This leads me to your question, "What do you do with the Immaculate
Conception? Why was that way employed to compel people to accept
the divinity of Christ?" Ask as many questions as you please, and I
will answer them in letter, or send some sermon or tract to throw
light on the subject to you. Monday, will mail to you "The
Incarnation," by Rev. J. W. Chadwick, wherein you will see that
many of the doctrines of the early times were invented by the men
of the day to suit some purpose of their own. Will shortly send you
a lesson paper by Rev. William C. Gannett, of St. Paul, Minn., on
"The Christmas Story and the Christmas Fact." These stories or
"legends" concerning Jesus were written some time after his death.
"Bible for Learners" says--[Here is copied a long extract.] I have
said enough to let you know that we do not accept these "legends"
as literal truth; and you will understand, from "The Incarnation,"
that Jesus was not miraculously born any more than we all are.
Jesus never claimed it for himself, as you will find as you read
what I send you from time to time. It was a doctrine created by the
Church to suit later days. I was glad to have you speak freely of
yourself, and hope that we may make religion, the Bible, and Jesus,
natural, simple, true, and beautiful to you and your
daughter,--something that you can take hold of and live out in your
daily lives, and be thankful that you _live_. Hoping that you may
have further questions to ask, and wish to borrow books on subjects
of interest to you,
Very truly your friend, S. ELLIS.
There is a book that will throw much light on your question
concerning the early view of Christ, "Orthodoxy and Heresy," by
Rev. E. H. Hall. We have it to loan.
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