HIGHER CRITICISM DECRIED.
By G. B. Thompson
EVANGELIST MUNHALL of Philadelphia, Penn., made some disturbing statements at a meeting of Methodist ministers recently. He arraigned the so-called "higher critics," according to a report in the New York World, of April 18, 1899, as follows:— "The Rev. Dr. L. W. Munhall, evangelist, of Philadelphia, raised a storm of criticism and contention yesterday at the weekly meeting of Methodist preachers at No. 150 Fifth Avenue. His theme was 'The Integrity and Authority of the Bible.' He conceded at the outset that many of those who teach 'higher criticism' are entirely honest, but he denounced their teaching. "Nearly every objection raised against the integrity of the Bible by the 'higher critics,' he said, could be found in Voltaire's works and Paine's 'Age of Reason.' "The enemy," he continued, "used to be outside the breastworks; he is now inside—in our pulpits, in our educational institutions and our editorial chairs. But it is the same battle, and the weapons used against the book are the very same the infidels have always used." "The preacher said that recently, when Mr. Ingersoll was asked for a friend why he did not longer give his lecture against the Bible, he replied:— "The professors and preachers are doing that work much better than I possibly can, and their influence is much greater than mine." "I do know that, in two of our theological schools, the Old Testament professors are giving their students all the objections against the integrity of the record, and making no attempt whatever to answer these objections. And these students are going out to fill our pulpits, with little or no knowledge of the Bible; their minds filled with objections to the book the church commissions them to preach. Can any one reasonably expect spiritual results from the ministry of such men? I know of one of these young men who, within four years of his ordination, left the Methodist Episcopal Church, became pastor of a Congregational Church, then pastor of a Unitarian Church, and then a blatant infidel, all in the same town. "A wealthy member of our church, a delegate to the last General Conference, told me: 'I sent my oldest son to a Methodist educational institution not 500 miles from New York City. Before he left home he was considered by all who knew him to be a model Christian young man. He would conduct family worship, lead the church prayer-meeting, was a teacher in the Sunday-school, and would speak and exhort in the meetings of the church. While at school he came under the influence of a certain professor, who is a higher critic. He came home an infidel, and has not been inside a church since.'" "Regarding the present condition of affairs, Dr. Munhall said, 'The doctrine of a sanctified life is in contempt among us. Worldliness is on the increase. The theater, race track, and dance halls have been patronized as never before. In many parts of the country the Sabbath is little better respected than in France. . . . Agnosticism, Rationalism, Theosophy, Christian Science, Spiritualism, and many other delusions are alarmingly on the increase. Intemperance and crime also are increasing with rapid strides.'" "Dr. Munhall referred to an address made by the Rev. Dr. Cadman, who was present. The latter was much excited, and retorted vehemently:— "I claim to be just as loyal to Jesus Christ as any man here, and I don't go about the country telling my brethren that Methodist ministers are deserting the faith. Dr. Buckley tells me to keep cool, and I'll sit down." "The Rev. Dr. Anderson declared that Dr. Munhall was himself guilty of heresy. Dr. John Rhey Thompson said that the paper he had heard read was the most dangerous he had listened to in a long time. He said he was satisfied that the book of Isaiah had two authors and exclaimed: 'If that is heresy, prepare your charges.' Dr. Thompson wound up with a defiant declaration that he believed in evolution and had taught it twenty-five years. "In spite of all the opposition, Dr. A. B. Leonard moved a vote of thanks to Dr. Munhall, which was adopted." It is sad to think that the enemy inside of the breastworks is doing such effective work that the redoubtable "colonel" no longer finds it necessary to take up the cudjel against the Bible. Professed watchmen on the walls of Zion, placing in a new setting the ideas published by Paine and Voltaire, is indeed a scene calculated to make angels weep! But even this Dr. Munhall charges, and we greatly fear his charge is not overdrawn. "It is time for Thee, Lord, to work; for they have made void Thy law." Ps. 119: 126. G. B. THOMPSON.