The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-18
.Ar1'|I'U.DE0F AGE
TOWARD D 81 THE |: Bible
Rev. Mr.. Plunkctt, in Sermon to
General Assembly, Discusses
Effect Of Criticism,
GOOD WORK FOR MISSIONS rs ms
Gratifying Exhibits Made Made iii the thc
Reports onf Foreign and Home
Missions.
fHv Associated Prcss.)

: L..
GREENvILLE, s. C., May 17''--Iho
General Assembly Of the PRESBYTERIAN !1A,f'
Church in the limited States, moro com cor
monty. k,iownsSns the. southser', Pr res
terrain Church., gathered here to. gay uh-N
der most favorable auspices. Every ono
Of the eighty.tl,ree presbyteries Of to-
Southern Church was represented, the TWO
hundred and ten nissioners being o.
.vided equally between the clergy ana
the laity. rhe 99annual sermon ~ the
retiring mod rntor, Rev. j. y. PlunKett'
OF Angus ia, /. a.; was listened to py ail
audience that crowded tho Dig church
whore the assembly Is held. The cleo
ton OF d new moderator was the chlei
event 81 the day, and n spirited contest
attended the eclsion. Rev. Mr. t illi o.
( Nashville. was elected. The delegates
were entertaihds tonight a.. ~ reception 9,
rendered by the ladies' OF GreenV1lle.
is The present assembly promises 70 nave
moro v than usual I interest, FOR among
other questions to be considered Will BIO
that Of union with other nlanches OF
PrcsbyterianIsm, which has been Wder
consideration Tor several years before the
various assemblies.
The Annual Sermon.
The Rev, Mi. Plunket took as his text =,
Iate ] Mhet p our age
towards the Bible Is 4sl sT19,,
declared the Row Mr.. Plufkat:S- y nat
are the slgns$of the times ?S5sAVhat are
men SAYING abont the BOOZE Ab " con-
illusions do we reach?. Ours Is. an age Of
unrest; Higher Criticism. New theology,
New Psychology, German P Tn,as t[,ro
French Speculation Sclenuhc lnvese; NV
meaning Of It Is that rationalism Is ram,
pant, and that our age on its spiritual
side is an age Of doubt. This, doubling
spirit is keehy Iintellectual. nopiy! arti s,,
athelstic as It Is inAdel. Modern thought
whether expressed In terms OF science, or
general literature, Or even In much tliat
claims that naTe !, Of reltsio1ns SpRp '1p
verse is counted too sacred to be invaded.
1t lays Its doubling hand upon every
thing. yea, even upon these scriptures
and with KISS wou "a 3at ray
Of avowed enemies come not here
with the pround. boast of expert in mat
tiers NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. ! confess that
in my limited study In this field u lave
speaks for me, touching the whole sub
ject. He. says:.s we have seen one
scheme ofithoNorigin and structure OF
Genesis, and ts'tcompanlon books give
until 1t would seem the very limit o.. pos,
sible combinations had been reacheS
and We are sleft inl.confusl on aTnld ths'
wfangling Of the schools IL belleveh THAI
In spite. ,of ;nnyet epder ,lnd ctaAuha'es mo-
gard for my mothers bible, 1 wouldtnot1
impose an unrea soma BILE restriction upon
the reverent and scholarly investigation
Of Its. every claim. fat7s AZ NJ ~ s9S
All Criticism Not Destructive.
Y II know that criticism IS not neccssa- 4
rily. destructive Yea. more. i recognize
fully and gratefully acknowledge the
debt We owe to tho critical experts OF
ancient and later times that gayei,sus
the Holy Scriptures in their present
are critics. Beloved, believe not every
spirit, but try the spirits whether they
are OF God: becluse nnan& .fqPlse. phoptets
are gone ne Gnt to tn the .5 aTd
Of critics which comprehensvely we call
the destructive school, -. 5 t f. n
What is Its effect upon inspiration?
A writing may be thoroughly trust
can it be Inspired II 1t is not trust
worthy? What Is inspiration? The
apose fepe scripture Is gvon o by
orally, God brcathed' What Is meant
by that? Not human reason, which 10
9 GENERIC. gift; not genius. whtchtis an
INFORM snt, ana may be used Tor good or
evil; not spiritual illumination. for 11at
Is the privilege OF all believers. The
word. 'inspira ton Is used In connection
with Holy Scripture asr& describing2aa!
spiritual Influence. exercised by the Holy
Spirit. moving certain persons to infalli-
bly, communicate divine truth But, If
the critics be true, thon the claim OF
plenary inspiration for the Bible Is de-
stroyed. 1t Is true that God reveals
Himself In history, but how can Flo re-
venl Himself through fiction, which
makes every effort to lead us to believe
that It Is a plain recital OF fact. If dis
cord drives away the spirit OF peace.
surely the milk white dove OF pruity
and truth viii refuse to dwell where the
air Is fu of the ln,aginations Of mans
heart. fnlsehoods. forgcrics and frauds,
Its Effect.
What Is the effect Of this criticism
upon the authority of our Lord? He
knew the Scriptures OF the Old Tcsta-
mont. He had learned them memoriter
at his mothers knee and In the rabbini-
cal schools. His memory was 81 turated
With them Chrlsts Endorsement Of the
Old Testament Scripture was emphatic,
without hesitation exception or rescr-
Vation. There Is no escape from the Is
sue, II this modern criticism Is true,
Ghrist was the greatest false teacher and
deceiver. II Christ taught Gods truth,
then this criticism Is false Tor myself,
had rather stand for Christ against the