cheenc03a.pdf

POSTSCRIPT
accounts they are sorry not to have been able to make this new find helpful to
the readers of the Encyclopredia.
To attempt any discussion of the criticisms, whether favourable or adverse,
which have been made upon the methods employed or results set forth in the
Encycloopedia would manifestly be out of place here. Other opportunities will
occur ; and time, too, will doubtless exercise its mellowing and reconciling
influence. It may even be hoped that the confusing practice of denominating
some critics super-naturalistic, others naturalistic, some critics sober and safe,
others extravagant and unsafe, may soon pass away in the light of a fuller comprehension
of the meaning of critical results, the complexity of critical problems,
and the variety of legitimate and necessary critical methods. There are
some other things of a more general nature which the editors would fain say in
all simplicity and earnestness, but they prefer to ask leave to quote a passage
from Dr. Hort's introduction to the now famous edition of the New Testament
by himself and Bishop Westcott, with the spirit of which they are in deepest
sympathy, and the expressions of which, especially in the closing sentences, they
can heartily adopt as their own.
'if onb remains to express an earnest hope that whatever labour we have been allowed to
contn6ute towards the ascertain?nent of the trzrth of the letter may aZso be allowed, in ways
which muxtfo~ the nrosf part be in71isible to ourselues, to contribute towards strengthening,
co~recfing, and extending human apprehension of the Larger t~uth of thc spirit Others
assureil(y in due time will prosecute the task with better resources of knowledge and skill, and
amend the faults and defects of our processes and resulfs, To be faithful to such light as could
be enjoyed in our OW~L day was thc utmost that we could desire. flow far we have fallen short
ofthis standard, we are well aware: yet we are bold to say that *zone of the shortcomings or?
due to lack of anxious and watchful sinceri?y. An implicit confidence in all truth, a keen sense
of its variety, and a deliberate dread of shuttin,%, out truth ns yet unknmnn are no secllrio
rqpitirf some of the wandering lehts that are ajt to bepile a crific; but, in so far as th~y arc
obeytd, they at least quench every inclination to &wide criticisnr into delivering such testimony as
nray be to the supposed advantap of truth already inherited or acquired. Critics of the BiJle,
f they have heen taufit by the Bible, are unable to forget that thc duty of guileIess workmanship
is never strperreded by any other.'
In conclusion, the Editors desire anew to express their gratitude for the invaluable
services of the members of the editorial staff-Messrs. Hogg, Cook, and
Canney-which have been continued with unabated zeal to the termination of
the work ; as also, their great indebtedness to Dr. Redpath for having read the
proofs with a special reference to the readings of the LXX. In connection with
the maps their thanks are due not only to the authors of various articles to which
these relate, but also to Prof. Max Miiller, particularly for help in the preparation
of the map of Syria according to the Egyptian monuments, to Col. Billerbeck for
two maps of Syria according to cuneiform documents, and in a very special
dcgree to Mr. (now Prof.) Hogg, who has throughout superintended the whole
map-work in the Encyclopedia, including the indexing.
27th March, 1903.