COMMEMORATION MEETING. 



175 



disciplined in the doctrines of Hermann, that " language is the 

 image of thought ; and that whatever is impossible in thought 

 is impossible in language." 



It may be said that the result of their labours has been to 

 enable us to understand the New Testament in a way that has 

 not been possible to the same degree since the days of the 

 Apostolic writers themselves. 



To me the principles on which these great scholars have 

 worked appear to offer some important suggestions. The first 

 is : that on these principles may be raised a reasoned and sober 

 theory of verbal inspiration. Secondly : the method and the 

 spirit of these scholars disposes me to look with scepticism on 

 many of the conclusions of the Higher Critics. A reverent 

 treatment of the very words of Scripture such as these scholars 

 manifest, and a close adherence to the text, is a strong 

 prophylactic against the lawless and romancing spirit too often 

 characteristic of the mere Higher Critic, so called. 



Thirdly : the same considerations lead to a rigorous attitude 

 towards the school of what I may call " papyrology " as ably 

 represented by Dr. Moulton, of Didsbury. I learn from 

 Lightfoot and Westcott to treat St. Paul and St. John with 

 scientific and scrupulous reverence in their very language. I 

 cannot, therefore, regard the language of the Apostles as a 

 patois such as may be interpreted by fragments of stray 

 documents picked up among the debris of Asia Minor or the 

 valley of the Nile. 



The language of the New Testament is Greek, not a jargon 

 of cooks and apothecaries, without law or stability. 



The Chairman asked Mr. Joseph Graham to speak, and in 

 response he urged upon the Meeting the great importance of a 

 diligent study of the Holy Scriptures and a reverent attitude 

 towards them. 



The Chairman : After this series of admirable addresses I have 

 only one thing further that I wish to say, one thing that impresses 

 me more and more as I get older. Remember that the past belongs 

 to us old men, the future belongs to the young. Take care that the 

 young are encouraged and brought forward to do the work and take 

 up the charge which is falling from our hands. 



The Rev. Chancellor Lias, M.A. : Ladies and Gentlemen, if you 

 have listened as I have for the last hour and a half to a series of 

 most interesting, most intelligent and helpful addresses, I am sure 



