94
The Fundamentals.
A STRANGE PHENOMENON. Herein, as it seems to the writer, we have an explanation for the strange phenomenon that Romanism is gaining ground rapidly in Protestant England and America, while steadily los ing influence in those countries where it has had almost exclu sive sway over the consciences of the people. The latter coun tries have never enjoyed the privileges of the open Bible. They have never had any links attaching them to the living Word of God. All they have had is “the church,” and that they are now judging by its fruits. But in England and America it is far otherwise. For many generations, from father to son, the people have been knit by many strong and tender ties and associations to the Word of the living God. Its influences upon the customs and life of the people have been many and potent. Only those whose minds are blinded will deny the mighty influence which the Bible has exerted as a factor in the national prosperity of the English-speaking countries. The great universities have been their pride, and have been counted among the national bul warks ; and the Bible has been the foundation stone of the uni versities. But now a change has come—so swiftly and so stealthily that we can scarcely realize what has happened. The universities have discarded the teaching of the Bible, and have repudiated its authority as the divinely inspired teacher. Only at “Catholic seats of learning” is its teaching professed. What wonder, then, in a time of general disintegration and unrest, that the children of Bible-loving ancestors should be drawn by thousands to a system which has the appearance of stability, where all else is falling to pieces, and which, with all its errors, does proclaim the infallibility of the Holy Scriptures! Whoso is wise will consider these things. A SUDDEN CHANGE. Professor James, in his lectures at Manchester, treats the teaching of the Bible as being now so utterly discredited and
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