involve translating and interpreting it in the Chaldee paraphrase. "Gave the sense" is

more correctly translated "divided the sentences", the first attempt to break the books up

into chapters and verses.  "Caused them to understand the reading", i.e., gave the

traditional pronunciation of the words, which were then without the vowel points.

This brings us to the close of the O.T.  After the solemn gathering recorded in

Neh. 8: there were but three more books to be written before the prophetic gift ceased

in Israel: These were the prophecies of Haggai, Zephaniah and Malachi. The date of the

last-named is about 370B.100:, and so about 30 years after the restoration under Ezra.

Malachi is called by the Rabbis, "The Seal of the Prophets", and from his day the Jew has

given his life rather than add to or take away one book or portion of the sacred scriptures

entrusted to him.

Owing to the nature of the meetings addressed, we cannot enter into highly technical

arguments, as, for example, the witness of the Samaritan Pentateuch, or the extreme value

of the Septuagint translation. Such studies belong to the class-room rather than the

pulpit, and are incorporated in the Correspondence Courses of Study now in preparation.

We trust, however, that enough has been advanced to show the provision made by the

Lord for the sacred custody of His Holy Word, and it is a fact to be remembered, that

while Israel have been charged with breaking practically every commandment of their

law, never has the charge been made against them of tampering with the sacred

Scriptures entrusted to them. "Moses", in whom they "trusted", might indeed condemn

them (John 5: 46) and the Messiah, of Whom Moses wrote, might be rejected by them;

they may have overlaid the law with their traditions and so have smothered its teaching,

but with a zeal that bordered upon fanaticism, this same people preserved intact the O.T.

scriptures and passed them on to the N.T. church.

It will doubtless be realized that during the first six months in which the main theme

of our London witness has been the inspiration of the Scriptures, we have looked at many

aspects of this doctrine which it has not been possible to touch upon in these six short

papers. Nevertheless we believe our readers and supporters will have been pleased or

encouraged to share with us a little of the matter of the oral ministry thus given.