Our Authorized Bible Vindicated - Benjamin G. Wilkinson

“Nor is it difficult to understand,” says Dr.
Hemphill, “that many of their less resolute and
decided colleagues must often have been
completely carried off their feet by the
persuasiveness, and resourcefulness, and zeal of
Hort, backed by the great prestige of Lightfoot, the
popular Canon of St. Paul’s, and the quiet
determination of Westcott, who set his face as a
flint. In fact, it can hardly be doubted that Hort’s
was the strongest will of the whole Company, and
his adroitness in debate was only equaled by his
pertinacity.”[26]
The conflict was intense and ofttimes the result
seemed dubious. Scrivener and his little band did
their best to save the day. He might have resigned;
but like Bishop Wilberforce, he neither wished to
wreck the product of revision by a crushing public
blow, nor did he wish to let it run wild by
absenting himself. Dr. Hort wrote his wife as
follows:
“July 25, 1871. We have had some stiff battles
346