The sun., 1897-02-01
ABBorT ON BIBLE HUMoR.
Hs Centi.ues HI. Lectures - A Church
Member says They Arc . Mistake.

Member says They Are . Mistake.
The Rev. DIR. Lyman Abbott continued his
lectures on Tho Literature OF the Bible In
Plymouth Church last night, the Book OF Pro
verbs being his topic. There was an unusually
large congregation. many persons probably
being attracted through tho recent resolution
passed by the Manhattan Association Of Con-
gregational Ministers. 10 which the association
dissented from the manner in which he had
treated Bible subjects. particularly. IL 10 said.
his treatment Of the narrative OF Jonah and the
whale. which. he said. was the Pick Papers
OF the Bible. DIR. Abbott made only one refer
ence to the criticism Of his Congregational
brethren. Ho declared on the authority Of an
orthodox Professor In the Presbyterian dsnoui-
nation that the Proverbs were remarkably
rich in humor." and then added;
IL recommend this to those who think thsrs
10 no humor In the Bible"
Following up this line Of thought. DR.. Abbott
proceeded to show that there were many pas
ssges In Proverbs, and he instanoed In particu-
lar one about the contentious woman. sufficient
ly humorous to provoke general laughter among
his hearers. DIR. Abtstt said that he agreed
with those who regarded the Proverbs ~ . col
lection OF voices not Of one voice. and differing
In degree Of Inspiration and also 10 their Ap-
peals TO men and women In accordance with
THE Proverbs." ne said. :" are the result Of
keen and careful observation. .spitomifed in
brief and pregnant sentences. We are not to
Tnsre Is no hint In them OF ths greet doctrines =
in no scnrr y q Biological one. IL does not tell
what ought to be. but what Is; butsthsrs 10 no
batter book for young man 20 taks who wAnts
70 guide himself according Tn tAs hest councils
TS. passage abop, tn. contentious woman re-
A continual dropDinE In a very rainy day
and q contentious woman are alike"
There ls certainly no prominent member and
Mr.. Abbott has blundered In his recent lectures
the Bible. While the congregation was
po,ring In rapidly last night the msmesr re-
terr-d To. recalling the period when Henry
| remarked In . whisper TO a reporter for TIKI
"Ali this business which Dr. Abbott has un-
dertsken lsn mistake he woula not ! thins,
with his course OF lectures as announced.
have been here since 1881 without break and
| have seen the riso and fall OF Henry Ward
stand in the affections Of the people; and this
! IL the fret time have been really Erisyed.
This IL the nrst time j have realised that
Plymouth Church Is on the wrong tack. Il 70 q
great mistake. But IL really makes no differ
! rnce now 50 far As Plymouth Church and its
| future are concerned. IL has simply become
J missionary church and there are not enough ni
! Abbott. In this big thronx before US l do not
recognize more than q dozen OF the regular
=" Our evening gatherings are now made NJ
| flats and boarding houses In the lower part oi
| the city Dr. ABBOTT certainly deserves credit
| for putting some life into the old church. Were
! he now TO drop out our future would be far from
| bright II 10. however. matter for reRfet thai
ne should have said anything 20 snake our BE-
! lief In the infAllibiity Of tbs Bible"