The morning call., 1894-04-14
A SAVANT GONE.

Inc papers nave ueNotcu hO space w wv
biography of Professor Robertson Smith,
who died few days ago. yet he made
mark ON some branches of knowledge
which will not readily be effaced. He was
one of the editors of the Encyclopedia
Britannica. one of the editors Of The re-
yised edition Of the Old Testament and
professor of Arabic in the University OF
Cambridge, England. He was only As
when he died, bnt be had contributed TO
Biblical literature works of priceless
value. Every year which passes over
widens the circle OF those who adopt vie VS.
which, when he first expressed them, led to
hot controversy.
He was a precocious youth. His family
were well to do, and he received a splen-
did education at Aberdeen, Edin burgh,
Bonn and Heidelberg. he made such a
name for himself that at "a he was ap-
pointed professor OF Hebrew at the Free
College at Aberdeen. That position he
held for eleven years. In 1880 he traV-
eled extensively in the Holy Land, and on
bis return he wrote the famous article,
"Bible." in the Encyclopedia Britannica.
In that paper be contended for the right
Biblical science 10 handle its problems
scientifically, and carried with him the
bulk OF enlightened scholars. But the
authorities of his college were not pre-
pared to abandon the beaten path. After
a contest like that which occurred in this
country in the cases of DR.. Swing and Dr.
Briggs. Professor Smith was removed
from his profsssorship.
His services were eagerly sought by the
University of Cambridge, and he began
the publication OF a series of books and
magazine articles which so revolutioniZed
public opinion in Scotland that now every
Biblical professor entertains the opinions
for which he was disciplined thirteen
years ago. The most important of his
books is the one on "The Prophets of
Israel" work OF infinite research, keen
analysis and close logical method. Ee
impresses his readers. above all. with the
feeling that be is such lover of truth that
no consideration could induce him to de-
part from it. What be sees he tells. and
he tells it in = clear vlvacious style which
carries conviction and renders controversy
superiuous. In some of his other works,
as for instance "The Religion of the Sam
itss," bis material was so scantY that he
was compelled at times TO resort to hypoth-
esis; and his theories have been chal-
lenged. But even those who have differed
from him have been compelled TO acknowl-
edge the candor of the man. and his ear
nest purpose to discover the truth.
DR.. Smith was in part indebted for his
method of research to the eminent Ger
mans, who have thrown the calcium light
OF Intelligent criticism upon previous COM
mentators- Hlgenfeld. Ewald. Diestal
and others. But he carried the light be-
yond the points at which they arrived. and
with his luminous style he reached minds
which they never touched. He addressed
an audience of believers whose faith was
being shaken by scientific and historic
discovery, and he threw the weight of his
authority to the side of religion. Thus
the very churchmen who denounced him
as uDorthodox twelve years ago now admit
that his calculations constitute the strong
est basis for the modern doctrines Of the
church.
| He was himself member of the church
militant, fighting priest, who was al
ways ready to draw the sword against
sham and imposture and was not always
ready TO sheathe ii. He did not always
answer those who ignorantiy charged him
with error. but every now and then when
a parsonage of standing assaiIed his
orthodoxy or an imprudent agnostie
claimed him as an ally he sailed forth
from his study and treated his opponent
as Samuel treated Agag. His death IL
an irreparable loss. Such men are needed
to prevent the march of sciencs degener-
ating into promiscuous icOnOclasm. We
have in the world of progress men who
would testify their impstiencs of ancient
error in the fashion of the French com.
munists who pulled down the Vendome
column. What is wanted is seber-minded
conservative men who will assign to dis
covsry its proper place in ethics and who
will not want to burn up libraries because
they contain some worthless books.