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VOL.
XXX
ALLEGHENY,
P
A.,
APRIL
1,
1909
No.7
in
legitimate
Bible
study,
which
I
hope
may
continue.
notwith
standing
persistent
efforts
made
in
and
outside
of
our
theological
and
other
institutions
to
frustrate
each
study
by
seekin~
to
make
the
Word
of
God
of
no
effect
by
the
everchanging
motiOns
of
a
noisy
class
of
men
who
take
for
their
motto:
'Quantum
est
quod
scimus,'
instead
of
the
more
lowly
onc--the
ma.rk
of
the
truly
learned,
as
he
picks
a
pebble
on
the
vast
ocean
of
learn
ing-'Quantum
est
quod
nesimus.'
It
will
be
an
evil
day
for
our
ministers,
missionaries,
and
teachers,
should
God
permit
that
what
appears
to
be
about
the
only
sure
standing
ground
left
us
in
the
world
be
shaken
to
its
center;
tha.t
the
state
ment,
'The
Word
of
God,
which
liveth
and
abideth
for
ever,'
is
proclaimed
as
an
hallucination,
and
that
being
born
of
'!ncor
ruptible
seed
by
the
Word
of
God'
is
an
old-fashioned
delusion,
to
be
rejected
with
as
little
compunction
as
if
it
were
a
heathen
fable.
If
we
pursue
this
process
of
disintegration
so
that
the
wonderful
cohesive
power
of
the
Book
shall
cease.
its
author
may
weU
write
over
this
wreck,
'They
have
sown
the
wind,
thry
shall
reap
the
whirlwind.'
HIS
OWN
CREED
".
.
.
.
I
have
never
been
in
the
least
shaken
in
the
sim
ple
creed
as
to
the
Bible
given
to
me
as
a
child
over
sixty-five
years
ago.
"(
1)
Nothing
is
more
probable
than
that
our
Creator
who
is
hereafter
to
be
our
Judge,
should
give
to
his
creatures
a
rev
elation
of
his
will
concerning
them,
and
lay
down
rules
and
regulations
for
the
conduct
of
their
life,
for
obedience
to
whieh
they
shall
one
day
be
answerable
to
him.
"(2)
A
book
is
found
which
purports
to
come
from
him,
and
which
gives
such
a
revelation.
This
Book,
wherever
found,
and
made
the
guide
of
life,
has
raised
the
individual
and
the
people
so
using
it
to
a
position
not
reached
by
those
ignorant
of
its
contents
or
who
refuse
its
guidance.
"(
3)
The
God
who
created
the
universe
and
all
the
won
ders
therein
found
and
preserves
them
in
their
places,
could
undoubtedly
give
with
accuracy
such
a
revelation
and
could
preserve
it
to
nis
people
for
the
purpose
intended
without
error.
"(
4)
No
other
book
has
ever
been
found
purporting
to
bl'
the
Word
of
God,
and
which
could
answer
the
purposes
above
set
forth.
"(5)
When
'the
Word
was
made
flesh
and
dwelt
among
us
..•.
the
only
begotten
of
the
Father,
full
of
grace
and
truth,'
there
was
a
well
authenticated
volume
in
existence
to
which
<the
Light
of
the
world'
continually
referred,
saying:
<Search
the
Scriptures';
<The
Scriptures
mUilt
be
fulfilled:;
<The
Scripture
cannot
be
broken.'
He
ever
referred
to
thiS
volume
as
the
Word
of
God,
as
the
infallible
rule,
test,
and
touchstone.
He
thus
endorsed
in
the
most
unmistakable
man
ner
all
the
Scriptures
as
the
infallible
Word
of
God.
THE
OPDJIOH
OF
JOHN
WESLEY
"I
thankfully
acknowledge
the
immense
debt
I
am
un~er
to
this
simple
presentation
concerning
our
Bible,
from
which
standpoint
I
have
never
been
in
the
slightest
degree
moved
by
the
ever-changing
and
never-to-be-relied-upon
attacks
of
those
who,
not
looking
or
asking
for
spiritual
discernment,
merely
kiss
the
Book
that
they
may
en~eavor
to
persuad.e
.peo
pIe
that
their
hostile
attacks
are
made
In
the
reverent
spmt
of
investigation.
"Amidst
the
perpetual
attacks
made
by
the
clergymen
of
our
various
churches,
and
especially
by
those
in
our
theolog
ical
colleges,
upon
the
Bible,
it
is
refreshing
to
turn
to
the
writin~s
of
a
well-known
clergyman
of
the
church
of
England
-the
Reverend
John
Wesley,
whose
use
of
the
Bible
wrought
80
marvelous
a
change
in
England
at
a
period
when
it
was
nearly
drifting
to
a
revolution
which
might
have
paralleled
that
in
France
of
the
eighteenth
century.
He
says
in
the
third
volume
of
his
writings,
page
504:
"
'It
would
be
excusable
if
these
menders
of
the
Bible
would
offer
their
hypothesis
modestly.
But
one
cannot
excuse
them
when
they
not
only
obtrude
their
novel
scheme
with
the
utmost
confidence,
but
even
ridicule
that
scriptural
one
whieh
always
was,
and
is
noW,
held
by
men
of
the
greatest
learning
and
piety
in
the
world.
Hereby
they
promote
the
cause
of
infidelity
more
effectually
than
either
Hume
or
Voltaire.'
QUESTIONS
TO
BE
ANSWERED
.
•
.
You
have
present£:d
a
strong
appeal
to
me
in
your
letter.
Will
you
premit
me
to
urge
upon
you
the
two
following
requests
1
The
first
is,
Will
you
use
your
best
endeavors,
as
chancellor
of
Victoria
College,
to
place
Toronto
University
and
University
College
in
their
true
position
under
the
incorporat
ing
acts,
by
preventing
in
either
of
them,
through
a
'back
door,'
or
by
any
other
mode
of
entrance.
teaching
and
examinations
in
VIEWS
FROM
THE
WATCH
TOWER
COMBA.TING
HIGHER
CRITICISM
IN
CANADA
A
theological
storm
has
been
raised
in
Canada
along
the
lmes
of
"Higher
Criticism."
This
was
started
by
Rev.
George
.Tackson's
address
before
the
Y.
M.
C.
A.
of
Toronto,
on
Feb
ruary
16th.
The
meeting
was
opened
by
the
singing
of
"Cor
onation"
and
prayer,
and
then
the
reverend
gentleman,
greeted
with
applause,
began
an
attack
upon
the
Scriptures,
entitled,
"The
Early
Narratives
of
Genesis,"
saying:-
"'The
Early
Narratives
of
Genesis'
include
in
this
inter
pretation,
in
this
use
of
the
phrase,
the
first
eleven
chapters
of
the
Book
of
Gpnesis.
Perhaps
I
may
say
that
this
is
really
one
of
the
course
of
monthly
Sunday
afternoon
lectures
which
I
have
bepn
g-ivin~
to
men
in
the
Sherbourne
Street
church;
and,
inasmuch
as
this
is
only
one
of
the
course,
it
is
so
far
in
complete.
It
is
a
kind
of
an
illustration
of
the
general
atti
tude
of
mind
toward
the
Old
Testament,
which,
in
the
course
of
this
address,
I
have
been
trying
to
explain
to
my
people."
Rev.
Jackson's
people,
"my
people,"
are
Methodists
and
the
evidence
is
that
they
are
following
Rev.
Jackson
into
in
fidelity
as
his
sheep
and
are
not
giving
attention
to
the
voice
of
the
true
Shepherd;
possibly
because
they
have
not
heard
his
word
sufficiently
to
know
his
voice
and
to
realize
that
they
should
be
his
people,
his
sheep,
if
they
would
be
properly
guided
to
his
heavenly
fold.
From
the
stenographic
report
of
Rev.
Jackson's
presenta
tion
he
holds
that
the
Bible
is
not
of
divine
inspiration;
that
its
statements
are
not
worthy
of
all
acccptation,
and
that
they
are
not
sufficient
"that
the
man
of
God
should
be
thoroughly
furnished
to
every
good
word
and
work."
-2
Tim.
3:
17.
Something
of
It
storm
was
raised
amongst
the
theologians
of
Toronto,
but
apparently
not
over
the
truth
or
falsity
of
Rev.
Jackson's
presentation,
but
rather
over
the
fact
that
Rev.
Dr.
Carman,
also
a
Methodist,
who
took
the
opposite
position
fa
vored
by
the
Biblp,
understood
Rev.
Jackson
to
charge
him
with
taking
his
stand
for
the
Bible.
not
honestly
but
through
cow
ardice.
When
Rev.
Jackson
withdrew
all
imputation
of
cow
ardice
the
disturbance
subsided.
The
newspapers
noted
the
fact
that
many
ministers
endorsed
Rev.
George
Jackson's
posi
tion.
Some
of
them,
however,
thought
the
controversy
of
little
moment
and
that
religion
Rhould
be
viewed
from
the
practical
and
not
the
theoretical
standpoint,
and
afterward
called
it
a
"theological
tempest
in
a
teapot."
What
cared
this
reverend
gentleman
whether
Genesis
be
true
or
a
lie-a
Revelation
from
God
or
a
work
of
monkey-men
1
He
took
the
view
that
all
thinking
men
were
in
the
same
boat
in
taking
the
biblical
story
of
the
creation
of
the
world
.
.
.
.
not
as
correct
history.
In
other
words,
they
had
so
little
faith
in
the
inspiration
of
the
Scriptures
as
to
be
unwilling
to
contend
for
the
same
and
be
lieved
that
their
theologies
would
stand,
even
if
the
Scriptures
Rhould
fall.
Alas!
we
believe
this
to
be
only
too
true:
that
the
majority
of
theological
views
contain
so
little
of
the
Bible
that
its
elimination
would
affect
them
but
little.
On
the
contrary,
were
they
to
lose
the
teachings
of
Plato
and
Aristotle
respect
ing
human
immortality
they
would
be
sadly
ben-ft
indeed.
A
LAYMAN
TO
THE
RESCUE
In
the
midst
of
the
commotion
the
Hon.
S.
H.
Blake
stepped
forward
to
champion
the
Bible
as
a
divine
revelation
"worthy
of
all
acceptance
and
able
to
make
us
wise
unto
salvation."
He
has
been
instigating
the
matter
and
finds
the
colleges
of
Canada
thoroughly
given
over
to
Higher
Critical
Views
and
teachings
(the
same
being
true
of
the
United
States
and
everywhere).
The
Hon.
Blakr,
supposing
these
colleges
to
be
blameworthy
for
the
general
alienation
of
ministers
from
the
Bible
as
the
Word
of
God.
has
bpen
inquiring
into
the
legality
of
their
teaching
theology
at
all
and
serms
to
find,
to
his
own
satisfaction
at
last.
that
they
lUlYe
no
such
authority;
that
the
teaching
of
theology
is
by
Canadian
law
restricted
to
another
class
of
col
leges,
not
Universities.
Alas!
how
rude
will
be
the
awakening
of
the
Hon.
Blake
when
he
discovers
that
the
theological
col
leges
and
seminaries
are
teaching
precisely
the
same
Higher
Critical
Infidelity-that
all
the
preachers
of
all
the
denomi
nations
are
being
ruined
as
respects
faith
in
the
Bible
as
the
Word
of
God!
However,
we
Ineatly
admire
Hon.
Blake's
stand
for
the
Bible
as
the
Word
of
God
and
subjoin
some
of
his
argu
ments
which
he
has
preRE'ntrd
in
pamphlet
form
under
the
cap
tion,
"The
teaching
of
Religious
Knowledge
in
University
Col
legeR
Ultra
Vires":
".
.
.
.
As
the
minds
of
an
inc'reaRed
nnmber
of
young
men
and
women
are
turning
to
the
mission
field,
there
will
no
doubt
be
more
students
from
year
to
year
ready
to
take
advan
tage
of
the
opinions
or
instruction
referred
to.
The
theological
collpg-e'5
may
for
this
reaRon
look
forward
to
many
additional
studrnts.
"I
belif'vc
that
this
is
thE'
caUBe
of
the
increased
interest
(99-100)
[4362]
Vou. XXX ALLEGHENY, PA., APRIL 1, 1909 No. 7 VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER COMBATING HIGHER CRITICISM IN CANADA A theological storm has been raised in Canada along the lines of “Higher Criticism.” This was started by Rev. George Jackson’s address before the Y. M. C. A. of Toronto, on FebTuary 16th. The meeting was opened by the singing of “Coronation” and prayer, and then the reverend gentleman, greeted with applause, began an attack upon the Scriptures, entitled, “The Early Narratives of Genesis,” saying :-— “‘The Early Narratives of Genesis’ include in this interpretation, in this use of the phrase, the first eleven chapters of the Book of Genesis. Perhaps I may say that this is really one of the course of monthly Sunday afternoon lectures which I have been giving to men in the Sherbourne Street church; and, inasmuch as this is only one of the course, it is so far incomplete. It is a kind of an illustration of the general attitude of mind toward the Old Testament, which, in the course of this address, I have been trying to explain to my people.” Rev, Jackson’s people, “my people,” are Methodists and the evidence is that they are following Rev. Jackson into infidelity as his sheep and are not giving attention to the voice of the true Shepherd; possibly because they have not heard hig word sufficiently to know his voice and to realize that they should be his people, his sheep, if they would be properly guided to his heavenly fold. From the stenographic report of Rev. Jackson’s presentation he holds that the Bible is not of divine inspiration; that its statements are not worthy of all acceptation, and that they are not sufficient “that the man of God should he thoroughly furnished to every good word and work.”—-2 Tim. 3:17. Something of a storm was raised amongst the theologians of Toronto, but apparently not over the truth or falsity of Rev. Jackson’s presentation, but rather over the fact that Rev. Dr. Carman, also a Methodist, who took the opposite position favored by the Bible, understood Rev. Jackson to charge him with taking his stand for the Bible, not honestly but through cowardice. When Rev. Jackson withdrew all imputation of cowardice the disturbance subsided. The newspapers noted the fact that many ministers endorsed Rev. George Jackson’s position. Some of them, however, thought the controversy of little moment and that religion should be viewed from the practical and not the theoretical standpoint, and afterward called it a “theological tempest in a teapot.” What cared this reverend gentleman whether Genesis be true or a lie—a Revelation from God or a work of monkey-men? He took the view that all thinking men were in the same boat in taking the biblical story of the creation of the world .... not as correct history. In other words, they had so little faith in the inspiration of the Scriptures as to be unwilling to contend for the same and believed that their theologies would stand, even if the Scriptures should fall. Alas! we believe this to be only too true: that the majority of theological views contain so little of the Bible that its elimination would affect them but little. On the contrary, were they to lose the teachings of Plato and Aristotle respecting human immortality they would be sadly bereft indeed. A LAYMAN TO THE RESCUE In the midst of the commotion the Hon. 8. H. Blake stepped forward to champion the Bible as a divine revelation “worthy of all acceptance and able to make us wise unto salvation.” He has been instigating the matter and finds the colleges of Canada thoroughly given over to Higher Critical Views and teachings (the same being true of the United States and everywhere). The Hon. Blake, supposing these colleges to be blameworthy for the general alienation of ministers from the Bible as the Word of God, has been inquiring into the legality of their teaching theology at all and seems to find, to his own satisfaction at last, that they have no such authority; that the teaching of theology is by Canadian law restricted to another class of colleges, not Universities. Alas! how rude will be the awakening of the Hon. Blake when he discovers that the theological colleges and seminaries are teaching precisely the same Higher Critical Infidelity—that all the preachers of all the denominations are being ruined as respects faith in the Bible as the Word of God! However, we greatly admire Hon. Blake’s stand for the Bible as the Word of God and subjoin some of his arguments which he has presented in pamphlet form under the caption, “The teaching of Religious Knowledge in University Colleges Ultra Vires”: eo. As the minds of an increased number of young men and women are turning to the mission field, there will no doubt be more students from year to year ready to take advantage of the opinions or instruction referred to. The theological colleges may for this reason look forward to many additional students. “T believe that this is the cause of the increased interest (99-100) in legitimate Bible study, which I hope may continue. notwithstanding persistent efforts made in and outside of our theological and other institutions to frustrate each study by seeking to make the Word of God of no effect by the everchanging motions of a noisy class of men who take for their motto: ‘Quantum est quod scimus,’ instead of the more lowly one—the mark of the truly learned, as he picks a pebble on the vast ocean of learning—Quantum est quod nesimus.’ It will be an evil day for our ministers, missionaries, and teachers, should God permit that what appears to be about the only sure standing ground left us in the world be shaken to its center; that the statement, ‘The Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever,’ is proclaimed as an hallucination, and that being born of ‘Incorruptible seed by the Word of God’ is an old-fashioned delusion, to be rejected with as little compunction as if it were a heathen fable. If we pursue this process of disintegration so that the wonderful cohesive power of the Book shall cease, its author may well write over this wreck, ‘They have sown the wind, they shall reap the whirlwind.’ HIS OWN CREED woe I have never been in the least shaken in the simple creed as to the Bible given to me as a child over sixty-five years ago. “(1) Nothing is more probable than that our Creator who is hereafter to be our Judge, should give to his creatures a revelation of his will concerning them, and lay down rules and regulations for the conduct of their life, for obedience to which they shall one day be answerable to him. (2) A book ig found which purports to come from him, and which gives such a revelation. This Book, wherever found, and made the guide of life, has raised the individual and the people so using it to a position not reached by those ignorant of its contents or who refuse its guidance. “(3) The God who created the universe and all the wonders therein found and preserves them in their places, could undoubtedly give with accuracy such a revelation and could preserve it to his people for the purpose intended without error. “(4) No other book has ever been found purporting to be the Word of God, and which could answer the purposes above set forth. “(5) When ‘the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us .... the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, there was a well authenticated volume in existence to which ‘the Light of the world’ continually referred, saying: ‘Search the Scriptures’; ‘The Scriptures must be fulfilled’; ‘The Scripture cannot be broken.’ He ever referred to this volume as the Word of God, as the infallible rule, teat, and touchstone. He thus endorsed in the most unmistakable manner all the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God. THE OPINION OF JOHN WESLEY “T thankfully acknowledge the immense debt I am under to this simple presentation concerning our Bible, from which standpoint I have never been in the slightest degree moved by the ever-changing and never-to-be-relied-upon attacks of those who, not looking or asking for spiritual discernment, merely kiss the Book that they may endeavor to persuade people that their hostile attacks are made in the reverent spirit of investigation. “Amidst the perpetual attacks made by the clergymen of our various churches, and especially by those in our theological colleges, upon the Bible, it is refreshing to turn to the writings of a well-known clergyman of the church of England —the Reverend John Wesley, whose use of the Bible wrought so marvelous a change in England at a period when it was nearly drifting to a revolution which might have paralleled that in France of the eighteenth century. He says in the third volume of his writings, page 504: “Tt would be excusable if these menders of the Bible would offer their hypothesis modestly. But one cannot excuse them when they not only obtrude their novel scheme with the utmost confidence, but even ridicule that scriptural one which always was, and is now, held by men of the greatest learning and piety in the world. Hereby they promote the cause of infidelity more effectually than either Hume or Voltaire.’ QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED . . .» You have presented a strong appeal to me in your letter. Will you premit me to urge upon you the two following requests? The first is, Will you use your best endeavors, as chancellor of Victoria College, to place Toronto University and University College in their true position under the incorporating acts, by preventing in either of them, through a ‘back door,’ or by any other mode of entrance, teaching and examinations in “ [4362]
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