selves more with the practical utility of the Word of God. Even admitting that errors of transcription may exist, and questions of authorship be raised, the fact remains, that here is the revealed Word of Jehovah. In the main, it is generally accepted as inspired. In point of cardinal doctrines therein revealed, no question has ever been raised. All bodies of Christians accept the doctrine of man's sinfulness and the Divine remedy through faith in Christ. Enough. It is sufficient to know that we have a disease and that a remedy is provided. This is ample as a working creed for all men. It is not for us, in this discussion, to enter into the value or the extent of a creed for the Church. Suffice it to know that a condition of sin exists, and that God has provided a remedy in the redemptive work of His Son. Shall we refuse the remedy from the hands of the physician, until we shall have learned its chemical or physiological action? Shall we repudiate the essential specific, until we shall have mastered "Materia Medicæ." This were the height of folly. When our heart shall be made right with God, the theology of St. Paul will be good enough for us, "I believe God."1 That is to say, 66 God says so. I believe it." And this is heart belief -trust-faith. 1 Acts 27: 25. "True faith and reason are the soul's two eyes. One evermore looks upward and descries Objects remote; while reason can discover Things only near-sees nothing that's above her. Though each is good, they sometimes disagree, And sometimes both are closed and neither see." CHAPTER VI THE WORLD'S SOUL FAMINE THE human race is in peril of the curse prophesied by Amos;-"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land; not a famine of bread nor thirst for water; but of hearing the words of the Lord."1 "Is the human race doomed to starve?" This was the question propounded by Dr. Edward Atkinson, at a congress of scientists which recently met at Columbia University. In a learned paper he answered it by saying, "It will be that way, unless scientists get to work, and get to work without delay." He proved that the world is rapidly being denuded of its necessary supply of potash. Every crop of grain harvested, every tree cut down, is taking more or less potash from the soil, while none is being restored by any effort of nature. The entire auxiliary supply, which is very inadequate at the present, comes from a single mine in Saxony, Germany. Dr. Atkinson affirms that vast stores must be discovered somewhere, or soon there 1 Amos 8: II. |