Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-27

will that the higher criticism has made
clear that you can explain all its literary
traits on the supposition that it is late
compi alton of several documents, each of
which has religious tendency different
from the tendencies of the others. In
granting this we grant everything that by
literary criticism possibly be proven.
But is this particular hypothesis the only
one to which its literary phenomena can
be made to respond? L should say that,
given twenty acute and speculative minds,
it would be possible to construct as many
different hypothesis of the books origin,
of each OF which you could as justly say:
1T accounts for every literary phenomenon
In the book And is the Book of Genesis
peculiar in its susceptibility to this specu-
lative division into conflicting documents?
Il is not peculiar at all. This susceptibility
is trait which ii has in common with
every piece of literature the world con-
tainS.
Il believe that the intellectual duty which
presses most severely on the reformed
churches today is not the duty of concess-
i've apologetics, but the cheerful and by no
means difficult task of pointing out to the
rev biblical critics the very serious limi-
tations of their method as an instrument
of knowledge and its more serious limita
lions as a power to compel general or per-
ranent Observation-Disclosures which they.
like the most of their predecessors, appear
to have ignored or forgotten. l am well
aware that the new biblical criticisms de-
rive great force at present from the pre-
valing naturastic habit of mind If that
is the case. then naturalism is our con-
tending foe. We know it well We have
met Il often in many guises. and the recol-
lection of our past battles should forbid
fear on our part as to the result of an
other conflict.
"Our great duty in the sphere of the feel
ing is the duty of charity. Our great duty
in the sphere of TIE will is to pray. We
shall be sure that the present crisis of be-
lief will pass away and that new revival.
like the reformation of the sixteenth or
the evangelical awakening of the eighteenth
century, will bless our reformed churches.
In the blessed atmosphere of that revival
1t may be that some one who shall stand
in the place l occupy today will employ
to describe our revived belief and obedience
the words of the apostle:'We are born
again. not of corruptible seed, but of in
corruptible, by the word of God, which
liveth and abideth forever
The Invocation.
Upon the conclusion of the sermon prayer
was offered by Rev. DIR. J. Marshall Lang
the moderator of the established church in
Scotland and the presiding officer of the
alliance. He prayed that faith in the Bible
would be preserved and also the belief that
it was not only inspired in the past, but is
inspired today. He asked the blessing of
God on the setting forth Of truth as heard
| today.
DR.. Lang wore the gown Of doctor Of
divinity of Edinburgh University, which
is distinguished by red hood
Some notices were given by DR.. Rad
clifYe, and then the congregation arose and
sang hymn, and the benediction was pro-
nouneed by Rev. ar. Sample, the moder-
ator of the Presbyterian Church of the
United States. and the services of the
morning were over.
The Afternoon Session.
The alliance convened for It's first BUSH
ness session this afternoon at go, with
the president. Rev. DR.. Lang of Glasgow,