Those who are more or less familiar with what is...

THOSE who are more or less familiar with what is known as "the higher criticism," have noted two salient facts respecting it, namely, that of late years it has steadily grown more daring and destructive, more ready to question what have been regarded as the vital teachings of Christianity, and that not infrequently it has found the strength of its argument against theological teaching in the premises and positions of that teaching. This is illustrated in the use which the materialists have made of the theologians' concession to the reality of matter and of evil, a concession from which the philosophically inclined have built up an altogether logical and consistent argument in support of a concept of the universe and its government which practically rules out God altogether, or else gives Him a character which it is impossible either to love or respect.