The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-25

lectS mas been adopted.
Before proceeding to discuss the various tales
and myths in order, the author devotes some
forty pages to an account of the sources from
which, In relatively recent times. light has been
bhed upon the Hebrew Scriptures, and to a sum
mary Of the results OF modern research concern
Ing the date, authorship, and aim OF the mate
rails whereof Genesis Is composed. We are
reminded that 1t is now more than two hundred
years since Richard Simon. the greatest Orien-
tai scholar OF his time. in his Historic Critique
au Vieux Testament" presented the conclusions
10 which his study had LED him. that the 80
called Books of Moses were put together by
the Scribcs Of the time Of Ezra, who made
tree use of older data. He was 80 over
Whelmed with sheer abuse that scholarship
was practically silerced on the subject
Tor a century. Though silenced. however,
It did not cease its explorations, and among its
discoveries were certain differences in what
was palpably tho oldest material of the Penta-
touch in tho use Of the name Of the deity.
There was nothing new. indeed, in the observa-
ton that this name was sometimes Elohim and
sometimes Jehovah tIahweh,, but it was found
that other marked differences characterized the
materials in which these terms were severally
used in the Book OF Genesis and the first chap
ters of Exodus. The first to set forth these diff
ferenccs In a critical way was DIR. Jean Astruc
In the middle Of the last century. but such an in
vestigation Of Scripture was still severely dis
countenanced. 1t was not until De Wette be-
gan to exhibit the results OF his studies
early in the present century in Germany that
real learning and thought upon this deeply
Interesting subject gained sufficient hearing to
enter upon the career Of conquest which the
close OF the century is likely to accept as a com-
plete triumph. For a long time the two great
est workers in the field were Ewald at Tubingcn
and Reuss at Strasburg. The next great ad-
vance was made when Abraham Kuenen Of 10y
den began. in 1861. the publication of his
history OF the origin of the Old Testament books.
Other learned men were working simultaneously
upon the same problem in Germany and France.
notably Noldcke, Schrader, Graf, Kayser. and
Reuss. Kuenen in his later work, the " History
of tho Religion of Israel" benefited by the re-
suits of their labors. and modified some Of his
earlier conclusions. Dillman, in his laborious
commentaries. although conservative in spirit
and cautious in ~exegesis, accepted the main
facts as to the composition Of Genesis and other
ancient books without dispute. FRANCOIS
Lenormant, the French archRologist, exception
ally versed in Chaldean, Syrian, Egyptian. phr-
nician, and Hebrew antiquity and a devout Cath
Ollie as we'll, published in 1888 a translation of
Genesis wherein he not only recognized the COM
posite character of the book. but presented its
component parts distinguished by differences OF
type. Finally, the late Ernest Renan, in his
"Histoire du Peuple d'Israel.' adopted the con-
illusions of his critical forerunners as to the
time and manner Of the production of the litera-
ture of the Old Testament with the same conf
dence with which the author of a new history of
the people OF ancient Greece would accept tho
established conclusions Of scholars regarding
che nrtcin ~ fha aarlv ltarafura NJ TINT paopla
Such. too. is practically the attitude of the pres
emit generation of learned theologians and spe-
cial Biblical scholars on the Continent OF Europe.
the most conspicuous representatives Of whom
are julius Wellhausen and Bernhard Stade.
Materially different has been the attitude of
EnRlish and American theologians and divines.
1t 10 true that. after the results of tho research
and critical acumen of Ewald had become
familiar. and the ripper fruits of the studies OF
Rouss. Kuenon, and Graf had begun to appear,
Bishop Colenso. IN the comparative isolation OF
South Africa. gave evidence that at least one
learned English mind within tho pale of the
Anglican Church was open to the truth on this
subject and possessed the courage of his con.
I victiona. Yet 30 little prepared was the Eng
lish mind In general, and the sentiment OF the
English Church in particular, thirty years ago
for an appreciation Of such work, that Colenso
encountered treatment which was but little
short Of persecution, although his work or
..The PentAteuch and tho Book Of Joshua" ID
now acknowledged to DO a monument Of
sound learning, unwearied industry. and
Keen. critical insight. Scarcely had the
agitation caused by Colenso's writings
subsidized in ecclesiastical circles when Prof
William Robertson Smiths contributions to the
Encyclopedia Britannica on various Biblical
subjects caused another outburst OF excitement
although of much less violence. It was violent
enough, however. to cause his deposition from
the professionally of Hebrew at Aberdeen; bu,
the time had gone by for intolerance toward q
scholarship which merely insisted upon telling
the truth, and the result for Prof. Smith wal
virtual promotion. for his learning and hIgl
character won him a place OF honor in the teach
ing body of ono Of tho great universities of Eng
hand. On this side of tho Atlantic we have beer
allow not merely 10 accept the fruits Of In
vestigation into tho origin of the Jewish
Scriptures, but evon to acquire knowledge O
them. and sentiment on tho subject seems Il
be backward and uniformed rather than actually
hostile. save, perhaps. In ecclesiastical precincts
where traditional views arc still tenaciousl,
held. 1t Is fresh in remembrance that on,
American thoologian and scholar within tn,
pale Of an orthodox denomination, who hal
taught candidly and fearlessly what he hal
learned. has been rewarded with trials fol
hsresy and efforts TO doposo him from the somi
nary which he had persisted in enlightening
This has been by no means tho only instance Of
the kind, and 1t has seemed, therefore, to tn,
author Of the book before us that 1t might be al
acceptable service for some one In the United
btates who was under no restraint of authority
and no prescribed obligations, but aocountabl,
sniy TO his own intelligence and conscience, to SO
rerta tt the omnon understanding the view O