"Prove all things, hold fast that which is yood."—I Thes., v, xxi.
All who observe the drift of the thought and opinion of the age with regard to religious subjects and subjects akin to religion, are aware that, largely ay a result of what is called the Higher Criticism, many are coming to look upon the collection of books which comprise the Bible with doubt and even with suspicion. Of these there are some who probably have a sense of relief asa consequence of being able to persuade themselves that the book, which so sternly judges and condemns the manner of life which they delight to follow, is devoid of the august, the Divine authority which was wont to be claimed for it. And certainly there are. many more in whom any snisgiving as to the Heavenly Origin and Authorshiy of the book is fraught with pain an dismay. They cannot let go their hold upon the book, or rather it will not loose its hold upon them, and yet they find themselves unable to read it with the confidence or to rejoice in it with the simplicity which they did before the views of the critics became known to them. At the extreme left of these two classes of people, are found men who shout against the Bible ud men who shout for the Bible; but, shouting, however loud it may be, is not argument, and is as frequently indicative of fear as of faith, of weakness that would hide itself as of strength, it counts for nothing either on the one side or the other.
Now there is one thing which needs to be declared as widely and emphatically as. possible, Itis this; thst we who profess
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.