120 
(Alepk and Thau), are almost exactly alike ; and in the older 
Hebrew character, Beth, Nun, and Caph, Gimel and Phe, 
Daleth and Besh, Vau and Thau, Tsade and Shin, are easily 
confounded. 
36. It is worthy of remark, however, that as the DAA. 
contains all the exaggerated or diminished numbers, and 
* occasionally varies from the received Hebrew text, the great 
majority of the errors must have crept in before that translation 
was commenced in the third century before Christ. 
37. I have now completed the task I had proposed, namely, 
to lay before you my reasons for believing that we must not 
attach any weight to the present Hebrew text of the Old 
Testament as regards numbers. I believe, as I have already 
said, that such an opinion is compatible with the most him 
belief in the truth of Holy Scripture, as regards the facts 
recorded therein and the doctrines it teaches, and that it 
removes a stumbling-block out of the way of many who are 
weak in the faith. To refuse to examine this opinion, and to 
decline discussion of the subject, would be to fall into that 
slavery to manuscripts of which St. Augustin (De Voct. CJn ., 
iii. 5) does not express himself too strongly when he says : 
“ Ea demum est miserabilis animi servitus, signa pro rebus 
accipere, et supra creaturam corpoream oculum mentis ad 
hauriendum geternum lumen levare non posse.” 
The Chairman. — I call upon you to return thanks to Dr. Thornton for this 
important and valuable paper ; and I shall now be glad to hear any obser- 
vations which any gentlemen may wish to offer, and I hope we shall have a 
valuable discussion. 
Rev. C. A. Row. — As I may have to leave early to-night, I will take the 
liberty of commencing the discussion. Iam sure we owe great thanks to 
Dr. Thornton for coming forward to deal with this numerical difficulty , which 
we all undoubtedly feel. I am not prepared to endorse everything which is 
contained in this paper ; but it is only those who have written and laboured 
in defence of revelation who know what are the difficulties which are raised 
both as to things contained in the Scriptures and as to the nature of their 
inspiration. I do not think it is necessary to accept everything in this 
paper, but Dr. Thornton has undoubtedly laid his hands on the great 
bulk of the numerical difficulties of the Old Testament. I do not 
attach the blame to Moses and to the other inspired writers ; but looking 
on history generally, I may express the feeling that the difficulty with 
regard to numbers is enormous. In reading the papers which contained 
the accounts of the American civil war, I never could accept the numbers 
of those slain in battle as set down on paper ; and it yet remains for us 
to o-et some accurate account hereafter from reliable sources. When we 
have to write history, I am satisfied that when the figures are taken 
