its
sancity or authority? l think not. 1
think it will increase It's sanctity or au-
thority. it will clear away doubt stop
chickering's and bring out its greatness
more clearly. This has been my expe-
rience. l have had letters from fathers
and mothers expressing fear lest l should
shake the faith of somebody. but / never
got a letter from anybody who said that
his or her faith I'm the Bible had teen
shaken by my preaching. On the con-
trary / have had scores Of letters from
those who told me that 1 had strengthen
ed their faith"
When we consider that the Bible was
written at a time when scribes were few
and writing difficult; when we consider
that the various books were written at
different times with 10 one man or set
of men to edit them; when we consider
that 1t is only within comparatively re-
cent years that the various books were
compiled into one volume; when we re-
fleet that these separate and detached
parchments passed from hand to hand
down the ages; when We consider the
translation of the parchments from a
dead language to a living language it
would he wonderful indeed in view of all
these things, If there were no errors; if
some Of the original parchments had not
been lost or altered and if indeed some
parchments, neither inspired nor author
lied. have not crept in.
We believe that the Bible IS an inspired
work: that through it God has made
known His will to man, and the way of
salvation. We believe that it is the sure
guide to correct and happy living here.
and that those who follow its simple
teachings will mt themselves for the bet
ter life beyond.
We agreed with Or. Abbott. therefore.
that the Bible will be honored and the
cause of religion promoted by clearing
away doubt and by eliminating all non
essentials that tend to confuse and hinder
a..