New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-23

SACRED VOLUME-HIS OWN BELIEFS
EXPLAINED.
The Alumni Association of the Teachers College
held It's regular winter reunion and reception yes
,erday afternoon in tho college building. on Morn
ngside Heights. DR. Lyman Abbott was the guest
Of honor and the afternoon began with lecture
by him on THE Bible LITERATURE
Dr. Ablo oft began by saying that there were TWO
distinct ways of looking at the Bible. The first
was TO regard il infallibe. inerrant reveal
ton complete and perfect in the beginning Inc
other was from the literary and evolutionary stand
point and this his own He was not there
70 prove that 1t was rght-and II he had been
asked to come for that purpose he would nave
refused-but merely to state what II was
THE foundation Of this evolutionary view. he
continued lis the scientific fact that the human
,ace has grown as the individual grows. NO man
at a certain period of his existence can receive or
appreciafe revelation as he can at later perioo
and the same is true of the race. II was apso-
lr,teIy impossible in the age Of Moses for men TO
COMPREHEND that God is love in the same way
thu, I, Is understood to-day. II believe this, we
will expect to find in the Bible a progressive
revelation, though we may still believe as pro-
.oundly do that II Is inspired
DR. Abbott then proceeded TO tell how the Old
testament had grown, not stopping TOT reasons
for which he said there was no time
.The Rible is not a book" lie said. but a library
There are sixty-sx books in it, written by forty
or fifty authors, In different languages ana 10
different people and LOO years must have elapsed
between the production Of its earliest ana its
latest portions.
Its earlier writing is the Book Of the Covenant
which is Incorporated into Exodus. and contains
the Ten Commandments. The religious ideas ex-
pressed in It are that there is one God. that lie
Is righteous person. and that He demands right
eousness Of His children and nothing else This
vas the religion Of Moses. 1t Is very simple put
no ISraeIteS
were surrounded by people among whom religion
had no connection whatever with morality. It's
only object being TO gain the favor OF the gods or
turn away their wrath which done by sacri
fees. The two systems afterward mingled by
the Israeites and sacrfcia system grew up
sgains, which their prophets constantly protested.
The Book OF Deuteronomy amplihes and expands
the law Of Moses and adapts it 10 later conditions
Ii written by unknown author. and Is the
book King Josiah found in the Temple
Captivity and is a ACCOMPLISHMENTS and rearrange-
ment Of the ritual that had grown up IN ten or
The historical books not written for the pur-
pose Of giving accurate information regarding facts
hut to SHOW the dealings of God with the nation.
or 10 give an insight into human nature. II we
could understand his do not think we would be
er samson actually caught 300 foxes and tied 300
torches sa 10 their tails or whether they were not
pTopheeal books apply The principles Of
The popRc, is 10 not Sa' foreeer but forheer
He sees deeper into human life than his fellows,
ne perceves the eternal forces. and need him
N this day much as the lsraelites did, TO tell us
That there other powers besides bosses.
popular maiorities.
The books of Ruth. Esther. Daniel and Jonah are
sacred nction and their value depends. not their
hstorlcity. but their moral teaching
n me Book OF job is an epic OF the inner life, the
fsa.rns are lyrics portraylng direct and personal
relations with God. and the Song OF Solomon is
oiaMa The lesson OF the latter Is that all wealth
fory and honor nothing compared with the
io'e o. one faithful heart and need II very much
N these days when women selling themselves
Inrough all the books find constantly broad
cnhg conception OF the Deity In the Book OF the
novenan, He Is righteous lswgver. but Joshua ex-
essy tells the people that He vii. forgive their
sins David speaks OF His Sure mercies" but as
yet these mercies confined TO the chosen people
BUT IN Jonah the mercy includes all the word"
later the lecture refreshments were served In the
nnfary and an opportunity given 70 the members
ara guests 70 meet Or. Abbot Among the latter
were Mrs. Robert Abbey Mrs Nicholas Murray But
1tr William PAT and Miss Plat Mrs Robert T.
yuohnSon. Miss Young OF London. Miss Tacott. OF
,5sos'on. and William F Bridge A great many OF
present. ~ ~
committee 81 the social club acted a. entertainers
snd consisted OF Miss Marv e. Brush Miss Ellen Yal
SS,evens Miss MAY y Van Arsdale Miss Frieda
rrrrnr Miss SoDhe Zollenho.er and Miss Edith
rrav The president ~ the association Miss Emma
'" Sehrine. acted chairman al the lecture