20
THIRD PAPER.
We have yet to notice the Jewish and early church authorities to which the Churchman's Magazine writer appeals in support of his assertions as unscriptural and immoral what never was prohibited by the laws of any country in the world before the fourth century of the christian era; what is now lawful in every country in the world except Great Britain and Ireland since 1835, and what is sanctioned by the brightest ornaments of our church in both Europe and America, as we shall show before concluding this paper.
THE MAGAZINE WRITER'S MISREPRESENTATIONS OF HIS OWN AUTHORITIES—THE MISHNA.
The writer has either never read the works which he professes to quote. or he knowingly misrepresents them; for in every instance except one do they declare the very opposite of what he represents them as having stated. His first reference is to the Mishna. He says
“The negative testimony of Scriptune [against the lawfulness of a man's marriage with his deceased wife's sister] is irresistibly substantiated by the most ancient traditionary laws of the Jews—the Mishna. There is no dispute that the Mishna is the most exact representation of ancient Jewish opinion," (pg. 14.)
It might be supposed, after such a pretentious flourish, that the writer would have adduced some very explicit quotations from the Mishna in support of his formidable, but we hesitate not to say perfectly groundless, statement. He quotes not one passage bearing on the subject, but represents the Mishna as using certain terms and stating certain things, and even laments Dr. McCaul's ignorance of the Mishna!-Very like a candle sitting censor on the sun for not knowing how to give light!
We will quote one passage from the Mishna, from the next chapter (iv. 13) to that which this writer has referred to as sustaining his statements. That there may be no mistake, or cavil, we first give Surenhusius Latin version of the passage and then an English translation:
