proved. That which is proved is called the "conclusion", and the means whereby it is so

proved the "premises". Here is a simple example of a syllogism:--

We are not at the moment concerned with the morals of the matter before us, but with

the process of reasoning and its inevitable conclusions. There is no possible way of

avoiding the conclusion, "Therefore he deserved death", except by questioning and

disproving some feature of the premises. Either it is not true that all tyrants deserve

death, or it is true. Either it is true that Caesar was a tyrant, or it is not true. But if these

premises be conceded, then the conclusion is valid and unassailable.

One great value of the syllogism is the way in which it forces revision of the premises

or steps that lead to an erroneous conclusion. For example, there is nothing apparently

wrong with the following process of reasoning, yet the conclusion is so obviously untrue

that it compels a search for error in the premises that might otherwise have escaped us:--

When we realized that much that passes for scriptural doctrine will not stand the test

of the syllogism, we may look more kindly upon its application, and allow some place for

an explanation of its use.

Without allowing the subject to occupy undue space, we hope from time to time to

give a few notes upon the importance of correct reasoning and valid argument. This we

hope will prove to be of service in the elucidation of the truth of the Scriptures, and at the

same time provide some means of testing the doctrines propounded by teachers and

writers in these days of seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.