The Portland daily press., 1897-09-23


tine , ''''- >''>'>'- 10000
Miss Mary f. Bradley, Fryeburg, 5OO0 90
Mrs Damaris S. Libbey, Gorham, 1.3l4.04
Mrs. Caroline Hunt, Gorham, 10000
Mrs. Mary Fifeld, (additionaD
HallowelI, 49,
Horace Wood. -Keene, N, H.. 10000
Hon Woodbury. Davis, Portl nd, 9O0.O 90
Mrs Esther TiIton. Thorndike, 1000
Total $7,165. 81
John L. Crosby Esq, treasurer, Iread
his report
The following nominations were made
for the officers of the society:
President-Galen G. Moses.
Vice president-Prof. John S. Sewall,
D. ID.
Corresponding and Recording Secre-
tary-Rev. David P. Hatch.
Treasurer-John l.. Crosby.
Trustees for three years-W. T. Hub
bard, Rev. Geo. Lewis, D. D.; Rev. B.
P. Snow, A. G. Libby, Prof. e. 9. Pur-
linton Of Pennington.
Addresses were then made by Mission
aries Rev. Messrs. Parker of Ashland,
Mcdonald of Stoneham, Whittier of Oro-
no, jenkins of Carratunk, and Gregory
of Bingham.
REV. DIR. E. G. MOORE'S ADDRESS.
In the evening Rev. DIR. E. c.. Moore,
of Providence, R. l., delivered the fol-
lowing address on the attitude of minis
tiers and churches in matters of Biblical
criticism:
The advance of critical learning, the
prevalence of the literary and historical
mode of apprehension of the Scripture
have, we think, increased the zeal for the
study of the Bible. They have certainly
introduced new method of that study.
They are leading us to theory of Scrip
ture widely different from that which
has additionally obtained. OF course,
the department of biblical learning is the
crucial one for us Professionals, for the
Scriptures are the authority of Protes-
tants. To them is our appeal; from them
is our guidance, in them is our hope and
certitude; there is no question, take it,
anywhere, upon that point. The only
question is, how we are to think this
authority as having got into the Book,
and how we are to interpret the authori-
tative sense out of the Book again.
But it is one thing to discuss these
questions in a body of students and pro-
lessons all masters, in some degree, of the
materials Of the discussion. But it is
quite another matter to be Obliged to
speak of these differences of opinion from
a position Of some influence, and Ger
tainly Of great responsibility, to those
who may have been frightened by agita-
ton, demoralized by the allegation that
our Bible is being torn in pieces, discon-
certed and prejudiced by other means of
the sort. And the difficulty is not
diminished If in place of this fear, we
meet the mood which cheerfully ignores
the seriousness Of tho whole question
about the Scripture, which relegates
without debate the whole Old Testament
to the realm of myth and fable, and prac-
tices cheap popular rationalism on the
New. In my own opinion, the cause in
both cases is the same. 1t is the lack of
genuine historical knowledge. And the
only remedy is in the diffusion of the
genuine historical sense and spirit.
But it was Of purpose that | chose in
my title this word Attitude; for 1 am
convinced that the successful dealing
with the problem is largely matter of
attitude. Even supposing our knowledge
OF these matters to be the greatest, yet we
must never forget that a pastor, a Sun
day school teacher, is not called primarily
to teach criticism and the like; he is
called to teach religion. He cannot in
deed teach religion without teaching also
his theology, all forms of it, making
clear his critical positions, implying his
philosophy. But my point is that he
conveys all this by indirection, as subord-
mate to that other, which is his supreme
concern. A theology, dogmatical or
biblical, q critical or philosophical posi-
ton, which only shines through heart
felt religious teaching, is not likely to
start confagration, even though it shine
very unequivocally, and be of kind to
shed great deal of light in a communi-
ty. Let man but make upon his COM
munity the impression of consecrated
and affectionate teacher, thoughtful,
we'll, trained, studious, absolutely fear
less in respect ofnwhat he knows, reserved
as to what he does not clearly see, just,
gentle, generous, toward those who see
things differently. That single impress
sion, say, will do more to gain hear
ing for his opinions, upon all subjects
than all the argumentativeness in the
world. That single impression will Gre
ate and maintain through years, the at
mosphere of trustful quietness of mind
in which the education Of q people can
proceed.
1t is this living adjustment of religious
opinion to modern life and thought that
we need. And in the manner that I in
P1AeSO
No mere, cold intellectual diversion takes
place, no Interruption of the spiritual
life I do not believe that the magni-
tude of the issue is always appreciated
The conflict of opposing views is acute
today upon this one point of Scripture.
its nature and authority. But the two
views which here confront one another
are not simply views of Scripture. They
are diverse modes OF apprehension ofevery-
thing in the universe, nature, man and
God. The question is as between the SUI
pernatural above and apart from the
natural, and the supernatural in and
through the natural. The change of CEN
ter of thought is as great as between the
Ptolemaic and Copernican systems, and
is it not so much to be wondered at that
what is axiomatic to one man is impos-
sible to another. Men are more logical
than they always know. One theory of
Scripture is possible to them and anoth-
er not, they do not always themselves
know why. say this that having gained
a larger view of the cause, we may be
not less firm ourselves, but more just to-
ward others.
Rut. having said SO much as to the man