LECTURE BY REV. GEO. BAROLAY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1461, 30 January 1886, Page 3

LECTURE BY REV. GEO. BAROLAY.

On Sunday evening last the Rev. Geo. Barclay delivered one of his interesting monthly lectures. His subject on tbo occasion was “ Historical Corroborations of the Bible.” The lecturer in commencing remarked that the question was often naked: to what extent were the statements of the Scriptures corroborated by other and independent sources ? In answer to this be said three things were to be kept in view : (1), that in case of certain portions of the Bible, from their antiquity, nature, etc., we could not expect corroboration on a largo scale j (2), that as far as the New Testament was concerned, any contemporary writers, if they were Jews, would have a reluctance to say much about Christ or Christianity , on 1 if they were pagans, not having much contact with Palestine themselves, they would be disposed to regard as mere questions of Jewish religion and controversy whatever rumors might reach them j (3), but at the lame time there was a gieat number of parallel passages involving a confirmation of biblical statements on a great variety of topics. Preserving other examples for a future occasion, the lecturer then proceeded to give various illustrations of his theme. Did it appear from the New Testament that about the period of the Advent there was a strong and widespread expectation that some great One was about to appear in the world P The lecturer either read or quoted from such authors as Virgil, Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, etc. Was the Baptist a conspiou ous character in the Gospels ? A remarkable passage was quoted from Josephus confirmatory of the sacred narrative. Other topics taken for illustration were the seduction of Herodias by her brothor-in-lar Herod Antipa* ; the expulsion by Claudius of the Jews fr ia Borne ; the death of Herod &grippa (mentioned Acta xii.) ; the existence, character, persecutions, etc., of the Christians in the first century—all of which points he illustrated by passages from writings of a groat variety of authors, including Josephus, Tacitus, Suetonius, PHny and Martial. One of the very remarkable passages from Josephus referring to Christ, the lecturer said, was not unanimously regarded as genuine, and, therefore, he would not lay much emphasis upon it. Mr_ Barclay concluded his very interesting lecture by asking whether in the light of such passages as these, and a hundred more that might be quoted, we could give credence for a moment to any theory of a mythical character, and by exhorting his hearers in reference to the being, character, and providence of God ; to the startling facts of sin and guilt; to the mission to this world of Christ, the Redeemer; and to the great destiny in another world yet before men, to uphold fast the form of sound words. The lecture was listened to throughout with the greatest attention—many at the conclusion of the same audibly expressing their cordial appreciation.