The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-11-12

rally at the Y. M. C. Al. tomorrow OF
the subject: Bible Study for Men:
The books of the Old and New TIES
taments have ever been, even exclu
sively, associated with theology an,
the church. The several denomina.
tons have found, often in the sam,
scripture, the warrant for widely di
\ vergent opinions. Accordingly edu.
4 Gators are disposed to bar these books
i not by reason OF merit or demerit, bu
because of theological bias.
The ministry of the college is OF
the side of culture, and the branche!
that contribute to such discipline are
eligible to a place in the curriculum
Every study should be judged on its
own merits and included or omitted
on evidence of it's fitness. on such
grounds and no other a place in the
college course Is claimed for Hebrew
history.
Rightly handled, the history of the
Hebrew people is as legitimate a study
as the history Of any other nation, es-
peclally rich as it is in materials, and
most profitable as a discipline. In the
treatment of no other historical field
Eas there been such keen discrimina-
tlon, the exercise of such judicial care,
ana the balancing of so carefully stiff
ed evidence as in the study of Hebrew
history and literature. The scholar
has stood between the anxious adher-
ent on the one hand and the jealous
or carping critic on the other. Con-
clusions have been viewed critically
from points of view Numerically op-
fosite. Results to stand such critical
tests must be free from even a sus-
plcion Of dross. The critical study of
Dante, the resolving of Homer into a
group or growth, stirs the interest
of the learned few. aBut a query
as to whether a certain book is
from Moses or is a mosaic. or any
other question touching any phase Of
biblical study, arouses a host of Wilt
CANT critics. Scholarly interest urged
on by anxious religious concern has
brought every faculty into play, has
exhausted every conceivable resource
and special pleadings have sooner or
later been detected and ruled out. Bias
and prejudice ultimately have failed
In every case; only adherence to facts
and loyalty to truth have been able to
stand. Data has been collected with
painful exactness, evidence weighed
with unsurpassed nicely of judgment,
and conclusions when reached have
been mercilessly tested. In no field
has critical procedure been more ex-
acting, and the prospective student of
historical sources could do no better
than to seek preliminary training in
historical method at the hand of some
some recognized Old Testament
scholar.
The Old Testament is not pre- emil
nently a text book on any particular
science. Its great mission is to serve
as a support to faith, an eyangel to
a way-mark to relig-
ious truth. Nevertheless, these books
are Of interest to students as we'll as
helpful to the religious life. Many
fields of scientific inquiry find in these
pages data of vital interest and i'm
portance. The great study of ethnol-
ogy finds rich quarry in the opening
chapters of Genesis, the description
of the world before Abraham. In the
tenth chapter of Genesis we catch a
glimpse of the multiplying peoples as
gradually they spread over the con
tinents, finally spanning the shores of
the Mediterranean Despite the wealth of
the field touched upon, the great theme
of the work is strictly kept in view
and scientific interest is not permitted
to cloud the religious intent of the
book. Still, as an unconscious histor-
ical record, it is for this very reason
the more valuable.
Hebrew history. furthermore pre-
sents a study of national DEVELOPMENT
from barbarism through the various
stages of progress-nomadic, agricul-
tural, and city life, patrice clan and
tribe, up to settled monarchy. No ma
ton has paid a larger price for its
folly, persecution and dispersion. No
cation ever displayed greater strate-
gic skill, fertility in resources, or en-
dured more hopeless humiliation and
suffering. No people ever came into
touch with more, or more varied ma
tons, and though conquered, came off
victor. Israel has maintained it's in
tegrity in spite of all this. They have
been exiles to every part of the world,
have watered the earth with their
blood, and buried their dead in every
land. Yet they survive today,
church rather than a nation, having
In common their faith and their ira
dition. They have writ their name
large in finance, and have won dis
tinction in philanthropy and letters.
Another record for national vitality.
history does not show. The great ma
tons of history have, sooner or later.
merged into Israel's life. Egypt. AS
syria, Babylon, Syria, Greece, Rome.
Byzantium, Turk, Crusader and Sar-
aeon. The world today worships on
Zion. Copts, Arabians, Philippians.
Abysinians, Greek Catholics, Roman
Catholics and Protestants-pilgr
from every land under heaven have
their sacred affairs. their holy places.
In the environs of the Holy City.
This seemingly inexhaustable fund
Is being added to yearly by the dis
roveries of the archaeologists. In no
field has archaeology exercised more
skill and energy. The best methods
known to engineers and excavators
have been brought into play. Ingen-
lity, resourcefulness and thorough
ness have wrought wonders and
reaped large rewards. Cities have
been unearthed, walls and streets laid
bare, superimposed civilizations have
been separated and distinguished by
lnfailing but well nigh obliterated |
signs. And yet no land at the present |
lay presents a larger. richer or more
field for the work of the
archaeologist's spade.
Israel grew up in wonderful coun- |
.ry. National genius must not be over |
ooked, but geography as the hand |
maid of history solves many puzzles.