The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-27
.uPHOLDS BIBLE
AGAINST ATTACK
Professor Willett Concludes
Series Of Notable
Lectures.
NOT DENYING HIS MIRACLES !.
Scientists Cease Explaining
Away Saviour's Works
as Formerly.
NOT DENYING HIS MIRACLES ! \ !. Z!

Dr.. Herbert l.. Willctt. Of the Univer-
sIty of Chicago, delivered the last OF his
lectures on the Life Of Christ In the
Seventh Street Christian Church last
evening An apprcciativc audience has
attended this course Of lectures from It's
beginning, and interest has Increased IN
marked degree from night to night. It
had been announced that q lecture on
Saturday evening would be included in
this course, but pressure Of work made
1t necessary for Or. Willett to return at
once TO Chicago. and the lecture last
night on the Programme OF Jesus
brought the series to n close.
This course OF lectures by Or. Wlllett
was consideration Of the life Of Christ
from the standpoint az modern scholar
ship-a scholarship which many have
feared because OF the room 1T seems TO.
s have given to destructive Biblical criti-
cism. Those who followed these lectures,
however, found that DR.. SNillett followed
always the constructive processes, and
that while he frankly declared against
many OF the old opinions, his contention
: was always for the spiritual as against
the formal and for the vital AZ against
tho mechanical in religion.
In considering the Gospel records, Dr..
Wiuett devoted himself especially to the
question OF their growth. following their
development from an oral narrative Of
{ thealIfe Of Jesus to their present form.
the second lecture the Thickness OF
z Christ's appearance was considered-thc
d preparations for His coming. as may be
discerned In the general movements Of
history, in the provdential experiences
OF Israel and in the personal life OF
u Al
the influence OF Greece and Rome upon
the worlds e-Rome's career Of con-
quest and the extension Of Greek culture
\ and in doing this delivered one OF the
finest lectures OF the series These lee
lures were In the way of preparation.
and in the light OF them those on the
teachings. the miracles and the pro-
gramme OF Jesus were far better under.
stood. These last dealt directly with the
life+of Jesus, which DR.. 1Eille,t considers
4 the greatest miracle OF all history.
The power OF DR.. Willett was
nowhere SO manifest as in hts ability 10
y present the we'll known Incidents Of
SJesuss life in way that must appeal
to men OF the twentieth century. Tie
teaching of Jesus regarding His kingdom
e he translated into terms OF the present,
insisting upon the ethical requirements
OF citizenship. His word on the miracles
OF Jesus was contention that modern
scholarship, both In philosophy and in
science, Is now admitting what 1t once
denied. and that attempts 10 explain
away or modify His miracles are no
longer OF the character they once were
DIR. Viliett acknowledged the miracles
outside the ministry OF Jesus as we'll as
those. outside the Bible record, but In
Z sisted at the same time that they are
4 separated BY a great gulf from the mira
cles OF Christ In purpose and In char:
z acter,a and that even His miracles are to
II be taken as less important MS evidences
OF His authority than His teachings and
character.
The lecture on the Programme Of
Jesus" death with the outline OF Christs
< purposes for His work in the world, and
was the conclusion or the course.
pr and Mrs, Willett left after the lee,
II ture for Chicago. s 81 81