Dr. Lee has delivered a remarkable address to the theological
Faculty of the University of Edinburgh on the importance-of perfect freedom for professors of theology and spiritual advisers generally, as distinguished from priests with any sacerdotal 'claims to miraculous power, or to supernatural illumination as to dogma. "The Theo- logical Professor is not to attempt to take the student out of his -own hands,—to relieve him of his own responsibility of investi- gation and of judgment, or of any part of it. He himself also is a scholar,—inquiring what is true and good in matters of religion, and-using for this end the resources of his own learning, and of all others so far as they may be within his reach ; and it is his duty, and should be his aim, to assist the students who may resort to him to pursue the same inquiries in the same spirit, and for theinselves." The conclusion of Dr. Lee's address was exceedingly striking and noble. "For my part, I think much too well of my professional brethren to believe that they need to be sent forth to preach and teach thus loaded with irons—being in a very different
sense from St. Paul 'ambassadors in chains.' In his case the body only was iv caLau,—the soul was free, also the tongue ; the word of God was not bound." Dr. Lee added that he spoke only for himself, and not for his colleagues, which was obvious enough. It is quite certain that he has hit upon the true root of the distrust towards the clergy, —that felt on the ground that they are pledged to teaching a given belief.
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