THE MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY. in existence,)-primary; and exhort ing to take heed unto it, in order to Editors of the American Friend:- the receiving of the spirit! And, inI find in the article entitled "New deed, some who hold this view of the Translation of the Bible," a statement Apostle's meaning, do as an unavoidin elucidation of the propriety of able sequence, boldly affirm that the making certain changes in our pres- heathen who have not the Scriptures, ent English translation, that the pas- are destitute of the light of God's sage in 2d Peter, 1st chapter, 19 verse, spirit in their hearts. And it would "We have also a more sure word of truly be so if the Apostle, by divine prophecy," is incorrect-that "this authority, referred to the Scripture rendering has led to much controver- in the expression "more sure," or sy, whether this was the written word "right sure word;" for if we are to of the Scriptures, or the word written take heed unto it, until the spirit in the heart. That the word of the should arise in the heart, it must be Scripture was meant by the Apostle first, or primary; it must be taken there can be no doubt, from the ex- heed unto before the receiving, or planation in the twentieth* and twenty-first verses. But that the written word was more sure than that voice which came from the excellent glory, we cannot believe." 66 I am glad to find one person holding the views of the writer of that article in regard to the meaning of this text, who recognizes the difficulty above named. But that the rendering of the passage, "We have also a right sure word," instead of more sure, removes all the difficulty " I think, upon closer examination,bringing the same amount of candor to bear upon the subject in this case as in the other, he will no longer be disposed to maintain. Without doubt he holds, as others do who entertain similar sentiments as to the meaning of the text, that the "day star" arising in the heart, means the arising of the light of Christ in the heart. With this fixed in our minds, let us examine the passage. We have also a right sure word of prophecy, unto which ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, UNTIL the day star arise in your hearts." Supposing the Apostle to have alluded to the Scriptures, his words would read substantially as follows: "Ye do well to take heed to these writings, UNTIL the "day star," or spirit, arise in your hearts;" thus making the Scriptures-the Old Testament, (for there was then no other Printed "Second" by mistake, on page 132.-EDS. arising of the spirit; which, of course, could not occur if we had not the Scripture to take heed unto. But it is certainly established beyond all controversy, that the spirit of God inwardly manifested, is the foundation of all true and saving knowledge. It is that which imparts a just sense of the truth and excellence of Scripture; and which alone can truly unfold, and properly apply it.Without it, man would be spiritually dead-totally so. "It is," said our Savior, "the spirit that quickeneth. How then could the Apostle say, and that to his fellow believers, "take heed" to the Scriptures until the spirit "arise in your hearts;" thus implying they were, as yet, destitute of the spirit, and making the Scriptures the prime quickener! It is said with a great deal of truth that the Scriptures are, as to the outward, their own best expositor. Take then a declaration of Paul's, as one exactly fitting the case. "For if the Gentiles which have not the law, (the Scriptures,) do by nature the things contained in the law, these having not the law (outwardly) are a law unto themselves, which show the work of the law written in the heart. Here is no exhortation to take heed to the Scriptures until the spirit arise in the heart, but an affirmation that it is there primarily, and without the Scriptures. "That the word of the Scripture was meant by the Apostle," it is observed, "there can be no doubt from the explanation," which follows. In what does that explanation con- of man that is in him; but the things sist? He simply speaks of the Scrip- of God knoweth no man, but the tures and declares their authority. spirit of God." Does that necessarily imply that he In consonance with this view of the meant the Scriptures when he did not text, the same Apostle speaks of those name them?-when he used the ex- who "unlearned and unstable," (that pression "more sure word?" Nothing is, unlearned in the school of Christ,) more can be fairly claimed than that wrest the Scriptures to their own he might have meant the Scriptures, destruction. This comes of not havwere there nothing connected with ing the true interpretation-of not the matter precluding it; which, that taking heed to the more sure word of there is, has already appeared. But prophecy-the spirit of the Lord further. let us observe the language; Jesus, so as to have their true mean'Knowing this first, that no prophecy ing unfolded. of Scripture is of any private inter- Adam Clark, who was a linguist, pretation. For the prophecy came in commenting on the text, finds no not in old time (or at any time,) by the fault with the words being rendered will of man, but holy men of God more sure, and I have no doubt they spake as they were moved by the Holy as nearly represent the meaning of Ghost. Now, it seems to me, one the Apostle as any that will be subof two things must have been intend- stituted. "Christ within "--the word, ed by the expression, "No prophecy or "spirit of prophecy," is more sure of Scripture is of any private inter- than any thing external can be. Even pretation;" either he would have that voice from heaven could only them know, that no prophecy of strike the outward ear; and therefore Scripture can be interpreted so as to the spirit within, which gives the apply to, or unfold private or special soul a true sense and appreciation of duties, (which we know is indeed a the things of God, is, or was more sure truth,) but that the "more sure word," than that, or the Scriptures, seeing it or spirit within, does manifest such dictated them. W. E. duties, and therefore should be heeded; or, which is more probable, that no prophecy of Scripture is, or can be, interpreted by the power and will of man; for this would be a "private interpretation;" but that its interpretation is, and must be, by that universal and true light, or Holy Spirit, (the same in all men, and therefore not private or special,) by which men spake them forth. In short, that of Friends, of Indiana Yearly MeetTHE First-day School Conference ing, at the session held in Richmond, in Third month, last year, adjourned to meet at Walnut Ridge, in Eighth sired to have notice of the meeting month next. The Secretary was depublished, as the time drew near. The Conference will be opened at 10 A. M. on Third-day, the 20th of Eighth month, 1867. Friends of Walnut Ridge will provide conveyance, both on Second-day evening and Thirdday morning, from Charlottesville, (the nearest railroad station,) to Walnut Ridge. DANIEL CLARK, Sec'y. he would have them bear in mind also the importance of "taking heed" to this more sure word, as an unfolder of the true scope and meaning of the "prophecy of Scripture;" simply, because that prophecy came from, or by that spirit. It was because "the prophecy came not by the will of man, " that it was said it was of no "private interpretation." This is WANTED.-A man and his wife to plainly the reason given. If it had take the care and superintendence of come by the will of man, it would the Boarding House connected with have been the will and wisdom of Farmers' Institute. For particulars, man could have reached unto, and write to Allen Jay or Isaiah H. Sleepinterpreted it. The things of man er, Farmers' Institute, Tippecanoe may be comprehended "by the spirit county, Ind. The American Friend. proper effort. But all connected with RICHMOND, IND., 6TH Mо., 1867. PUBLISHER'S CARD. We still furnish numbers from the first of the volume, and do not wish subscriptions to extend beyond the the paper, either as editors or publishers, are regularly occupied with other duties, and all our labor upon it is additional and gratuitously given. Hence we can do but little in extendIN issuing the sixth number of the ing our circulation, and must depend AMERICAN FRIEND we wish to express largely upon others. Hence, also, we our thanks to our patrons and those feel the greater freedom to ask the interested in the success of the paper, friends of the paper to lend a helping for the support they have given us, hand in this work. Let each one feel and to appeal to them for further as- that the success of the paper is, to a sistance in extending our circulation. considerable extent, in his own hands, We look upon our paper as an expe- and work for us and send us what aid riment in some respects. Convinced he can. We suppose that many perof the need of some such periodical, sons in various localities would gladand thinking that those who felt a ly subscribe for the paper if its claims similar want would in time cordially were presented to them. give the necessary support, if an opportunity was presented, we assumed the pecuniary responsibility of publishing this paper for one year. We year until the continuance of the were willing, indeed thought it our duty, to make this sacrifice of labor and means in order that an opportunity might be afforded for establishing a paper permanently. Our hope was that the encouragement offered in that time, in the way of subscriptions, would be such, that some person or persons of means, influence and business enterprise would be willing to take hold of the concern and carry it forward. We still hope so. The encouragement received from many warm hearted, active Christianworkers, has been truly gratifying. We feel that with their assistance the THIS beautiful line from Whittier, paper can be put on solid basis. But has been recalled by reading the two at the same time we think it our subjoined extracts, the first from the duty to say frankly and honestly to British Friend, Glasgow, Scotland, our friends and patrons that the paper and the second from the Gospel Her must have a much larger subscription ald, Dayton, Ohio. They are presentlist before it is placed upon anything ed as illustrations, in their kind, of like a safe business foundation. We the above caption. think this could be secured by the paper is fully determined. We will send an extra copy to any one sending us ten subscribers and ten dollars. The publication of the paper is guaranteed the current volume, and we want our friends to feel that its continuance another year will mainly depend upon the subscriptions they shall furnish before the close of the present year. We trust that our readers will pardon us for this allusion to ourselves and our work. "THE BREADTH OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY." "The extent to which difference of opinion and of practice is admissible our Society from descending to the among members of the same party or level of a dissenting sect. society is an interesting and perplex- "We have almost, if not entirely, ing question, and one which is often abandoned any society sanction to the presented to us in various ways. The writing of our members. At one difficulty of securing united action is time it was, I suppose, almost the rule almost in direct proportion to the that works of a religious or doctrinamount of intelligence and light al character should pass the Morning which exists. Thus in the political Meeting. I am not aware that we world it is much easier to keep the have suffered by the change. Our Tories united than it is the Liberals. "Book of Extracts" must, I suppose, Among the churches we hear of very be considered as an official declaralittle diversity of opinion in the tion. But so far as it can be looked Roman Catholic or the Greek Church. upon as the "creed" of the Society, While, on the other hand, among it is objectionable. No forms of those who call themselves "Friends," words, no book, can express the reand who claim to be followers of ligious convictions of a body of sinGeorge Fox, what wide extremes are cere independent minds. It is well found. Looking at our own country worthy of serious thought, whether alone, there is probably no other re- it is best to give a society sanction to ligious society which exhibits such the acts and words of our members, great diversity of views and practices any more than to their writings, and as exist among those who are con- one that I believe we shall soon have scientiously members of the Society to meet." of Friends. The tithe-rent charge "I am very fond of poetry, and question, which has occupied so much must conclude with an extract from thought during the last two Yearly an American poet, which contains Meetings is an instance of this. We deep meaning: descend state. * * * There's no finality in highest heaven. -British Friend. meet here and there with an individ- No creed is a finality,-mark this. ual who considers himself a "Friend," The combinations of pure thought that form and yet who accepts water baptism, The intellectual wealth of living men, or who would partake of the bread Because truths multiply from age to age, and wine, or who feels he ought to Cannot define bright empires that shall be pay church-rates, and a large number Thought-worlds for their successors.-Truths who do not unite with the bulk of the From God, through minds, according to their Society in many other matters. A succession of questions will inevitably continue to arise which will necessitate our searching into the true grounds and principles of union. I do not look upon this as cause for regret. It is, I think, one evidence of real religious, spiritual life amongst us, and which I believe is growing THE INDEPENDENT.--The New York within our borders every day. Independent is no longer the organ of "It was a question of this kind that the Congregational Church. While brought the Meeting for Sufferings it is to remain a religious paper, it into difficulty, when the subject of will not engage in doctrinal discusJoseph S. Sewell's visit to Madagas- sion in behalf of any special system car was before it. The meeting came of theology. It says: to the conclusion that it was not best that his work should be undertaken with the official sanction of the Society of Friends. I do not think it will be long before we have to look at some of these things from a broad point of view, if we are to preserve "So many men possess worse creeds and yet better characters than ourselves, that we totally despair of forcing the whole world into moral goodness through the narrow method of one prescribed belief. These columns, therefore, are conse- * * * crated to God and man; to religion doubles in size. Our robin red breast and civilization; to liberty, justice belongs to the Thrush family, and in and equality; to the family and the books on Ornithology, it is called by sweet human charities; to literature the curious name of Turdus Migraart and industry; in a word to human torious; which is the Latin for progress!" migratory Thrush. It has an olive This is another triumph of unsecta- gray back, black capped head, throat rian Christianity. It is another step streaked with white, and a yellowish toward the destruction of that self- red breast. The robin is welcomed righteousness and bigotry which on account of his familiar disposition makes itself the judge of the faith and cheerful notes. He appears in and hearts of men, unchristianizing early spring, and remains until late all who do not accept the interpreta- in autumn; his voice is heard from tions made not by themselves, but by early in the morning until late at the founders of their church. The night. Its course looking nest is built garment of sectarianism is too nar- of mud and straws, lined with some row and iron-like for a soul growing soft substance, and placed in very exup into the full stature of manhood posed locations near human dwellin Christ. The Independent has ings. The robin lays from four to six grown out of its strait-jacket, and bluish green eggs. The young are other papers are gradually shedding very voracious eaters, and are fed their shackles. Oh, for the fellowship chiefly on insects. In Massachusetts of all Christians throughout the land. the laws forbid their destruction any -Gospel Herald. time of year. In the last number of the AMERICAN FRIEND, our correspondent "B." under the head of "New Translation of the Bible," tells us how he understands the expression "a more sure word of prophecy," 2 Pet. 1; 19. In this number we publish an article from "W.E." taking a different view of its meaning. Neither of our correspondents gives exactly our explanation of the words in question. An article will probably appear in a future number taking a view differing somewhat from both of these. THE ROBIN. THIS name properly belongs to a family of warblers, of which there are fifteen genera mentioned, most of A robin's nest being thrown from a high limb by a storm, it was necessary to rear the sole survivor in a flies, and the pulp scraped from ears cage; it was fed with worms and of green corn, an entire ear being consumed at one meal, and the meals occuring several times a day. After attempts were made to teach it to use this bird was fully grown, repeated its wings, and to take care of itself. When taken to a field some distance away, it would return to the house learned to live like its fellows, but before its keeper could. It slowly would occasionally visit its old home, coming in at the windows and hopping about the room, and it would alight on the ground near those who had cared for it. The next summer a very tame robin visited the premises, and was supposed to be the little foundling. AND LIBERTY. H. which are found in the Old World. The Robin has been endear- THE MUTUAL DEPENDENCE OF TRUTH ed to very many American children by that touching nursery ballad, "The Babes in the Wood." However it refers to the robin of Europe. The bird which is in this country known as the robin red breast, is so called from its slight resemblance in color to the European robin, which it nearly TRUTH is a good old Saxon word, solid and earnest; it is the goal of every honest inquiry and of the most profound research. We seek after it daily, and when we find any portion of it unalloyed, we prize it greatly. |