The San Francisco call., 1905-06-06
HUMAN BEINGS
GODS PLANTS
Pastor Says Lessons Can
Be Learned From Work
of Burbank in Gardens
BELL ON INSPIRATION
Divine Says Bible Is From
Creator and Will Not
Tolerate Any Other Idea


1.-The Bearing of Luther Burbank's Ex-
periments on the Doctrine of Election
was the subject of an address by E. A
Surge NJ D., before the Presbyterian
Minister'S Union at the home of the Occi-
dental board, 920 Sacramento street, yes
terday. DIR. Sturge said in part:
We all plants CT Gods garden. The
father is the husbandman. His desire is that
we should bear more and better fruit and get
rid of our thorny nature. which is due to sin.
AS Mr. Burbank goes. through his fields. Sc
lectng those trees or plants which give signs
of promise and consigning the rest to destruc-
ton. God has from the beginning chosen
certain nations and individuals for a special
purpose.
Why have some peoples utterly perished?
Why the American Indians and native
Australians almost extinct Why are some
nations more blessed OF heaven than others?
The answer is: Every tree that bringeth not
forth good fruit is hewn down."
There are many people who do not ike the
doctrine of election, though it is so clearly
stated in the Bible.
1t seems unjust 10 them. that God should
choose nation and destroy another.
Would we not regard him foolish farmer
who neglected to select the best seed from
which to raise future crops?
If God neglected to exercise wise choice
among individuals and nations. would he not
be acting foolishly than men?
OF course God elects. There is no other way
CT evolving a superior race.
HIS KNOWLEDGE TESTED.
Mr. Burbank quickly runs his eye over thou
sands of plants and selects those pest ntteQ
for his purpose. Just are able to pick
out good people at glance, so he can at once
choose the best, and these he predestinates TO
be conformed into something he has In view.
His knowledge has been put TO the test
So the all wise God. foreknowing men far
better than Mr.. Burbank can know his plants,
predestinates them to be conformed 20 the
image of his son.
If in the future any one tells us that he
does believe in the doctrine OF election as
set forth in the Bible. let us refer him to such
experiments as those carried on by Luther
Burbank in order that he may be convinced.
and nave his feet firmly planted upon the i'm
pregnable rock of Holy Scripture.
'.The Bible is inspred-either this, or it
is a fraud said the Rev. II. H. Bell. d.
D., pastor of the First United Presbyte-
rian Church, in the course of an address
ON 1.-The Holy Spirit at a meeting of the
Methodist preachers held yesterday at the
Central Methodist Episcopal Church, Mis-
sion street. DR.. Bell continued:
Either it is God-given from Genesis to
Revelations 1t is lie But it is God-given
sided over. directed and used by the Holy
Spirit Its very words are od-breathed.
The inspired word of God is profitable for
doctrine for repruof, for correction, Tor IN
sJruction in righteousness
GoD-BREATHED WORK.
The God -breathed work of the Holy Spirit in
Scripture is for a purpose. 1t Is TO reveal GOO
to willing mortals. In this respect Scriptural
inspiration infinitely differs rom all other So
called inspiration
Literature, however lofty in sentiment now
ever logical in trend, however descriptive of
character, however indicative of culture, never
can be revelation. Hence Shakespeare, Milton.
Bacon and such like were in no like sense in
spired as were the more tnan torty WRITER'S
Of the Bible.
The reason why so many Of US are so little
self disclosed and have 50 little real soul de-
velopment is too self-suffcient, too lit
tie self-surrendered.
You may have a great head, but without
great heart 1t will be great humbug in soul
winning work. Spare no pains In cultfvatng
your brains but you will be i'll at ease until
you have also and equally cultivated your
heart.
The Rev. James Sunderland d. D., gave
an account yesterday of the national
Baptist anniversary before the Baptist
Ministers Union which met at the Young
Mems Christian Association building.
The Congregational Ministers Union
met yesterday and listened to a paper on
1.-The History of Mohammedanism," by
Joseph Koshaba.
1t was announced in Congregational cir
cles Yesterday that the Rev. Samuel C.
Patterson resigned the pastorate of the
Petaluma Congregational Church to ac-
cept the pastorate of Bethany Congrega-
tional Church. this city, which was rem
dered vacant by the retirement or the
revered pastor, the Rev. W. c. Pond,
d. d.
large delegation has prepared to
leave San Francisco this week to attend
the eleventh International Sunday-school
Convention in Toronto, Canada. The del
egates will travel on a special car
The Presbyterian body, following the
custom of the Methodists and Baptists,
has decided to inaugurate summer con-
ference, and has selected Glenwood, in
the Santa Cruz Mountains, for the hrst
,,,aatino aho,It the middle of July.