Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
Discussions by Robert L. Dabney, D.D. , LL.D., Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Texas and for many years Professor of Theology in Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. Edited by C. R. Vaughan, D.D., Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of New Providence, Va. Vol. ii: Evangelical. 8vo, pp. iv, 684. (Richmond, Va.: Presbyterian Committee of Publication, 1891.) The editing of the second volume of Dr. Dabney’s occasional papers, presents many of the same faults which were pointed out in our notice of the first volume (PRESBYTERIAN AND REFORMED REVIEW, Vol. ii, p. 714.)
The principle of arrangement of the papers is generally, but not invariably, chronological; the indication of the time and occasion which produced each paper is common but not constant. Above all we are at a loss to understand on what ground the papers of this volume are classed under the general head of “Evangelical.” Most of them are on matters of ecclesiastical arrangement and action, and some of them are (although of ecclesiastical origin) distinctly secular in spirit and tone.
The intellect is constantly stimulated by Dr. Dabney’s writing, and the mind instructed. There is a literary grace attending much of his writing which is truly delightful. We always rejoice to have such a champion “on our side”—as we have in many of the papers of this volume, as, e.g., those on the “Public Preaching of Women,” “Theories of the Eldership,” and the like. But it must be admitted that sometimes a strength of language invades his writing which offends against good taste, and that sometimes a depth of prejudice veils his vision which leads him into views and expressions scarcely “evangelical.”
For the reference, see:
reformedcovenanter.wordpress.com
The principle of arrangement of the papers is generally, but not invariably, chronological; the indication of the time and occasion which produced each paper is common but not constant. Above all we are at a loss to understand on what ground the papers of this volume are classed under the general head of “Evangelical.” Most of them are on matters of ecclesiastical arrangement and action, and some of them are (although of ecclesiastical origin) distinctly secular in spirit and tone.
The intellect is constantly stimulated by Dr. Dabney’s writing, and the mind instructed. There is a literary grace attending much of his writing which is truly delightful. We always rejoice to have such a champion “on our side”—as we have in many of the papers of this volume, as, e.g., those on the “Public Preaching of Women,” “Theories of the Eldership,” and the like. But it must be admitted that sometimes a strength of language invades his writing which offends against good taste, and that sometimes a depth of prejudice veils his vision which leads him into views and expressions scarcely “evangelical.”
For the reference, see:
B. B. Warfield’s review of R. L. Dabney’s Discussions (volume 2)
Discussions by Robert L. Dabney, D.D. , LL.D., Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Texas and for many years Professor of Theology in Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. Edited by…
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