DR. COLENSO, BISHOP OF NATAL.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 34, 25 January 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

DR. COLENSO, BISHOP OF NATAL.

(From tho Pentateuch.) If it be really true, as the Bishop of Oxford has said, that "much harm has been done among tho young by my book," and that "it is doing an amount of evil which it is difficult to estimate;" anrl if it be also true, us the same prelate lias written that my arguments aie "but the repetition of old and often-answered cavils, '— it would surely be most desirable — -rather, I should say, it would be t- 11 to be imperatively necessaiy for tlm bishops who condemn me to put forth a reply, such as to themselves appeared to be sufficient and satisfactory, such as might; be guaranteed in their name by the authority of the primate. If this were done, I should be bound by the sense of honor, as well as compelled by the love of truth, to consider seriously the arguments adduced in such a di-eunient- I shoiii-1 justly be. condemned and disgraced in the presence of my fejlowciiun'.ryineu if I did not do this, and*£ither admit that 1 am wrong, or point out ihe defective reasonings of ihe Hep ly. . . But what do my episcopal brethren mean by this proceeding? lAo they really suppose that by the obstruction:* of church censures and anathemas, or the mere exercise of authority, they can bar out the entrance of that light of critical science which God himself has given us, as one of the special blessing.? bestowed upon us by His goutiness in this day ? 3day i it not be that the science of biblical criticism is us n-'i'dful to our true progress and highest happiness us any other of the sciences — as geology, astronomy, chemistry, natural iiist'-ry, &c. — all of which have been aroused inio new liie in this very age, and many ofl which — like that of which the most ancient results are exhibited in the works of Davidson, Kaiiseh, &c, and the parts already published of this work, were inmost wholly I unknown to our foi cfathers I JMny it not be true tlijt each one of these science-* is as j truly intended by tlie wis.loin and ' grace of Clo 1 foi* the present stage uf human development as an}' other of the sisterhood — that we cannot despise or refuse tiio help of any one of them, without '• rejecting the eoanst-l of God against ourselves," that, •'if ihis work be of God, v, r e cannot overthrow it, lest haply we be found lighting against God ?" hi short, may i: not be true ili.it this light of criticism, may he but nno of the many-colored rays of modern seienee which come to us ali from the '• Father of Lights," in this our own age ot wonderful illinnin. ition, and which are meant to b'.c-iid togeti.er into tlu- pure, white light of truth, that light whLh our spirits need, and which His wisdom and His love at this time impart to us? Must- we then, English Christians, iive on, as men did in foi rner ages, under strict ecclesiastical restraint, a.s if there was a. ''dark chamber" in the house, into which ire have once looked, but have shut to the door, aud dare not look a-jruin, le.-t we should see som thing to fiightt-nus out of our " hopes for eteinit3 r ," and cause us tlu loss of "ail our nearest dearest cousYtuions/' ilow much better to open wide the door and let iv the blessed light and aii- of day into every part of our spiritual dwelling ! Th it light, indeed, may show us that the stories of the six days' Creation, the Noachian Deluge, the sl-uijiiner of 68,000 Mi'li'inituh women and children are no longer to be spoken of a.s historical facts. Yv'e may p-. rceive that it is no longer possible to confound the early legends of the Hebrew people and statements contrary to reason and the facts of nature, or condemned by our moral sense, and by the voice which witr.ess.is fur God within us, with the eternal " Word of God." .But we shall find in the .Pentateuch, notwithstanding, precious things witliout number of which little or no use is made at present in the instruction of the p-ople — v iquestionable facts of ancient history, mixed up, no doubt, with much of uncertain or unreal tradition — and, above all, rich lessons of spiritual truth, by which our souls may be cheered and strengthened for die work of life. What a day of regenerated life will it be for the Church of England when these things shall be spoken of, plainly and freely, in every pulpit of the land ; when tlie Bible shall be opened, and the story of its origin explained, and the real value of its histories discussed, as the records of living man, likr* ourselves, written down hy living men, — with the reverence due to a book so venerable, and endeared to the inmost heart of every Christian, but yot without fear of treading with irreligious feet upon holy ground ; rather, with the deepest and most sincere conviction that we cm only thus sevvc God acceptably, and discharge our duty before Him, as Christian men and ministers, by such free inquiry after truth, and free utterance of it.