The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1914-03-27

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x1z1x6&hs n 1920, 81. We read:
Knowing this
first, that no prophecy OF the Scrip
ture is OF any private Interpretation
Tor origin, for il seems clear that IL
Is 10 the source rather than 10 the
exposition OF the Scripture that refer
ence Is here made. For the prophecy
came not I'm old time by the will OF
man, but holy men OF God spake as
they were moved by the Holy Ghost"
Here are some very clear and definite
statements concerning the source OF
the Scripture. It is this God -breathed'
element that differentiates this book
from all other writings. The Bible IL
quite often referred 10 nowadays as
splendid literature" Well. the Bible
Is that, but il is more than that-it
is Scripture. Literature is the letter;
Scripture is the letter inbreathed by
the holy spirit. Just as in the crea
tion OF man we learn that man be
came a living soul when that frame
OF dust, as IL lay on the ground be-
came inbreathed by the spirit OF life
from God. Man is dust inbreathod
by deity, and If you take away the
spirit OF life from man he returns to
dust. So is IL with the Bible: Il IL
the letter, but IL Is the letter in
breathed by Gods spirit that makes
that letter Scripture And when you
rob the Bible OF its inspiration you
nave nothing but mere literature left
you have no Scripture.
The Bible the Authority in Matters OF
Faith and Practice.
Where is the seat OF authority In
matters OF religion? This is always
the problem OF the day Various re-
plies are given TO the question.
Reason. says one. Is the seat OF final
authority. May not the intellect with
Its various functions be relied upon
10 render sure Judgments? One has
only to recall the grotesque fancies
that have from time to time taken
hold OF the finest and brainiest men
and led them into the grossest de.
lusions TO satisfy himself that the seat
OF authority does not lie I'm the rea-
son. Not that we are to throw rea-
while faith is ofttimes above reason,
II Is by no means contrary TO II. The
voice OF reason, however, is not TO be
considered final and authoritative.
Can we not depend upon conscience,
that organ as delicate and sensitive
as the balance turned by speck OF
dust, TO admonish US OF evil, TO praise
us for the good, and settle for US
the right and wrong OF matters re-
ligious? We have but to recall into
what incalculable mischief the con
sciences OF some men have led them
Saul OF Tarsus, for example-to recog-
nize speedily that we must look else
where for our authority. In all good
conscience men have written deadly
heresies in their books. and under
the sanctions OF religious conscience
have performed deeds OF violence and
shame"
There are people who claim that
the church is the ultimate authority
in matters OF faith and practice. This
is the position OF the Roman church.
Called OF Cod divinely founded, with
perpetual witnesses 10 the truth, with
bishops and councils-surely the
church is a sufficient guide. Yet what
enormitles have hourished under the
banner OF the church, SO long as
she IL composed OF fallible human be-
ings the church can never be. final
and authoritative in matters OF faith
and practice.
On every hand we hear the cry.
Back 20 Christ" he and he alone.
IS the final and ultimate authority In
all these matters We certainly have
no desire 20 take any glory away
from the church's Lord and Master
in order 10 give II 90 80 sacred book |
even as the Bible. We are willing |
to 20 back 90 Christ" But where /
shall we find him. with the excep.
tion OF reference in Josephus and |
line or two In Tacitus where, out |
side OF the Bible, shall we find Christi |
SO we see that in order 20 get back /
90 Christ" we are in duty bound 20 /
fall back upon the Scriptures.
For our master himself the Scrip /
lures were considered sufficient au.
thority In matters OF faith and prac- I
tice. II would repay anyone 10 look /
up all the passages In which these
words OF the master occur, rs IL not
vritten?" Have ye not read"
What saith the Scriptures?" 1T IL
written" a careful study of such
Scripture references will reveal the
fact that Christ referred TO the Scrip
tures as the authority which settled
matters OF faith and practice for him.
Should the Bible be less 10 the church
than II was 10 the church's MASTER
We think not