zed theories,
would have been able to give proof of the substantial truth and divinity
of the Scriptures, and of their transcendent moral and spiritual
excellence, absolutely overwhelming; and I do most heartily wish I had
had the happiness to encounter such an advocate in my discussions. It
might have proved an infinite advantage to me, and an incalculable
blessing to my friends. As it was, the debate only tended to strengthen
me in my unbelief, and to increase my confidence in future controversies
with the clergy.

How I answered my own arguments, and got over my own objections, when on
my way back to Christianity, I may state hereafter. All I need say here
is, that I took a _qualified_ view of the divine authority of the Bible,
and of the doctrine of its divine inspiration,--a view in accordance
with facts, and with the teachings of Scripture itself on the subject.
This view did not require me to demand in a book of divine origin the
kind of abstract or absolute perfection which Dr. Berg required, and
which he so rashly undertook to prove. On the contrary, it taught me to
look for a thousand innocent and unimportant errors and imperfections in
the Bible. A thousand things which would, if proved, have been regarded
by Dr. Berg as valid objections to the doctrine of its superhuman
authority and divine authority, were no objections at all to me. I could
acknowledge the truth of them all, and yet believe in the substantial
truth and divinity of the Book as a whole. The dust and mud of our
streets and roads, and the decaying timbers and rotting grasses of our
forests and farms do not make me question the divine origin and the
substantial perfection of the world: nor do the errors and imperfections
of ancient transcribers or modern translators, or the want of absolute
scientific, historical, chronological, literary, theological or moral
perfection even in the original authors of the Bible, make me doubt its
divine origin and inspiration, or its practical and substantial
perfection. You may show me ten thousand things in the earth which, to
multitudes, would seem inconsistent with the doctrine that it is the
work of an all-perfect Creator; but they would not be inconsistent with
that doctrine in _my_ view. They would probably seem, to my mind, proofs
of its truth. Things which, to men who had not properly studied them,
appeared serious defects, or results of Adam's sin, would be seen by me
to be important excellencies; mast