this "Book of Books."

The ethical code of the Old Testament is no longer suitable as the
rule of life. The moral and intellectual advance of the human race
has left it behind.

The historical books of the Old Testament are largely pernicious,
and often obscene. These books describe, without disapproval,
polygamy, slavery, concubinage, lying and deceit, treachery, incest,
murder, wars of plunder, wars of conquest, massacre of prisoners
of war, massacre of women and of children, cruelty to animals; and
such immoral, dishonest, shameful, or dastardly deeds as those of
Solomon, David, Abraham, Jacob, and Lot.

The ethical code of the Old Testament does not teach the sacredness
of truth, does not teach religious tolerance, nor humanity, nor human
brotherhood, nor peace.

Its morality is crude. Much that is noblest in modern thought has
no place in the "Book of Books." For example, take these words of
Herbert Spencer's:

Absolute morality is the regulation of conduct in such way
that pain shall not be inflicted.

There is nothing so comprehensive, nothing so deep as that in the
Bible. That covers all the moralities of the Ten Commandments, and
all the Ethics of the Law and the Prophets, in one short sentence,
and leaves a handsome surplus over.