The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-18
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
 NOW IN SESSION Southern Presbyterians Meet at
 GreenviIIe, s, C. ALLEN HALL MODERATOR Telegram of Fraternal Greeting Is Re- oeived From General Methodist Conference at Birmingham.
 Referred to Acts 2o-32.
ALLEN HALL MODERATOR

Greenvile. S. C., May 1.-The general
 assembly of the Presbyterian church in
 the United States, more commonly known
 as the Southern Presbyterian church,
 gathered here today under the most ia
 vorable auspices. Every one of the eigh- ty-three Presbyteries of the Southern
 church was represented, the 2l0 comms- sioners being divided equally between the clergy and laity. The annual sermon by the retiring moderator, the Rev. J. Y.
 Plunkett of Augusta. was listened to by
 an audience that crowded the big church
 where the assembly is being held. The
 election of a new moderator was the
 chief event of the day and spirited
 contest, attended the decision. The dele gates are being entertained tonight at
 reception rendered by the ladies of
 Greenville.
 The present assembly promises to have more than usual interest for among other
 questions to be considered will be that of union with other branches of Presby- terianism which has been under consider
 ation for four years, formally before the
 various assemblies.
 pr. T. w Sloan. pastor of the church
 in which the gathering was held deliV-
 cred the invocation. Former Moderator
 E. l.. Green of Danville, Ky, followed
 with prayer, after which the roll was called and credentials were received. The retiring moderator, the Rev. J I.
 Plunkett of Augusta. Ga, delivered the annual sermon, according to the custom of the church.
 Following is the sermon Of the Rev J.
 G. Plunket before the assembly today:
 The Rev. MT. Plunket took as his text 'Pilate saith unto Him. What is truthY'- John 1S:3S
 The attitude of our age towards the Bible is a vital question. What are the signs of the times? What are men saying about the book? As we interpret the spirit of our age. what conclusions do we reach? Ours is an age of unrest; higher criticism, new theology, new psychology,
 German philosophy, French speculation scientific investigation are terms we are all familiar with The meaning of it is that rationalism is rampant, and that our age on it's spiritual side is an age of doubt This doubting spirit is keenly intellectual nobly artistic, splendidly humane. It Is not so much atheistic as it is infdel
 Modern thought, whether expressed Tn terms of science or general literature, or even m mucn that clalinS llldl VI religious supports this indictment. No part of Gods universe is counted too sacred to be invaded. It lays it's doubling hand upon everything, yea even upon | these scriptures and with a traitorous | kiss would betray this written 'Word or | God into the hand of avowed enemies, l | come not here with the proud boast or expert" in matters of biblical criticism.
 I confess that in my limited study in this gotl I Professor Edwin Bisse speaks for me- touching the whole subject He says: we have seen one scheme of the origin and struc- ture of Genesis and it's companion books give place in quick succession to another until 1t would seem the very limit of-pos- sible combinations had been reached and we are left in confusion amid the wrang- ling of the schools. l believe that in spite of my tender and jealous regard for my mothers Bible, would not impose an un- reasonable restriction upon the reverent and scholarly investigation of it's every claim I know that criticism is not neees- sarily destructive. Yea, more, l recognize that criticism is legitimate and necessary l fully and gratefully acknowledge the debt we owe to the critical experts or ancient and later times that gave us the Holy Scriptures in their present canon. But there are critics, and there are critics. | Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world I confess l am troubled at the spirit of that class of critics which comprehensively we call the de- structive school. That school which chal- lenges the gem of plenary inspiration set in the crown of scripture, which avows that the Pentateuch as we have 1t, is simply a five-fold imposition, neatly written composite of mingled cleverness and fraud. That school which leaves us nothing of pa triarchial history except some floating myths: nothing of Mosaic history. except some scattered deDrls borne downward on the heaying waters of Il beclouded tide; of the Old Testament properly speaking practically nothing criticism which reajusts the whole idea of the ancient sacrifice on a different plane, and proposes for it totally dif- ferent aim criticism which denying the one fitting contamination Of the na- tional life and religion of Israel to be Jesus, the Christ, of the seed Of DaNid, whose day Abraham saw and was glad and declares the intention of the whole thing was a prophecy of the political catastro- phe which overlook the Jewish state seventy wears after our era began. say the spirit Of such criticism as this fills me with sadness and alarm What is the effect of such criticism upon the trust wort hiness of scripture?, There can be but one answer. It's credibility is gone Trustworthiness cannot for one minute be associated in a sane mind with myth, legend, falsi1ed history deliberate forgery, partisan purposes. If these con clusions of the critics are true. then, in stead of building on the impregnable rock of Holy Scripture" we are building upon the mists of mere myth. and the fancies and falsehoods of fiction and forgery.
 Effect on Inspiration.
 What Is it's effect upon inspiration? A writing may be thoroughly trustworthy, although. not inspired; but how can 1t be inspired if it is not trustworthy? What is inspiration? The apostle replies: All scripture is given by inspiration of God The Greek word here employed for in- spiration means literally. God breathed." ;" What is meant by that? Not human req son, which is generic gift; not genius. which is an inborn gift. and may be used for good or evil; not spiritual ilumina- ton, for that Is the privilege of all be- lievers The word 'inspiraton" is used in connection with holy scripture de- scribing a spiritual in1uencee exercised by the Holy Spirit. moving certain per sons to infallibly communicate divine truth. But. If the critics be true then the claim of plefiary inspiration for the Bible Is destroyed. It Is true that God re- veals himesf in history. but how can he reveal himself through fiction which makes every effort to lead us to be-