Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-01-30
THURSDAY EVENING, JAN. 80 1902
MR T.. M. BLAoKFoRD, principal OF


Mr. L. M. BLACKBOARD, principal OF
the Episcopal High School, near .ui'
CITY. 10 q communication 10 ano'"e'
ooIump enters a protest against an
EDITORIAL in the Gszstte last Monday In
wbloh Bishop Potter Of New York and
Professor Pearson OF Methodist COL
leqe in Chicago, both of whom have
svowed themselves unbelievers 10 tne
miracles described in the Bible, are
charged with attempting to under
mine the faith OF those Vho have been
taught TO believe in revelation. Mr.
Blackiord, lifelong member OF the
Episcopal Church, and get tleman ana
scholar as he is, evidently failed to
read certain utterances attributed to
the bishop in Fridays Gazette, wnion
we will reproduce.
"Whea Bishop Potter was told OF the utter
ances Of Professor Pearson, he SAID 70
an inevitable step In the progress OF emAncl-
nation In recent address blsnop roI'ei
declared bis disbelief in the infalholn'y OF
the Scriptures, and pronounced many InlnsS
in them mere legends. De speeineo seVeIa'
of the miracles In the Bible, and said that no
zane person could believe them. In the
course of his address he said: III theologians
vyjsh TO regain their Lost intellectual lesoeI-
ship, or oven to possess an influence on Ine
thoughtful part OF the community COORDINATE
with that OF poet, philosophers ana 5nen ol
science, they must throw aside the dogmas
of an infallible Bible as completely sno
frankly az Professionals have thrown ssioe 'he
dogma Of an infsllible Pope"
1t will be seen from the above tnst
the criticism was just. Such senu'
ments, although rendered respectable
BY great names. from Christian stand
point, are to be deplored, as they are
calculated to add fuel to the flame Of
uubelief which is steadily gaining force
10 this and all others countries among
people who desire to throw Oh oil
restraint. Bishop Potter's standing
in the church, his influence, piety ana
peculiar fitness for his position have
nothing to do with the fact that be Is
an avowed unbeliever in the book from
which he breaches, and illustrates the
truth OF an oft-repested observation on
the part of many who do not desire the
trammels of Christianity that ministers
themselves do not believe what they
teach. While MIR. Blackford may
Justly entertain the greatest regard ior
Bishop Potter as an efficient bishop
scholar, gentleman and so on, all o.
which no one questions, he will hardly
rush to his defence when the bishop
makes himself target for criticism by
repudlstlng what others hold sacred
The Bible, however, needs no
champion. 1t has stood the test Of
ages, emerged triumphant over Julian
the spostate, rode out the storm OF the
French revolution, withstood the
assaults OF Thomas Paine, Benz amin
franklin and others. and will remain
witness to all generations. Mr.. Black
ford has no defense to offer for Prof.
Pearson, seemingly from the fact that
he has heretofore been to fame un'
known. and seriously objects to the
Gazette placing him In the same boat
with Bishop Potter. If the professor
FORCES to the front and openly an
nounces his disbelief IN plain state
ments OF the Bible and the bishop
adopts his views and promulgates
them, 10 the language of Gil Bias,
"there are two OF them" We do not
desire to extend this article, the Gazette
being q secular paper, and the subject
might tire the patient reader, but will
call attention to q saying OF old DIR.
Samuel Johnson, to the effect that
man had better believe too much than
too little. Personally We have nothing
to say detrimental OF Bishop Potter
and we have the greatest respect for
the gentleman who has come to his de-
tense, but when the bishop. posing al
a church dlgnitary and leader o.
thought, announces his conviction thai
"many statements in the Bible are
mere legends which no sane mar
should believe, )" placing them on leve
With the adventures of Theseus
Gdipus, Eneas and others, we exercise
the right to enter our protest.
ID ID unnnoNr -rhr b 1 hE