210 



LIEDT. -COLONEL G. MACKINLAY, THE DATE 



taking ; (2) That it would bring the Nativity distinctly under 

 Sentius Satuminus, which would agree with the express statement 

 of Tertullian." Search was then made, with the result that all 

 historical data were found to be in favour of 8 B.C. 



It is thus hoped that attention may be directed to the new 

 methods by which this date for the Nativity was first determined. 

 If these methods are found to be reHable after further testing, 

 they may perhaps be applied to the solution of other Biblical 

 problems in the future. 



If the date 8 B.C. is accepted for the Nativity, the concurrence 

 of the evidence which is now found to point to only one date 

 clears away any doubts which have in the past been cast upon 

 the historical accuracy of St. Luke, and thus incidentally in 

 our investigations we have the truthfulness of the sacred record 

 brought before us in a marked manner — a very iniportant point. 



Eationalists and destructive critics are busy with careful 

 study and thought; let the believer in the authority of the Bible 

 search with reverent diligence, and he will find that truth and 

 order, beauty and life will clothe even the dry bones of Scripture 

 Chronology, and they will rise up a great army to contend for 

 the truth of the word of God. 



NOTE. 



It is impossible within the limits of a paper for the Victoria Institute 

 to enter into all the historical points connected with the Nativity. They 

 are considered more fully in the author's book, The Magi, how they 

 recognised Christ's ^Star, which also finds the chief gospel dates by the new 

 methods. 



Discussion. 



The Chairman felt sure that he expressed the unanimous feeling 

 of the Meeting in saying that an extremely interesting statement 

 had been put before them. Colonel Mackinlay had already shown 

 himself as the astronomer of the Bible in his book The Magi, how they 

 recognised Christ's Star, and he was now going on to be the chronologer. 



One point was brought out quite clearly — that Christmas w^as at 

 an entirely mistaken period of the year. They held that festival 

 in the middle of winter, whereas the Nativity must have been 

 at a time when the shepherds were tending their flocks in the field. 



