The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-06-27 00:00:00

THE REV. J. B. LOWE ON GENESIS

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN 'MIES.
SIR,—A considerable portion of the Rev. J. B. Lowc'e
Sixth Letter, in the Courier of this day, is devoted to the
proof of his assertion that Moses was the sole author of the
Book of Genesis, in opposition to that of Mr. Macnaught, who
contended that this portion of the Scripture must have been
compiled from various ancient records. Probably, the concur-
rence of most Christians in their acceptation of the elements
of divine truth revealed in the book above-mentioned, may

render its authorship, as an historical document, a matter of
very subordinate importance. It would, however, have been
more honest iu Mr. Lowe, as a controversialist, if he had full•
stated the grounds adduced by Mr. Macnaught (arising out of
the varied titles ascribed to the Divine Being, in different por-
tions of Genesis), for presuming a plurality of authorship. A.
writer of high repute for his profound scholarship, and un-

blemished orthodoxy, observes as follows :
" The earlier part of the Book of Genesis consists of several
distinct compositions, marked by their differences of style, and
by express formularies of commencement: It is entirely
consonant with the idea of inspiration, and established by the
whole tenor of scriptural compositions, that the heavenly
influence operated in a concurrence with the rational faculties
of the inspired men,—so that prophets and apostles wrote from
their own knowledge and memory the testimony of other
persons, and written docutnents, to which, indeed, express
appeal is often made. From the evidence of language and of
matter, we have as slight reasons for supposing that Moses
compiled the chief part of the Book of Genesis, by arraying
And connecting, ancient memorials under the divine direction,
and probably during the middle part of his life."
I need not encroach upon your space by extending this
quotation, or by referring to the passages of Scripture noted in
connection with it, as the above may be found in a cheap and
easily obtainable work " The Relation between the Holy.
Scriptures, and some parts of Geological Science : by J.
Pye Smith, D.D., p. 202, Second Ed.tion." Although Dr,
Smith was a Nonconformist, his most important work, the
" Scripture Testimony of the Messiah," is a class book in our
universities ; and his testimony cannot be despised by Mr.
Lowo as anonymous, although your present correspondent is
SPECTATOR.

only a
June 25th, 1856

POLICE COURT -YESTERDAY

BEFORE MR. MANSFIELD

HOMES OF WORXING MEN, —A poorly clad, but intelli-
gent and quiet looking man, named Alexander Quinn,
was placed in the dock, charged by his wife with having
asaulted her. The crdnplainant was also poorly clad,
and looked weak and care-worn, but not dissipated.
She was accompanied by her three children, who were
all respectably clad. The eldest, a young girl about 18
years of age, is in service, but her sisters, the other two
children, are quite young, being not more than 7 and 8
years of age. Mr. Block appeared for the prisoner, who
is by trade a painter, and resides in Pellew, street. The
case was of a very mel ineholy character, and presented
a picture of social life but to common in the homes of
the working classes at the present day. The husband,
who was described as a sober and industrious man, earns
for the greater part of the year about 26s a week, and
invariably handed over the amount of his wages to the
complainant, She, on the other hand, was described as
being extremely slatternly and extravagant in her habits,
wasting her husband's substance, and providing for him
neither a clean nor comfortable home. On Saturday
evening last, he sent her his wages at four o'clock, in
order that she might not have to wait for the money
until after work, but on his return home he round it in
a state of disorder, the bedclothes pledged, and his wife
drinking in a neighbouring cellar. Enraged at the
sight, he struck her, hut now expressed contrition for
the act, and declared that he was willing to allow her
whatever the court might order as a separate main-
tenance. The complainant also agreed to this propo-
sition, and then Mr. Mansfield asked each of the two
youngest children, to say with which of their parents
they would prefer to live. One of the little
things said that she would live with her father,
and the other, that she would go with her
mother, hut it was evident that both but dimly felt what
would be the consequence of their answers. Mr. Mans-
field observed that it was well the children had made
their choice, so as they would still preserve a common
bond between the parents, and ordered that the defend -
ant should allow his wife, for the support of herself and
ne child 6s a week. To this both parties assented, and
--oct at once discharf,-

----, Thom^