_Answer._ "My opinion is that it is not one book, but many--thirty-nine books bound up in one. The date and authorship of most of these books are wholly unknown. The Hebrews wrote without vowels, and without dividing the letters into syllables, words, or sentences. The books were gathered up by Ezra. At that time only two of the Jewish tribes remained. All progress has ceased. In gathering up the sacred book, copyists exercised great liberty in making changes and additions." _Question_. Yes, we know all that, but is the Old Testament inspired? _Answer._ "There maybe the inspiration of art, of poetry, or oratory; of patriotism--and there are such inspirations. There are moments when great truths and principles come to men. They seek the man, and not the man them." _Question_. Yes, we all admit that, but is the Bible inspired? _Answer._ "But still I know of no way to convince anyone of spirit, and inspiration, and God, only as his reason may take hold of these things." _Question_. Do you think the Old Testament true? _Answer._ "The story of Eden may be an allegory. The history of the children of Israel may have mistakes." _Question_. Must inspiration claim infallibility? Answer. "It is a mistake to say that if you believe one part of the Bible you must believe all. Some of the thirty-nine books may be inspired, others not; or there may be degrees of inspiration." _Question_. Do you believe that God commanded the soldiers to kill the children and the married women, and save for themselves, the maidens, as recorded in _Numbers xxxi, 2_, Do you believe that God upheld slavery? Do you believe that God upheld polygamy? _Answer._ "The Bible may be wrong in some statements. God and right cannot be wrong. We must not exalt the Bible above God. It may be that we have claimed too much for the Bible, and thereby given not a little occasion for such men as Mr. Ingersoll to appear at the other extreme, denying too much." _Question_. What then shall be done? _Answer._ "We must take a middle ground. It is not necessary to believe that the bears devoured the forty-two children, nor that Jonah was swallowed by the whale." Third. Rev. Dr. Kohler. _Question_. What is your opinion about the Old Testament? _Answer._ "I will not make futile attempts of artificially interpreting the letter of the Bible so as to make it reflect the philosophical, moral and scientific views of our time. The Bible is a sacred record of humanity's childhood." _Question_. Are you an orthodox Christian? _Answer._ "No. Orthodoxy, with its face turned backward to a ruined temple or a dead Messiah, is fast becoming like Lot's wife, a pillar of salt." _Question_. Do you really believe the Old Testament was inspired?