No Room for Evolution.
We have been so often disappointed in reading so-called Bible Helps, that the reading of the following paragraph from an appendix to vol. i. of the new Oxford Companion Bible has given us real pleasure:—”The introduction to Genesis (and to the whole Bible), Gen. i. ver. 1, to chap. ii. ver. 3, ascribes everything to the living God—creating, making, acting, moving, and speaking. There is no room for evolution without a flat denial of divine revelation. One must be true, the other false. All God’s works were pronounced ‘good’ seven times (see Ap. 10), viz., Gen. i. 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31. They are ‘great,’ Psa. cxi. 2; Rev. xv. 3. They are ‘wondrous,’ Job xxxvii. 14. They are ‘perfect,’ Deut. xxxii. 4. Man starts from nothing. He begins in helplessness, ignorance, and inexperience. All his works, therefore, proceed on the principle of evolution. This principle is seen only in human affairs: from the hut to the palace; from the canoe to the ocean liner; from the spade and ploughshare to machines for drilling, reaping, and binding, &c. But the birds build their nests to-day as at the beginning. The moment we pass the boundary line and enter the divine sphere, no trace or vestige of evolution is seen. There is growth and development within, but no passing, change, or evolution out from one into another. On the other hand, all God’s works are perfect.”
Tercentenary of the Translation of the Authorised Version of the Bible.
It is now three hundred years since the Authorised Version of the Bible was translated. And notwithstanding the Revision made some thirty years ago, it still remains the Bible of the English-speaking race. In a pleasure-loving age it is encouraging to know that the printing presses of Oxford, Cambridge, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, and New York are pouring forth three thousand Bibles per day. The tercentenary of the Authorised Version is to be celebrated throughout the English-speaking countries. March has been appointed for England and Scotland as the month when meetings will be held to commemorate the great event.
The Church of Scotland.
In an article in the Hibbert Journal, Dr. Donald MacMillan, Glasgow, throws cold water on the present union movement between the U.F. and the Established Church. The article to those who stand by the old ways is disheartening reading not so much for its attitude to union as to the revelation it gives of the breaking away of the Scottish Churches from the old moorings. Here is a paragraph in reference to his own Church (the Church of Scotland), which we commend to those who have an ideal Church of Scotland as distinct from the actual:—”The Psalms of David in the metrical version, and at a later date the paraphrases, were all that was permitted in the praise of the Church, and long extemporary prayers, with a longer sermon, completed the service. All this is altered. In certain of the Presbyterian Churches, especially in some of those belonging to the Church of Scotland, say St. Giles’, Edinburgh, or Glasgow Cathedral, the worship is as rich and varied as in the Episcopal Church, and the best organs and the most beautiful music are also to be found in them. Many of the clergy read their prayers; a valuable service book has been prepared for their use by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland; and congregations that a few years ago persecuted their members for daring to introduce the slightest innovation, now accept quite gladly the changes and improvements that have been made.”
Reprint of Excellent Book.
We have much pleasure in observing that Messrs. Farncombe & Son, London, have re-issued in a neatly-bound form, “Theopneustia, or the Plenary Inspiration of the Scriptures,” by the late Dr. Gaussen, Professor of Theology at Geneva. The book is a standard one on the infallibility of the Holy Scriptures, and should be very widely circulated in these unbelieving days. It is not written in too technical or learned a style for ordinary intelligent readers, but may be perused with profit by “the common people.” A very suitable gift-book it is to thoughtful young men and women. Messrs. Farncombe & Son have issued it at a very moderate price—1/6; postage, 3d. extra. Three or more copies are to be had post free. Please note their address—30 Imperial Buildings, Ludgate Circus, London, E.C. We ought not to omit to say that this edition contains a Prefatory Note by the late C. H. Spurgeon, whose name is of world-wide influence. We earnestly hope that the publishers will get substantial encouragement from many quarters in their endeavour to circulate this valuable work.
Meeting of Scottish Protestant Alliance.
The annual meeting of this Alliance was held in the Christian Institute, Bothwell Street, Glasgow, on Tuesday evening, the 24th January. W. C. Maughan, Esq., was in the chair. Among the principal speakers were Dr. Long, medical missionary, Limerick, Ireland, Mr. Archibald Macneilage, Glasgow, Rev. A. C. Gregg, B.A., Loanhead, Rev. D. Ness, M.A., Whiteinch, and the Rev. Mr. Notarbartolo, an Italian evangelical minister, from Leghorn. Dr. Long gave an interesting account of his dealings with Roman Catholics in the south of Ireland, where he has suffered much persecution through the influence of the priests. Mr. Macneilage called emphatic attention, to what he justly termed the Belfast infamy, in the matter of the cruelly-treated Protestant wife. The Italian, Rev. Mr. Notarbartolo, gave a lively and interesting speech, which was much appreciated. Rev. D. Ness spoke with a good deal of the fire and enthusiasm of one who is an official among the Orangemen. The Protestant Alliance is henceforth to be merged in the Scottish Reformation Society, as a Western Committee of the same. There is much need of a real Protestant revival among the Churches in the love and practice of Reformation principles in doctrine and worship.