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For Oliver Wendell Holmes, as a genial poet, we have ever had a warm admiration; against him, as a man, we have neither knowledge nor prejudice. But we are constrained to think that he lacks the candor, the fairness, the humility, and the thorough, experimental knowledge which would fit him for the vocation of a religious teacher. He addresses a vast audience from the platform of the " Atlantic Monthly." Let him take heed to himself and to his doctrine, remembering that unto whom much is given, of him will much be required. Let him bear in mind, with reference to his highest and most permanent influence among mankind, the declaration of our Lord: "Whosoever shall fall upon this stone shall be broken." The great truths of Sin, Retribution, and Redemption are central in the system of Christ, and the man, however gifted, who hurls himself against them, will but damage himself, and such as are misled with him, while the truths remain impregnable.

ARTICLE VII.

GENERIC APPLICATION OF APOCALYPTIC

SYMBOLS.

THE Apocalypse has had a remarkable history. There is scarcely any book of the Scriptures on which so much has been written, and of which such widely different expositions have been made. In view of the numerous and unsatisfactory expositions, many are strongly inclined to the belief that the Revelation is an exception to the statement of Paul, that "all Scripture is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness."

But infinite wisdom does nothing in vain, and as this book is a part of the inspired volume, it should be regarded as something more than a collection of dark enigmas which must always remain without solution. Its symbols have a significance, and there is some way by which they can be interpreted so as to be eminently instructive and interesting.

The most commonly adopted mode of interpreting this book

is the church-historical theory. This was adopted by Luther, who forcibly expresses its characteristic peculiarity when he says: "Since the book is to be a revelation of future events, and specially of great tribulations and distress of Christendom, we think that the simplest and surest way of finding the interpretation would be to put together from the annals of history, the past history and troubles of Christendom, and to put them beside the symbols of the Revelation and compare them with the words. Then, whenever it would nicely fit and coincide, there we might depend on obtaining a sure and incontrovertible interpretation.

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There is another theory- the generic one. the generic one. According to this, the Revelation does not contain specific predictions of individual events, so much as warning and comforting prophecies concerning the great leading powers and events which are connected with the conflict between the kingdom of Christ and that of Satan. Its symbols are so generically significant, that they are not absolutely confined at any one period to single specific events, but as Lord Bacon says, "they have springing and germinant accomplishment throughout many ages, though the height or fullness of them belongs to some one age," and thus every age may learn from them more and more how to recognize and guard against the various attacks of the enemy and the afflicted Church of Christ at all times receive courage and consolation.

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This theory has several advantages above the first. It is more consistent with the great Protestant principle, that the Bible is the best interpreter of itself. According to the historical theory, the interpretation of the Revelation depends chiefly, if not entirely, on history. Interpretation and fulfilment are confounded, the former being dependent on the latter. Instead of the book enabling us to understand the times, the times must interpret to us the book. Though history may aid us to a clearer knowledge of the Revelation, yet the book is evidently adapted to enable us to discern or properly interpret the signs of the times, to enable us to learn the general character of future events, and to see to what great results the events of history tend, while each event in an important sense becomes the symbol of that to follow in the series, and so on to the end.

According to the generic view the mode of interpreting the Revelation need not be an exception to the great Protestant principle just referred to. When we examine this book, we find it to be exceedingly Hebraistic in its forms of expression and modes of representation. By this circumstance we are referred to the Old Testament Scriptures, in order to understand the meaning. It resembles in such a degree the prophetic writings of the Old Testament, that the interpreter is best qualified to understand its teachings, who is most familiar with the diction, the symbols, imagery, and spirit of the ancient prophets and poets. Thus this book, in common with the other books of the Bible, can be interpreted by comparing Scripture with Scripture.

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The generic theory is very comprehensive. Though it differs from the church-historical one, yet it embraces it as far as it goes. The generic view does not cast aside the numerous specific applications of the symbols that have been made; it includes these in the main, but it does not stop here it comprehends all other applications that can be shown down to the end of time. One may say that a symbol applies specifically to a certain event, the correspondence between them being very manifest; another may apply the same symbol exclusively to another event, the correspondence being equally evident; and thus a great number of expositors, as is often the case, may apply the same symbol to many distinct events, and at the same time all may be correct in applying the symbol to several events, while each is wrong in confining it to only one event.

This theory corresponds best with the great design God had in view in giving the Apocalypse. Some suppose that it was given to afford comfort and encouragement to the Church during the age in which it was written, and that then it was entirely fulfilled. But the Revelation was not designed to be of local and temporary application. Whoever studies it, readily sees that there are two general classes of agencies and events represented, which belong to the two kingdoms on earth, that are in direct conflict with each other. It was designed to afford instruction and encouragement to the children of God in all ages, and under every form of persecution and trial, and to give assurance at all times that true religion will be triumphant.

With such a design the generic theory of interpretation is more consistent than any other. The symbols of the book had a striking application in the age in which it was written this was what the infant and persecuted Church then needed. But the Church of Christ in after-ages would be in substantially the same need, and the symbols of the book regarded in their generic application would be best adapted to meet the want which it was the chief purpose of God to supply. Placing the evident design of the Apocalypse and the generic theory together, there seems to be a very striking consistency between them.

Another advantage of the generic view is, that it tends to prevent many erroneous opinions, which otherwise would be likely to arise. Many false applications and predictions have been made that have brought injury and reproach upon the cause of religion. Take for instance the periods of time referred to in this book, which are evidently symbolical rather than chronological. The common mode of interpreting these has led to some strange and injurious results, of which Millinarianism and Millerism may be regarded as examples. The 1260 days, we are told by many, mean just so many years, a day representing a year. Then we are told that the 1000 years spoken of in the twentieth chapter, mean literal years. Luther thought that the 1000 years began with Christ and extended to Gregory VII.; the seven-headed beast he referred to the papacy founded by Hildebrand, and interpreted the number 666 to indicate its duration. Others say that the 1000 years commenced with Constantine, and some very eminent commentators say it commenced with Charlemagne. If these numbers had been interpreted symbolically as referring to certain indefinite times, several injurious errors would have been avoided.

According to the generic theory the Revelation is of permanent value to the Church as a prophecy. Its symbols express predictions relative to all times, which have their successive and cumulative accomplishment in the ages as they roll on. This book takes the place of the succession of prophets in the Jewish Church, as its prophecy is always speaking, and thus a succession of prophets in the Christian Church is rendered unnecessary.

Having thus briefly presented this theory, and certain reasons in its favor, we would not assert beyond a doubt that it is the correct one. It seems to us, however, that by applying it to the Apocalypse, the book is clothed with new interest. The theory is certainly worthy the candid and thoughtful attention of all students of the Bible, and it is now among the ablest investigators, fast becoming the prevailing one.

ARTICLE VIII.

THE STANDARD OF THE NORTHERN ARMY.

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THE "London Times" expresses surprise and admiration at the alacrity with which the free States have sprung to arms for the defence of the National Government: pronouncing it a sublime instance of unanimity. So it is, doubtless, and none the less for the fact that the unanimity — amid a manifold diversity of opinion and sentiment, political, ethical, and religious, as touching the causes and ultimate grounds of the conflict is limited almost to a single point, which is, to maintain, at whatever expense, the Union and the Constitution. The spectacle is not less worthy the admiration of the "London Times," and the world in general, on this account. We rather incline to note, with special wonder, how God, out of universal disagreements, strifes, and clamors of men dashing, everywhere, one against another, can suddenly create a unanimity under which a nation shall move with the majesty of the earth in its diurnal revolution, working out an end like the Divine predestination. The strifes and clashings are hushed for the present; the underlying disagreements remain, nay, move men to this gigantic unanimity of the sword.

Some will have it that this is a war for emancipation. Yet the former champion of the pro-south wing of the democratic party goes forth, with sentiments unchanged, at the head of the Massachusetts Brigade, and avows his readiness to put down,

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