In addition to the editorial announcement already made in the Christian Standard, that the undersigned is expected to begin, with the incoming year, the editorial conduct of a department of Biblical criticism in this paper, I deem it proper to make an announcement of the reasons for opening such a department, and of the plan on which it is to be conducted.

      For years past I have observed with much solicitude and pain the increasing tendency, both in Great Britain and America, to adopt the methods of destructive criticism which originated in the rationalistic schools of Germany. This tendency has been conspicuous in the writings of many scholars of high repute, and it has spread like leaven among the masses of the reading and thinking young people of both countries. It has infected the minds of thousands of preachers, both old and young, and it threatens to bring about a radical revolution in the public estimate of the Bible. While this tendency has alarmed me, I have been at the same time constantly chafed as I have read the writings of these critics, and seen how much of the shallowest sophistry, and the baldest dogmatism, which they have published, is being [1] taken for conclusive proof and profound learning. I have been alarmed, let it be understood once for all, not for the Bible itself, as though it was in danger of perishing, but for the souls that are being led astray, and for the incalculable loss to the cause of truth and salvation which results from a weakening of the faith of those who preach the Word.

      I have also observed that, like the promoters of all other erratic and schismatical schemes, the advocates of this destructive criticism have been much more zealous in pushing its claims than those who reject it have been in combating them. Whole libraries of books and pamphlets have been published on that side, with only here and there a volume in response. Magazine articles, and articles in weekly newspapers, have openly or covertly spread these so-called advanced ideas among the people, and even the secular papers have echoed them, while the little that has been written in opposition has been in the main either rudely or timidly presented.

      Moved by these facts and considerations, I opened correspondence last spring with several scholars of different denominations, on the subject of starting a monthly magazine to be devoted to the conservative side of this controversy, calling attention to the need of it, and to the fact that, while the other side is represented by at least two very ably edited monthlies in Great Britain, whose pages are almost exclusively devoted to it, there is not a periodical of any kind in either Europe or America devoted to that which those scholars, like myself, believe to be the true side. They all expressed their hearty approval of the suggestion, one of the most eminent of them saying that it was impossible to exaggerate its importance. They all expressed the same [2] anxiety in regard to the spread of wrong ideas on the subject among the young people of their respective churches, and were willing to make a common fight against a common foe. But when it seemed as if the enterprise was almost sure of being practically set on foot, some of them, men whose names and co-operation seemed necessary to its success, declined to take part in it for fear of a financial failure, which they thought would be discouraging in its effects. In consequence of this, the enterprise was abandoned, at least for the present. This led to the announcement of the proposed critical department in the Standard. I volunteered my services as editor of such a department, because I was not willing longer to sit still and witness the progress of an evil which I may be able, in some small degree, to check by means of the information which I have been able to acquire, and which, by the blessing of God, I may yet acquire as the days pass on.

      It may appear strange to many that such a department should be opened in a weekly religious journal, which goes freely into the family circles of the people; and it is true that the Christian Standard is the first journal of the kind to make such a venture: but the questions to be discussed are obtruding themselves into all circles of thinking people, and it is wiser that they shall reach the people through the friends of the Bible than through its foes; in a form calculated to strengthen their faith, rather than in a form to weaken or to destroy it.

      To persons who think that the questions raised by the higher criticism can be discussed only in long and labored essays, it may seem injudicious to attempt it in a weekly paper; and there is no doubt that this is true of some phases of the controversy; but then there is a [3] wide range of investigation involved, which requires for its prosecution, and for its intelligible presentation, nothing more than good common sense, and the learning which is within the reach of many scholars of moderate attainments; and it is by the discussions which lie within this range of thought that all the issues raised are to be ultimately settled in the public mind. We enter upon our task, therefore, thoroughly confident that we shall be able to do valuable service, if a favorable Providence shall attend our labors, and that, even if we shall be compelled to leave some questions out of sight, we shall be able to discuss fully those which are of the most vital importance, and that we shall at least be able to occasionally "shoot folly as it flies."

      Our plan, as far as it is at present laid out, contemplates the use of from two to three columns of the paper weekly. These will be occupied partly by short paragraphic articles, partly by selected matter, and partly by more elaborate editorials and contributed articles, some of which may run through several issues of the paper. We hope to secure assistance in the work from some scholarly brethren who have paid attention to critical discussions, and if, at any time, competent writers opposed to our views shall volunteer something well written on the other side, we shall welcome it and give it respectful consideration.

      The range of discussion in the department is not to be limited to higher criticism, but it will extend to all other questions of Biblical criticism, whether textual, exegetical or historical. We shall be glad to welcome contributed articles of merit on all these topics, and also queries on any relevant topics which have puzzled or embarrassed any of our readers. [4]

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