Consider the words in which these chapters were
written--Greek. It has gone. Take the Latin--the other great tongue
of those days. It ceased long ago. Look at the Indian language.
It is ceasing. The language of Wales, of Ireland, of the Scottish
Highlands is dying before our eyes. The most popular book in the
English tongue at the present time, except the bible, is one of
Dickens' works, his "Pickwick Papers." It is largely written in
the language of London street-life; and experts assure us that in
fifty years it will be unintelligible to the average English reader.
Then Paul goes farther, and with even greater boldness adds,
"Whether there by KNOWLEDGE, it shall be done away." The wisdom of
the ancients, where is it? It is wholly gone. A schoolboy to-day
knows more than Sir Isaac Newton knew; his knowledge has vanished
away. You put yesterday's newspaper in the fire: its knowledge has
vanished away. You buy the old editions of the great encyclopaedias
for a few cents: their knowledge has vanished away. Look how the
coach has been superseded by the use of steam. Look how electricity
has superseded that, and swept a hundred almost new inventions
into oblivion. One of the greatest living authorities, Sir William
Thompson, said in Scotland, at a meeting at which I was present,
"The steam-engine is passing away.
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