Delaware gazette and state journal., 1899-11-16
LETTER FROM DR.. BATTEN.
Former Acting Rector OF ST. Andrew
Makes an Explanation,

Former Acting Rector OF ST. Andrews
Makes M Explanation.
Tho following letter appears in tho
Philadelphia Church STANDARD, explain
ing ulterances attributed to the Rev.
DIR. l.. w. Batten cf New York:
II have regretted very much to learn
at y late hour thnt, among tho many
published reports of an address which
/ had the honor to make before the
Church Club OF New York, the only
seriously inaccurate one should have
gained currency in Philadelphia.
Until | saw the paragraphs in the
Church Standard this morning ] felt
that could do nothing. The confidence
which you express is not misplaced,
and 1t opens Tho way for me TO say a
few words through your friendly
columns.
'lt would be the pleasanter task to
writo what ! did say in my address on
the Holy Scriptures. But that would
require much space, and / content
myself in the main with indicating the
things falsely attributed to me.
II have ever hold that the Bible Is
inspired, and is sacred book. Over
and over again in the course OF my
address affirmed both of these things.
II bll LIlH IL ybhIS vi NY lbHthiDB
only never taught anything inconsiste MT
with sacred and inspired Scriptures,
but have positively, continuously and
consistently maintained that ss the
character of the Bible. Tho stirring
life Of Now York had not affected my
firm faith in the Holy Bible.
II did say that the church was
founded, not upon book, but upon
the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ
Himself being tho chief cornerstone.
Imagine my surprise to find next morn
ing that was, reported to have said
| don't want to place my religion in a
book.
"And about So. Paul, ! said that jesus
Christ did not commission His apostles
| to write u book, but to preach the
Gospel, and that the New Testament in
| the main was the result Of their
obedience to His command. 81. Paul
did not sit down to write his epistles
because he thought that Christianity
needed sacred book, but because he
had message for particular people
at special time TO meet special
need; Just as u Clergyman today pre-.
pares q sermon to meet the special need
of certain peopie; but that, in the
Providence OF God, what st. Pau
wrote for an occasional purpose becamt
the heritage of all the subsequent ages
and was taken up by the church, anc
by the church declared to be part o.
a sacred book.
II said that, in setting the canon
tho problem of the church was to de
termine where it was to he closed, ant
that, as matter Of fact, it took {
considerable time to settle the canoI
SO far as certain books are concerned
but that the church had done woll II
the final result, and tho churchmar
could not take, aud had no need t.
take, tho liberty of rejecting . book 0
the New Testament, as Luther did
because it did not agree with BIZ
opinions.
II may have said something which
did not agree with the personal opinion
OF some one present, though the polite
applause seemed to be decidedly hearty
but know that | did not say anything
that was not in perfect accord with th'
doctrines OF the church.
Il am grateful for your correction 0
that one OF the many misstatement
which was peculiarly calling to me.
i. w. Batten.o