Morgan County republican., 1913-09-04

Others withOnt divine 1nilix OF super
natural power.
There is natural theory of inspir-
alton one which admits the fact of iii
spiration, which traces it to natural
causes. Thus Mr.. Mcknight of Liver !
pool, England. following in the wake
OF Coinage and MORN. defined inspirs- I
lion to be that of the divine spirit [pur-
pose or trend] by which, apart from any
idea OF infallibility. all that is good in
man, beast or matter, is originated and
sustained. He says, David, Solomon,
Isaiah and Paul have spoken of every.
thing which may with propriety be called
a work of genius, Of cleverness. or holi-
ness" as works of the spirit of God.
written by divine inspiration " Mt.
Morell, in his philosophy of Religion"
says: "The proper idea of inspiration,
as applied to Holy Scripture. does not
include either miraculous power, verbal
dictation or any direct commission from
God" On the contrary, it consists in
the importation of clear intuition of NOR.
al and spiritual truth to the mind by the
ordinary means or the souls ability to
know truth" From these writers we
learn that inspiration is an internal
phenomenon, and is perfectly consistent
with the natural laws OF the mind-it is
higher kind of potency which every
man TO certain degree possesses.
Schliermacher, DR.. Wette, and many
other German divines, take a somewhat
similar view. rejecting all miraculous in
spiraiion. and attributing to the sacred
writers what Cicero accorded to the
heather poets, attfatnm sbi,itns diaini
IA divine action of nature. an interior
power resembling the other vital forces
Of nature"
Inspiration is a force within the in.
dividuals intelligence that moves him to
make known, through words and actions,
the things he feels and thinks are true.
as they stand related to the purposes Of
life. Man is a creature wholly governed
in all his movements by purpose or mo-
tion, and desires that what he feels and
sees of truth should be known BY others
also. He is thus stirred, ss il were, by
an intent interest. TO be true to his own
ideal, which gives rise to state of ex.
stacy. His whole powers are concen-
trated in his words and actions When
the soul is thus quickened by the con.
temptation Of the purposes or motives
that govern him, he may be said to be
inspired and his best efforts will lie put
forth in what he says and does.
1t is common to speak of the very
earnest speakers or actors, that "they
are inspired by their thoughts" The
poet for instance. as he sings his souls
cry in his passion. may he said to be in.
inspired by his theme. Whatever may
be the degree of inspiration, it is certain
that every man who has a purpose in
life is inspired by that purpose to action,
in fact, none can act at all without it; so
it stands as proven, tina, inspiration is
!
of the bible writer's 1t is hence reduced
to question or degree, as to much or
little. 1t remains yet to be shown that
any degree Of inspiration can lift the in.
dividual above mistakes in what he does
or says, unless the purpose that inspires
him is one of absolute knowledge. The
| laUre. tl,pp nf iuc ,.;1i Joro,I
on the intelligence OF the writer or actor
for it is fact that men have been in.
spired with unholy motives or purposes.
and have given forth their thoughts both
in bible times as well AS in these days
So in a general way, we are necessitated
to classify the objects, purposes and
motives that inspire. These NAV he
mentioned under two heads, Good and
Evil. A good spirit, i. e. purpose. al.
ways allies the individual with the true,
the beautiful and the good, and brings
all his knowledge to aid him in the pur.
suit of his ideal, the larger the amour,
Of knowledge and the higher
his ideal, the higher the degree
OF inspiration and the more trust
worthy the council he gives. We recog-
. nize this in science, and we are want tc
=. take for granted the ut,erances of tios,
who have given evidence of their muci
!, knowledge on the subject Of which the,
speak We quote them as authority
Just as we are want to do the writers O
the bible Eyery one is not a philoso