THE BIBLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 80, 30 April 1909, Page 4

THE BIBLE.

MOST MAGNIFICENT PASSAGES.

An interesting series of answers to the question, ''Which is tile most magnificent'passage in the ISibleJ" appears in the "Sunday at Homo." The writer of the article-Mr. Ar B. Cooper—was struck by the passage in "The Life and Letters of Alfred, Lord Tennyson." in which it is stated, quite incidentally, that the poet considered Rev. x., 1-0, to be a passage possibly unsurpassed for magnificence, and his son relates how his father would recite it with great fervor and spiritual emotion, revelling an its splendid climax, yet always changing, the last clause, doubtless'in response to the dictates of a fine ear for rhythm, to "Till time shall be no more." Mr. William Watson, the poet, says: "I dissent altogether from Tennyson's opinion as to the most magnificent passage, but should hesitate to name another as having solitary pre-eminence. Whole chapters of Isaiah, such as xl. and lx., are simply clusters of passages that touch the highest levels of

grandeur, and every kind of. literary magnificence is supremely exemplified in tho Bible. For sustained splendor of coloring the greater part of Ezek. xxvii. anil xxviii. is probably unapproachable, though lacking in magnanimity of spirit. The most perfect elegy in all literature is, perhaps, David's lament for Saul and Jonathan (2 Sam. i., 10-27), and at the other end of the great gamut of emotion the song of Deborah and Barak (Judges v., 2-13), with its savage repetitions and antiphonal effects, is the most superb expression ot the intoxication of triumph that I know."

Dr. Alexander Whyte, for nearly forty yVars minister of St. George's Free Church, Edinburgh, writes: "I choose th P Sen" of Solomon throughout. Professor Saintsbury says of the Song, chapter viii., 'The sixth and seventh verses are the best examples known to me of perfect English prose.' Among many other magnificent passages are Isn. Is., 'Arise, shine, for thy iight is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.' and Rev. vii. 0-17."

Professor R. C. Moulton. Professor of Literary Theory and Interpretation at the University or Chicago, and author of "The Literary Study of the Bible." writes: "I do not think it profitable to seek for (he 'most magnificent passage in the Bible' because (here are many different kinds of magnificence, and different kinds cannot be ranked as higher or lower. 1 would s.ay (hat. in niy opinion. Micah vi., &- 'lie hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee but In do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?' may be cited as th,,' normal basis of the whoie Bible, and Rev. xi„ 15—'There were great voices in heaven, saying. The, kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, arid He shall reign for ever ami ever.' as the climax up to which the dramatic movement of the whole Bibl,, leads." Tsa. xl. is chosen by Mr. William Watson. Onion Driver, Dr. Savce (1-17). Rev. W. L. Watkinson, Rev. F. W. Jlacdonald (27-31). and Dr. Monro Gilmui (0-31).