CHAPTER II 



THE CHILD AS A FACT GIVEN BY NATURE 



WITH the above criticism of the traditional the- 

 ological doctrine, we prefer now to turn away 

 from this method of investigation to the true sci- 

 entific method of recording what we actually see 

 in the child as a fact of nature. 



We will avoid the exegetical method for sev- 

 eral reasons: 1. It would involve an estimate of 

 the point of view of Biblical writers, after the 

 methods^of the Higher Criticism ; e. g., What must 

 be said of Psalm 51:5, "Behold, I was brought 

 forth in iniquity; and in sin did my mother con- 

 ceive me?" Is it scientific prose; or poetic emo- 

 tion? Is it a doctrinal enunciation; or the out- 

 burst of a penitent heart concerning an individual 

 experience? We fancy that the outcome of such 

 an examination would be somewhat affected by 

 the personal equation. 



2. The history of exegesis has shown that pre- 

 vious views have the deciding influence in exe- 

 getical balances, where Scripture passages, seem- 

 ingly in opposition, can be quoted on both sides. 

 So from the Biblical side I satisfy myself with re- 



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