84 SEMITIC LANGUAGE 



are finally determined to contain different codes, of gradual growth, 

 and of different ages. They now take their place among legal docu- 

 ments that have appeared in the progress of the world's history and 

 as kindred productions. Formerly they were thought to stand as an 

 exception to all that is definitely known in the history of legal 

 development. In speaking of these codes one might adopt the lan- 

 guage of the best legal historians with respect to English law. " The 

 time," says Pollock and Maitland, "has long gone by when English 

 lawyers were tempted to speak as though their scheme of ' forms of 

 actions ' had been invented in one piece by some all- wise legislator. 

 It grew up little by little. The age of rapid growth is that which lies 

 between 1154 and 1272. During that age the Chancery was doling 

 out actions one by one, there is no solemn actionem dabo proclaimed 

 to the world. ... It was an empirical process, for the supply came 

 in response to a demand. It was not dictated by an abstract juris- 

 prudence. ... It advanced along the old Roman road which leads 

 from experiment to experiment." And that which was true of 

 adjective law, of which he. is here speaking, we are assured, was also 

 true of the substantive law. 



The study of Semitics is working in its own degree, and in har- 

 mony with other sciences, towards the result of disestablishing the 

 old religious view which confined the revelations of God to a book and 

 his inspiration to the men alone who wrote the book. If God be dis- 

 coverable, the path of liberty, so long barred by theologic dogma, 

 which has its roots in heathenism, is being cleared of obstructions that 

 men may seek God where they will if, haply, they may find him. 



We shall still read reverently that great soliloquy on the divine 

 omnipresence and omniscience contained in Psalm 139: 



O Yahwe, thou hast searched me, and known me. 



Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, 



Thou understandest my thought afar off, 



Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, 



And art acquainted with all my ways. 



For there is not a word in my tongue, 



But, lo! O Yahwe, thou knowest it altogether. 



Thou hast beset me behind and before 



And laid thine hand upon me. 



Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; 



It is high, I cannot attain unto it. 



Whither shall I go from thy spirit? 



Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 



If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: 



If I make my bed in Sheol 



Behold! thou art there. 



If I take the wings of the morning, 



And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 



Even there shall thy hand lead me, 



And thy right hand shall hold me. 



If I say, surely the darkness shall overwhelm me, 



And the light about me shall be night; 



Even the darkness hideth not from thee, 



But the night shineth as the dav: 



The darkness and the light are both alike to thee. 



