Professor Lyon spoke at the College Conference last evening on "the Hebrew Prophet." The books recommended for a proper understanding of the subject were Sayce's Times of Isaiah, and Selvader's Cuneiform Inscriptions, and the Old Testament.

In order to get a good understanding of the Hebrew Prophet it is necessary to have a knowledge of the times in which the prophets lived; and in addition to the works alluded to above, the Assyrian records and the revised edition of the Old Testament especially, are the best vehicles to convey such information.

The Great Prophets belonged to two and a half centuries 875-525 B. C. In those days the prophet was looked upon in a much different light from now. He was considered merely as the organ of the Lord, one who spoke for another, one who merely made announcements, while at the same time he retained his own will and remained a man. The Hebrew prophet was a unique characteristic of Hebrew life; of some we know a good deal, of others scarcely anything. They came to a sense of their calling by visions and speeches, and were supported in their religious and prophetic work by fees and were also entertained. The method of their teaching was by addresses, and symbolical action.

The work of the prophet is four-fold; literary, political, moral and religious. As a literary man he contributed in addition to his own addresses, articles to contemporary history. In a political point of view the prophet was distinctly a statesman, as he interpreted for another and lead public opinion. The moral tone of the prophet was of the highest order and his religious work had a strong tendency to put down the worship of many gods. The spirit of the prophet's work was an unselfish, sympathetic and uncompromising one, truly courageous and hopeful.

The value of the prophets to us is considerable; from a literary point of view their writings are unequaled and in many cases are real gems. Their tone is lofty and ethical; their spirit healthful.

With an appeal to his hearers to follow out this hopeful and victorious tone of the prophets, Professor Lyon concluded an instructive, and entertaining address.