4
of the enemy on its front, for, if they did, they would be cut to pieces to a man. In consequence, I believe, of my reiterated declaration, and proof, which cannot be denied, of my calling as a Prophet of the Lord, the formation of the Force was changed to that of a square: and, although they did still purpose to attack the position in front, the commander found the necessity, from finding four guns ready in position, of wheeling round and taking it in flank and rear: but, having done so, it became manifest, that, from the whole foreground being prepared with a very extensive arrangement of rifle-pits, each concealed behind a bushy plant of broad-leaved evergreen Dwarf Palm,[1] and filled with warriors efficiently armed for the nonce, utterly reckless of life or death, our whole Force, had they charged the position in front, would, as I vehemently declared, have been cut to pieces.
I proceed to shew that for Parliament to pass a Bill to legalize marriage with a deceased wife's sister would be to defile the land with incest, and would bring down a curse of God upon the nation.[2] (Deuteronomy xi., 26-28.) The first passage harped upon by the promoters of incest is Leviticus xviii., 18.
The rendering here of ishshah el-ahhothah in our version by "one to another" is objectionable: for inasmuch as the breadth of God's restriction in Leviticus xviii., 16, positively forbids marriage with a deceased wife's sister; and that "God is not a man that he should lie, neither the son of man that he should repent" (Numbers xxiii., 19); so that even in the merciful provision through the law of the Yeboom (Deuteronomy XXV.) the brother-in-law was always in ancient times released from that duty, when the deceased brother's widow was his own wife's sister;[3] we must look for another rendering of the words, compatible with the word of truth; as in the case of Moses (Exodus xxvi.) ordered to arrange the curtains of the Tabernacle; where since each curtain was Note—
- ↑ I have myself, while travelling in Sicily, had to ride on a mule across a plain thickly studded with such plants, though not perhaps so vigorous: and I can fully appreciate how perplexing, harassing and deadly a position so prepared and so defended would be to a force assaulting with a rush; and how each British cheer would he converted into a cry of warning anguish, as each brave soldier, stumbling and speared, fell into a rifle-pit.
- ↑ 26 Behold I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; 27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: 28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy xi.)
- ↑ See Seder-Nashim, Treatise Yebamoth, in numerous sections in Chapters I., II., III., XI. and XIII.
