377 
are 1 . The numbers of the Sacred Narrative,— and more 
specially the 600,000 of IsraeTs warriors, — are integral parts of 
revelation, sustained by an immense array of collateral state- 
ments and allusions, of cross references, and computations 
whose elements are given. 2. Considering the circumstances, 
the numbers are not improbable, but very highly probable 
the ruling circumstances being— the Will, the Promise, and 
the Resources, of God. 3. The aim and scope of the Bible are 
other than are generally appreciated. In maintaining these, I 
have of necessity taken a place of antagonism to Dr. Colenso 
and the German school, who reject even the historical verity of 
the Pentateuch, and also to several much-respected members 
of this Institute, to whom the honour of God, and the Word of 
God, I know, are dear. I had intended to take up other points, 
against which charges have been laid; — the early paternity of 
Ahaz and of Josiah; the judgment at Bethshemesh ; the ark 
of Noah ; the metallic treasure in possession of Israel ; the 
slaughter in battles, the captives, and the plunder • high 
numbers in the later historical books ;— and I think that'some- 
thing in vindication might be said on all these points, without 
resting much on the suggested resource of error through con- 
fusion of consimilar abbreviant symbols. 
76 ; ^ ut the length of this paper warns me that if these 
points be further discussed, either seriatim or in association 
it must be on another occasion. And thus I relinquish the 
momentous subject, soliciting pardon of God if I have dis- 
honoured Him m darkening counsel by words without know- 
ledge, and also of my respected antagonists if I have been 
betrayed into any words unseemly towards them. 
Non mea, sed tua sunt, quse sunt bona : non tua certe, 
feed mea sunt, si quse sunt mala, summe Deus ! 
Nos tibi pro donis Grates quas possumus : at Tu 
Suseipe quse tua sunt, corrige quse mea sunt,” 
The Chairman.-I am sure it will be your pleasure to return a vote of 
thanks to Mr. Gosse for his paper. But before inviting any discussion upon 
it, there is another on the same subject, which has been prepared by Mr. 
loule, and probably it will be better to read that now, and then take the 
consideration of the two papers together. 
The Rev. H. Moule then read the following paper 
