The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-29
THE HIGHER CRITICISM
WARM But GOOD-NATURED DISCUS
SION BEFORE THE DISCIPLES.
Prof. WiIIett's Address Calls 1t Forth
Large Crowds Present-The
Different Sessions.

After their nights rest i'm the various
homes assigned TO them during their So
journ i'm the city the Disciples gathered in
full force at Central Christian Church yes
terday morning. evidently thoroughly
equipped for the "hot time" promised by
Chairman Dewecse the previous evening.
After the usual devotional exercises and
congregational singing. conducted by Mr.
Hackleman. assisted by Mrs. Philput at
the organ, Chairman j. j. Haley presented
the first speaker of the morning, ID. r.
DUNCAN. of st. Louis. whose paper was
discussion of 1.-The Methods and Results of
Textual Criticism" Mr.. Dungan's appear
ance on the platform was decidedly pictur-
esque, with his combination of long. snow
white beard and snugly fitting black skull
cap. He reviewed the different methods by
which the genuine parts of the Holy Scrip
lures are to be determined from the spuri-
Gus. and said that IL is through the induc-
tive method, by which the mind naturally.
easily and safely arrives at conclusions.
that the most good is accomplished. He
said there are numerous things in the Bible
that are hard 10 believe, because of
the various discrepancies embodied in
them, but he could see no cause for
alarm among Christians on this ac-
count. as it is natural that mistakes were
made in the translation and transmission
of the holy work. He said that no one has
a right to criticise any part of the Bible,
however, unless he has made a careful in
vestigation.
PROF. WILLETT'S ADDRESS.
Tha haf
lett. of Chicago University, would next
read paper on 1.-The Method and Results
of the Higher Criticism brought out the
most unmistakable signs of interest that
have marked the proceedings thus far. AS
exclusively stated in the Journal yesterday
morning. there is an undercurrent OF dis
satisfaction among the delegates in regard
to the alleged rationalistic views held by
some of the leaders of thought i'm the Dis
ciples' Church, particularly those denomi-
mated college men," The existence Of this
feeling was clearly apparent. even to the
superficial observer, In the uneasy move
ments throughout the audience and also I'm
the close attention that was given to the
first words OF Professor Willetts address
and characterized its reading throughout a
mass of manuscript that covered fifty nine
closely written pages. There were many
portions of the professors thesis that were
greeted with dubious mods of the older
heads In the congregation, but its display
of elegant diction and scholarly thought
and argument compelled a. burst of hearty
applause when the closing words fell from
the speakers lips. Professor Willett is a
very young looking man to occupy the high
position he does as a leader of thought In
his church and also as an instructor In a
great institution of learning. He looks
scarcely more than thirty, at most, but his
possession of abundant intellectually Is
revealed in broad, high forehead and eyes
of piercing brightness. One Of Professor
Willetts statements that caused a quicken
ing of his auditors attention was the fol-
lowing:
1T is often said that the founders of the
higher criticism were skeptics and intidels"
After combating this idea by the citation
of names of illustrious Christian men who
were higher critics, the professor contin-
ued: But even were it conceded that the
higher critics are invariably infidels (and
the equation seems fixed in the minds Of
seme). what Is the value of the contention?
The matters with which higher criticism
deals are matters of fact. If these facts
are capable of verification, "a they prove
themselves to be. and they are left for un-
believers to discover, Ii is only another vcr-
ifcation of the oft asserted truth that the
church is compelled to learn from her enc
mics. 1t must be recognized that the as
sertiOn has great weight with a certain
type of mind. There some minds that
want dead certainties, / admit, but there
are probably other minds who prefer living
THE HIGHER CRITICS.
Professor Willett tried to smooth away
the ruffled feelings that were caused by
some of the things he had said earlier in
his talk. and in closing he relegated the
higher critics to limbo in the following lam
guage:
They are creating interest in the
Scriptures in circles to which they were
before Il stranger. They giving and are
destined still more TO give us a new evan
gelism which shall lose none of the fervor
of the old. but shall supply elements of in
struction never sufficiently recognized. Crit
icism is doing these things to-day, and
when il has done it's work ii will pass
away; pass away as does the water poured
upon the roots of a plant, to enter into Its
life; pass away as does the cloud when 1t
has discharged its shower; pass away as
ooes the workman who has removed the ac-
cumulated debris from a monument Of the
past; but the church remains the Christ
abides, and the Holy Scriptures. the in
spired word Of God, wrought by human
workers. but impelled by the eternal spirit,
shall never pass away.
After adjournment of the session Profess
sor Willett was the recipient of numerous
congratulations upon the excellence of his
paper. There seemed TO be a strong de-
sire TO enter upon the discussion of the
papers OF Mr.. DUNCAN and Professor Will
man Haley said that. inasmuch the time
remaining before noon was short and Per-
manent Chairman Philputt desired to make
some announcements, the discussion would
be postponed until the afternoon session,
"at which time" he said, "you can just
pitch i'm to your hearts content.
Mr.. Philputt's principal announcement
showed that the enthusiastic interest which
is being taken in the meetings of the con-
gress had communicated itself to the la
dies who have in charge the arrangements
Tor supplying the delegates with meals. He
stated that the ladies of the church had
been so successful I'm securing donations of
food and supplies that they were prepared
to feed not only the delegates but also citi-
zens of Indianapolis attending the confer
ence. a cordial invitation was extended TO
any and all in the congregation who might
desire 10 do so to remain and eat dinner
with the sisters of the church in the Sun
day-school room. which Is attractive,y dec
grated for the purpose TO which Is has been
temporarily dedicated.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Dun nj no niScua n al