THE GOSPEL FOR TO-DAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1907, Page 7

THE GOSPEL FOR TO-DAY.

A SERMON BY DR. GRATTAN GUINNESS. /"For t am nob. ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to ivery one that believeth." This declaration by the apostle Paul in the l6th verse of the Epistle to the Romans vras taken by the Rev. Dr. Grattan Gxdnness as the text for an evangelical adarcs3 given last night in the Kentterrace Presbyterian Church before a congregation that well filled the buildtag- "In some explanatory remarks and a personal explanation preceding his sormon, the preacher briefly reviewed tho ch»f features of the bearing of scientific* research upon the Scriptures. Thero woite to-day, ho said, many people thfdughout the world who were having their views of the Bible disturbed- or jnodified by the influence of scientific feseajreh. _ Their views were affected by RStronomical, geological, and biological discoveries. Our conceptions, said the preacher, of the creation as outlined in the book of Genesis had led us against the belief that this great and wonderful world had been created in six days, as we understand the day's durationBiology had affected our opinion regarding the fifll of man. But the lower animals h(id nothing in common with man"s mental, moral, and spiritual qualities. There was no need to go back to the fall erf man to find out about sin. Huxley, Darwin, and the evolutionists know nothing about sin ; Paul catalogued the sins. Science de*lt with the material in life, and had nothing to do ■with Jthe moral aspect, and science knew nothing of the future of man. Modern views Tjad been modified concerning the inspiration of the Scriptures. There was agreement regarding Divine inspiration, Tbut differences as to the methods of . revelation. What, then, concluded the preaebst in hia preface, has been the effect of rll my enquiries, as preacher, teacher, and scientist, upon the Word of G6d as affected by science. Nil ! There was no gospel but the old and tho evertasting. Gospel. This declaration was given with Such emphasis that it wrung cries of "Hoar, hear," from the audience. Dr. Guinness then proceeded to deliver his message: Tho testimony of God through the Gospels, and expounded his text in simple language and effective terms, with much earnestness and without any extravagances of speech or gesture. He expressed his objection to modern systematic theology, which aimed' at tift much. The outstanding feature of tho Gospels — their preface, foundation, dominant note, their glory, and {.hcir^ honour — was "grace," that graco which brought salvation. The preacher concluded with a direct personal appeal to all to turn to tho way of nlvation ' Df, Guinness is to give his final address in Wellington this evening in the Baptist Church, Vivian-street.