onsive system of current
theology. A person is under obligation to use that key for the unlocking
of prophecy which fits the best, and that responds to providential events
the most natural, without regard to the antiquated systems and mode of
Church, sect, or college theology. Hine's theory, as it is called
sometimes, is as much superior to the old system of interpretation, as
the railway Pullman car is to the ricketty old stage coach.

The Anglo-Saxon Israel theory neither destroys or introduces any new
principle, but discovers and applies that which had been long hidden.
The introduction of steam and electricity did not destroy or produce any
new principle, but simply discovered and applied, in an improved form,
that which had been in the world from Adam down till now.

As men in science, mechanics, and practical life, throw overboard men and
things of the past, so should we in theology, Church life, and
experience, when we can do better. Reverence for persons, and respect
for ideas, should not enslave us. Let us move on, doing better and
better. We do not care to believe all the theology of a Martin Luther.
When we can make an advance on men, or theories, we should do so. Bacon
and Newton are now in part rejected, without intending, or in fact doing
them any dishonour or disrespect. So are Calvin and Wesley, on the same
principle, by every good theologian. If a theory be advanced that opens
up the Scriptures, and especially the prophecies, better than those
before existing, let the pulpit accept it, throwing aside its mawkishness
and age-intrenched stupidity. I have no hesitation to say, after over
twenty-five years of experience with preachers and pulpit, that the
majority of preachers are lazy and indifferent in study. For this reason
many of them are deterred from examining any new theory. Many have said
to me, and written to me, that if they accepted the Lost Tribe theory it
would destroy nearly all their old sermons, and necessitate the making of
new ones--a work they were not willing to undertake. It will, therefore,
be a long time before the pulpit is reformed. In these days there are
many strikes. While in Canada, on my vacation, I agreed to lecture for a
Church choir on the prophet Jeremiah's visit to Ireland. But some
preachers banded together and stopped it; and, in consequence of it, the
choir struck and refused to sing the following Sunday. Passing by this
strike, I really wish the laymen