New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-08
DIR. CADMAY on HIGHER CRITICISM.
HIS VIEWS NOT LIKELY TO CAUSE ANY coSrRo-

HIS VIEWS NOT LIKELY TO CAUSE ANY coNTRo-
vERsY ~ THE METHODIST CHURCH.
The announcement by the Rev. Or. s. P Cad
man. pastor OF the Metropolitan Temple Four
feminist. and seventh-ave. in an address deliv-
cred Monday morning before the regular weekly
meeting Of the Methodist ministers Of New-York.
that the "inerrency and the infailibility Of the
Bible no longer possible Of belief among rea-
sonng men," was received with interest in church
circles yesterday. Or. Claimants paper was Of
a series on Bible criticism and the
line OF thought that he has followed throughout
the series He dwelt on the idea that the Bible
should not be literally interpreted, it
not inspired throughout. but. especially
In the Old Testament. in great measure his
torical, Dropheucal and allegorcal. The meeting
was attended by large number Of New-York's
Methodist clergy, and Dr. Cadmans paper
well received In view Of the idea entertained
by some people that Mr. Cadman had cast dis
credit on some Of the fundamental doctrines Of the
Methodist faith, and that widespread contro-
versy over the address was impending. a Tribune
reporter asked several Methodist ministers OF this
city last night what the probable effect would be.
One well-known minister said:
There will be no trouble of any sort We
MI at peace and contented, and do not yet
anything TO cause controversy. DR.. Cadman did
not set forth any strkngly new doctrines. nor did
he attack any Of the principles Of the Methodist
faith We all knew that large part Of the Bible
history and d large part prophecy. Inc ga
Testament WAS a eadrg-up to the exposition Of
the life Of Christ. and It is that life which we
regard as the cornerstone Of the Christian le-
Neion OF course. YOU cannot interpret literally
all parts OF the Bible You must common
sense. Why. one Of the greatest Methodist thlnk-
ers Of history said hundred years ago that the
Song OF Solomon did not really belong In the Bible
Blbe-learning. like all other learning, mas IN
creased greatly in the last fifty or seventy-hVe
wears and people do not hold the same opinions
that used to be held. No. there was nothing out
OF the way in the address"
Bishop Edward G. Andrews said he did not ex-
pect any controversy.
The Rev. Andrew Longacre said he had not read
the address in full but did not see. from what ne
knew Of it, why any differences should result
Nobody accepts every word Of the Bible IN us
literal sense nowadays" he said. AS to its
being inspired throughout or hot, You must renem-
Der that there were different kinds OF inspiration.
lust as the Bible Is made up on different kinds OF
.au pied de la lettre' tho French say Take. for
instance the story Of the worlds Icing created in
SIX DAYS. ! suppose some people c. lslder tndt the
world was actually created In six calendar days OF
twcnty-four hours each. Well, now, how could
that have happened >whcn there wasn't any sun in
existence AT that time by which to measure the
DAYS? The word day used In the sense or
or how short those periods were or course. there
are lots things in the Bible about God that some
pe0ple won't swallow. They haven't seen God, ana
thov don't care 20 take everything for granted
lust in the way. you and ! don't swallow
everything we hear about a man until we've seen
him. We haven't seen Cod yet but when COO
calls us then we'll know just how much we ought
TO have believed. And. too tic Whale may nave
boen Ike some incredulous men lie may not
have been able 10 swallow Jonah