ns of the sun and moon,
earth and ocean, are present.

"_Sacrificially symbolical_, when the Eucharistic cup is seen below the
Cross, or the pelican feeding her young is placed above it.

"_Simply doctrinal_, when the Virgin and St. John stand on each side,
as solemn witnesses; or our Lord is drinking the cup, sometimes
literally so represented, given Him of the Father, while the lance
opens the sacramental font.

"_Historically ideal_, as when the thieves are joined to the scene, and
sorrowing angels throng the air.

"_Historically devotional_, as when the real features of the scene are
preserved, and saints and devotees are introduced.

"_Legendary_, as when we see the Virgin fainting.

"_Allegorical and fantastic_, as when the tree is made the principal
object, with its branches terminating in patriarchs and prophets,
virtues and graces.

"_Realistic_, as when the mere event is rendered as through the eyes of
an unenlightened looker-on.

"These and many other modes of conception account for the great
diversity in the treatment of this subject; a further variety being
given by the combination of two or more of these modes of treatment
together; for instance, the pelican may be seen above the Cross giving
her life's blood for her offspring; angels in attitudes of despair,
bewailing the Second Person of the Trinity; or, in an ideal sacramental
sense, catching the blood from His wounds--the Jews below looking on,
as they really did, with contemptuous gestures and hardened hearts; the
centurion acknowledging that this was really the Son of God, while the
group of the fainting Virgin, supported by the Marys and St. John, adds
legend to symbolism, ideality, and history."

In the study of the doctrinal development nothing is so important as
the exegesis of the New Testament statements about the Cross; and this
has been done in a masterly way by Dr. Dale in his work on the
Atonement. What may be called the Philosophy of the Cross (to borrow a
happy phrase of McCheyne Edgar's) came late. It is usually reckoned to
have commenced with Anselm; and since the Reformation every great
theologian has added his contribution. Yet the work is by no means
completed. Indeed, at the present day there is no greater desideratum
in theology than a philosophy of the Cross which would thoroughly
satisfy the religious mind. Shallow theories abound; but the Church of
Christ will never be able to rest in any theory which does not do