Question. What is your opinion of the Old Testament? Answer. "My
opinion is that it is not one book, but many--thirty-nine books bound
up in one. The date and authorship of most of these books are wholly
unknown. The Hebrews wrote without vowels and without dividing the
letters into syllables, words or sentences. The books were gathered up
by Ezra. At that time only two of the Jewish tribes remained. All
progress had ceased. In gathering up the sacred book, copyists
exercised great liberty in making changes and additions."
Q. Yes, we know all that, but is the Old Testament inspired? A. "There
maybe the inspiration of art, of poetry, or oratory; of patriotism--and
there are such inspirations. There are moments when great truths and
principles come to men. They seek the man and not the man them."
Q. Yes, we will admit that, but is the Bible inspired? A. "But still
I know of no way to convince any one of spirit and inspiration and God
only as His reason may take hold of these things."
Q. Do you think the Old Testament true? A. "The story of Eden may be
an allegory; the history of the children of Israel may have mistakes."
Q. Must inspiration claim infallibility? A. "It is a mistake to say
that if you believe one part of the Bible you must believe all. Some
of the thirty-nine books may be inspired, others not; or there may be
degrees of inspiration."
Q. Do you believe that God commanded the soldiers to kill the children
and the married women and save for themselves the maidens, as recorded
in Numbers 31:2? Do you believe that God upheld slavery? Do you
believe that God upheld polygamy? A. "The Bible may be wrong in some
statements. God and right can not be wrong. We must not exalt the
Bible above God. It may be that we have claimed too much for the
Bible, and thereby given not a little occasion for such men as Mr.
Ingersoll to appear at the other extreme, denying too much."
Q. What then shall be done? A. "We must take a middle ground. It is
not necessary to believe that the bears devoured the forty-two
children, nor that Jonah was swallowed by the whale."