In the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland,
on Tuesday, a division took place on the alleged heresy of Professor Robertson Smith as to the date of Deuteronomy, which was, in effect, a clear victory for the Professor. Dr. Boner's con- demnatory resolution appears to have been carried by a majority of two, 321 against 319, a result which is certainly equivalent to an acquittal; indeed, on the following day Principal Rainy seemed to think it probable that the scrutiny will show the majority to be only one vote,—in other words, that the number of votes for Professor Robertson Smith was 320. According to the terms of Dr. Boner's motion, Professor Robertson Smith will only be suspended till the next meeting of the Assembly, and final judgment will be reserved till then. We may be sure that time will work on Professor Robertson Smith's side, as it always does on the side of sound learning, and it can hardly work with so little effect as not to change a single vote in the right direction ; in which case, even if the majority were two, the deprivation could not be carried. The truth is, that Professor Robertson Smith is one of the very best friends of orthodox learning. What he contends for as to the age of Deuteronomy, is the very minimum which sound scholarship can ever consent to take at the hands of ignorant and unthinking ecclesiastical tradition.
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