29 
Eev. H. A. Sterx, D.D. — It affords me great satisfaction to move 
“ That our best thanks be presented to Mr. Trelawney Saunders for the 
paper now delivered, and to those who have read papers during the session.” 
As the hour is late, I will not trespass on the indulgence of the meeting by- 
making any lengthy remarks upon the very excellent paper to which we have 
listened ; but I may say that I am certain every one present fully 
appreciates the instructive remarks on the geography of Palestine just 
made. (Hear, hear.) I am convinced that when the paper is printed it 
will not fail to throw some new light upon places so familiar to the student of 
Scripture. There is something peculiarly interesting in everything con- 
nected with that land which is so minutely described in the Word of God. 
Whether we look back to the past or contemplate that country as it is at 
present, we see how strikingly the threatenings contained in the Scriptures 
have been fulfilled. Two thousand years ago it was a land flowing with 
milk and honey ; at the present day it is a land utterly desolate, so that 
any one who visits Palestine or Syria with a Bible in his hand, even if he 
goes there as an unbeliever, must be very much prejudiced indeed against 
that Book if he does not come away a believer. We, however, look forward 
to the day, — and perhaps the signs of the times justify us in anticipating 
that it is not far distant, — when that land, at present so desolate and 
down-trodden, will become again, to use the language of Scripture, “the 
glory of all lands.” It has been my privilege to visit Palestine, and I 
have followed with the greatest interest those spots that were pointed 
out to us on the Map while Mr. Saunders was reading his paper. 
I confess that when, with the Bible in my hand, I first saw those mountain 
regions, valleys, and low lands, I felt at almost every step I took, and 
every locality I visited, that prophecy had exactly anticipated that 
which actually took place so many hundreds of years subsequently. 
Surely as the curses there given have been fulfilled, we may hope, nay, 
have we not every reason to believe, that the blessings still bound up 
with the country will also receive their fulfilment ? To me it seems some- 
thing perfectly marvellous that, with such striking illustrations of the 
truth of God’s Word, sceptics can still argue against what palpable facts 
incontestably prove. But as time rolls on, and event after event rapidly 
succeeds each other, I have not the least doubt that the truth of Scripture 
will be more strikingly illustrated, and that the spirit of unbelief will 
receive such a severe blow as will compel multitudes, who are at present 
the advocates of rationalism and infidelity, to admit that the Bible is in- 
deed the Word of God, — that it comes from God, — that it was revealed 
by the Spirit of God, and that it contains predictions which only He, 
who sees the end from the beginning, could have foretold. Thus, perhaps, 
the day will be ushered in when all men will acknowledge that God has 
indeed revealed His Word for our comfort and for the salvation of our 
souls. I will now conclude by simply moving the resolution that has been 
placed in my hands, merely adding that we are all exceedingly obliged to 
Mr. Saunders for the very interesting paper with which he has favoured us. 
(Applause.) 
