The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-26

Now Rector of st. Marks Gives His Views
as to tho Higher Criticism.

as to tho Higher Criticism.
At the monthly meeting OF the Church Club
last niEht. the Rev. T. W. Batten. tho new rec
tor OF st. Marks Protestant Episcopal Church.
made an address on the Holy Scriptures"
Mr. Batten's remarks were confnsd almost en-
tirely to the higher criticism" He said in
part:
In study Of tho Old Testament one comes
across many stubborn and hard facts. In my
study found myself confronted every day
with facts which had to be brought into some
sort OF relation with one another. saw new
things and found problems " hcb. as a student
and a teacher. I had to solve.
The QuestioniI put myself was. Had a right
to solve them? We're theyinot already solved
for me? Had l . right to take Psalm and
conjecture whether 1t was written by David or
not? saw that II l was to handle these ques-
lions at all must handle them freely. The
only way to avoid doing this was not to read
the Scriptures at all. q course fear too many
are taking.
There are people who say that we should
let these problems alone and 60 on the theory
that everything Is solved for ue. The question
IL. what Is tho proper position for the church.
mann 1t isn't the business OF the churchman
to stand as the advocate OF any particular
school or opinion. But is he free to find out
for himself?
In what is called the higher criticism there
Is great deal Of mere speculation. What Is
said simply represents q critical judgment.
When one makes a dogmatic assertion some
say that 10 not all there 10 to the higher
criticism. 1t 10 often said. and has been said
recently. that the Church Is always behind in
this question and in a rough way this is true.
These questions are not for the Church as q
body to consi der but are more for individual
solutions.
What 10 the relation Of tho Church to the
ScripturesP I've seen the statement that the
Holy Bible 10 the foundation on which the
Church is built but / do not read il
that way. have always believed that
Christ and Hi, disciples were the foun-
dation OF the Church and no book that
was ever written. The parting injunction Of
a book. but to 60 out and preach the Gospel,
which they did. The time came. however.
u h Sr s.y :sT af niss to Pae the
no NOR. idea q con.r6ati2S to a sacred
out and h. sent it out in this way.
line f to Be- drawn so%exhsrs, but how to
draw that line was difficult thing to decide.
church s Sqqd i'd tss @Ss. d %{b
the book, received the sanction OF the
| church to-day can believe that tho scriptures
! are the foundation Of this church, The church
| fourishsd before a line had been written as a
| part OF the sacred book. SO there 10 nothing
| to prevent the churehman from making any
| inquiry that he wants into the scriptures
| Il don't stand here as an advocate OF the
higher criticism but ! do say that We should
] not try. to make martyrs OF men who have
| looked into the scriptures and arrived at con-
| illusions different from our own, and we should
| not arrest the hand OF progress. The Bible
| has weathered many storms and will weather
| many more. II 10 the book OF the church.
| With that let US rest content"