The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1909-05-12

In ~ Mr.. Blanchard, the searcher
after truth, has something fresh to say.
But how far it carries US on that deslr-
able journey, leave your readers to de-
eide In the first place, we are told that
the authorized Version Of The Bible IN
1911 is the work of "a set of Church OF
England clergymen, whose purblindness
of classic vision'' it was led them to in
troduce the pagan word Easter in
Act u, 4 Being member of that
church, I sincerely wish I could ac-
ouiesce in Mr. Blanchard's erroneous
statement. I would consider it an addi-
tional honor to be of those who have
given the world what is universally &C.
knowledged to be the finest Book in all
literature. But, alas, the church OF
England cannot claim that coveted dis
tinction. King James was Scottish
Presbyterian, and consequently some
what opposed to both the Roman and
Anglican branches Of the church. II the
book had any ''bias," it was intended as
a ''set-back" to Romanism, and to ad-
vance the cause of the Reformation.
Apparently with this object, the King
chose not the Church Of England clergy
men, but revising committee OF A
scholars, chosen from the eminent Pur-
itans of that day, as well as the dlvlnes
of the church of England. The Holy
Bible of 16ll is the joint-productlon,
therefore, of the protestantised'' Eng
lish church, and the Puritans. No Ro-
man mandate. More amazing still is
Mr.. Blanchard's second historical error
in this connection, for be tells US that
the word Easter" is no; found IN any
translation of the Bible apart from the
1911 Version, and that the set() OF
church of England clergymen introduc-
ed it as a new word.
Before rushing into print with such
dogmatic statement, it would have been
well for Mr.. Blanchard to have verified 1t
bv referring to the earlier translatlons.
The exact opposite is the truth. Ihe
pagan word easter" was not introduc-
ed in 1911, but it is frequently used in
earlier translations. The Puritan-An-
glican translators rejected 1t IN otner
places and substituted "Passover;;' so
this one instance Of its incorporation
adds increased support to my view OF
Easter, for the Puritans Of 1911 approy-
ed it. With two such glaring errors IN
historical criticism, we may indeed, "be
after truth" I rigidly adhere to my
former contradiction of the 'unscrlp-
ture' aspect of Easter by re-at1lrmlng
that Sunday las distinct from the jew
ish Sabbath;) infant baptism; and the
admission of women TO the Holy Com
munion, all stand. or fall. together,
equally with Easter, if the "ipissima
verbal of the New Testament is the
test. would add another doctrine. TOO.
The word Trinity" is not found in holy
Scripture We have frequent referenc-
es to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
but the word itself, Trinity, is first used
bv TertulJian about the year 200, A. u.
St. Paul's frequent references to his
anxiety ITO keep the Feast" are ignored
by Mr. Blanchard. The reason for such
omission must be evident to all your
readers 1t is impossible, if we are TO
be guided by ST. Paul, to say we see no
authority for Christian Festivals in the
New Testament.
(4) we were told by Mr.. Blanchard
that Faster was unknown to the apos-
ties. Thai assertion I answer by dl-
rect and distinct negative. II Mr.. Blan-
chard will open, not one OF his many en-.
cyclopaedias, but his ''Life of Polycarp"
his search for truth will be gratified.
For in the conference between Poly
cary and Anicetus in discussing the ac-
tual date for observing Easter, Poly
carp's strength of argument rested on
the fact that his date was that ION
which be had always observed 1t with
st John, the disciple of our Lord, and
with the rest of the apostles with whom
he had been conversant. In later stag
es of the controversy, ST. John, who lin
their pathetic words sleeps at Ephe-
sus" is quoted by Polycrates (l9S, A. d.
and others used St. Johns example as
favoring their date. [ wish there were
space to quote. IN extenso, Farrar. Vol.
!, page S2 Nearly a whole page OF this
work is taken up IN reciting merely the
names of illustrious early christians;
the New Testament St. Philip Of Acts
XXI, 8. and his virgin daughters
amongst the host OF witnesses. Ali OF
these" adds Poiycrates .'observed the
fourteenth day of Nisan according to
the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but
following the rule of faith Again
"having conferred with the brethren
throughout the world, and having stud
led the whole OF the sacred scriptures,
he follows their example in observing
the day." Countries, as far remote as
Palestine. France, Greece, Italy and
Pontus all held councils about this time
(l96-19S) referring to the dispute con-
corning the date, not the Festival. How
remarkably easy it would nave been for
a christian of that period to write Mr.:
Blanchard's article, and settle, once and
for all, the contention by saying ''Eas-
ter was unknown to the apostles" /"
Once again, Ire-echo Mr.. Blanchard's
words, and cordially invite your read
ers TO look into the matter for them
selves, and they will soon be fully con-
vinced that no christian Festival can be
justified on scriptural and historical
grounds with such wealth OF support
ers THE very apostles themselves as
Easter is enriched. Christmas much as
we value it, has not half the historical
support. 1t certainly is rot Biblical. and
was unknown to the apostles, and early
fathers. The date December 25th,) has
little, if any justification in fact. The
festival is Of comparatively late date.
Yet, if I remember rightly, the same
correspondent who assails Easter on his
torical grounds, wrote an article in your
Christmas number, highly commencing
that Festival.
Is that consistent attitude for one
who poses as an authority for ecclesias-
tjcal history; more especially as Cnrist-
mas bears purely Roman name, Christ
Mass. Pagan words are an obomination