us to find it
out in everything else.

Canon Driver is perhaps glanced at in "fables," and perhaps also Canon
Cheyne. The former has publicly argued against the "reconciliations" of
Genesis and Science. He has likewise written very strongly against the
"historical" character of Jonah, which he treats as a story with "a
moral." Canon Cheyne regards it as "an allegory." Jonah is Israel,
swallowed up by Babylon; but, seeking the Lord in exile, the captive is
at last disgorged uninjured.

These clerical apostles of the "New Criticism" are accused of attempting
"entirely to rob the people of God of the Holy Scriptures." Poor people
of God! How anxious the petitioners are for their welfare! Some persons,
however, will be apt to regard the solicitude of these gentlemen as
_professional_. Robbing the people of the Holy Scriptures, in _their_
mouths, may simply mean rendering the clergyman's trade more difficult,
or perhaps altogether impossible; and therefore the bitter cry of
these "grievously beset" parsons (to use their own words) may be only a
parallel to the famous old shout of "Great is Diana of the Ephesians."

Why indeed do not the petitioners refute the apostles of the "New
Criticism," instead of appealing to the _authority_ of Convocation?
They plainly declare that the "New Criticis" rests on "utterly baseless
foundations"--which is a curious pleonasm or tautology for a body of
"educated" gentlemen. But if the substance of the declaration be true,
apart from its logic or grammar, the orthodox parsons may scatter the
heretical parsons like chaff before the wind. Principles which are
"utterly baseless" may surely be refuted. To quote from Hamlet, "it is
as easy as lying." Now that is a practice in which the clergy of all
ages have shown great dexterity. We therefore hope the orthodox parsons
will _refute_ the "New Criticism." Let them try to save the Bible by
argument. If they cannot it is lost, and lost for ever.

FORGIVE AND FORGET. *

* March 19, 1893. Written after a debate at the Hall of
Science, London, between the writer and the Rev. C. Fleming
Williams, on "Christian Ideas of Man and Methods of
Progress." Mr. Branch, of the London County Council,
presided, and there was a very large attendance.

My recent friendly discussion with the Rev. C. Fleming Williams was
most enjoyable. It is so-pleasant to debate points of difference with
an opponent whom you fully respect, towards