Publication date
3/1/02
Volume
23
Number
5
The WatchTower
Views from the Watch Tower
/../literature/watchtower/1902/5/1902-5-1.html
 
 
VOL. 
XXIII 
ALLEGHENY, 
PA., 
MARCH 
1, 
1902 
VIEWS 
FROM 
THE 
WATCH 
TOWER 
No.5 
PROGRESS 
IN 
C:r~URCR 
FEDERATION 
ABROAD 
AND 
AT 
ROME 
ningly 
mixed 
powders. 
Moreover, 
this 
Moses 
was 
wise 
magi. 
cian, 
and 
did 
charm 
these 
people 
into 
deep 
sleep, 
and 
while 
they 
slept, 
with 
his 
chosen 
helpers, 
he 
prepared 
many 
vessels 
into 
which, 
when 
full 
of 
water; 
they 
did 
cast 
fine 
powder. 
After 
this 
they 
soaked 
the 
garments 
of 
all 
the 
people 
in 
the 
vessels 
of 
water, 
and 
it 
was 
so 
that 
they 
could 
no 
more 
wear 
out. 
Give 
heed 
concerning 
what 
we 
declare 
to 
be 
the 
truth 
ot 
the 
record 
of 
the 
walls 
of 
Jericho, 
how 
they 
fell. 
They 
that 
be 
searchers 
after 
truth 
set 
forth 
that 
the 
horns 
and 
trumpets 
which 
the 
men 
of 
Israel 
did 
blow, 
mightily 
made 
great 
com· 
motion 
in 
the 
aIr, 
insomuch 
that 
the 
walls 
began 
to 
tremble 
greatly, 
which 
continuing 
many 
days 
they 
were 
shaken 
down 
and 
did 
fall. 
Know 
thou 
also 
that 
Joshua 
did, 
by 
cunning 
magic, 
cause 
the 
ignorant 
people 
to 
imagine 
that 
the 
sun 
obeyed 
him 
to 
stand 
still. 
They 
were 
deceived, 
for 
their 
own 
good, 
that 
it 
might 
profit 
them 
withal. 
Joshua 
did 
cause 
their 
memory 
to 
stand 
still. 
But 
we 
are 
wiser 
than 
to 
teach 
men 
that 
reason 
that 
this 
record 
is 
more 
than 
fable. 
"I 
will 
instruct 
thee, 
moreover, 
concerning 
the 
bOOK 
which 
beareth 
the 
name 
of 
Esaias. 
The 
learned 
now 
show 
unto 
us 
that 
many 
men 
did 
bear 
that 
name, 
and 
eyery 
one 
little 
part 
hath 
written; 
how 
many 
it 
doth 
not 
yet 
appear. 
When 
the 
searching 
in 
the 
matter 
hath 
ended, 
it 
may 
be 
shown 
that 
per­ 
adventure 
score 
of 
scnbes 
had 
part 
in 
making 
the 
book 
as 
it 
now 
is. 
:We 
are 
now 
assured 
that 
Esaias 
prophesied 
nothincr 
concerning 
the 
sufferings 
and 
glory 
of 
Christ. 
He 
spake 
only 
of 
the 
suft'erings 
of 
all 
hrael 
f<H 
the 
Sill" 
of 
King 
Ah,IZ. 
(Why 
Israel 
should 
be 
called 
to 
suffer 
because 
of 
wicked 
Ahaz's 
sins, 
or 
why 
Esaias 
did 
write 
of 
this, 
it 
doth 
not 
concern 
us.) 
The 
book 
speaketh 
nothing 
of 
Jesus 
Christ. 
Then 
we 
say, 
and 
if 
any 
teach 
otherwise, 
he 
is 
thereby 
shown 
to 
be 
in 
ignorant 
company, 
with 
Paul 
and 
Peter 
and 
John, 
who 
have 
fallen 
into 
error, 
and 
teach 
old 
wives' 
fables, 
which 
the 
instructed 
reject. 
"We 
have, 
also, 
deep 
knowledge 
of 
the 
truth 
of 
Daniel 
and 
his 
prophecy, 
which 
will 
greatly 
edify 
thee, 
and 
will 
satisfy 
those 
who 
doubt 
concerning 
the 
miracles. 
Daniel 
was 
man 
acquainted 
with 
many 
strange 
secrets. 
He 
knew 
how 
to 
charm 
the 
hons 
that 
they 
should 
not 
devour 
him 
when 
he 
should 
be 
cast 
into 
their 
den. 
So 
he 
feared 
not 
to 
pray; 
and 
when 
he 
was 
thrown 
to 
the 
lions, 
he 
cast 
spell 
over 
them, 
that 
they 
could 
not 
bite 
or 
hurt 
him. 
Thou 
seest 
he 
saved 
himself, 
and 
gave 
God 
the 
praise. 
The 
record 
of 
the 
three 
Hebrew 
children 
and 
thl'ir 
trial 
in 
the 
fiery 
furnace 
hath 
also 
been 
shown 
to 
be 
according 
to 
reason. 
It 
hath 
been 
made 
known 
unto 
us 
by 
the 
teachers 
of 
s{'il'nce 
at 
whom 
Paul 
doth 
only 
snrer, 
that 
at 
the 
center 
of 
the 
hottest 
fire 
there 
doth 
always' 
remain 
cool 
place 
which 
will 
neither 
burn 
nor 
scorch 
garments, 
nor 
flesh. 
These 
Hebrew 
chIldren 
were 
aforetlme 
instructed 
regarding 
this; 
and 
therefore 
they 
feared 
not 
the 
wrath 
or 
pOWl'l 
of 
the 
kmg; 
allli 
when 
cast 
into 
the 
fire 
they 
knew 
immediately 
the 
place 
of 
safety 
and 
so 
were 
protected. 
See 
how 
reason 
doth 
make 
clear 
thmg's 
hard 
to 
be 
believed, 
brother 
... 
"Finall~" 
declnre 
unto 
thee 
the 
trlJ(' 
c,planatlOH 
of 
thl' 
record 
of 
Jonah. 
He 
fled 
before 
the 
Lord 
that 
he 
might 
not 
perish 
at 
Ninevah. 
He 
had 
not 
sought 
that 
appointment 
and 
rebelled 
against 
going. 
When 
he 
took 
ship, 
the 
Lord 
ordered 
vessel 
hearing 
the 
namc 
"Great 
FiBh" 
to 
follow 
.Jonuh'R 
~l)lp. 
So 
when 
the 
sailors 
did 
throw 
Jonah 
overboard 
he 
was 
picked 
up 
by 
the 
crew 
of 
the 
'Great 
Fish" 
and 
tarried 
with 
them 
three 
days. 
These 
earnestly 
persuaded 
him 
to 
accept 
his 
p­ 
pointment, 
and 
had 
such 
weight 
with 
him 
that 
he 
consented, 
and 
so 
went 
to 
Ninevah. 
"Thou 
seest, 
brother, 
how 
our 
views 
do 
appeal 
to 
reason 
and 
sound 
judgment. 
am 
assured 
that 
thou 
wilt 
gladly 
ac­ 
cept 
them, 
and 
assist 
uS 
in 
spreading 
them, 
especially 
since 
Paul 
hath 
proven 
himself 
unable 
to 
lead 
the 
thinkincr 
classes 
of 
this 
great 
age. 
Thou 
mayest 
now 
be 
leader 
in 
o:;'r 
school 
and 
get 
unto 
thyself 
great 
name, 
for 
much 
learning, 
if 
thou 
dost 
act 
with 
us 
in 
this 
great 
warfare 
of 
the 
wise 
against 
the 
dull 
and 
ignorant. 
Paul 
hath 
had 
the 
help 
of 
Peter, 
John, 
,Tames 
and 
Jude 
in 
this 
contcntion 
agaIn'lt 
U", 
1111t 
WI' 
talllt 
IH,t 
and 
continue 
to 
teach 
the 
people 
everywhere 
thi" 
do('trinc. 
\\ 
1111'11 
maketh 
faith 
an 
easy 
matter. 
Meditate 
on 
these 
things 
have 
written, 
and 
thy 
profiting 
will 
appear 
to 
all. 
When 
thou 
hast 
fully 
understood 
this, 
will 
instruct 
thee 
in 
the 
correct 
knowl­ 
edge 
of 
the 
gospel 
of 
Jesus 
Christ 
in 
another 
epistle. 
The 
salu­ 
tation 
of 
me., 
Hermogenes, 
by 
mine 
own 
hand. 
Farewell." 
HERMOGENES 
TO 
TITUS 
Perhaps 
the 
best 
article 
which 
has 
yet 
appeared 
in 
the 
re­ 
ligious 
press 
bearing 
upon 
the 
higher 
criticism, 
came 
out 
in 
the 
last 
nmnber 
of 
'l'ke 
lVesleyan 
Chnsfwn 
Ltelt 
ocate 
ov{"r 
the 
title 
of 
"The 
Epistle 
of 
Hermogenes 
to 
Titus," 
written 
in 
ar­ 
chaic 
style, 
belonging 
to 
the 
apostolic 
days 
and 
purporting 
to 
explain 
many 
passages 
of 
Scriptures 
which 
have 
furnished 
the 
bones 
of 
contention 
in 
recent 
controversies. 
Every 
Bible 
stu­ 
dent 
will 
enjoy 
reading 
it. 
In 
part, 
the 
article 
reads 
as 
fol­ 
lows: 
"Hermogenes, 
servant 
of 
God, 
and 
minister 
of 
Chri'lt, 
and 
teacher 
of 
the 
true 
faith 
of 
the 
Gospel, 
according- 
to 
the 
ripe 
judgment 
of 
the 
present 
age; 
to 
Titus, 
mine 
own 
brother, 
whom 
greatly 
love 
the 
truth: 
Grace, 
mercy 
and 
ptace 
be 
unto 
thee. 
"Thou 
hast 
heard, 
beloved, 
of 
our 
aged 
brother 
Paul, 
that 
he 
hath 
written 
epistles 
to 
Timotheus; 
and 
hear, 
alRo 
to 
thee; 
in 
the 
which 
he 
hath 
set 
forth 
many 
things 
in 
exhorta­ 
tions 
unto 
each 
one 
of 
you. 
In 
some 
of 
these 
he 
hath 
sought 
to 
hinder 
my 
usefulness 
with 
thee, 
and 
WIth 
many 
others. 
Re­ 
member, 
brother, 
that 
he 
is 
old 
and 
hath 
divers 
infirmities, 
and 
hath 
little 
knowledge 
of 
sound 
philosophy 
which 
edifieth. 
Therefore, 
bear 
no 
malice 
toward 
him. 
But 
write 
to 
set 
in 
order 
for 
thine 
instruction 
more 
reasonable 
Gospel, 
which 
will 
make 
thee 
wise 
and 
will 
enable 
thee 
to 
instruct 
others 
also. 
"Thou 
hast 
heard 
how 
our 
brother 
Demas 
hath 
written 
Timotheus, 
to 
teach 
him 
how 
he 
may 
gain 
favor 
with 
them 
that 
be 
somewhat 
in 
authority 
above 
us; 
and, 
moreover, 
with 
high 
esteem 
among 
them 
that 
will 
not 
endure 
the 
hard 
doc­ 
trines 
declared 
by 
Paul 
in 
his 
preaching 
and 
epistles. 
know 
thee, 
thy 
promise 
and 
great 
talent, 
and 
earnestly 
desire 
that 
thou 
mayest 
rise 
above 
this 
Timotheus. 
Thou 
hllst 
gifts 
many, 
and 
would 
that 
thou 
mightest 
be 
bishop 
over 
the 
church. 
Give 
heed, 
therefore, 
to 
my 
counsel. 
"This 
Paul 
hath 
lively 
imagination, 
such 
as 
maketh 
him 
exceedingly 
Ruperstitious 
concerning 
the 
Scriptures, 
and 
an 
un­ 
safe 
guide 
for 
such 
as 
would 
be 
wise; 
whilst 
am 
yet 
young 
and 
have 
had 
long 
training 
in 
the 
schools 
of 
men 
skilled 
in 
rea­ 
,",oninl! 
conccrnlllg 
divllle 
thing~. 
being 
In 
thpir 
company 
no 
]P'lR 
than 
sixty 
and 
seven 
days. 
Those 
great 
men 
instructed 
me 
fully 
in 
the 
approved 
laws, 
by 
the 
which 
we 
may 
know 
of 
the 
things 
which 
cannot 
be 
taken; 
wherefore, 
think 
myself 
able 
to 
lead 
thee 
in 
broad 
way. 
will 
now 
set 
in 
order 
unto 
thee 
that 
which 
have 
learned. 
"The 
fathers 
did 
teach 
that 
Moses 
hath 
written 
how 
God 
made 
the 
heaven 
and 
the 
earth, 
having 
been 
instructed 
in 
this 
of 
God. 
Know 
thou, 
therefore, 
that 
Moses 
did 
beguile 
them. 
He 
obtained 
many 
accounts 
of 
tradition 
of 
creation 
among 
several 
ancient 
peoples, 
and 
did 
patch 
them 
together 
for 
the 
Hebrews. 
That 
Paul 
accepteth 
this 
book 
of 
Moses 
as 
true 
his­ 
tory, 
doth 
show 
him 
to 
lack 
sound 
judgment. 
"Thou 
knowest 
also 
that 
it 
hath 
been 
taught 
that 
the 
law 
and 
the 
prophets 
were 
given 
by 
inspiration 
of 
God. 
Herein 
is 
grievous 
error. 
The 
priests 
of 
the 
people 
of 
Israel, 
greatly 
desiring 
to 
lead 
our 
fathers 
into 
righteousness 
and 
to 
make 
of 
them 
great 
nation, 
devised 
those 
great 
books. 
It 
is 
true, 
cannot 
make 
known 
unto 
thee 
by 
which 
way 
thi" 
is 
proved; 
but 
beware 
of 
questioning 
my 
knowledge 
in 
this 
thing; 
thou 
wilt 
show 
thyself 
ignorant 
shouldest 
thou 
at 
all 
call 
in 
ques­ 
tion 
our 
judgment. 
None 
but 
the 
instructed 
can 
fully 
under· 
stand 
these 
matters. 
The 
simple 
and 
unlearned 
must 
needs 
believe 
what 
we 
teach. 
If 
they 
fail 
to 
hearken, 
they 
are 
blind 
and 
cannot 
see 
into 
the 
deep 
things 
of 
our 
wisdom. 
"We 
now 
conclude 
that 
at 
the 
least 
one 
thousand 
scribes 
were 
required 
to 
devise 
the 
law 
and 
the 
prophets; 
and 
perad· 
venture, 
if 
that 
number 
doth 
not 
appear 
sufficient 
we 
can 
en· 
large 
it 
to 
be 
even 
five 
thousand. 
It 
was 
great 
work 
of 
imagination, 
and 
God 
must 
needs 
have 
many 
men 
to 
imagine 
each 
little. 
Moreover, 
in 
these 
books 
the 
wise 
find 
many 
things 
contrary 
to 
sound 
reason. 
will 
inform 
thee 
concern­ 
ing 
some 
of 
them, 
in 
order 
that 
thou 
mayest 
be 
able 
to 
ex­ 
plain 
them 
to 
thy 
people. 
The 
writing 
which 
beareth 
the 
name 
of 
Moses 
doth 
declare 
that 
God 
did 
feed 
our 
fathers 
in 
the 
wil­ 
derness 
with 
manna 
from 
heaven. 
It 
is 
most 
confidently 
taught 
among 
us 
who 
are 
wise 
that 
they 
did 
lick 
with 
their 
tongues 
honey, 
which 
is 
found 
on 
the 
leaves 
of 
the 
trees 
in 
the 
wil­ 
derness, 
and 
named 
it 
manna. 
The 
rock 
which 
gave 
forth 
water 
when 
this 
Moses 
did 
strike 
it 
flowed 
from 
deep 
well, 
English 
Journals 
are 
noting 
and 
commenting 
upon 
the 
un­ 
which 
he 
and 
his 
servants 
bored 
throug-h 
g-reat 
rock 
by 
night 
mual 
conduct 
of 
the 
Rpv. 
R. 
C. 
Fillingham 
o( 
the 
EpIS{'ol111 
while 
the 
people 
slept. 
The 
great 
pillar 
of 
cloud 
by 
day 
and 
church. 
He 
has 
recently 
been 
exchanging 
pulpits 
with 
Bap­ 
fire 
by 
night 
which 
followed 
the 
people 
was 
produced 
by 
cun- 
tist 
and 
Congregational 
ministers. 
This 
is 
contrary, 
not 
only 
[2963] 
(67 
-68) 
Vou. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., MARCH 1, 1902 No. 5 VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER HERMOGENES TO TITUS Perhaps the best article which has yet appeared in the religious press bearing upon the higher criticism, came out in the last number of The Wesleyan Christian Advocate over the title of “The Epistle of Hermogenes to Titus,” written in archaie style, belonging to the apostolic days and purporting to explain many passages of Scriptures which have furnished the bones of contention in recent controversies. Every Bible student will enjoy reading it. In part, the article reads as follows: “Hermogenes, a servant of God, and a minister of Christ, and a teacher of the true faith of the Gospel, according to the ripe judgment of the present age; to Titus, mine own brother, whom I greatly love nm the truth: Grace, mercy and peace be unto thee. “Thou hast heard, beloved, of our aged brother Paul, that he hath written epistles to Timotheus; and I hear, also to thee; in the which he hath set forth many things in exhortations unto each one of you. In some of these he hath sought to hinder my usefulness with thee, and with many others. Remember, brother, that he is old and hath divers infirmities, and hath little knowledge of sound philosophy which edifieth. Therefore, I bear no malice toward him. But I write to set in order for thine instruction a more reasonable Gospel, which will make thee wise and will enable thee to instruct others also. “Thou hast heard how our brother Demas hath written Timotheus, to teach him how he may gain favor with them that be somewhat in authority above us; and, moreover, with high esteem among them that will not endure the hard doctrines declared by Paul in his preaching and epistles. I know thee, thy promise and great talent, and earnestly desire that thou mayest rise above this Timotheus. Thou hast gifts many, and I would that thou mightest be a bishop over the church. Give heed, therefore, to my counsel. “This Paul hath a lively imagination, such as maketh him exceedingly superstitious concerning the Scriptures, and an unsafe guide for such as would be wise; whilst I am yet young and have had long training in the schools of men skilled in reasoning concerning divine things. being in their company no less than sixty and seven days. Those great men instructed me fully in the approved laws, by the which we may know of the things which cannot be taken; wherefore, I think myself able to lead thee in a broad way. I will now set in order unto thee that which I have learned. “The fathers did teach that Moses hath written how God made the heaven and the earth, having been instructed in this of God. Know thou, therefore, that Moses did beguile them. He obtained many accounts of a tradition of creation among several ancient peoples, and did patch them together for the Hebrews. That Paul accepteth this book of Moses as true history, doth show him to lack sound judgment. “Thou knowest also that it hath been taught that the law and the prophets were given by inspiration of God. Herein is grievous error. The priests of the people of Israel, greatly desiring to lead our fathers into righteousness and to make of them a great nation, devised those great books. It is true, I cannot make known unto thee by which way this is proved; but beware of questioning my knowledge in this thing; thou wilt show thyself ignorant shouldest thou at all call in question our judgment. None but the instructed can fully understand these matters. The simple and unlearned must needs believe what we teach. If they fail to hearken, they are blind and cannot see into the deep things of our wisdom. “We now conclude that at the least one thousand scribes were required to devise the law and the prophets; and peradventure, if that number doth not appear sufficient we can enlarge it to be even five thousand. It was a great work of imagination, and God must needs have many men to imagine each a little. Moreover, in these books the wise find many things contrary to sound reason. I will inform thee concerning some of them, in order that thou mayest be able to explain them to thy people. The writing which beareth the name of Moses doth declare that God did feed our fathers in the wilderness with manna from heaven. It is most confidently taught among us who are wise that they did lick with their tongues a honey, which is found on the leaves of the trees in the wilderness, and named it manna. The rock which gave forth water when this Moses did strike it flowed from a deep well, which he and his servants bored through a great rock by night while the people slept. The great pillar of cloud by day and fire by night which followed the people was produced by cun [2963] ningly mixed powders. Moreover, this Moses was a wise magician, and did charm these people into a deep sleep, and while they slept, with his chosen helpers, he prepared many vessels into which, when full of water; they did cast a fine powder. After this they soaked the garments of all the people in the vessels of water, and it was so that they could no more wear out. Give heed concerning what we declare to be the truth of the record of the walls of Jericho, how they fell. They that be searchers after truth set forth that the horns and trumpets which the men of Israel did blow, mightily made a great commotion in the air, insomuch that the walls began to tremble greatly, which continuing many days they were shaken down and did fall. Know thou also that Joshua did, by cunning magic, cause the ignorant people to imagine that the sun obeyed him to stand still. They were deceived, for their own good, that it might profit them withal. Joshua did cause their memory to stand still. But we are wiser than to teach men that reason that this record is more than a fable, “I will instruct thee, moreover, concerning the book which beareth the name of Esaias. The learned now show unto us that many men did bear that name, and every one a little part hath written; how many it doth not yet appear. When the searching in the matter hath ended, it may be shown that peradventure a score of scribes had part in making the book as it now is. We are now assured that Esaias prophesied nothing concerning the sufferings and glory of Christ. He spake only of the sufferings of all Israel for the sins of King Ahaz. (Why Israel should be called to suffer because of wicked Ahaz’s sins, or why Esaias did write of this, it doth not concern us.) The book speaketh nothing of Jesus Christ. Then we say, and if any teach otherwise, he is thereby shown to be in ignorant company, with Paul and Peter and John, who have fallen into error, and teach old wives’ fables, which the instructed reject. “We have, also, a deep knowledge of the truth of Daniel and his prophecy, which will greatly edify thee, and will satisfy those who doubt concerning the miracles. Daniel was a man acquainted with many strange secrets. He knew how to charm the lions that they should not devour him when he should be cast into their den. So he feared not to pray; and when he was thrown to the lions, he cast a spell over them, that they could not bite or hurt him. Thou seest he saved himself, and gave God the praise. The record of the three Hebrew children and their trial in the fiery furnace hath also been shown to be according to reason. It hath been made known unto us by the teachers of science at whom Paul doth only sneer, that at the center of the hottest fire there doth always remain a cool place which will neither burn nor scorch garments, nor flesh. These Hebrew children were aforetime instructed regarding this; and therefore they feared not the wrath or powcr of the king; and when cast into the fire they knew immediately the place of safety and so were protected. See how reason doth make clear things hard to be believed, brother “Finally, I declare unto thee the true explanation of the record of Jonah. He fled before the Lord that he might not perish at Ninevah. He had not sought that appointment and rebelled against going. When he took ship, the Lord ordered a vessel hearing the name “Great Fish” to follow Jonah’s ship. So when the sailors did throw Jonah overboard he was picked up by the crew of the ‘Great Fish” and tarried with them three days. These earnestly persuaded him to accept his appointment, and had such weight with him that he consented, and so went to Ninevah. “Thou seest, brother, how our views do appeal to reason and sound judgment. I am assured that thou wilt gladly accept them, and assist us in spreading them, especially since Paul hath proven himself unable to lead the thinking classes of this great age. Thou mayest now be a leader in our school and get unto thyself a great name, for much learning, if thou dost act with us in this great warfare of the wise against the dull and ignorant. Paul hath had the help of Peter, John, James and Jude in this contention against us, but we taint net and continue to teach the people everywhere this doctrine, wlich maketh faith an easy matter. Meditate on these things I have written, and thy profiting will appear to all. When thou hast fully understood this, I will instruct thee in the correct, know]edge of the gospel of Jesus Christ in another epistle. The salutation of me., Hermogenes, by mine own hand. Farewell.” PROGRESS IN CLURCH FEDERATION ABROAD AND AT HOME English Journals are noting and commenting upon the unusual conduct of the Rev. R. C. Fillingham ot the Episcopal church. He has recently been exchanging pulpits with Baptist and Congregational ministers. This is contrary, not only (67-68)

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