The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-09-27

spirit OF philosophy n resignation 70 the
snd an love u a ana who Who h sSs v ass SaiiaasIns
sea- y His hands M spidf % 1ss TONNE
NEW Yosu. septembsi Il.
Orthodoxy Firm IN Its Faith.
To THE EprroR OF TIE suN-Siy: Mr..
Goodwin Smith In his letter Man and
His Destiny" In THE Sun Of September
20 10 quite specific about the Bible. He
says that the Book IL u~ninspired. written
mostly by unknown authors; also he inti-
mates that Il ls very Inconsistent. and
therefore he draws certain conclusions to
show the unreliability OF Scripture. II
these assertions Of DR.. Smiths were based
on known facts his argument would be
very strong; but as they are based on his
OWE surmises and not on the proper founda-
tion OF ascertained fact, credence ought
not to be given to his assertions.
The Bible 10 the most profound book
ever written, and because Of lie profundity
II bafies finite man. As innnity cannot
DO comprehended by nniteness. neither
can Gods Word be fully understood by
mere man. As the divine Church is respon-
eible for the Bible. 1t 10 for the Church to
interpret the Bible. which 1t does to the
satisfaction OF millions Of Gods children.
from the greatest scientist and philosopher
down to the humblest peasant. The cru
dlte doctor declares that the authors of tho
Gospels are unknown. The greatest Bib
lical scholars think otherwise. No scholar
denies that there are contradictions in
Holy Writ In the various translations.
With all it's inaccuracies. minor contra
dictions. DO, the Bible presents q marvellous
unity and is essentially the same inspired
writing that 1t was from the beginning.
We have the life OF Christ In all Its strength
and beauty appealing to the heart and
mind Vi T6sa. Hs.= i!ss.c-s.sa-t -.tttTT al ms
imperfection me incapacity could pom
ceive the sublime narrative OF the Redeemer
10 past my every thought.
The learned doctor appears to think
God and His plans. IL any. are not
discernible. Faith Ia bigger and stronger
now han ever before In spite of present
day scepticism. The latest discoveries
only to strengthen faith and emphasize
it's efficacy and plausibility. The essentials
Of true Christianity have always been the
and always will be. The Trinity,
heaven. he'll. Immortality and the devil
are just as firmly believed In to-day as
during the first century; II Or; Smith
the Catholic Church has discarded. then
will acknowledge with the doctor that
the Church ls inconsistent and unreliable,
the truth and is looking ali around for II.
81, Peter sought the truth and found 1t.
Tbs Il especially shown In Scripture where
one Of the deserters. as some Of the other
Disciples. 81. Peter replied. Lord. to
shall we soi Thou hast the words
II DR.. Goldwin Smith will follow the
example OF the great apostle 1 assure him
he Will and that for which, he Is seeking
New YoRk. September a. UREpo.
Commendation for n Champion OF Truth.
To THE EDITOR OF THE sUH-Sir: The
conclusions OF the redoubtable Goodwin
Smith that were published in THE Sun
Of September 20 are an extremely inter-
estinE exhibit Of the part that science must
play in any candida n dispassionate search
after truth In the future. 1t has the ring
Of q challenge hung at the timid camps
Of orthodoxy. but aside from the icono-
elastic value Of his thesis he betrays In
ali things spiritual and high born In the
crucibie Of scepticism.
There il no denying the defs mqnner
mingled such a feeling or tenderness az
parting with exploded and outworn notions
OF religion that one Is tempted almost TO
,oos doT sentimsntai expressions Of that
The Theory Of Esoiaiion and c Chr sssas Gn
pubiished some tiipe since In an English
Rsri tsis vas, i SoSot 81 a his ssssSnins, even
auiry. IL not surpassed by the attainments
OF the Rev. James McCosh in his teIeoios-
toal argument on Tho Method OF the Divine
Physical and Moral" And
the premises, tntuitions and axioms thai
s%itlonsi value sven in the eyes Of s SCI etR9s
and cultivated clergymen. Even the low
FL lectures delivered q long time ago by
the New. Oryille Dewey on The Problem
Of Human Destiny were framed by the
leGps6 divine TO meet and answer lust
the objections and questions that are cate
S,1r Sm put forward by the genial Gold
All thoughtful men admit the overpower-
Ing ana surprising Interest OF the problem
oi HE that Is wrapped up so formally In
the integuments OF technical language
by most writers that to discover the vital
reality beneath II Is necessary first to re-
move the trappings and ceremonial habiii-
menfs OF centuries.
The constituted authorities mar deolaIm
VITA al the power or ve that un-
reasonipE, denunciation may lay claim
70 IN their fulminations asslnst Modern-
is better than deluded rapture, as REASONING
zeal is preferable 70 blind and devoted
IN tie domain Of practical life ". ind
men invariably swayed by noble and I'm
selnsn potiyss. put before the unselnsh
motive a. 9 way out Of the dilemma.
In. the realm OF truth those In high places
are too ready 70, sacrifice the claims and
oemands OF truth 70 personal ease and
and for that Isason alone she