Correspondence.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3695, 28 October 1880, Page 2

Correspondence.

THE AUTHENTICITY OP THE SCRIPTUBES. ! To the Editor of the EYisnfff Stab. Sib, —In the opinion of those who , watch and read the times it is scarcely possible that the system of Christianity, said to be founded on the Scriptures, and as at present practised, will survive the searching criticism and minute examination of the next 50 yeara. 'Etch now it is logically untenable, and exists only for worldly and sinister purposes. Publio opinion is thoroughly sceptical, if not entirely infidel, The Bible and the Church are simply tolerated as respectable. | Atheism is not openly, accepted, but the I divinity, resurrection, and hereafter' coming of Christ, are seriously doubted by some, and totally disbelieved tyv others. The evidence of Deity, relied upon by an appeal to external nature, is no longer, if it was at any time, convincing. Science affords a more satisfactory answer in its system and laws of generation, and its theories of the development of matter. It is positively hoped and | believed that science will yet reveal the concealed secrets and- stupendous marvels of nature to which hitherto has been a merely blind and wild

belief and acceptance.. Season, i§ beginning to reject, if it has not already rejected, the Mosaic account of the creation of this world, and the wonderful and incomprehensible universe that exists in immensity. The creation and maintenance in harmonious and never ending movement of myriads of systems of suns and moons and worlds, the infinite firmament, and the etherial heavens themselves deny being the work of a living God. Indeed, the difficulties of such a belief are greater than that of the existence of nature by some mysterious and yet unexplained laws of generation. Nature presents one difficulty to solve, but miraculous creation two: the thing created and its creator. Because of the wonderful construction of the universe, and the evidence of intelligence thereby exhibited, we are forbidden to believe in the eternity of matter, but at the same time we are commanded to believe that the maker of all these wonders never had beginning. The whole world political, social, and religious appears entering upon a fresh' period of development in the former. Until the impediments which have previously obstructed true religion and virtue have been surmounted or pushed aside, no unfolding of the principles of human actions—more em- , phatically of such as are sound, and therefore reasonable—can take place. The critical examination of the Scriptures; , the exact measure of their authenticity ; and authority; the expurgation from them of all that is doubtful as to origin, and fabulous as to doctrine; and the definition of the true meaning of Christianity, with its support by living witnesses will form a very considerable part of the trail that the world is entering upon. My intention in continuing this subject is not to destroy that which is good; not to discredit or pull down the true belief of any man; not to offend the least amongst us; but to help forward the work of truth. In every age conflict is the pioneer of right, clearing away—perhaps imperfectly at first—the difficulties which either retard or prevent the progress of truth, both theoretically and practically.. Sufficient proof of the authenticity of the Scriptures, tried by the presence of undeviating witnesses and followers of their Author, is wanting.—l am, Ac, Sciftic.

(To the Editor of the Bvening Star.)

Sib,—l thank you for your remarks to B..in last night's Star on my letter. .It does away with the need of entering into a discussion. I thought that it was under* stood that I was not giving my own opinions, but those generally held' by Spiritualists. I do not wish to say at present how many of them I endorse, but I might say to B. that there are many Christians who believe there are other people go to heaven who do not believe in Christ, and Paul was one of. them, for he says " In every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness shall be accepted of • Him." That is very liberal, and better than the narrow-minded.idea that believes in a nice. little snug heaven for their select party-and no room for anyone else.—l am, &c, . J. Hour. October 28th, 1880. _