INSPIRATION — HEBREW.  471

Sacred  and  most  Blessed  Voliune  will  be  interpreted  bj  some
largely,  as  a  record  of  spiritual  experiences,  and  hy  others  nar-
rowly, as  a  communication  of  literal  words.  The  more  frankly
we  look  at  the  books  collected  in  what  is  called  the  Old  Testa-
ment, the  more  clearly  we  see  them  to  comprehend  the  literature
of  the  Hebrew  priesthood  and  people.  They  are  an  expression
of  the  national  mind,  or  a  reflexion  of  its  consciousness.  What-
ever Almighty  Grod  had  taught  the  Hebrews  is  therein  written ;
whether  His  lessons  had  the  form  of  historical  facts,  or  whether
they  came  through  a  stir  of  the  religious  feelings,  or  whether
they  took  a  glow  from  the  colouring  of  the  imagination.  No
man  can  truly  believe  that  God  governs  the  world,  and  each
nation  in  it,  vnthout  expecting  that  any  true  expression  of  a
national  consciousness,  especially  if  trained  by  a  devout  priest-
hood, and  expounded  with  constant  reference  to  the  God  of
truth,  will  be  pregnant  with  lessons  significant  to  all  men.  For
it  will  at  the  least  be  eloquent  of  that  design  which  we  believe
to  be  fulfilling  itself,  as  the  will  of  God,  in  mankind.  For
there  is  a  spirit  in  man,  and  the  inspiration  of  the  Almighty  giveth
him  understanding*.  It  seemed  indeed  to  the  old  Hebrews,
that  no  guidance  less  than  Divine  could  originate  any  art.
