Julius Wellhausen, the head master of "modern scientific criticism," has a lively imagination. He can make and unmake history at will, and he is said to be brilliant in doing both. A fit specimen is his account of the crossing of the Red Sea by Israel. Here it is:

      The situation was a critical one; but a high wind during the night had left the shallow sea so low that it became possible to ford it. Moses eagerly accepted the suggestion, and made the venture with success. The Egyptians rushing after came up with them on the further shore, and a struggle ensued. But the assailants fought at a disadvantage, the ground being ill suited for their chariots and horsemen; they fell into confusion and attempted to retreat. Meanwhile, the wind had changed; the waters returned, and the pursuers were annihilated.--Article "Israel," in Encyclopedia Britannica, P. 406.

      This is the man who is chiefly followed by our English and American "evangelical critics." He should be called as a witness by the weaker side in the coming investigation of Admiral Schley's conduct at Santiago. He could make out an account of that battle to suit; and [369] if no battle at all had been fought, he could testify to one all the same.

      Wellhausen's immediate predecessor, and the rationalist to whom, next to Wellhausen, our "evangelicals" are most indebted, Abraham Kuenen, is not so knowing. On the subject of the Red Sea crossing he not only fails to be wise above what is written, but he is doubtful about how much of the latter he should accept. He says:

      What actually took place there we do not know. The only thing certain is that the Israelites remembered that they had there escaped a great danger which threatened them from the side of the Egyptians. Even in early times their rescue was considered and celebrated as an act of Jahveh. The account which we possess in Exodus of their passage may have existed as early as the eighth century B. C. It is undoubtedly founded on fact. But it is very difficult to distinguish the actual circumstances of the occurrence from poetical embellishments. We will not risk the attempt--"Religion of Israel," Vol. I., p. 126.

      Poor fellow! Being bound by a foregone conclusion to reject the miracle, and having too much good sense to accept the silly accounts of his fellows in rationalism, he stumbles and falls like an old man without his cane.

[SEBC 369-370]