Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

DISCUSSIONS OF RELIGION. 177
myself in a tacit approbation of them, by contributing to the
work in which they hold so prominent a place, nor to involve
myself in a dispute by contradicting them in the manner in
which otherwise I would think it my duty to do.
This was almost the unkindest cut of all ; for the
opinions of the Magazine were always strictly orthodox,
and Wilson and Lockhart were both of the mind
to make up for a little profanity in secular affairs by
the profoundest reverence in things sacred. Indeed,
the lawsuit which presently brought a little more
excitement into the affairs of the Magazine (which
never had been wanting in animation) was founded on
an assault upon Professor John Leslie, Professor of
Natural History in the University of Edinburgh, for
various offences against religious teaching, and chiefly
for his description of the language in which the Bible
was written as " the poorest and rudest in the world."
This certainly " did not in Caesar seem " irreligious
but it would appear that Dr M'Crie objected to any
discussions of religion, even from the safer side, in the
pages of a Magazine. This combination of missiles
rushing through the air at Blackwood's head from
quarters so different gives a very clear idea of what
our excellent founder had to suffer. It was a little
hard to be hectored on the subject with the severe
questions, " What do you propose to yourself? " and
that chiefly for the sins of others. But he stood
fast, with a steady firmness, and never flinched,
always able to defend himself, yet saying no more
than was necessary, paying his money heroically, and
biding his time.
While thus quoting the assailants, let us add a
quite unexpected and flattering note of applause from
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