New-York tribune., 1918-02-10

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A Writer in ''Ihe London Times"
Describes the Kindling Inter-
est in Religion, and Calls
God" Man of War"

- whose leCCcT L he AOuuOu AAuaSo
printed some little time ago, the
war has created greatly augmented in
terest in the Bible, particularly in the
United States. Indeed
"Presses are running from fifteen to eigh-
teen hours day, but are still several weeks
behind orders received What is happening
there has it's counterpart here in the work OF
the Bible Society and other agencies.
Throughout the war, and in practically every
place where our armies active service,
devoted men and women have provided copies
OF the Bible or Of the Gospels to the troops.
Many of the have Joined themselves
into leagues for the regular reading of the
Scriptures, and frequent testimonies have
been offered to the benefit derived from this
practice. There is little occasion for sur
prise in this requickened interest in the
Bible. When men engaged great vent
ures which test all their resources OF body
and soul the Word of God is found to match
their spiritual needs with supreme complete
ness. The Bible is a great book for those
engaged in great tasks.
at has been customary to lament the wide
spread neglect of the Bible by the present
generation. 1t has not retained the place it
held IN the lives of predecessors even
nifty years ago. There many causes for
this, which need not be enumerated here.
Since the middle of the last century great
advances have been made in our knowledge Of
the processes by which the Bible arrived at
its present form, its relation to other ancient
literatures and the immediate purposes it's
writer's and compilers had in view when they
offered their work to their contemporaries.
Biblical criticism has deeply affected our
conception of the origin, growth and his
torical value of the Old and New Testaments.
We have passed through a time of transi-
ton IN our conception of the Bible, and in
| evitably mems minds have been troubled. We
are now accustomed to the new perspective.
The light of revelation did not burst at once
in its full splendor the world, and men
were taught the truth they were able to
lear it. Myth, folklore, national songs and
hero stories were employed to lead men to
a larger vision. With the pure gold there
was some baser metal.
"The results of modern Biblical criticism
can now be estimated. They may be regarded
with great satisfaction by those who accept
the Holy Scriptures as the media of Divine
revelation. The new light brought to bear on
the sacred books Is bound to lead to revived
interest in them 1t will not be surprising
II IN the conflict between good and evil, Of
which the war is the overwhelming climax
men find in the Bible Importance. It
is emphatically the Book for those engaged
in mighty enterprise, in which king
doms collapse and powerful governments are
overthrown. In it
is plainest taught and easiest learnt
! What makes nation happy and keeps it so,
What ruins kingdoms and lays cities fat.
"It insists on the supremacy of moral
forces, and shows with unique imprcssive-
ness how national wcll-being depends on
righteousness and the fear of God. One after
another the great nations of antiquity are
brought before the bar Of the Most High,
and their fate is to depend on their
obedience or disobedencc to His laws. Great
armies employed to execute His judg-
ment in the world. The Lord Himself is
revealed as a Man OF War; and those who
take UP the sword in His cause acquire a
new dignity they bear themselves valiantly
in the fight The true soldier has the sense
of an appointed destiny. He is no longer
the sport of fate. In failure OF success, in
| defeat victory, in life in death, he is
. in the hands of God, who never forsakes
, those who put their trust in Him. This as
surance is found throughout the Bible. II
is the declaration which rings out every
where in Holy Writ. No wonder the valiant
soldier finds the Book wade mecum Of
strength and good cheer"
Any one reading the foregoing must
spontaneously find himself wondering how
, the writer meets such war cries as that
so familiar one of the Kaiser's: Forward
, with God!' And this, in turn, brings ones
: attention back to the little controversy
which has been maintaining itself spas.
medically in this column: controversy
over the Bible. The contestants are those
who do and those who don't think the
Bible is to be accepted literally, and espe-
cally those who agree and disagree as to
whether the Old and New Testaments are
to be reconciled or can be reconciled