The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-03-20
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Resurrection of Christ

We propose however to deal in less
summary way, with the objectors to the
truth of the Gospel narratives; we will
subject the testimony of the Evangelists
to the same kind of examination, as is
applied to the statements of witnesses In
Courts of Justice.
There are certain well-recognized and
long-estabGshed principles employed in
Judging of the truthfulness of testimony
given by witnesses, whether they are still
living or have passed off the stage of ex-
istence. These principles we will apply
to the evidence of those, who profess to
have been cognizant of the Resurrection
of Jesus of Nazareth.
1st. When a witness does not withhold
or attempt to conceal fact which is dis
creditable to himself or his party, it is
taken as mark of honesty.
I'd. When he admits, as it were, from
the very excess of his familiarity with the
subject, some things which are necessary
to right understanding of it, and which
can only be gained from other sources;
We naturally conclude that he has not
studied over we'll contrived story, but
has spoken with the artlessness of truth.
For it is we'll known that those most
familiar with facts are the worst relaters
of them. They assume unconsciously
too much knowledge on the part of the
hearer. A foreigner makes bad teach
er of his own tongue to others. A pro-
found mathematician is always a poor
instructor of the rudiments of mathe-
matics. He does not appreciate the diff.
6culties Of beginners. This excess OF
knowledge is the key to most of the
omissions by the Evangelists, and these
omissions are therefore very natural.
Sd. Akin to this test is that applied to
several witnesses, when we find that the
statement of each is complete and intel
hgible in itself, but that our knowledge
of the matter is more ample, satisfacto-
ry, and instructive, when we combine the
whole. We conclude in this case, that
the witnesses have not colluded together,
else there would have been wider cor
respondence in their testimony, and that
this supplementing and filing out would
not have been necessary.
4th. But the integrity of the witnesses
is still more securely established, if their
several testimonies, seemingly different
and even contradictory, are reconciled or
reconcilable upon searching inspection
into their true meaning. Then the more
difficult it is, to change an apparent
discrepancy into a disguised harmony,
Just so much stronger is the presump-
ton of the absence of fraud and collu-
sion.
5th. If the witness use language COM
porting with his education, habits of life,
professional pursuits, mode of thought,
tone of feeling, &C., &C., we recognize in
all this naturalness, no mean evidence of
honesty. This conviction of his truth
fulness will be greatly strengthened, if
his story is consistent throughout-all
his expressions and all his sentiments in
one part being in unison with the same
in other parts.
9th. If the casual illusions to the man
ners and customs of the people, the
usages of society, the administration of
justice, the form of government, the re-
ligious rites and ceremonies observed by
various sects, &C., &c.,-if all these are