Prof. Vinogradoff's Lecture on Law

Professor Paul Vinogradoff, of the University of Oxford, delivered his fifth lecture on "The Elements of Ancient Law" in Austin Hall last night. The subject was "Religious Authority." His final lecture will be on "Political Authority," and will be delivered in Austin Hall next Tuesday at 8 o'clock.

Professor Vinogradoff's main topic was the versatility of the ancient Hindoo, Roman and Greek priests. Besides being priests, they were lawyers, engineers, teachers, and magicians. The combining of religious with legal practices, such as these, was highly developed by the Hindoos. The teaching of religious morally and religious justice was closely related to law with them, especially in the case of religious commandments such as "Thou shalt not kill." Homicide is the origin of private feud. Apart from the injury done by homicide, there is the great sacramental sin which has to be purified. The only persons who can wipe out this sin are the priests--the sorcerers of religious magic. The curse was the greatest power the priest could use to persecute the criminal.

Roman priests were also versatile and made the Roman calendar, since they were the only astronomers. In closing, Professor Vinogradoff said that the enormous influence of the Chruch on Christian nations was caused by the great gap between law and religion, into which it stopped.