The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-12-21

skepticism and infidelity ana to op-
crate as an argument in behalf OF
rationalism: and that the publication
by the government was des~ned by
wicked men to injure the Christian
faith.
DIR. Moment Excited.
In speaking Dr. Moment became at
times excited. His characteristic pui-
pit attitude is with the thumbs in the
pockets of his white vest. emphasis
being given mainly by the voice
though at times he removes his hands
to give quick, Short-armed gestures.
Taken as whole. the sermon or
address was one which indicated deep
feeling on the part of the speaker
and a sense of outrage which it is
somewhat hard for a layman to APP
preciate since the book in question
contains nothing save the words or
Jesus and extracts from the four Apos-
Ties
DR.. Moments hearers seemed how
ever. to be delighted with the Dis
course which was strenuous and as
remarkable as the speaker declared
the Life and Morals of Jesus to be
extraordinary.
The following are copious ex-
tracts from notes of the sermon furn>
ished by DR.. Moment to the press
Miserable. Mutilated Gospel.
In every way this whole matter
seems most extraordinary. The JEFF
ferson gospel made with scissors ana
paste is extraordinary. Most of all
this book ] hold in my hand is extra
ordinary-this book that has been
sent out from the government print
ing office at Washington miser-
able mutilated portion of the Gospel
g 60
the great American government, and
paid for by the money of the Bible
loving people of this Christian na-
ton.
1T is my generation for the Bible
as the revealed truth of redemption
that makes me ashamed of this act 81
the National government; that COM
pels me to declare it darnnatory; that
forces me to say that the Senators ana
Congressman of this country might
serve their constituencies in a better
way than presenting them with a book
the purpose of which is to add to the
infidelity of the age.
Thomas Jefferson was one of the
greatest men America has produced
of decent parentage, good in charac-
ter. fine education. an able lawyer. !;
wise governor of Virginia. the writer
of the Declaration of Independence.
a mighty factor in the founding of the
nation, a member of Congress, NM
lister plenipotentary to the Court OF
France and President of the United
States, What such an one as Mr..
Jefferson does has great weight-ne
speaks from an high pinnacle of ar-
thority In consequence, in an age
not overly fortified in conscience.
many would be willing rather to ac-
cept this gospel scrapbook than the
Bible given to the world by inspired
men, sanctioned by the great coun-
ellis of the church. and cherished by
the humble faith of countless mir
lions. Should not the National GOV
eminent have thought of this?
The Sn1allness of jefferson.
But great man may step outside
his true sphere and thus show him.
self small. He may venture opinions
when to be silent would be wisdon.
and thus expose his ignorance. There
is such a thing as a man becoming
fool by thinking himself wise.
Nov, q good cause Will bear in
vestigation. What sort of an investi-
CATION would the Jefferson Bible
stand? The books Introduction gives
a quotation from his own pen. Which
says that his first purpose was to pre-
pare an abridgement OF the New Tes-
lament for the Indians unembarrass-
ed with matters of fact and OF faith
beyond the level of their conprehen-
sion. And so his was a purpose TO
improve on the plan of the inspired
makers Of the Bible. namely to give
the Indians a gospel with all matters
of fact and faith expurgated. What
think you remains in the New Tes-
lament when its facts and faith are
taken out?
I'm letter written to John Adams
October l.. lib. Mr.. Jefferson severe
ly criticised the evangelists for writ
ing things most doubtful, for forget
ting what Jesus said. for not under
standing what fell from His life. for
giving their own misconceptions of
His positive utterances and for eS-
pressing unintelligently what they did
not understand. No blatant ration
aiist believing against the integrity of
Holy Writ could say more than this
wholesale rejection of the inspiration
of the four gospels by the great Amer
lean statesman. Without any concep-
ton of the Holy Spirit being in the
work of those men. he speaks of Mat
thew, Mark, Luke and John as pad
ding their pages with useless stuff. rs
having BAD mem cries for what Jesus
said. and being too dense to compre-
bend His sayin~"
"On one occasion Mr.. Jefferson said:
L have made this little book for my
own use. by cutting verse by verse out
of the printed book and arranged the
matter which is evidently his and
which is as easily distinguished as
diamonds in dunghiH And so the
National government has given its Of
fetal sanction to the work of one who
declared that there is dunghill mat
ter in the New Testament
The Sin of Omission.
'tBut mir. Jefferson was profuse IN
his praise of the words OF Jesus. lie
said: The moral precepts of jesus
are more pure, correct and sublime
than those of any ancient philoso-