New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-04
BIBLE LEAGUE MEETS.
TELLS OF ITS PURPOSE.
attacks "Unscientifc Criticism :
Many Well Knozcn Men Present.

That IL you discard the authority OF the Bible
and consider it's teachings mere edifying studies
in altruism. sef-sacrifice and the like you may
well preach from "lEsop's Fables" was the dec
aration of Dr. Francis L. Patton, president OF
Princeton Theological Seminary. in speaking OF
Tho Present Assault the Bible'' at the open
ing session of the convention OF the American
Bible League at the Marble Collegiate Church last
night
The general scope OF the three days conven-
ton is consideration OF THE Bible in Its Present
Day Relations and last nights particular theme
was discussion OF THE Present Assault on the
Bible" precipitated by DR.. Patton's address.
DR.. David ]. Burrer. pastor of the Marble Col
legiate Church. opened the convention with prayer.
after which the devotional exercises were held
President William Phillips Hall presided In his
opening address DR.. Hall said in part:
In reverently opening this first convention Of the
american Bible League it gives me pleasure TO
the Trends ends Of the Bible to PROMOTE more TeyeT
ume and to maintain the historic faitS Of the the
borT an 6 lbs qyns Inspiration and supreme au
In pursuance IF the purpose OF the league aims
DR.. Hall said that in the convention they hope to
prove:
That the Bible is being subjected to scholastic
assault of unparalleled danger:
Ihat the practical consequences Of this assault
are in evidence in the decentralization of conduct
and ana education, and In evil influence on the min
That the methods proposed by the league will
and lead a recovery of faith in the Bible as the
Christ in the hearts of men.
He explained that tho league was In no sense
formed in opposition to the work that was being
done by the Religious Educational Alliance but
rather to supplement It.
Dr. Daniel s. Gregory, the general secretary Of
the league. said:
The American Bible League stands for the Bible
OF christian faith and conduct It came into exist
G gaeT IN recognition of the fact that the present
I9e bihle and involves the question OF Bible
The study of the Bible as the authoritative rev.
eiiSqon or God has been displaced by an unjustif-
a aL literary and critical method that assumes
Slat the Bible is mere literature, originating Ike
Ia le n'e[aI d OF Babylon Greece and Rome, in
OF the , new view have been embodied in the Ency-
ginning of the Students Old Testament" by Pro
SSsG5 hent or yale One finds on single page in
tons peeed together to make small fragment
Sr nis0ry all Of which snippets the critic
writer's though there IS not whisper in all history
In their Application 10 the Goseeis r., ~. sam.
work, Professor Schleede finds that there are only
historical IN the four Gospels and every one OF
these Is absolutely insignificant far Christian
1t is this condition Of things the American Bible
Bible no Bible at ali The league believes this
20 re one OF the most serious crises in the history
a twofold object: it takes its stand for the Bible
and the old view. and vet with open vision for anv
new light. and it challenges these claims Of radical
criticism the baselessness of which it purposes TO
show: We have no fault to find with real criticism
We DO not challenge the views because they
are scientific, but because they unscientific
Tho second object OF this league is to help the
people TO see the Bible it IS and TO find what
Is in IL.
Or, Patton. OF Princeton. said he was In sym
pathy with the aims of the Bible League. He said:
We are engaged IN great warfare. The temper
OF the day seems 10 be cold blooded and not hot
enough. II the Bible cannot stand In the daylight
there is no keeping ii in the dark It's got TO
stand criticism go down. Christianity Is
identified with inspiration. Inspiration doctrine
taught in the Scriptures. You have to depend
specialists in this controversy. You have meet
minute. special learning OF one kind with minute,
special learning OF another. We have a good set
Of attorneys. and we expect the verdict when the
question gets up to the Supreme Court
The Rev. DR.. Theodore Z. Schmauk, Lebanon
president OF the Lutheran General Council and
Editor Of the Lutheran Church Review" closed
the discussion OF the evening
Among the other speakers ~ the morning, after
noon or evening session to-day will be DR.. Bur-
rell. Or. Robert Russell Booth exmoderator OF the
Presbyterian General Assembly; DR.. George c.
Iorimer. pastor OF the Madison Avenue Baptist
Reformed Episcopal Church: Professor Howard
Osgood OF the Rochester Theological Seminary and
Or. Edward P. 'Ingersol secretary of the American
Bible Society. and Professor q. Frederick Wright,
OF Oberlin Theological Seminary.