Biblical Research.

BIBLICAL RESEARCH .

WE gladly direct our readers' attention to the letter from a clergyman ( to whom we must express our sense oi obligation for his interesting disquisition ) , concerning events recorded in the Exodus , and illustrated in a summary of certain Egyptian researches , given at page 34 of this volume . All are now familiar with the works of

Bishop Colenso , and the progress of modern criticism upon the early Scriptures of the school which he may be said to have founded . Scholars applying the imperfect tests of their limited acquirements to an analysis of such time-old

records , would do well to avoid all appearance of dogmatism , which can but lay them open in turn to reprisals from men of all opinions . How frequently it is seen that maturer reasoning and deeper researches come to disabuse the too-confident caviller and to overthrow the

transparent structures reared by a too-eager infidelity . In the firm conviction that free discussion of all assertions and open review of all discoveries in Eastern exploration will but enhance the value of the sacred record , wo shall do our

utmost to obtain the latest intelligence upon these subjects to lay before our readers . In the Bible story , Freemasons , of all men , are the most interested , from a point of view at once Masonic and archaeological : we earnestly beg for the

kind co-operation of those more favoured among our subscribers , whose acquaintance with Hebrew and other Oriental languages , or whose special opportunities for

investigation may qualify them to speak with authority . "We shall welcome their contributions , which a large circle will peruse with pleasure .

Renewal Of Hostilities.

RENEWAL OF HOSTILITIES .

WE had indulged till quite recently the hope that we had seen and heard the last of the Yorkshire relish for squabble . The war waged by West Yorkshire against the management of the Boys' School had , as we imagined , come to a close . We thought it had been fought out

honourably , and that we should hear of no more differences . It seems , however , we were reckoning without our host . "West Yorkshire , having organised its forces , and dealt its most important blow , has been defeated . It declines , however , to accept its defeat in the manner in vogue among

honourable men . It has resolved to pursue the contest . There is , manifestly , not the slightest hope that a prosecution of the struggle will lead to any other result . West Yorkshire may organise and re-organise its forces . It will be defeated again and again , but the decision will not be

accepted . We do not care to be always repeating old differences . At the Quarterly Court held in the spring of the year , the leading members of the Province attended , and expressed their strong disapproval of the School management . Others arose who expressed approval , and these

latter prevailed by a signal majority . There , under ordinary circumstances , the matter would have been allowed to rest . Unhappily , however , there seems , in this case , to have been imported a certain malignity of spirit . It is not enough that a question should be tried and settled this or

that way . It must be tried again and again , no matter how considerable the annoyance or damage that may be caused . In former days it was the practice of civilized nations to slay those who defended untenable places , and very properly . No object is served by resistance under

such circumstances . Similarly , in our narrower Masonic world , it were desirable there should be no opposition , when opposition is unlikel y to prove serviceable . All this , however , is , it seems , against the grain of West Yorkshire . It has differed . It has pressed its difference , and unavailingly .

It may indulge in further objection , but no good will folio . v . Ordinarily we should have supposed the case settled , I ; tit this is not to be . West Yorkshire will not recognise publicly its defeat . Its popular S . G . W ., Bro . Gill , of Wakefield , strove lately , at Huddersfield , to secure harmony in

the Province . He earnestly adjured Bro . Booth to withdra vr an offensive resolution . Past D . G . M . Bentley Shaw followed suit , and the Provincial Grand Master did his utmost to restore friendly relations between the School and tho Province . . The endeavour succeeded for a time . But this

week , it seems , the war has not ended . West Yorkshire has made known its grievance , but no one sees its force . Nearly all the forty other provinces are pleased with the condition of matters , but West Yorkshire is not pleased , and there must be bitter war henceforth as previously . We

are fairly entitled t <> put the very important question , Qui Bono ? All who have been invited to give an opinion have done so , and the result is unfavourable to the province over which Sir H . Edwards presides . Obviously no benefit will follow from a renewal of the difference , but much harm .

The world of Masonry declines to accept the West Yorkshire theory about school management , and no argument whatever will prevail to alter these cii * cumstances . Bat even so , there is to be no return of peace , it seems . A Provincial Grand Master , a Past Deputy G . M ., a Past Grand

Warden , and the very considerable body of W . Yorkshire brethren who look at the matter in the same light may bo quite willing to bury the remembrance of past differences , but the fiat has been issued—by whom we care not . A

few days since and we were all rejoicing over the peace in store for us . Now , it seems , there is to be no peace , and the friend and immediate neighbour of West Yorkshire has resolved to embark in the struggle , so far , at least , as the expression of its sympathy may be taken as an act of war .

It is impossible to prescribe that all brethren shall adopt one uniform set of opinions . We have a right to demand , however , that the opinions of the majority shall not be rudely disturbed , to the detriment of the general community . We are not stopping to consider whether the views

of the smaller section are right or wrong . We find they are unacceptable to the greater number , and we know that to press them in the face of such opposition will inevitably inflict damage on tho Craft . The Deputy P . G . M ., Bro . Tew , was aware of this when he issued his last pamphlet ,

and now we hear of North and East Yorkshire aiding and abetting him in his unwholesome plans . Surely a firm stand should be made against this renewal of hostilities . We , who have been charged by both sides with a feeling of partiality , call upon all right-minded Craftsmen to give ear

unto the voice of common sense . Nothing good will come to anybody if the recent controversy is revived and continued from now till the day of doom . The present generation of patrons and subscribers has emphatically rejected the opinions of Bro . Tew . He may be right , but no one

thinks he is ; and , as a man of honour , he is bound to fight no longer . After all , the interests of the School are paramount . No one is absurd enough to imagine that wrong has been done wittingly . The views of the Governing Body

may be right or they may be wrong . 1 hey are , however , arrived at after due consideration . So , too , West Yorkshire . Its policy may be right . The world , however , thinks otherwise . A few days since , wo were congratulating everybody