The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-05


the speaker of the evening assisted by
Prof Nathaniel F. Davis, president of
the club receiving the members and
guests In the parlars. The ladies who
composed large part of the company,
wore handsome gowns many or which
were very elaborate creations.
Just before o'clock the party filed to
the large hall where seats had been as
signed and fully 400 enjoyed the well Sc
lected and excellently served viands
which are usually part OF this organiza-
tion's social events. During the two
hours which the supper lasted. an or
chestra led by Bowen X. Church render
ed fine programme OF modern and Gas
sical music which was so heartily en-
Joyed as to call forth continuous applause
from the assembly. 80
Rev Wallace Nutting led in prayer be-
fore the supper and at the close Rev.
Edward r. Sanderson made a prayer. A
brief business session was held, Presi-
dent Davis in the chair and n number OF
names proposed for membership were
acted upon.
A committee comprising Nathan w.
Iittleneld of Pawtucket. w. 8. Reynolds
of the Union church, Robert f. Cook of
the Central and A. ID. Green OF the Bene-
ficient churches was appointed to make
nominations for all officers but president
and report at next meeting.
Remarks were made by President Davis
previous TO the speakers Introduction
and II. Howard Pepper. president OF the
Baptist Social union was introduced as
the first speaker He spoke OF the good
feeling between the Baptist union and
this Congregational club and expressed
his hope that the relations would con-
tinue. ell said what impressed him was
the number of strong men present. Presi-
dent Davis stated In reply to the speak
ers remarks that he was personally i'm
pressed by the attractive ladies present
and stated In happily chosen words his
appreciation of their presence.
DIR. JEFFERsoN's ADDRESS.
Rev. Charles f. Jefferson. d. D., OF
New York city was then introduced as
the speaker OF the evening. DR.. Jefrer-
son prefaced his address, which was on
Conceptions of the Bible. Old and New"
with a few expressions of his apprecia-
tion OF the ability OF the president and
Secretary r. H. Gladding. and stated
that he was a complete stranger in this
city In spite OF the fact that he had
spoken all over this section Of the coun-
try during the past FIVE years. He also
stated that IL was the first time he had
consented to address Congregational
society outside OF Greater New York
during the five years.
He said: I'm thinking OF what sub
ject to address you on, it was suggested
that some OF you were interested I'm the
Bible. / thanked God and took courage
and decided to speak to you on that great
book"
lie said In substance regarding the
Bible nowadays that owing to the fact
that from ancient times the Bible has
been the centre of conflict and trouble
regarding its teachings much confusion
has resulted in the minds Of well mean
ing people Some of them have given
up the Bible altogether while others in
sore perplexity have even denounced IL.
YOUNG MEN INFLUENCED.
Many young men are Influenced by the
scientific works OF eminent men OF learn
ing who cite in their story OF the growth
OF that work the continuous obstruction
which the Bible has been made to be to
science I'm the hands of misguided peo-
pie. They think, what are we TO do with
n book SO misused as to stain the world
with blood? Some even say the time has
come to burn II.
Others are all at sea, are much confus-
ed They do not know what to do about
the book because OF certain unsavory
pages which cannot be read at family
prayer Then too Il tells OF certain atroc-
tiles and barbarous practices which are
revolving TO modern civilized minds.
Ii Il Ia Gods book why are these things
In Il? and the men and women pursuing
this line OF thought are sadly perplexed
This is the condition at the present
time, the speaker stated and said that he
considered the bible the most vital subject
on which Christian minister could speak
to his congregation.
The old conception OF the bible was that
it was the word Of God, therefore all OF
II was inspired by Him, every chapter,
every word, every syllable and some even
thought the punctuation was inspired.
They thought because II was inspired II
was infallable and had no earthly admix-
ture any where, and with this idea many
who have thought deeply and studied find
that they cannot accept H.
ERRONEOUS IDEAS.
These ideas OF the old time are errone-
Gus, ne stated, and IL would simply mat
ter much IL people would get 90 know
what scholars have long known that "Ev-
erything I'm the bible In not scripture"
Modern scholars have cut OF the fringes
and tassels such as margin notes and
dates they were not scripture. nor the
heading which contain much misleading
matter oftentimcs.
Neither are all It's books on the same
level as was conceded at the Reforma-
ton when everything was at furnace heat
and now people think 10 all a solid chunk
OF truth
The old Hebrews made no such error
with the old testament. the lsw-books
having n higher place than the prophets
and they were more precious than the
writings. Each value was unusually rec