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VOL. LXXXVl. RICHMOND.
The Bible an
The education of the human race began' in the
Garden of JSden, and it began with a lesson in
obedience. The knowledge of good and evil was
acquired, and the penalty for the method of acquisition
was the logical one of the continuation of that
knowledge, and the evaluation 'by it oif all personal
conduct.
The core of life not being mechanical skill, industrial
efficiency, or technical knowledge, it follows
that the core of time dynamic education Is not
mechanical, industrial, technical, or even,
merely intellectual. These elements have
their place, but are subordinate, and contingent
upon special aim*, and therefore B
inadequate to solve fully the problem, of B
education for the most efficient life service.
The vital factor in life Is the ability B
to discriminate 'between good and evil,
and to follow that which is good. I B
Even the mechanical efficiency enthusiast
admits the importance of character,
and although some of the eanmarks of
| the fad seem atilaohed to present day
character-teaching, If we may call it that, B
yet the venerable truth of the determining
power of individual character for any B
kind of efficiency, is appearing in clearer
outline amid the maze of commercial, industrial,
and social ideals. Character be- B
lug the vital aim of education, the Bible I
is therefore a vital factor, wherever education
touches character and the vital
springs of righteous human activity. This
1b true in history, in literature, in econom- B
iss, in sociology, in politics, la philosophy,
in ethics, in religion, in jbll pants of the B
Intellectual and social realm that have
directly to do with the personalty of the B
man.
The chief reason why the Bible is vital
to personal efficiency is that it aflone
gives adequate knowledge of God. Short
of this, there is no authority Dor moral
law, no baais for ethics, no spring tor
righteous character. Schemes of moral
education with God left out are as foredoomed
to failure as were the aitheistioaJ H
vagaries of the French (Revolution, an jgl
opinion corroborated by the actual experience
of France and Japan. There is H
no adequate basis for ethical system short H
of the' constitution of man in relation to
God. A morality of merely human relations
is possible, but without motive power,
a headless body. No nation without the
Bible has ever had a sound system of efthdcs. The
Bible is the answer-hook for the moral and social
problems of life. In the Bible d<uty is demanded on
the authority of God. Said a distinguished Kentuoktan:
"Without the firm conviction of the existence
of a moral Ruler, there can be no such thing
as moral laws."
A Japanese statesman said recently: "It is
impossible to inculcate flTmly, fair and upright
ideals in the mind of the nation unless the people
are brought in totfch wltih the fundamental conception
known as Ood, Buddha, or Heaven, as taught
In religion/' The famous Count Okutna of Japan
has this to say: "The fatal defect in the teaching
of the great sages of Japan and China is that while
they deal with virtues and morals, they do not sufficiently
dwell on the spiritual nature of man, and
any nation that neglects the spiritual, though it may *
flourish for a time, must eventually decay. The
origin of civilization is to be found in the teachings
of the sage of Judea, by whom alone the necessary
NEW ORLEANS, ATLANTA, DECEM
d Education
dynamic is supplied." "Reason and experience,"
said' Washington, "both forbid ue to expect that
national morality cau prevail in exclusion of religious
principles." Even Prof. Huxley was "perplexed to
know by what practical measures the religious feeling,
which is the essential basis of moral conduct.
is to be kept up without the use of the
Bible." President Eliot has said that "nobody knows
how to teach morality effectually without religion.
Exclude religion from education and you will leave
pr*
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JHh|
REV. E. W. McOORKLE, D. D.
Pastor of Bethesda Church, and hie little son.
no foundation upon wihnch to bui'ld a moral character."
The National Teachers' Association once
passed a resolution that "the Bible shoul-d be recognized
as the text book of ethics, and that the Word
of God, which made free schools, should hold an
honored place In them." Who, at the foot of Calvary,"
wrote a gTeat thinker, "can pronounce sin
a sMght matter?" As well attempt to teaoh patriotism
without a country, as morals without a God.
Because civilization has its roots in the truths of
the BiMe, because men have aKwavs found the
Bournes of righteous motives in its pages, the onward
trend of the nations and the great nwveffluents
of history are firlly Illumined only to the Bible student.
"The progress of Christianity," wrote a political
philosopher, "Is the progress of man."
"Whether the things believed are real or otherwise,
it is certain that the beliefs of the Christian
' : (Continued on page *> ~31,1
J
I k
ytepia/h
l Presbyter/an *r
ern Presbyter/an
BER 18, 1912. NO. 5Q. I
X t
BETHESDA CHURCH.
Is beautiful for situation, crowning & fine eminence
overlooking the Rockbridge Baths, in the shadow
of splendid mountains, and not far from the gateway
to the famous Goshen Pass, through which
'Maury wished to be carried when dead. Juert at the
entrance of this grand mountain gorge is Wilson's*
Springs where the church was organized in 1825, with
14 members, by a committee composed of Rev. A. B.
Davidson and Rev. John D. Ewing, of the Lexington
Presbytery. On the roster of a Revolutionary
Company raised "ye 11th of August," 1759, appears
the name of John 'MoCown, one of the first elders
of this church. At the first. Presbyterian and Methodist
congregations worshipped in the
same building. But in 1843 the Presbyts
nana erected and dedicated their first
building. The next year the Lexington
IPresfoytery convened in this church and
the famous "Skinner triai" was begun.
Ministerial Succession.
Rev. (A. B. Davidson, one of the organ'
iters, preached for some years, though not
continuously, until his regular molstry bef
gan in 1830. From this time he ministered
to the church for more than twenty years
until about 1852. Rev. J. B. Ramsey followed
him, preaching for one year only
Rev. W. W. Trimble, the first pastor to be
regularly Installed, fed the flock during
the war, or until 1865. Rev. R. J. Taylor
then had charge of the churoh for five
years?1867-1872. He was succeeded by
Rev. D. C. Irwin. During his ministry a
meeting was conducted by Rev. C. M. Howr
ard, when many valuable additions were
made to the church.
Rev. C. W. Humphreys came in 1875 and
was the first pastor to devote hds entire
time to the church. While he was pastor
the present building was erected.
Rev. W. M. MScElwee began his career
an naatnr In 10Ort
jr iu *?uw aiAi cuucu rt ILL 19V1.
His mantle fell upon his son-in-law, Rev.
Henry Mi Her, who finished his labors here
in February, 1911. The present pastor,
, Rev. E. W. McCorkle, was Installed in the
autumn of 1911.
The church was much strengthened dur.
ing the pastorate of Rev. A. B. Davidson
and Rev. W. M. McElwee; their work as
well as that of Rev. Henry Miller was
greatly blessed. The church developed in
every way. Varied and extensive Improvements
were made both to the manse and
/ " otouroh. until these buildings are as attractive
as can be found in the country
anywhere. During Mr. Miller's pastorate
the "McElwee chapel was built also. In
all of these Improvements the people were greatly
aided and' encouraged by Mrs. McElwee and Miss
Miller, the mother and the daughter. Time fails
to refer to the 'long line of godly men who have
lived and died as elders and deacons and members
of the church for almost a century. Or to the noble
women who have given their devoted service to the
highest welfare of this church fipr well nigh i>ne
hundred years. The roll has now passc4^1ke 300
mtark, more than 60 having been added in the past
year. J. A.. McN.
*TV? -fhiln aJt-rneMvo ?*
?. v uuunui7i icBuii, ucavrsi auu
Mrs. Lee often came during their life in I>exington.
Xt that time, just after the war, the Tournaments
were very popular with the old soldiers, many of
whom were young men. On one occasion the Queen
bad been crownjd, when General Lee came forward,
and took the hand of the young Rowena, now a
grandmother, saving as he did so, that "she was
the first queen with whom he ever had the honor
te 9hake hands." ?