The Saint Paul globe., 1905-02-27
DEFENDS SCHURMAN
Minister Explains Statements
of C0rneiPS President

Rev. X. NJ. West. pastor of the First
Baptist church, yesterday came to the
defense of President Schurman, of Cor
nell university, whose address to the
students at Sage chapel Feb. has
caused wide comment. Mr.. Schur-
man was reported as saying that the
Bible was of no value as history, that
the miracles were merely faith cures.
and several other things of a startling
nature
The Rev. West says that he doubted
that MIR. Schurman was responsible for
several of the sayings that were re-
ported to have appeared in the address
and wrote to him asking if the report
was true. A few days ago he received
reply from Mr.. Schurman, denying
that he had stated the Bible was of no
value as history and that the miracles
performed by Christ were merely faith
cures.
nelosed was copy of the address.
1niS Or. West read to his congregation
yesterday morning, making it point to
snow that President Schurman had heen
misquoted. President Schurman's let
ter as read by DR.. West was as fol-
lows:
The gradual change in the religion now
proteSsed by the civilized world is now ac-
Somplished. The principal change has
fron1 tho Ine separation of the unessential
-
tinctlon between the vestments in which
the truth has been clothed and the truth
,stin i.SsI mas Deen perceived: Throughout the
entlre world there has been a change i'm
tne minds OF men from creed to person
ahty and the beginning of the tWentieth
century nnds us back to the true religion
OF Christ himself.
Inc Bible is no longer regarded as a
text DOCK, but a manual of religion and
GeaIlng with things of the spiritual world
The Christian faith of today cannot de-
mand the acceptance of all the miracles
recorded in the old and new testaments.
or any, If the facts may be explained in
harmony with the scientific maxims of the
uniformity or nature. 1t is, however, inn
possible to determine the influence on the
souls and bodies of men possessed by
such man as Jesus of Nazareth
The new sciences OF literary and histo-
real criticisms save the present genera
tion from falling into the mistake of their
Iorefathers in believing the Bible to be
an exclusive book of history. To insist
on the literal truth I'm detail in the mes
SageS the Bible seeks to bring to man.
Is to miss its highest and best truths. The
CHRISTIAN faith should never be disturbed
by new interpretations of the Bible for the
words in the Bible are not true because
they are in the Bible. but in the Bible be-
cause they are eternally true.
A simple. primitive faith that does not
ask the why's and wherefOres ia the
greatest need of this present age of great
prosperity. The American people need the
simple teachings OF Christ himself to save
them from the rising tide of sensualism
ana practical materialiSm which threatens
To Submerge our spiritual and even moral
existence. 1t is now centuries since Christ
was on earth and the world may endure
for millions of years. but the thoughts of
men will continue to broaden with the
progress of the suns. But as Goethe says,
Let the intellectual and spiritual culture
progress. and the human mind expand as
it will; beyond the grandeur and moral
elevation OF Christianity as it sparkleS
and shines in the gospels. the human
human mind will not advance"
DR.. West delivered sermon after read
ing the address along the same lines,
heartily agreeing with the sentiments ex-
pressed by President Schurman.