ARBITRATION IN THE GREEK WORLD. 



293 



doubt war had done good, but certainly not such wars as those 

 of Louis XIV. The Dutch wars did good, and there is undoubtedly 

 a sense in which war may become a Christian act. But, unless 

 necessary, it was a crime. He trusted the policy of the Greek 

 world would be more and more adopted among Christian states. 



Dr. Thirtle said : One cannot but recognize that the subject 

 before us is one of peculiar interest, and that it has been opened up 

 in a singularly lucid manner. I am tempted, nevertheless, to raise 

 a side issue, and inquire whether there is in the Old Testament any 

 reference to arbitration as a means of settling disputes. Assuredly 

 the term is not there, but is the thought equally absent ? Pursuing 

 our inquiry, we suggest that, in its elementary meaning, arbitration 

 is an appeal to reason (as distinguished from an appeal to force), 

 with the object of settling differences between parties that are 

 estranged from one another, or are likely to become so. Though 

 not prepared to indicate a concrete instance of such a proceeding 

 in Old Testament history, I think we have the thing itself 

 expressed in a well-kno-\vn appeal found in the prophecies of Isaiah. 



It is a celebrated passage to which I refer. By sin and evil 

 courses the people of Judah had become alienated from Jehovah, 

 and though judgment was due, if not imminent, words of mercy 

 were spoken from heaven — all the while with the object of averting 

 the terrible consequences of sin. Then it was that the appeal was 

 made : " Come, now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord.^' (Isaiah i, 

 18.) It is, of course, admitted that the machinery of arbitration is 

 not brought before us in the passage ; but the language implies a 

 tenderness and consideration for the side that is in the wrong, such 

 as lies at the base of arbitration. The words may be paraphrased : 

 " Come, now, let us face the issue ; and may the difference be 

 decided in a manner that shall result in your finding acceptance in 

 my sight, and the doom of sin be averted." In following verses 

 (19, 20) the consequences of acquiescence or refusal are indicated. 

 I suggest that the appeal of Jehovah by the prophet is in the spirit 

 of arbitration in the interest of the wayward nation ; and if the 

 language admits of such interpretation, it is reasonable to conclude 

 that the idea of arbitration cannot have been altogether foreign to 

 the Hebrew mind. 



The Chairman said : Though our lecturer does not treat of 

 world-arbitration, but only of that of the ancient Greek states, his 



