tation。 I hasten to add that I am certain this was not the case； that on the contrary it was divinely inspired； whatever the actual meaning of parts of it may be。 All I say is that； in my view； it alone of the books of the New Testament might perhaps be a fruit of human powers of creation。
With the remainder of them it is different。 These； I am sure； are records of things that were said or happened very much as they are written down。 Who； for instance； could have invented the account of the Last Supper in St。 John？ A thousand touches； patent enough to the eye of one who poses romance； show that this view is true； the very inconsistencies or variations in the different accounts of certain incidents； due for the most part to the varying temperaments of the recorders that cause them to dwell upon that aspect of the matter in hand which appealed to them； rejecting or slurring over the others； suggest that it is true。 Any person who has been accustomed to hear evidence knows that such evidence is most suspicious when a number of witnesses tell exactly the same story； especially as to events that happened a while before； and most credible when that story es from sundry mouths with differences of detail。
So； the critic will say； you are prepared to swallow the miracles at a gulp？ Yes； I am — or most of them。 I do not see how they are to be explained away； moreover； I have known so many miracles to occur in my own time and experience that a few more or less make no difference to me。 To state that miracles； which after all may be but the partial manifestation of some secret law veiled from us as yet； have ceased is； in my opinion； a profound mistake； they happen often； especially in the heart of man。 Moreover； the whole circumstances of life are a miracle； the wire