It is a perfectly natural and proper feeling that prompted David, in his dirge on the death of Saul and Jonathan, to exclaim:

      It is equally natural and proper for Christians to be pained at anything which gives encouragement to unbelievers in their opposition to the truth as it is in Christ. Such is undoubtedly the effect of all the writings of the advanced critics, so far as unbelievers make themselves acquainted with them. Witness the following extract from a notice of Horton's "Verbum Dei," by the editor of the Arena:

      When such leaders of orthodoxy as Canon Farrar declare their faith in restoration, Professor Drummond accepts unreservedly the theory of evolution, Professor Briggs boldly announces the conclusion that many find God through the Bible, as did Spurgeon; through the church, as did Cardinal Newman, and through nature, as did Martineau; and lastly, when the American Board votes 126 to 24 in favor of Rev. Mr. Noyes--who believes in probation for the heathen--it is quite evident that a religious revolution is on in orthodox churches.--Arena for December. [83]

      To such a writer, Horton's lectures, in which he claims the same kind of inspiration which was enjoyed by the prophets and apostles, are, of course, very great productions; and the evident reason is that taking such ground is equivalent to saying that the prophets and apostles had no inspiration at all, in any proper sense of the word.

[SEBC 83-84]