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OF THE

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE.

The Encyclopædia of Religious Knowledge is, upon the whole, a valu- | We should sincerely hope, that the cause of truth and the interest of the able book of reference, and the theological articles are, in the main, good. The work is rich in biographical notices, and contains much useful information respecting the tenets of different sects, which in most cases is supplied by their own writers. The theological student will find it a convenient and useful companion. A. ALEXANDER, D. D. Princeton Theol. Sem., N. J.

'I regard the Ency. of Rel. Knowledge as a very valuable book of reference. While it is particularly convenient and useful to ministers of the gospel, it will be found to be very entertaining and instructive to others, and is well worthy of a place in every family library. B. TYLER, D. D.

Pres. of E. Windsor Theol. Institute, Conn.' 'I have examined the Ency, of Rel. Knowledge in sundry of its arti. cles; and holding in my library its principal authorities, I am ready to say that I much approve it. We have no work which contains, and judiciously contains, so much informing matter at so moderate a price. Rev. JONATHAN HOMER, D. D. Newton, Mass.'

This volume is certainly an exception to the general style in which compends, summaries, and Encys. are manufactured among us. It bears the marks of care, honest research, and accurate statement. The commendable practice is followed of giving the authorities at the close of

each article.

It is not a bookselling expedient, prepared in the haste of a plagiary from English works; but in part original, ad in part condensed, and accommodated to suit the general intention of the volume. The department of religious biography is very complete-a field of labor in which the American Encyclopedia is notoriously deficient. Candor and good judgment are here manifested. On the whole, we heartily commend this publication to our readers. It will repay many fold the cost of its purchase. No single volume in the language, so far as we know, contains a larger amount of valu. able knowledge.' [Biblical Repository and Quarterly Observer.

'We are are confident that this must be a valuable acquisition to any man's library; and one who expects to purchase and use much literature of this sort, we are equally confident, will save both inoney and time by subscribing for this.

We have Encys. in other departments of science; but we do not know that any thing in the form of a Religious Ency. has ever been published in this, or any other country. A work of this kind has there. fore been a great desideratum in the religious and reading community. So far as we have examined it-and we have devoted some time and care to the subject-the book fulfils the large promise of the title quite as well as could reasonably be expected. It is a vast storehouse of information all the subjects indicated, judiciously selected-condensed, perspicuous, and well arranged; and, what is of great importance, with references, at the end of the more important articles, to works from which more particular information may be obtained. The work is handsomely printed, on good paper; the type is clean and fair, and sufficiently large. On the whole, it is entirely beyond any thing else extant as a convenient book of reference for clergymen, teachers of Bible classes and Sabbath schools, and all, in fact, who wish for any book of reference of the kind to assist them in their biblical and religious reading. It is marvellously cheap. We recommend it confidently. It will not disappoint any reasonable expectations.' [Vt. Chronicle.

A very useful work, 1300 imp. 8vo pages. Its usefulness in the family, in reading religious intelligence and other publications, and in writing on religious subjects, is obvious. The price, for so large a volume, prepared with so much labor, must be acknowledged very reasonable cheap.' [N. Y. Evangelist.

The editorial execution altogether surpasses my expectations, and I am persuaded the work will be extensively popular.

Rev. GEO. BUSH,

Prof. of Ori. Lit. in N. Y. City University.'

'Its plan is very comprehensive, and embraces a variety of information respecting the state of religion throughout the world, which cannot be obtained except by recourse to a great number of original sources. In regard to the different denominations in our own country, it is cessary only to recur to the names of the gentlemen who furnish the accounts of them, to obtain full confidence in the fidelity with which those accounts may be expected to be composed.' [Boston Christian Register.

religious public may be promoted by its extensive circulation. It should be a companion to the Bible in every family; it should find a place in the library of every Sunday school teacher; and we venture little in saying that, as a work of reference, the minister of the gospel would find it convenient and useful.' [American Baptist (New York.)

'The object of the work is to condense into one volume the most im portant matter now scattered throughout many expensive publications. The compiler appears to have executed his task with commendable diligence and good judgment. It requires more than ordinary wisdom, in compiling such a work, to determine what to reject and what to retain. As far as we have been able to examine the work, we think the author deserves the credit of a faithful and judicious compiler.-We deem the work worthy of extensive patronage. It is well executed, on good paper, and illustrated with engravings and wood cuts; and we hope the enter prising publishers will be well repaid for their expenditure on this praiseworthy and expensive work.'

[Richmond Rel. Herald.

"The general execution of the work is decidedly good. We recom mend it for its general excellence, as a most useful book of reference, to families which desire information on religious subjects." [Presbyterian (Philadelphia.)

'This work is emphatically what its title imports, a repository of every description of religious knowledge, alphabetically arranged, for easy and familiar reference. It seems to embrace just that kind of knowledge which the ministers of the gospel, and the curious and enlightened Chris. tian of every denomination, requires, relative to the Bible, theology, religious biography, ecclesiastical history, missions and all religions. The amount of matter embraced in about 1300 large octavo pages on these subjects is incalculable-enough, we should think, to fill 15 or 20 volumes of the Family Library. We consider it, in fact, if not the only, the most recent, comprehensive, illustrative, and trustworthy work of refer. ence on all denominational points, and topics adverted to above, extant. It is designed as a complete book of reference on all religious subjects, and companion to the Bible, forming a compact library of religious knowledge: and when its excellence is fully known, it will, we doubt not, find a place in almost every Christian family.' [N. Y. Weekly Messenger.

'We have recently procured a copy of this excellent work;-it is just such a work as the religious public have long needed. It fills a place that is not occupied by any other work in the English language. We wish one could be placed in the hands of every minister of the gospel throughout our country. This one volume would be to him a valuable library of religious knowledge; he might accumulate a great variety of books before he could otherwise obtain the information which he needs upon various points, and which would be directly available in the great work in which he is engaged. Here he has a condensed, but accurate and satisfactory view of the religious customs and sentiments of the difand diversity, he can in this volume hear them nearly all speak their ferent denominations of Christians; and, notwithstanding their number own language and assign their own reasons.

But besides information with regard to different religions, and the dif ferent denominations of the Christian religion, the minister of Christ may here find a distinct and evangelical statement of the great leading doctrines of the Scriptures; which will be no small advantage to any who may have had to enter upon the ministry with but little preparation.

On the saine account, this work recommends itself as a most important help to every Bible class and Sabbath school teacher. Indeed, every head of a family, who wishes to acquire and impart to his children correct and enlightened views upon religious subjects in general, should have in his library this Encyclopedia. Were this generally the case, we might soon expect to see a higher degree of religious knowledge in circulation, and fewer misconceptions and misrepresentations respecting the sentiments of different religious denominations.'

[Zion's Advocate (Portland.)

Few works of more value can be named, even in this time of condensing books. For theological students as a book of reference, and as a family book for youths, to which they may devote their evenings, and imbibe correct information upon the almost boundless field of survey which is connected with the moral and religious condition of mankind, it is unequalled in variety and amplitude of knowledge. We have extenne-sively searched the articles of which it is composed; and can attest to the general fidelity with which the work has been compiled. We have ascertained that the Ency. of Rel. Knowledge comprehends the substance of FIFTY valuable works; all of which formerly were considered necessary to the library not only of a scholar, but also of all Christians who were anxious to obtain accurate and enlarged information of scriptural truth and ecclesiastical history. We can conceive of nothing more beneficial to the American churches than this laborious and grand scheme for the diffusion of religious knowledge.' [N. Y. Protestant Vindicator.

This work contains in itself a religious library; and as such we consider it one of great value to the Christian public. The plan of it is happily adapted to make it a book of reference, a convenient substitute, and more than a substitute for many volumes which Christian readers have heretofore had occasion to consult. And from an examination of a large number of articles, the plan appears to have been well executed. Many of the original articles are ably written. Those condensed from other works were evidently prepared with great care and attention, and show the result of extensive reading and patient research. Its cheapness strongly commends it to public favor.' [Southern Rel. Telegraph, Richmond, Va. The Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge is deservedly having a large sale.' [Boston Recorder.

'Though it is a large volume, yet in view of its variety and comprehensiveness, it is multum in parro,-much in a small space, an ocean of matter in a drop of words. The work has been compiled with immense labor, with great accuracy and uncommon impartiality. Mr. Brown has performed his difficult and delicate task in a judicious manner -in a manner to highly promote the public benefit, and to entitle him to the approbation and gratitude of the community. We are happy to add, that the work has been got up in a handsome style, and in good taste.

(From the Literary and Theological Review, (New York,) edited by Rev. Leonard Woods, Jr.)

'It is enough to say in commendation of it, that it fulfils the promise set forth in its long, descriptive, comprehensive title. The original articles contained in it are numerous, and of great value. The mechanical execution is excellent, and the whole constitutes, we have no doubt, the completest and most valuable book of reference, adapted to the use of families, Sunday school teachers, and ministers of the gospel, that has ever been prepared and published in this country.'

(From the New York Observer.)

"This volume is on a plan which we believe to be original, and which cannot fail, if its execution be judicious and faithful, to secure to the work extensive popularity and usefulness. So far as we have examined the articles in the work, with a few exceptions we think favorably of the skill, judgment and fidelity with which it has been executed. The names of several of the original contributors are sufficient to warrant the highest expectations concerning the articles which they have prepared.'

PREFACE.

NEXT in worth and importance to the possession, is doubtless to be estimated the correct interpretation of the sacred volume. Indeed, it is the latter which gives its value to the former. A revelation not understood, or not intelligible, is no revelation, as far as its recipients are concerned. The position, therefore, that the meaning of the Bible is the Bible, we consider as unquestionably true, and consequently any new accession of light, which goes to clear up its obscurities, and cause its genuine sense to stand forth in bolder relief upon the inspired page, is in reality enriching us with a larger amount of its treasures, and virtually bestowing upon us added communications of the Divine will. In this view, the progressive elucidation of the scriptures, whether by the expository labours of critics, the researches of travellers, or the fulfilments of prophecy, may be compared to the gradual rolling away of the morning mist from a splendid landscape. As the sun advances, the shades retire, and new and interesting features of the scenery are continually opening upon the delighted eye of the spectator. Or, it may be said to resemble the slow, but momentous process of unfolding the ancient papyri, which the ravages of time and fire have spared among the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Here, as every successive word and letter, which can be redeemed from the crisp and crumbling texture of the blackened parchment, is noted down with the most scrupulous care, as forming a part of the continuous record, and going to make out its entire sense; so the sense of the sacred volume is gradually elicited, item by item, and needs only to be collected and treasured up with equal solicitude, in order to constitute a possession of infinitely more value than the choicest literary relics of antiquity. Perhaps it may be safely affirmed, that the materials are at this moment in existence, for the satisfactory solution of nearly every doubtful passage of holy writ; but the great desideratum is to have them brought together—to collect them from their wide dispersion over a countless multitude of writings, in various languages, which the great majority of Christians can neither procure nor understand. It is only in this way that they can be made really available to the great end which they are calculated to subserve; and far from idle are the claims of any one who professes to bring from scattered sources a new quota to the general stock of biblical illustration.

As the Bible, in its structure, spirit, and costume, is essentially an Eastern book, it is obvious that the natural phenomena, and the moral condition of the East, should be made largely tributary to its elucidation. In order to appreciate fully the truth of its descriptions, and the accuracy, force, and beauty of its various allusions, it is indispensable that the reader, as far as possible, separate himself from his ordinary associations, and put himself, by a kind of mental transmigration, into the very circumstances of the writers. He must set himself down in the midst of oriental scenery-gaze upon the sun, sky, mountains, and rivers of Asia-go forth with the nomade tribes of the desert-follow their flockstravel with their caravans-rest in their tents-lodge in their khans-load and unload their camels-drink at their watering-places-pause during the heat of the day under the shade of their palms-cultivate the fields with their own rude implements-gather in or glean after their harvests-beat out and ventilate the grain in their open thrashing-floorsdress in their costume-note their proverbial or idiomatic forms of speech, and listen to the strain of song or story, with which they beguile the vacant hours. In a word, he must surround himself with, and transfuse himself into, all the forms, habitudes, and usages of oriental life. In this way only can he catch the sources of their imagery, or enter into full communion with the genius of the sacred penmen.

While, therefore, we readily concede the very high importance of critical and philological research in dissipating the obscurities of the scriptures, and fixing their exact sense, we cannot, at the same time, but think that the collateral illustrations derived from this source, are deserving of at least equal attention from the student of revelation. The truth is, the providence of God, which is never more worthily employed than about his Word, seems now to be directing the eyes of his servants, as with pointed finger, to the immense stores of elucidation constantly accumulating from this quarter. The tide of travel within a few years, has turned remarkably to the East. Animated either by the noble spirit of missionary enterprise, of commercial speculation, of military adventure, or laudable curiosity, men of intelligence and observation have made their way into every region on which the light of revelation originally shone; exploring its antiquities, mingling with its inhabitants, detailing its manners and customs, and displaying its physical, moral, and political circumstances. From these expeditions they have returned laden with the rich results of their industry, and the labours of the pen and the pencil have made thousands partakers of the benefit. Somewhat more than half a century ago, when the justly celebrated Observations of Harmer were given to the public, the range of materials to which he had access was comparatively limited. The travels of Chardin, Pococke, Shaw, Maundrell, Pitts, D'Arvieux, with Russel's Natural History of Aleppo, were his principal authorities-authorities, it is true, which have not yet been wholly superseded. But since his time, what an immense accession has the department of oriental travels received! The names of Volney, Niebuhr, Mariti, Clarke, Chateaubriand, Porter, Burckhardt, Buckingham, Morier, Seetzen, De Lamartine, Laborde, exhaust but a small part of the list of eastern tourists, whose labours have gone to make us familiarly acquainted with the land of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles. How desirable that the scattered gleams of illustrative light, which shine in their works, should be concentrated into one focus of illumination! This is the task which we have essayed in the present volume.

6

In entering upon and advancing in this task, we have been more and more impressed with the remarkable fact of the permanence of eastern usages. True to the traditions of their ancestors, and impenetrable thus far to the spirit of innovation, their manners and customs, opinions and institutions, retain all the fixedness of their mountains, and flow on as unvarying as the course of their streams. To the question, therefore, whether the state of things in the East, as described by modern travellers, really coincides with that which existed at the time the scriptures were written, so that one may be cited as conveying a correct idea of the other; we may reply, in the words of Sir John Chardin, one of the most respectable and authentic of the number:-"I have written nothing," says he, "of the Indies, because I lived but five years there, and understood only the vulgar languages, which are the Indian and Persian, without the knowledge of that of the Brahmins; but, nevertheless, I did not spend my time there in idleness: on the contrary, as the winters in that country will not permit one to travel, I employed that time in a work which I had long in my thoughts, and which I may call my favourite design, by the pleasure wherewith I laboured in it, and the profit which I hope the public will receive thereby; which is certain notes upon very many passages of holy scripture, whereof the explication depends on the knowledge of the customs of the eastern countries; for the East is the scene of all the historical facts mentioned in the Bible. The language of that divine book (especially of the Old Testament) being oriental, and very often figurative and hyperbolical, those parts of scripture which are written in verse, and in the prophecies, are full of figures and hyperboles, which, as it is manifest, cannot be well understood without a knowledge of things from whence such figures are taken, which are natural properties and particular manners of the countries to which they refer. I discerned this in my first voyage to the Indies: for I gradually found a greater sense and beauty in divers passages of scripture than I had before, by having in my view the things, either natural or moral, which explained them to me; and in perusing the different translations which the greatest part of the translators of the Bible had made, I observed that every one of them (to render the expositions, as they thought, more intelligible) used such expressions as would accommodate the phrase to the places where they writ; and which did not only many times pervert the text, but often rendered the sense obscure, and sometimes absurd also. In fine, consulting the commentators upon such kind of passages, I found very strange mistakes in them, and that they had long guessed at the sense, and did but grope (as in the dark) in search of it. And from these reflections I took a resolution to make my remarks upon many passages of the scriptures; persuading myself that they would be equally agreeable and profitable for use. encouraged me very much, by their commendations, to proceed in it; and more especially when I informed them, that And the learned, to whom I communicated my design, it is not in Asia, as in our Europe, where there are frequent changes, more or less, in the form of things, as the habits, buildings, gardens, and the like. IN THE EAST THEY ARE CONSTANT IN ALL THINGS; the habits are at this day in the same manner as in the precedent ages; so that one may reasonably believe, that in that part of the world, the exterior form of things (as their manners and customs) are the same now as they were two thousand years since, except in such changes as have been introduced by religion, which are, nevertheless, very inconsiderable."-(Preface to Travels in Persia, p. 6.) Morier, an eastern traveller, says, "The manners of the East, amid all the changes of government and religion, are stil the same; they are living impressions from an original mould; and at every step, some object, some idiom, some dress, or some custom of common life, reminds the traveller of ancient times, and confirms, above all, the beauty, the accuracy, and the propriety of the language and the history of the Bible."

This very striking testimony to the conformity, or rather identity, of the modern with the ancient usages of the East, is abundantly confirmed from other sources, as scarcely a traveller has set foot upon oriental soil, without professing himself to be at once struck with the remarkable coincidence between the picture of ancient manners, as drawn in the sacred writings, and the state of things which actually meets his eye. This steadfast resistance to the spirit of innovation and change, which thus remarkably distinguishes the nations of the East, will probably, in the providence of God, remain unsubdued, till it shall have answered all the important purposes of biblical elucidation, when it will give way to the all-pervading, all-regenerating influence of the Bible itself, borne upon the bosom of a new tide of civilization and improvement, which shall, ere long, set in upon the East from the nations of Europe, and the great continent of the West. "By a wonderful provision of Providence," says De Lamartine, "who never creates wants without at the same time creating the means of satisfying them, it happens, that at the moment when the great - crisis of civilization takes place in Europe, and when the new necessities resulting from it are revealing themselves, both to governments and people, a great crisis of an inverse order takes place in the East, and a vast void is there offered for the redundancy of European population and faculties. The excess of life which is overflowing here, may and must find an outlet in that part of the world; the excess of force which overstrains us, may and must find employment in those countries, where the human powers are in a state of exhaustion and torpidity, where the stream of population is stagnant or drying up, where the vitality of the human race is expiring."

In the mean time, while the inevitable doom of revolution and transformation that awaits the East, lingers, it behooves us to make the most, for useful purposes, of that state of society which still exists, but which, ere long, will have passed away. With this view, we have endeavoured to imbody in the present volume a large mass of oriental illustration. The work is strictly of an eclectic character. Postponing the claims of originality to those of practical utility, the Editor, after arraying before him the amplest store of materials which he could command, set himself to the task of selecting and arranging the most valuable portions which he could bring within the limits of his plan. The kindred works of Harmer, Burder, Paxton, Taylor's edition of Calmet, scarcely any of which are in common accessible to the majority of biblical students, have been diligently gleaned, and all their important contents transferred to our pages. As these works are not likely ever to be reprinted in this country, there appeared no other way to arrest their progress to oblivion, and to secure a larger and wider circulation to the valuable matter which they contain.

But the range of selection has been by no means confined to the works now mentioned. So prolific has been the press within the last twenty or thirty years, of books of eastern travels, illustrative of manners, customs, and religion, that our resources in this department have been almost indefinitely multiplied. But to one work in particular-Roberts' Oriental

Illustrations of the Sacred Scriptures, collected during a residence of nearly fourteen years among the Hindoos-the Editor desires, as an act of justice, to which he is sure the reader will most heartily respond, to express his very deep obligations. He considers himself peculiarly fortunate in meeting with this work just as he was entering upon his own undertaking, so that he has been able to incorporate it nearly entire in the present volume. Though abounding chiefly in illustrations drawn from the parabolical, idiomatical, and proverbial phraseolgy common in the East, yet his notes are so pointed and pertinent in their scope, so felicitous and graphic in their turn of expression, and so remarkable for the vividness with which the leading idea is exhibited, that we doubt not the reader will find in this part alone an ample equivalent for the cost of the whole volume. The Rev. T. H. Horne says he feels himself “justified in recommending Mr. Roberts' 'Illustrations,' as supplying an important desideratum in biblical literature. They furnish to very many difficult or obscure passages satisfactory explanations, which are not more original than they are entertaining and instructive." "Mr. Roberts' work," says the British Critic, "is replete with interesting matter, and, in a condensed form, contains more illustrations of Holy Writ than any other book we know of. He richly deserves our thanks, and the thanks especially of those who are not able to possess many volumes illustrative of the oriental rites and customs to be found in the Bible. We have only to add, that this volume is worth all the twopenny trash which the last half dozen years have given birth to."

As the present work is designed to be marked by somewhat of the same Comprehensive character which distinguishes the other biblical works lately issued from the press of the Publishers, the illustrations bear upon numerous other points than those relating to manners and customs. Every thing of a purely doctrinal character, about which the different denominations of Christians might be supposed to disagree, has been studiously excluded; at least such has been the Editor's intention, and if any thing should be met with that seems to gainsay this declaration, he begs it may be set down to the account of a momentary inadvertence, rather than of a determinate purpose. But with this exception, he has given himself as much latitude in the selection of matter, as was consistent with a prevailing unity of design in the structure of the whole.

The subject of the Fulfilment of Prophecy, cannot well be lost sight of by any one conversant at once with the scriptures and the reports of modern travellers. The topographical descriptions of many of the most noted places of scripture, a department to which particular attention has been given in the ensuing pages, suggests at once the divine predictions bearing upon their future doom. The researches of tourists, both skeptics and Christians, have poured a flood of light upon this subject. It is perfectly astonishing, to one who has never examined the subject, to find how literally and minutely the prophetic declarations of scripture have been fulfilled, so that even infidel travellers and historians, as Volney and Gibbon, in their accounts of nations and countries, have unwittingly used for description, almost the words of scripture in which the events are foretold. Volney, particularly, (one of the bitterest opposers of Christianity,) in his published travels in the East, has afforded, unwillingly and unthinkingly, a wonderful attestation to the truth of the Bible, in the relation of facts which came under his own eye. There needs no better witness. Indeed, it is impossible for the most determined infidel carefully to examine and weigh this subject, and not be forced to feel that the Bible is divine; or, in the words of Bishop Newton, "he is reduced to the necessity, either to renounce his senses, deny what he reads in the Bible, and what he sees and observes in the world, or acknowledge the truth of prophecy, and consequently, of divine revelation." The researches of travellers in Palestine have been abundant, and the prophecies thereby verified are numerous and distinct, so that the facts may be related literally in the language of the prophecy. To use the words of a late writer in the London Quarterly Review," we confess that we have felt more surprise, delight, and conviction, in examining the accounts which the travels of Burckhardt, Mangles, Irby, Leigh, and Laborde, have so recently given of Judea, Edom, &c. than we have ever derived from any similar inquiry. It seems like a miracle in our own times. Twenty years ago we read certain portions of the prophetic scriptures, with a belief that they were true, because other similar passages had, in the course of ages, been proved to be so, and we had an indistinct notion, that all these (to us) obscure and indefinite denunciations had been-we knew not very well when or how-accomplished: but to have graphic descriptions, ground plans, and elevations, showing the actual existence of all the heretofore vague and shadowy denunciations of God against Edom, does, we confess, excite our feelings, and exalt our confidence in prophecy, to a height that no external evidence has hitherto done. . . . . Here we have-bursting upon our age of incredulity, by the labours of accidental, impartial, and sometimes incredulous" (infidel) "witnesses-the certainty of existing facts, which fulfil what were considered hitherto the most vague and least intelligible of the prophecies. The value of one such contemporaneous proof is immense." Indeed, it would seem that in regard to such places as Babylon, Nineveh, Tyre, Moab, Edom, and others, the providence of God was no less conspicuous in bringing to light, in these latter ages, the evidence of the accomplishment of those prophecies, than formerly in working the accomplishment itself. The valuable labours of Keith in this department, arranged in accordance with our general plan, so as to exhibit the commentary under its appropriate text, will be found to have added much to the interest and profit of the reader in perusing our pages.

The numerous highly finished engravings, executed by distinguished artists, from sketches taken on the spot, and accompanied, for the most part, with letter-press descriptions by the Rev. T. H. Horne, originally published in Finden's Landscape Illustrations, will go also greatly to enhance the value of this portion of the illustrations.

A critical note is occasionally thrown in, where the point of a passage seemed capable of a happy explication, especially from a more exact analysis of the import of the original terms. Those bearing the signature of the Editor will perhaps usually be found of this character, and for any seeming infraction in this of his general plan, he solicits the indulgence not unreasonably claimed for a favourite mode of scripture exposition. They are, however, for the most part, " few and far between."

As a prominent object aimed at throughout has been, not only to increase the facilities for a complete understanding of the inspired volume, but also to multiply the evidences, and vindicate the claims of its divine original, a portion of our pages has been allotted to the direct consideration of infidel objections and cavils. The most important extracts of this.

description nave been taken from the valuable and now rare "Life of David," by Chandler, in which the insinuations of Bayle against the character of David, are canvassed and refuted with distinguished ability, though perhaps somewhat more verbosely than is consistent with the taste either of modern writers or readers.

The original and acute remarks of Michaelis, on many points of the Mosaic laws and ritual, though sometimes bordering upon the fanciful, disclose a profound acquaintance with the genius of the East, and are generally entitled to deep attention.

As the authorities employed in the preparation of the ensuing pages are usually quoted in a very general way-for the most part merely by citing the writer's name-it will probably be rendering an important service to many of our readers, to give a more ample view of the sources upon which we have drawn for materials. The list is by no means complete, nor, as many have served us at second hand, is it perhaps practicable or necessary that it should be; but the most important and valuable will be found here grouped together, and ordinarily, by turning to this catalogue, the entire title, including edition and date, of any work cited in the ensuing pages simply by the author's name, will be found. Such a catalogue may be of service for other purposes than those connected with the present volume.

HARMER'S Observations on Various Passages of Scripture, with ad | KEPPEL'S Narrative of a Journey from India to England, 8vo.
ditions by Adam Clarke, LL. D., 4 vols. 8vo. Charlestown, 1811. Philadelphia, 1827.
PAXTON'S llustrations, 3 vols. 8vo. Edinburgh, 1825.
BURDER'S Oriental Customs, 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1816.

66 Oriental Literature, with Rosenmuller's Additions, 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1822.

ROBERTS' Oriental Illustrations, 8vo. London, 1835.
CALMET'S Dictionary, Taylor's Edition, 5 vols. 4to. London, 1829.
SHAW's Travels through Barbary and the Levant, folio. Lon. 1738.
MAUNDRELL'S Journey from Aleppo to Jerusalem, 8vo. Oxford, 1749.
VOLNEY'S Travels through Egypt and Syria, 8vo. New York, 1798.
MARITI'S Travels through Cyprus, Syria, and Palestine, 2 vols. 8vo.
Dublin, 1793.
BARON DE TOTT's Memoirs on the Turks and Tartars, 3 vols. 12mo.
Dublin, 1785.

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RUSSELL'S Natural history of Aleppo, 2 vols. 4to. London, 1794.
CLARKE'S Travels in the Holy Land, 12mo. Philadelphia, 1817.
TOURNEFORT'S Voyage to the Levant, 3 vols. 8vo. London, 1741.
BUCKINGHAM'S Travels in Mesopotamia, 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1827.
Travels among the Arab Tribes, 4to. London, 1825.
BURCKHARDT's Travels in Arabia, 4to. London, 1829.
Travels in Nubia and Egypt, 4to. London, 1822.
MADDEN'S Travels in Turkey, Egypt, and Palestine, 2 vols. 12mo.
Philadelphia, 1830.

MADOX'S Excursions in the Holy Land, Egypt, Nubia, Syria, &c.,
2 vols. 8vo. London, 1834.

CALLAWAY'S Oriental Observations, 12mo. London, 1825.

CAMPBELL'S African Light, 12mo. London, 1835.

ANDERSON'S Tour through Greece, 12mo. Boston, 1831.
HARDY'S Notices of the Holy Land, 12mo. London, 1835.
CHATEAUBRIAND's Travels, 8vo. New York, 1814.

MORIER's Journey through Persia, 8vo. Philadelphia, 1816.
SMITH AND DWIGHT's Researches in Armenia, 2 vols. 12mo. Boston,

1833.

JOWETT's Christian Researches in Syria and the Holy Land, 8vo.
London, 1825.

MODERN TRAVELLER, Palestine, Syria, and Asia Minor, 3 vols. 12mo.
Boston, 1830.

HEEREN'S Asiatic Nations, 3 vols. 8vo. Oxford, 1833.
WADDINGTON's Travels in Ethiopia, 4to. London, 1827.
HOSKINS' Travels in Ethiopia, 4to. London, 1835.
BURNES's Travels in Bokhara, 2 vols. 12mo. Philadelphia, 1835.
MUNROE's Summer Ramble in Syria, 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1835.
HOGG's Visit to Alexandria, Damascus, and Jerusalem, 2 vols. 12ma
London, 1835.

WILKINSON'S Thebes, and General View of Egypt, 8vo. London, 1835.
ARUNDELL'S Discoveries in Asia Minor, 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1834.
DE LAMARTINE's Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, 2 vols. 12mo. Phila-
delphia, 1835.

STACKHOUSE'S History of the Bible, 2 vols. folio. London, 1755.
CHANDLER'S Life of David, 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1766.
MICHAELIS's Commentaries on the Laws of Moses, 4 vols. 8vo. Lon-
don, 1814.

GLEIG's History of the Bible, 3 vols. 12mo. New York, 1831.
HORSLEY'S Sermons, 8vo. London, 1830.

POCOCKE'S Theological Works, 2 vols. folio. London, 1740.
NEWCOME'S Minor Prophets, 8vo. Pontefract, 1809.
KEITH'S Evidence of Prophecy, 12mo. New York, 1833.
GOOD's Translation of Job, 8vo. London, 1812.
FINDEN'S Landscape Illustrations. London, 1835.

The importance of the present work must be obvious, and being altogether illustrative, without reference to doctrines, or other points in which Christians differ, it is hoped it will meet with favour from all who love the sacred volume, and that it will be sufficiently interesting and attractive to recommend itself, not only to professed Christians of all denominations, but also to the general reader. The arrangement of the texts illustrated with the notes, in the order of the chapters and verses of the authorized version of the Bible, will render it convenient for reference to particular passages, while the copious INDEX at the end, will at once enable the reader to turn to every subject discussed in the volume.

It only remains for the Editor to remark, that he would by no means be held responsible for the truth or justice of every sentiment advanced by way of interpretation or illustration in the present work. He hopes not to be considered as adopting himself all the various explications of scripture which he has yet felt it his duty to propound. Many of them are proposed by their authors themselves merely as conjectures, and though he may occasionally have entertained doubts of their correctness, yet, as they involved only points of minor importance, he has seldom felt himself called upon to turn aside to question or confute them. A very large mass of obviously true or highly probable illustration, is here presented to the reader. As to the pertinency or verisimilitude of particular portions, he will of course exercise a due discrimination; he cannot be expected to forego his own judgment, nor will he find it necessary to presume upon that of him who has thus endeavoured, however feebly, to minister, by so great a variety of provision, to his instruction and pleasure. G. B.

New York, May 1st, 1836.

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