HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS.
By F. D. Starr
CONSIDERABLE effort is made on the part of some Bible students and persons desirous of showing the consistency and reliability of the Inspired Record, to demonstrate what is termed the “harmony of the Gospels.” While this is doubtless a laudable undertaking, the question arises whether the most satisfactory results are not to be obtained in working from another standpoint. There is a very appreciable and convincing harmony that is disconnected from dates, locality, and outward circumstance of every kind. This is the harmony of the soul as it takes in the living Word when it is read or preached. The Divine Record finds a prompt and complete response in the needy soul, receiving the living breath that sets the chords of the human heart in heavenly motion. Here is a harmony, clear and distinct, and true as “the music of the spheres.” While one is musing on heavenly things, the celestial flame begins to glow. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit.” We will to do His will (John 7:17), and, consequently, know of the doctrine. There can be in this no mistake. There is the answer of a good conscience toward God, a tasting of the good Word of God, and of the powers of the world to come. Harmony has come into the soul because we are reconciled to God. His thoughts become our thoughts; the vibrations on earth correspond to those in heaven; the things that are loosed on earth are loosed in heaven. “Glory to God in the highest,” comes from enraptured tongues, both human and angelic. We are in harmony with Matthew, we are in harmony with Mark and Luke, we are in harmony with John, and they are all in harmony with us, and, being in harmony with us, they must needs be in harmony with each other. This is a matter of course, an axiomatic truth. It is the privilege of every child of God, unschooled though he may be, to produce such a harmony of the Gospels as may excel all statistical efforts at harmonizing them. As when, of old, in harmony with the midnight music of the prisoners, the earth vibrated and swung loose the prison doors, so the chords of the fettered soul are broken, and man sees eye to eye with Heaven. F. D. STARR.