THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE SCRIPTURES.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3708, 12 November 1880, Page 2

THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE SCRIPTURES.

To the .Editor of the EvENiKft Stab "The proper method of etwretting infidelity and ditpelling dcepticism."

Sib,—ln a" Jack and Jill" entertainment recently held here, the rev. lecturer, seemingly oblivious of the fact that the puerility of his subject in itself constituted a caricature of Christianity, is reported to hare said that, "Scepticism was the result"of ignorance. 1' With the usual " parson like.• fairness and reracity no shaaow of reason whatever was advanced for this gratuitous shite went. If it is so, however, the prints, clergy, and parsons of all denominations, who have almost exclusively had the spiritual and secular education of the people in their hands and under their control for hun-

dreds of years, are responsible for the "rapid stiides ofinfideiity." How far Itaey bare been faithful to, acd to whr t extent they hare been successful in the performance of these;, most important duties I leave the present purely secular system of national education,, and the exposition of public opinion in senates and on platforms throughout the civilized world to answer. The cleigy have persecuted ard prosecuted jnfideHiy and scepticism by eveiyconceivable means of torture that the most diabolical ingenuity could invent. They have sacrificed at the stake and: in the dungeons whole hetacombs of human victims for approving or maintaining certain religious opinions; but thanks to a free press and science we are cow engaged in solving problems, with a view to immediate practical results— the remoter consequences of which, on what is called civilisation, morality end religion, few persons seriously consider. In Parliaments and out of them, decisions enwrapping a germinant patency are being arrived at. To the public mind the main question at issue is one of almost inconceivable importance. "In essence it is this—whether at all, or if at all, how far political or ecclesiastical authority should lay its hand of repression upon speculative opinions, or upon this free expression thereof." Spite of all. co* travening • circumstances, however, the principal of uniform and universal toler r anee in respect to speculative conclrasionjt, is making visible headway, and promises, like an incoming tide, notwithstanding all temporary fluctuations, to reach the measure of its capacity, not in this country only, but in all the invilised connti res of the world. What is wanted is a nation of good men end women who have been instructed in truth and the hatred of deception. This result is attainable! only

by liberty of thought and expression. Sincerity is one of the principal elements of human happiness, and freedom of expression ia a condition of sincerity. To convert infidelity and dispel scepticism the clergy must make it their business to educate tbe people, not by preventing the expression of opinions, but by chang* ing sentiments; not by prosecuting the authors of sceptical books, but by writing better ones in support of their creeds, doctrines and dogmas. Persecuted opinions alway* gather strength, but if the professors of religion write better books, act better lives, live, preach, and act like Christ—as indeed they say they are enjoined to do—we should hear little, if at all, of atheism, Judaism, infidelity or scepticism. Do the clergy educate their flocks so as to arrive at the standards of religion P Have they taught the people to think of and examine for themselves, step by step, divine revelations P and to prove themselves that it is confided to mankind in the Books put into their hands, and that they have been handed down with such testimonials of their authority that doubt is impossible; that they are really and truly the word of Gcd; that the originals have been so preserved, and the translations so made, that in reading them men are convinced that they are reading those very words dictated by the Prophets and Apostles ? Have they shown and proved to the people that the Bible has not only been given as the Word of God, but that the people, as well as the clergy, are competent to understand it P This kind of-education is needful to the sceptical, who derive their opinions rather from conviction than adherence. Most members of Christian Churches are ignorant of the doctrines professed, and receive Books as revealed, without the exercise of reason. Many profess to believe the Bible without having even read it. But the mind of the sceptic is so constituted that he must have reason for his belief. He thinks that what is philosophically true cannot be theologically false. He thinks that nothing divine can contradict reason; that one truth never can oppose another truth; that moral truth is as certain as mathematical demonstration, which can find no contradiction either in the heaven above or in the earth beneath. To a mind so constituted sterling Christian truths must be honestly administered. He must be shewn that he like all men, is infallible, and that he like all other men, is wrong upon some point or other. Combat opinion with opinion. Endeavor honestly to make him moral and you will certainly make him reasonable. Infidels, sceptics and all men, everywhere at the present time are asking for* a plain answer to a sim pie question. They want to know if the old and new testament! axe true or false! Whether Christ was a great philosopher or Eternal God. They we in the lives and conduct of all sorts and conditions of priests, parsons, and.'professors so much that is un-Cbristlike that they become sceptical as to all religions, and are constrained to the belief that the attribute- of spirituality ascribed to a personal and living God is a priestly subterfuge to cover ibis invisibility. They see too that miracles won't happen in the,presence of science. They ask for tangible proofs, and in my next I will shew how such may be produced more wonderful and convincing than miracles. —lam, &c,

Scbptio. [This letter we have been unable to find room for some weeks.—Ed. S.]