The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-28
o III BIBLE.
Lyman ID Gives His View of 1t
as N Whole.
Philadelphia Times.
'.fnhn A.

L hILdtcipHld Times.
The combined teachings of the book Of
proverbs. containing the coined wisdom of
eight and a half centuries, lead to but one
conclusion. that righteousness is wisdom
ana wickedness is folly. and universally
wickedness.'
With these words Rev. DR.. Lyman Abbott
greeted the large audience which assem-
bled in Horticultural Hall, Broad ard Lo-
Gust streets, last evening to listen TO the
nrst of a series of five lectures on the
Bible which he Will deliver in this city.
EVERY denomination was represented. and
prominent members of almost every church
speakers reputation for forceful and pro-
gresslve thought. were present.
i ask you" said Or. Abbott, holding a
examine this book In a scientific and
literary spirit / have done so and it is my
you know the result of my study. In look
ing at this book from the point of view
which have taken the first important i'm
That ii is not a book but a library, a Ii
brary of sixty-six separate and distinct
works. extending over fourteen centuries OF
time and containing elements of tradition,
law. history. romance. epic and lyric
poetry, of the drama. and. most important
OF all, it contains the religious teachings
and beliefs of a great nation, practiced and
adhered to by its people in all the vary
ing conditions of adversely and prosperity.
In many instances the first seventeen
books of the Bible are but the prehistoric
traditions of a world combined and con-
densed by some unknown, inspired or unin-
spired, author or editor. who gives us even
IN the English version two distinct accounts
OF the deluge, creation and fall. In the
Hebrew and Greek texts traces of a third
author are to be found. and a third version
of the first works of creation are also
visible. To my mind the first books of this
library bear the same relation to truth as
ditions of King Arthur and his Knights of
the Round Table. In the latter instance
the author has embellished and glorifed
the stories so that they now shine perhaps
with a borrowed glory as among the most
beautiful legends of the unknown world.
50 we suppose that some inspired prophet
OF His people. and in so doing allowed the
through and permeate his work"
The ancient historian who wrote the his
tory of Israel, as found in the first and sec
ond chapters of the book of Kings, and the
one who wrote the somewhat different ver-
sion OF the beginning and rise of the same
people. as found In the first chapters of the
book of Chronicles. may both be compared
to the more modern historian. Prude, who,
use of pre-existing material, found
ed upon the statements of old
tons. which had gained full craeadencea in
the minds of the people among whom he
lived. And yet Prude is considered the
mind did the ancient patriarch of Israel
Gull from the works of those who preceded
them and from the traditions which had
HNN wv ~ AT
those versions of the beginning of the world
and of the beginning Of nations which
seemed to them most reliable. And i'm so
doing. inspired or uninspired, they did their
best and with what result?
THE Bible of to-day is the greatest and
noblest work in the literature of the world.
And by Analysing it we do not lose the
divine inspiration with which it is per-
meated. but studying it in a. it's aspects
we are led To believe in 1T as the history of
the true Gods dealings with His world and
with His people.
The beauty, the pureneSS, the oneness of
the book. in spite of the many varied quail
ties which it comprehends. and the many
hands through which il has passed, are
among those attributes which endear it to
the souls of men. The seeming discrepan-
cies with which il is replete are explained
away when looked on with the righteous in
~telligence of modern wisdom, and the Book,
taken collectively and as q whole. stands
complete. God dwells i'm man. and the near
er we get 10 the thoughts of men who ex-
pressed beliefs inspired by Him, the clearer
becomes our conception of the great God.
whose book we have tonight discussed
reverently but intellectually; scientifically
but fearfully."