THE BIBLE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20413, 7 December 1931, Page 8

THE BIBLE.

ITS PLACE IN MODERN LIFE ARCHBISHOP JULIUS'S SERMON. . "All of Jdu know how for centuries, especially in England, the Bible was the one great Book, holding a unique position, constantly read, always witfcin reach, and always loved and known. Yet to-day, generally speaking, the Scriptures are little read; are certainly not loved and known as they were a few years ago," declared Archbishop Julius in the course of his sermon at the Cathedral last evening. - "How did thia come about!" asked the preacher. In earlier times men had theories in regard to the Scriptures which were very definite. The Bible, being the Word of God, must be infallible. So the masses of the people thought, and undoubtedly the Bible to them was then a source of strength and comfort. The outward form of the Bible, quite apart from its spiritual meaning, was written and drawn Bp by human instrumentality, and was therefore amenable to criticism like any other form of literature. In common with all other things, the Scriptures had during the last fifty years uassed through a period of criticism and enquiry, with the result that old theories and beliefs had broken down, and naturally, for they were such that no intelligent man would to-day maintain. Effects of Criticism. This searching criticism, while making the Bible infinitely more helpful as a better understanding of it came about, nevertheless deterred many from further study. A great number thus distrusted itwithout quite knowing why. "What does the plain man say in face of this criticism! He knows what his parents and grandparents thought of the Bible. But he knows now that it is not infallible. He knows that it is not entirely trustworthy, and that he eannot rely unreservedly upon its statements as they did, and the result is that in these busy days he turns elsewhere." The Archbishop said that while the faculty of music was absent from the make-up of some people, those in whom nnrTf r " dime a ta *y were encouraged to pursue the art, while those in whom there was the spark of genius were allowed to study under the verv best masters. Yet when it to .aid "No." & tte S BibU brought into touch with the ereat meters of spiritual life vet in JS. efforts of the Church ° f the people were growing up in ien<irniT OTUI § it. beautiful and >a^bV B °"S£ One might at the present time *o many a home and not find athm ß It had been excluded from thl® schools of the country Thf public urged that it was a Sarv Christians to place the y the reach of the children it would be starved of «„without of their life. essential part