The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-02-14

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\ Dr. George Burnap Foster who was
graduated from the West Virginia
University in 1883. has createdIa SON
saaon in Chicago, by Ills latest attack
on the Bible, IN which he denies the
truth Of the miracles Of Christ and
questions tie immortality Of the sonl.
Dt. Foster is professor Of Systematic
theology IN the University Of Chicago.
He Is well known in NIorgantoSn. A
short time ago, he delivered the con-
vocation address, at Commencement
Hall. At one time he served the Bap-
fist Church Of this city, and TO those
who knew him, his attitude towards
theteachings Of the Christian religion
which have been accepted Without
question for ages, creates the great.
est surprise. Dr.. Foster is a native
Of Monroe county this State. He be-
gan his higher education under Ilr.
P. B. Reynolds at Shelton college and
came to the university after RI. Rey.
nolds became member Of the tactll-
ty
The Chicago Evening American. of
February 9, has the following in re.
gard to DR.. Fosters declarations:
Professor George Burman Foster
Of the University of Chicago, is ont
with new attack, not on the Billie
this time. but in his latest writing he
practically denies tho Immortality of
the soul.
This time the attack is in an article
printed in the February number Of
the Biblical World.
In this article he says:
1T cannot be denied that in our
time faith in immortality has become
uncertain in ever widening circles
where scientific and historical invcs.
legations and views have taken root,
and it is not clear that the future VIII
bring a change in this situation.
Therefore 1t does not seem peda.
logically wise to make the binding
ness or the Importance of moral lays
dependent on SO uncertain a factor
in future life.
Besides ethics would have no
cause to change single one Of the
propositions, whether there was life
after death or not. Moral laws are
the conditions on which human vel.
fare reposes in this life"
Future Life Not Proven.
Further along he declares that "the
argument from retribution has not de-
monstrated the prolougutlon Of hui
man existence after death"
Ho mentioned the effo,@ Of met
aphysiclans to base Immortality on
the conception of a psychological sub.
stance does not add strength 10 the
theory.
"Hegel," ae says, profoundly saw
that to assume the immortality If the
soul on account of It's absolute sim
rllclty was to affirm that the soul could
not die because it was thus something
that was dead already"
Briefly stated, Professor Fosters
idea of immortality and eternity Of
man does not consist III the endless
duration of the Individual, bnt In tho
eternity Of the moral idea and Of NOR.
al progress"
No Conscious Existence,
That the immortality Of man Is not
4onscio,s existence at'e" death Is in.
tlmated by Professor Foster in these
words:
Abandoning the sonl substance the
ciy, II vh5le be no % t:rmty between
my consciousness hero AMI hereafter,
1 do not Qaite see how it MY be said
that 1t is ! that cont!n :rs,
III Peter should wake up N the
morning with PauPs consciousness
instead Of his own, ne would no long
er he Peter; and do not see how it
would be otherwise were Peters CON
sclousness discontlnnous and de-
novo."
Professor Foster today dehed any
representative of the world Of theol-
ogy holding views differing with his
to meet his face to face.
Professor Foster declared that ne
would meet any minister or theologIan
Of standing at any time AMI would
answer any and all questions asked
him,
q would prefer not TO engage in
any further discussions except with
some man who, by his standing, has