"MODERN THOUGHT." ITS DIRECT RELATION TO THE BIBLE. Auckland, October 7.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 409, 9 October 1889, Page 5

"MODERN THOUGHT." ITS DIRECT RELATION TO THE BIBLE. Auckland, October 7.

The Temperance Hall, Albert-street, was crowded last night, to hear the fourth of the Rev. E. H. Gulliver's lectures on "Modern Thought" in its relation to Christianity. After a few introductory remarks, the lecturer said that he would in the present lecture try to show that modern thought was tending to change people's oldfashioned ideae about the Bible. No doubt this was dangerous ground, for people woio generally inclined to examine into all'sorts of questions, but claimed that the Bible must not be touched. However, it was no use for such persons to cry out, " You must not touch the Bible," for the spirit of modern inquiry breathed on everything, and sacred as the Bible might be, it must be able to bear inquiry. Religion must bo founded on the rock of truth and must be ablo to bear the truth. We could nob be .guided by the ancient landmarks, for the progress of modern scientific inquiry and thought made those landmarks untrustworthy. Great light had been thrown on Bible subjects by the discoveries in Sanskrit literature, and by the results of thettudy of Eastern languages, literature and politics which showed a close relationship between them and the Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans. The religions of Buddha and Krishna were very like the Christian, but weremucbplder,andtheonly explanation was that diffeient families of men took the same views on religious and moral subject?, and the result was similar forms of religion. Lengthy reference was then made to the great difficulties encountered by the groat men who had studied the Bible and its history. In the first four chapters of Genesis there were two distinct accounts of the creation. The Pentateuch was found not to have been written by Moses, but much later. In the book known by the name of Isaiah they found that two had collaborated, one much later than the other. In the New Testament similar difficulties were encountered and similar discoveries made. The cry was that no good could bedone by theseinquiries and these discoveries; but the question was, were they to be honest or not ? A crisis had arisen when the Reformation broke through tradition and brought forward new religious ideas, and now the French Revolution and its effects had given birth to newer and greater religious thoughts. People ceased to regret the old when they found in the new the voice of God calling them to a stronger brotherhood and fellowship. This feeling must grow and grow till the simpler brotherhood of their religion became merged in one grand brotherhood of man. After the conclusion of Mr Gulliver's address, Mr Hould made a few remarks. He said that Mr Gulliver's lecture nexbSundny evening would conclude the course agreed on with the temporary committee and it was necessary to determine on some course of action for the future. The Committee Mas very pleased indeed at the result of these meetings so far. They felt that their efforts had bton fully justified by the attendance of such large audiences and by their appreciation of the lectures. This appreciation could only be taken as an earnc.-t, nay an imperative call ou Mr Gulliver to continue them. The tommitteo had therefore decided to call a public meeting and try to arrange for the continuation of the services on some satisfactory basis. In the previous service the want of a choir had been felt considerably, and the matter was mentioned to Mr Allan Tracy. Mr Tracy said he would sec what could be done, and the result of his eflbito was that last evening a male quartette was sung before the lecture begr.n, and the beautiful hymn "Load, Kindly Light,'' was gben by six voices at the close.