, and think
some of his quotations very good; and have no doubt that the authors
will feel complimented by being quoted. There certainly is no need
of my answering Dr. Courtney; sometime I may answer the French
gentlemen from whom he quoted.

_Question_. But what about there being "belief" in Matthew?

_Answer_. Mr. Courtney says that certain people were cured of
diseases on account of faith. Admitting that mumps, measles, and
whooping-cough could be cured in that way, there is not even a
suggestion that salvation depended upon a like faith. I think he
can hardly afford to rely upon the miracles of the New Testament
to prove his doctrine. There is one instance in which a miracle
was performed by Christ without his knowledge; and I hardly think
that even Mr. Courtney would insist that any faith could have been
great enough for that. The fact is, I believe that all these
miracles were ascribed to Christ long after his death, and that
Christ never, at any time or place, pretended to have any supernatural
power whatever. Neither do I believe that he claimed any supernatural
origin. He claimed simply to be a man; no less, no more. I do
not believe Mr. Courtney is satisfied with his own reply.

_Question_. And now as to Prof. Swing?

_Answer_. Mr. Swing has been out of the orthodox church so long
that he seems to have forgotten the reasons for which he left it.
I do not believe there is an orthodox minister in the city of
Chicago who will agree with Mr. Swing that salvation by faith is
no longer preached. Prof. Swing seems to think it of no importance
who wrote the gospel of Matthew. In this I agree with him. Judging
from what he said there is hardly difference enough of opinion
between us to justify a reply on his part. He, however, makes one
mistake. I did not in the lecture say one word about tearing down
churches. I have no objection to people building all the churches
they wish. While I admit it is a pretty sight to see children on
a morning in June going through the fields to the country church,
I still insist that the beauty of that sight does not answer the
question how it is that Matthew forgot to say anything about
salvation through Christ. Prof. Swing is a man of poetic temperament,
but this is not a poetic question.

_Question_. How did the card of Dr. Thomas strike you?

_Answer_. I think the reply of Dr. Thomas is in the best possible
spirit. I regard him to-day as the best intelle