RELIGIOUS WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 141, 16 June 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

RELIGIOUS WORLD.

PRESENT-DAY OUTLOOK. (Contributed.) OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY: IS IT AUTHENTIC?

Prffl. hing in the Tivoli Theatre last Sunday evening, the Kev. A. A. Murray, of the I'nited (Evangelical Church, said: If the Bible can be shown to be historically inaccurate then it is not inspired. Inspiration demands historical veracity and accuracy, 'l'hc older I get the more convinced am I that there is no book so historically authentic as the Bible. Its history cannot be assailed. The wonderful monumental discoveries being made nre all in the direction of verifying the historical validity of the Bible. There was a time when the Bible story of a universal flood was denied, but no reputable geologist to-day will question the Genesis story. The earth everywhere bears the marks of a fearful cataclysm. The first piece of Bible history to which I would call your attention is that concerning Egypt. In the days of the Old Testament prophets Egypt had reached the summit of her greatness. She was regarded as the mother of science, and art, and learning and sculpture. But Ezekiel, the prophet, affirmed that the day would come when all her greatness and glory would pass away. Among other things he said that Nebuchadnezzar would come against her, and destroy her land, lay waste her cities, carry her people away captive: that for forty years the people would remain ont of their land, and after that there would be a returning and a restoration, but the kingdom would not be restored to its former greatness. He also said that no prince of Egypt would again occupy the throne, and that the kingdom would be among the basest of kingdoms. Here then are statements which at the time they were made seemed impossible of fulfilment. But to-day every line has been fulfilled with terrible literalness. The amazing greatness and glory of Egypt has pa'ssed away. She is to-day a bare kingdom, and her present ruler is not of royal descent. She is never to hold dominion over other nations.

Who Shall Bring Me Down? In the second place let me call your attention to what the Bible has to say about the history of Edom. The Edomites descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob, and dwelt in Mount Seir. They were a great and powerful and warlike people. They established a wonderful civilisation. Their cities were magnificent, especially Petra, the capital of Edom. The prophet Obadiah speaks of their pride and sense of security in the following language: "The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clifts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, 'who shall brinj me down to the ground?'" In reply this boastful question the prophet said, "Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, hence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord."

Ezekiel speaks in the same strain. He tells us that Edom would become desolate; that her'cities would be laid in ruins; that her mountains, valleys and rivers would be filled with her slain. And that her desolations would be of a permanent character. Did these prophets tell the truth? Here is the answer. In the time of the Maccabees her desolations began. In B.C. 1220 Hyrcanus conquered Edom and forced the people -to adopt the Jewish religion or leave the country. But the sun of Edom did not go down at once in blood. Edom was still populous in the time of our Lord, and the prosperity of Petra continued long after the fall of Jerusalem. It was not till 636 A.D. that it was conquered by the Mohammedan forces, when it passed from the pages of history. Obadiah, the prophet, said that not p. single remnant of the house of Esau was to be left. Twenty-four centuries ago this prophecy was written, and to-day no Edomite can be identified. To-day Edom is a desolation. Her present condition vindicates the historicity of the Bible.

In 1812 A.D. Buckliart, the noted traveler entered Petra to find the ruins of which had once been the dwelling place of kings and warriors. The Philistines. Tn tlie third place let us look at the Bible history concerning Philiat'm, the land of the Philistipes. They occupied a small strip of land along the sea coast of the Mediterranean. They were a powerful and formidable people in the days of King Saul and King David. They were a maritime people, and did a great sea trade. But Bible history said that because of their wicked, revengeful spirit, and especially on account of their hatred of Israel they would be cut off; that all their cities would be destroyed and the sea coast

become the place of shepherds' huts and sheep folds. To-day the cities of Ekron. Ashdod, Ascalon, Gath and Gava have all passed into oblivion, and all that remains is some thirty or forty small villages. Again we see that the historicity of the Old Testament is beyond doubt. Further, let us note briefly the historical statements regarding Tyre. This country figured largely in the days of Solomon. Her great mercantile trade was world wide. The Tynans were wonderful ship builders, and helped greatly King Solomon. But the day came when her doom was declared, 'i he prophet Ezekiel announced that Nebuchadnezzar would invade her land and attack her city. This great king arrived - outtfWle the gates of the city of Tyre, and with a tremendous army laid siege to the city. This siege lasted for thirteen years, when the city walls shook, the gates broke down, and the horsemen with their chariots entered and slew the inhabitants.' But this was not the end of Tyre, an<r it seemed as though Ezekiel bad not told the truth. Those who were not in the city at the time of the siege made up thejr minds that they would build a new' city on a small island in the sea half a mile from tho mainland. This they did. But were they secure? Would they make void tho facts of scripture? Two hundred and forty years after Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed their city on the mainland, Alexander the Great came against their new city in the midst of the Mediterraneon. With the ruins of the old city he built abroad into the sea along which he brought his army. In. process of time the city in the sea laid in iruins, and thus was fulfilled ? viz.,'' And they *° Alexander and his men) 1 Mones and thy timber and tW, midst of the water." with the ruins of the jKSitSi n< * er built a roadto through the v (thus he overthrew, of the Bible.

Do Not be Frightened. Do not let us be in a hurry to discard our Bibles. Do not let us be frightened by the attacks made upon the historicity of the Bible. 'J he man who tells us that the history of the Bible is untrustworthy must coine forward with his proofs. When I find the Bible absolutely trustworthy in its history I am inclined to believe it in other matters. It presents to us the great character of history, Jesus Christ the Son of God, who became man that He by the sacrifice of Himself on the cross might obtain eternal redemption for us; a redemption tliat is to be had without money and without price, a redemption that may be yours oil the sole and simple condition of faith.

SACRISTY FOR WESTMINSTER ABBEY.

A sacristy is to be built at Westminster Abbey, in the corner formed by the east wall of the north transept and the north wall of the abbey. The new building will meet the growing needs of the abbey church, and its erection has now been made possible by the gift of an anonymous donor. To test the general effect of the new sacristy, a temporary structure is to be built, though a good idea of the appearance of the addition to the abbey may be gathered from a model which has been constructed. The architect is Mr. Walter Tapper, president of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Westminster Abbey has no vestry or sacristy of any kind. In addition to providing a robing room and a gathering place for great public occasions, the sacristy will serve as a repository for the abbey vestments and as a museum for the historical treasures in the custody of the dean and chapter. The dean stated that the public would have regular access to the sacristy and that the abbey's valuables could be displayed there in a way impossible hitherto. The building would provide a large well-lighted central room where from time to time popular lectures would be given on the possessions of the abbey. The new building will be about 30ft long and 25ft wide. The dean does not consider that the building will cause any interference with the lighting. At no point will the sacristy touch the wall of the abbey. The entrance from the main building will be through a corridor connecting the existing door in the side of the north transept with the sacristy. In external appearance the sacristy "is likely to be similar to the Jerusalem Chamber.

"CT— "ST AT THE ROUND TABLE."

"I came to India with everything to teach and nothing to learn. I now stayto learn as well, and I am a better man for having come into eontact with the crentle heart of the East," writes Dr. E. Stanley Jones, in his second book. "Christ at the Round Table" (Hodder and Stoughton). In his earlier book, "The Christ of the Indian Road," Dr. Jones expressed the belief that though Christianity may fail yet Christ will win in India. His theme is that though the people of India are not accepting the forms of Western Christianity they are in reality accepting Christ. He believes that Christianity may be so purified in India as to eventually purify the world.

Continuing his theme in "Christ at the Round Table," Dr. Jones states that the book lias actually written itself. He means that it has been evolving in the inmost depths of his being during twenty years of intimate eontact with the soul of the East. The thought is in keeping with the remarkable sincerity with which he fdls the role of sympathetic interpreter of the experiences of a people whose nature is deeply spiritual. In his work among the educated classes in India Dr. Jones has in recent years been led to adopt the method of roundtable conferences for Christians and for followers of other faiths in order that together they may consider how religion is working and how deeper reality may be found.

Apart from its illuminating treatment of the central topic, the book presents a lucid analysis of varieties of religious thought in India. It deals with the followers of Vedanta, and of the philosophy that sees the Supreme Being in the impersonal Brahma; the followers of Bhakti, and of their devotion to personal God or gods; the followers of Karma Yoga, and their belief in the way of works; those who are sceptical; those who are deeply influenced by Christianity; and a group holding miscellaneous views.

Of deeper significance still is the spiritual import of the experiences exchanged in the.stimulating atmosphere of the round table, and one can realise with the writer that each conference was in truth "a clinic of souls." Leadin*: up finally to the thought of the "cosmic round table," Dr. Jones concludes his challenging book with the affirmation that for all nations "Christ j U life's complete affirmation."

CURRENT NOTES.

Speaking at All Hallows' Church, London, Sir Francis Younghusband, »of North-west Frontier and Tibetan fame, said: "My work in the outskirts of the Empire lias made me realise how important it is to keep the heart of the Empire beating strong and true. What we in England must do is to serve our beloved Church by bringing our religion into our national life."

Alluding to the religious reports in the Press as evidence of increasing popular interest, the "Church Times" remarks: "It is a matter of considerable interest that even the newspapers with the most unqualified popular appeal appear to regard religion as of almost equal importance to greyhound racing. AngloCatholics should not neglect this increasing interest. All of "'us are too often talking to the converted, and no opportunity should be lost for stating the case to the world."

Writing in the "Church News," the I Bishop of Christchurch (Dr. West Watson) refers to a very delightful letter which he has received from Professor Grant, who was at Canterbury College for a year while Dr. Higlit was in England. *He is Sending to the Cathedral a copv* of the first edition of the Authorised Version of the Bible (1611). £s a token of his warm Appreciation and gratitude for its services while he was in the Dominion. "I loved the Cathedral," he writes, "very mucj indeed when I was in Christchurch and had an almost superstitious feeling about its influence on the Dominion. For religion, for civilisation, and for art it seems to me one of the great forces in the land. We on oui* part (says the Bishop) valued Professor Grant's fellowship in the Services of the Cathedral while he was here, and shall value both his wonderful gift and the encouragement his lettee gives us to consecrate our Cathedral services, spiritually and musically and more earnestly to the service of God in our city and country.