MR WOOD OR "CREDENDA"— WHICH ?

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4983, 31 December 1884, Page 1

MR WOOD OR "CREDENDA"— WHICH ?

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.)

Sib, —It has been a great privilege to me to perase the ', letters of Mr William Wood on matters relating to Theology. To myself his opinions bare come as a balm to a disordered mind, and fortified by bis teachings I feel courageous enough to accept his "simple thing". without hesitation. I had begun to think that the? energy and untiring zeal displayed by the erudite editor of " Enoch " had suffered a relapsel and rYembled to think what would be the fate of the Thames people should such a disastrous catastrophe occur. When "Enoch" emerged periodically from the darkness of the publishing office, I hailed it as a means of regeneration to all mankind, and I rejoiced lo think that here, at any rate, the spiritual wants of mankind would be fully supplied. It was cheering to read of the happiness men (and in particular the able and learned editor) were to enjoy in the " Sweet by-and-bye," and as it was an original hope, »nd one I never remember bearing before, it filled my heart with gladness. I felt that it was a lucky thing for me that I came to the goldfields, for if not, whence should I have derived such wonderful peace of mind as I derived from Enoch's pages ? It was something to think that in moments of doubt or uncertainty I had a friend to whom I could apply for the" solution of the difficulty spiritually op*> pressing me. Here was Enoch, prophet and theologian, and as great in his day as were either Ezekiel or Daniel of old. No matter what my spiritual doubts, his expansive mind was always open to me, and if I went wrong and fell into the slough of scepticism for a time, who so likrly to lift me up as he? I had (juite made up my mind that Enoch was hiding his Hunt under a bushel, until I saw an * answer of his to one of a heretical character wriiten by " Credenda." Mr William Wood was, as far as I can recollect, asked to prove the authenticity of Bevelation, and I was prepared in daily expectation of seeing an overwhelming and crushing answer in proof of the truthfulness of the Eevelation doctrine. But, alas ! Mr Wood has retired from the coDtest, and expresses his determination to answer no more of "Credenda's" heretical effusions. This is a sad calamity,, for how can I continue my faith in Enoch if he shows the white feather and declines to prove the truth of what he has been writing of in Enoch, in the newspapers, and teaching verbally to his proselytes? There is nothing for it but to enlist the sympathies of the various .^cdesiastieal bodies on the Thames, and trust that they , will put me right and remove the doubt caused in my mind by " Credenda," as to whether Revelation is true or not. The Bey. Mr Laisbley would no doubt tackle the question with the same ardour as he did the lecturer on Ancient Egypt; and yet, does it not seem strange—-my head whirls as I think of it—that although there is no doubt that a great nation existed in Egypt 13,000 years ago, the clergy (Mr Laishley included) teach their congregations and the Sunday School children that man was made only 6090 years ago? If ■ this is correct, it would seem as though the clerical gentlemen who teach us to " Lay not up for ourselves treasures on. earth, where the rust and moth corrupts," &O-, are not only laying up treasure for themselves —gained by erroneous teachings,—but that they in common with the church dignitaries of all ages are doing their utmost to keep not only the present, but the rising, generation in a; state of ignorance as to ancient histories and nations. I should hope that ode of our able clergymen will take up these subjects and prove these things—if they can,-—for many are like myself doubtful whether to continue believing.as we have hithertodone. in orthodoxy, or whether we are to become f followers of " Credenda's "historical, letters? and whether " Credenda's " historical letters are matters of factor the production of a disordered imagination.—l am &c., Sphipow,