New-York tribune., 1903-03-01
EMPEROR vs.. SAVANT.
Some Experts Think Both Wandered
from Their Proper Spheres.
KAISER'S

The recent letter of Emperor William concern
ing Professor DelitEsch's conclusions as to the
BabyIonisn origin of many Of the myths and
legends in the Old Testament has aroused
-lcsen- discussion among Biblical critics in both
Europe and America, and among other things
has given renewed interest to the work Of the
commission for Biblical studies which Pope Leo
has recently appointed for the. special purpose
Of weighing all the evidence both new and old,
which exists regarding the authenticity Of
Scriptures
As stated by European cables last week, En-
peror William, nho has shown more or less per-
sonAl interest in the Investigations Of Professor
Deiitzsch sn Babylonia, has for some time dis
furhed the equaninity OF leading churehmen Of
his empire, who have feared that the Kaiser
vas becoming more interested in what they
consider a radical departure from the correct
understanding of the Old Testament than was
good for the religious orthodoxy OF the empire.
In letter which the Emperor sent to the lead
ers of the church last week he gave it out as his
personal o1Jinian that Professor DelitZsch ap-
peared 70 be on safe ground as long he kept
to- his excavations OF Babylonian cuneiform in
scriptions, but shat he ceased TO be guide
when he stepped into the character Of the
theoIcgian The Kaiser's letter, in which he
made it clear that ne held orthodox Ideas re-
garding the Church and God. was, in part, as
follows:
During the evening entertainment with us
Professor DeIitzsch had the opportunity to con-
fer fsily sna debate with, aer majesty the EN-
press and Dr. Dryander. whf4f listened and re-
Taained passive Unfortunately. he abandoned
the point OF view Of the strict historian and As
syriologist straying into religion and theological
conclusions and hypotheses. which were quite
nebuIous or bold. When he came to speak Of
the New Testament it became clear at once that
he developed such quite divergent views regard
ing the person Of our Saviour that had to ex-
press the diametricsliy opposite point Of view.
He does not recognize the divinity of Christ,
and as deduction theFefrom asserts that the
Old Testament contains no revelation about
Hsm as the Messiah. Here the Assyriologist and
the historical Investigator cease and the theo-
leg1sn begins. with sII his light and shadow
aIdes In this province can only urgently sd-
wise him 10 proceed very cautiously, step by
stee. END. at any rate. ventilste bis theses only
fnsthe tAeological hooks and in the circle Of his
Colleagues. speSs Us. the iayunen. ands above
al. thk Oriental Society, from bearing Of them.
An that does not beIunk before such forum.
We prosecute excavations and publish the re-
Suits IN behalf cf science and history not 70 con-
AEsn or attack religious hypothesis with Pre'
fsssor DelitSseh. the theeleg1an VINO na@ run
away with ske histefian."-
The tribune has ssesrtained the views OF VaTf'
Gus e6sises predecessors on the qusstiens involved
. and asEsWith prsseata Their:
cHARLEs c. ToRREY. whe offers
q large number OF courses ia the Yale GrAAusta
seAoeI in "Assyrtan Historical and Aythoiogteal
1Ssts" ana related languages and hteratureH SAID:
,-PT1fsssor Delitzsch ip probably the foremost Nv
sag scfzolaF in Asssr1kn and BabylcnisR inscrtp-
tiona ssd ktEtoFy. He has deaA mere work along
taaeE lines than sayF other living scholar. and u
higssK regarded BY European and American stu
Gents Of fs subject of the ancient literature Of the
BAbylonia1 peoples. Ee has written. for instance.
aa AesyFsan grammar, bVt his most important pub
nshed work has been hia Assy5isn dictionary 9
szsll aaitasa az whieh hss beer cut for seHns tae
mA1a tsa saEesE aatt8sa d esitg 90 SoHs eEc1 Id