Evening star., 1899-03-10

ministers IN yesterdays Star, seems to be
unabated. Several prominent Methodist
divines, Including Rev. DIR. Lucien Clark.
pastor of Foundry Church and Rev. DIR.
/ Duffy. pastor of Mount Vernon Place
Church OIL f. South. declined to express
themselves on the subject Others how
ever. were not 50 reluctant.
What MethodIsm Demands
Rev. Edward l.. Watson pastor of Grace
NJ. L. Church, 9th and streets north.
west said:
While ] am not sure of the accuracy of
the press reports 10 the views of Rev.
>. Parker Cadm&n. DID. pastor of the
Metropolitan Temple. New York on the
subject of inspiration, il is evident that
he stands on the advanced ground held by
the liberal school of today. There is moth
ing new at all, the only novelty being that
such plain expression in such conserva-
tive body evoked so little opposition and SO
much favorable comment. The evident
thing is that Methodism recognizes the
supreme question of theology to be the
personality and Divinity Of Christ and not
the subordinate question of inspiration He
Il the fulfil!ment of all the types and fig
ures of the Old Testament. and they get
their meaning from Him rather than vice
versa. II is immaterial in our time whether
men hold to the absolute inerrancy of
Scripture and its plenary inspiration. In
fact, 1t is the belief of large sections of
Christendom that to require such belief
would impose the most stupendous miracle
of history. 1t would require continuous
preservation of the original revelation
through thousands of years OF transition
and its infallibe Interpretation. 1t is mani
fest that Methodism will have no Briggs
case as the result of the free expression of
individual opinion OH the subject of inspira-
ton. The fundamental questions any
theory from the Methodist standpoint are
ethical. and will remain so to the end.
Righteousness of life is of supreme i'm
portance, and reasonable agreement on
theoretical matters is all that Methodism
de ma nds'
Nothing New in the Address.
Rev. Dr. H. K. Naylor. pastor of McKen-
dree Church, Massae husetts avenue near
9th street, said:
II have seen only a newspaper account
of DIR. Cadman's address, and that in the
midst of conference business. find moth
irg new in the address. Scores of loyal
ministers of the gospel mold similar views
of the Old Testament Scriptures. In one
sense the inerrancy of Gods word is not in
Nolved. nor is the divinity of the Son of
God invaded
The Purpose of the Bible.
Rev. w. r. Stricken. pastor of Hamlne
NJ. E. Church, said
Many have the idea that the Bible is
like a Prince Rupert drop Of which We
read in physics, formed by molten glass
falling ir liquid and crystallizing so sud-
denly that if but the slightest particle be
pinched off the whole will lye shattered into
fragments. So. in the opinion of some. if
the Billie he found incorrect in the slightest
historic or scientific statement the whole is
Vitiated. The Bible is not a treatise on ge-
oiosy history or science. 1t is a book COM
posed by men of like passions With our
selves. 1t contains thu revealed mind AMI
will of God. 1t is to he judged by its oii-
5ect and purpose, which is not to teacn
modern science, but 10 reveal God If alb
solute inerTancy means that it is to deal
in language that is in harmony with mod
ern scientific knowledge We may not 10 he
able to claim SO much for il. IT, however
inerrancy mean that il has been SO inspir-
eel by God that it becomes u safe guide in
morals and rule of faith, then the Bible is
ineriant Not being able from the accounts
10 decide Just what Mr.. Cadman may have
intended. ! cannot pass judgment upon his
statements