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 1 2 3 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
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 th; 
 th( 
 
HBLPS 
 
 —TO- 
 
 BIBLE STUDY 
 
 With I'ractical Notes on the Books 
 of Scripture. 
 
 Designed for Ministers, Local Preachers, S.S. Teachers, 
 and all Christian Workers. 
 
 Bv Rev. a. Sims 
 
 I** t 
 
 " These were more noble than those at Thessalonica, in 
 that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched 
 the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so." Acts 17 : 1 1. 
 ." Search the Scriptures." John 5 : 39. 
 
 PRICK, SO CKNTS. 
 
 TO HE HAD OF THK AUTHOR. 
 
 UXBRIDGE, ONT. 
 1886. 
 

 oOO 
 
 ^ ^Z- 
 
 
 \ 
 
 
 I'.iuered accordiiiR to Act of Parliament of Canada, in the year one thousand 
 eiKht hundred and eighty-tive, in the office of the Minister of Agriculture, 
 hy 'he Rev. A. Sims. ' 
 
 Advertiser Printing Company, London, Oat. 
 
 y 
 I 
 
 
 i 
 
 ,2 
 

 4 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 -M- 
 
 When we first commenced the work— of which this book is the 
 result— we had no intention of ever publishing it in book form. 
 Realizing our need of a more intimate acquaintance with the Holy 
 vScriptures, we began making a thorough study of each book of the 
 Bible. We found this study so profitable for both mind and heart, 
 that we could not refrain from making the fruits of it known to 
 others. Some friends strongly importuned us to publish in some 
 permanent form, the notes we had made. We have yielded to their 
 request, hoping that this book will be the means of stirring up 
 Christians generally to more diligence in searching the blessed 
 Word of God. 
 
 In addition to original matter, we have added the very best 
 thoughts of the most able writers on Helps to the Study of the 
 Bible. We have aimed, as far as possible, to make the book useful 
 to all classes. 
 
 The author acknowledges his indebtedness to the follo-ving 
 works : 
 
 The Scriptures Arranged. Rev. H. Linton. 
 Searching the Scriptures, Dr. Anderson. 
 Home's Introduction to the Study of the Bible. 
 Matthew Henry's Commentary. 
 Cornell's Key to Bible Study. 
 
 Introduction to the Study of the Scriptures. B. K. NicholL-^ 
 M. A. ' 
 
 Spurgeon's Treasury of David. 
 
 Bible Hand-Book. Dr. Angus. 
 
 Conybeare and Howson's Life and Epistles of St. Paul. 
 
 Dr. Adam Clarke's Commentary. 
 
 McClintock and Strong's Cyclopedia. 
 
 Dr. Wm. Smith's Works. 
 
 Teachers' Helps to the Study of the New Testament. Crafts. 
 
 Jameison Faussett and Brown's Commentary. 
 
 Hand of God in History. Rev. H. Reade. 
 
 Why four Gospels ? D. S. Gregory, D. D. 
 
 Notes on the Books of the Bible. Rev. J. H. Brookes. 
 
 ^ I f-o I 7 D 
 
IV. 
 
 INTRODCiTICN. 
 
 The Karly Days of Christianity. Canon Farrar. 
 
 Notes and Sugj^^estions for Bible Readings. S. R. Briggs. 
 
 Cottage Bible and Family Expositor. Rev. W. I'atton. 
 
 The Bible and the Sunday School. 
 
 Symbols and System in Bible Readings. Rev. W. F. Crafts. 
 
 In the Volume of the B lok. Dr. Pentecost. 
 
 Oxford Teachers' liible. 
 
 How to Study the Bible. D. L. Moody. 
 
 In using the above works, we have .so frequently given the ideas 
 of the author in our own language, and incorporated the same with 
 original and other matt'T, that wc deem the above acknowledge 
 ment suilicient for all brief extracts. Where any lengthy portion 
 is qucted, the name of the author rxcompanies it. 
 
 A. SIMS. 
 
 i 
 
I N D K X 
 
 i^ 
 
 4- 
 5- 
 
 7- 
 8. 
 
 Q. 
 
 Chapter l. — Difterenl Methods of liible Study 
 
 1. Study one book at a time 
 
 2. Topically 
 
 3. Make marginal notes and key words 
 
 Signs in Bible marking 
 
 Hiof^raphicaily 
 
 Consecutively 
 
 Time reqired for reading the books of the Bible . . . . 
 6. Chronologically 
 
 IMan of reading the Bible in ihe order of its events 
 Analytically 
 
 Take a sing'e passage and dwell upon it 
 
 Systematically 
 
 Brief miscellaneous hints 
 
 Chapter 2.— Rules of Interpretation 
 
 Helps to Interpretation 
 
 Chapter 3.- Interpretations of Bible Types an ' Symbi)l.s. 
 
 1. Symbolism of number and form 
 
 2. Symbolism of color 
 
 3. Symbolism of mineral substances 
 
 4. Symbolism of vegetable substances 
 
 5. Symbolism of animals and birds 
 
 6. Symbolism of buildings and structures 
 
 7. Symbolism of persons .... 
 
 8. Symbolism of customs and manners 
 
 9. Miscellaneous symbols 
 
 Chapter 4.— Analysis of the books of the Bible 
 
 Genesis 
 
 Exodus 
 
 Leviticus 
 
 Numbers 
 
 Deuteronomy 
 
 Joshua 
 
 Judges 
 
 I'ACIK. 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 [1, 12 
 
 12 
 
 12 
 
 16 
 
 17 
 18 
 
 24 
 
 25 
 26 
 
 27 
 28 
 30 
 31 
 32 
 
 OJ 
 
 35 
 35 
 38 
 40 
 40 
 
 41 
 42 
 
 43 
 43 
 47 
 49 
 51 
 S3 
 56 
 58 
 
tlVDii. 
 
 PAUtt. 
 
 ><"th 6, 
 
 1 Samuel g^ 
 
 2 Samuul 55 
 
 I and 2 Kings 5g 
 
 I and 2 Chronicles ... 
 
 Ezra 
 
 Nehemiah 
 
 Esther 
 
 Job 
 
 71 
 
 74 
 76 
 78 
 
 8o 
 
 Psalms y^ 
 
 Proverbs gc 
 
 Ecclesiastes o] 
 
 Solomon's Song 02 
 
 Isaiah 03 
 
 Jeremiah gg 
 
 1 97 
 
 98 
 
 101 
 
 104 
 
 106 
 
 Lamentations 
 Ezekiel 
 Daniel 
 Hosea . 
 Joel|... 
 
 Amos 107 
 
 Obadiah 108 
 
 Jonah no 
 
 Micah 112 
 
 Nahum n ^ 
 
 Habakkuk 1 14 
 
 Zephaniah nc 
 
 liaggai ,,6 
 
 Zechariah 
 Malachi . 
 
 Historical Summary iig 
 
 Preservation of the Old Testament 1 19 
 
 The Apocrypha 120 
 
 The Four Gospels 120 
 
 Matthew 121 
 
 Mark 
 
 117 
 117 
 
 Luke 
 John 
 Acts, 
 
 125 
 12S 
 
 132 
 
 »35 
 
INDKJC. 
 
 Romans 
 
 1 Corinthians 
 
 2 Corinthians. . 
 
 Galations 
 
 Ephesians 
 
 Philippians 
 
 Colossians 
 
 1 Thessalonians . 
 
 2 Thessalonians. 
 
 1 Timothy 
 
 2 Timothy 
 
 Titus 
 
 Philemon 
 
 Hebrews 
 
 James 
 
 I Peter 
 
 2 Petfir 
 
 1 John 
 
 2 John 
 
 3 John ""' 
 
 Jude 
 
 Revelation 
 
 Chapter 5.— Miscellaneous Helps 
 
 The Seven Bibles of mankind 
 
 Importance of the Old Testament 
 
 Fate of the Apostles 
 
 Evidences of the truth of Scripture 
 
 Infidelity vs. Christianity 
 
 Table of some occurrences 
 
 Historic table of the principal errors of the Church of 
 
 Rome 
 
 Chief doctrines taught by Luther 
 
 PA(iI. 
 
 138 
 140 
 
 142 
 144 
 146 
 
 '47 
 149 
 150 
 •52 
 153 
 
 154 
 156 
 
 157 
 
 158 
 
 160 
 162 
 
 163 
 
 165 
 166 
 167 
 169 
 i6g 
 173 
 173 
 174 
 «75 
 
 »75 
 177 
 
 180 
 
 182 
 184 
 
HHLPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 DIFFEKHNT METHODS OF BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 /. Studj one hook at a tinw. Get its scope nnd general 
 bear.n„^ This plan will be found very profitable Use such 
 questions ns follows : 
 
 write'? ^ '° " ^^"^ ''"^^'"' ' '^*'''"' '^^"^' """"^ '"''*' '^^°'" '^'^ ^^ 
 
 2. Under what circumstances was this hook written ? 
 
 3. VVhat is the character of its contents-law, poetry, hi.tory. 
 philosophy, or prophecy ? ^ 
 
 4. What is the general aim of the writer, or key-no»e of the 
 book ? 
 
 5. What errors are here reluted ? 
 
 6. What are the practical lessons and doct.ines taught? 
 
 7. What promises or prophecie«! are here fulfilled ? 
 
 8. What biographies does it contain ? 
 
 9. What connection has this book with other parts of the 
 Scriptures? f •« "i me 
 
 10. What is the chronology of the events recorded ? 
 
 11. For what class of people is this book most suitable ? 
 
 12. Miscellaneous notes. 
 
 In studyi^ng any portion of the Scriptures, an important question 
 to ask IS : Who is it that is here speaking? A judge in court 
 once remarked :-'^We have the hi,h.st authority for saying. • Skin 
 for skin : yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life '" The 
 papers next day called attention to the fact that these were the 
 words of the Devil, and added. ''Now we know who the judge 
 considers as ofthe highest authority.'^ 
 
 Take Genesis ; it is the seed plant of the whole Bible. It t.lls 
 rl 1^ ; ^'^^^»'' ''^«""^^t'«"-it involves all the rest of the Bible 
 1 his book has been truly called the Gospel according to Moses 
 
6 
 
 lliLPS I'O niULK STUDY. 
 
 The following verse «ontains the elements of all the j^reat doctrines of 
 salvation sub«e(}uently revealed : *• I will put enmity between thee 
 and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed. It shall 
 bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." 
 
 1. The promised Redeemer and Restorer of the race is to be 
 man, since he is to be the seed of the woman. 
 
 2. He is to be more than man, and greater than Srtan, for he 
 is to be the conqueroi of man's conqueror. He must therefore be 
 Divine. 
 
 3. Man's redemption shall involve a new nature, for it shall 
 be at enmity with tht Satan nature to which man has now become 
 subject. 
 
 4. This new nature is to be a rogeneration hy Divine poiver, 
 for the declaration is, " I (Jehovah) loil/ putennufi/,'^ etc. 
 
 5. This redemption is to be accomj.anied b\ vicarloua .suffer- 
 inij, since the R«lecnier is to suffer the excruciating torture of the 
 bruising of his heel in the work of recovery. 
 
 6. This redemption is to involve the ultimate triumph of the 
 woman's seed, and therefore involves a triumph over death, and a 
 resurrection and restoration of humanity to its original estate — the 
 union of a spiritual nature with a physical in complete bloesedness, 
 as before the fall. 
 
 Let I."; illustrate what is meant by the study of individual books. 
 The scholar has read verses- and chapters from the book of Job. rie 
 has heard repeatedly quoted, "Oh that mine adversary had written 
 a book !"' Hr has no idea what it means, for the quotation is 
 always semi-jocular He takes up the book of Job to study it. 
 What is it ? A poem, a parable, a s'Dry — vvhether fiction founded 
 on fact or fiction without any fact-foundation is not very material, 
 it is certainly as true as the parable of the prodigal son, and that is 
 true enough Who was Job? A man who lived in the world's 
 twilight. No "Sun of Righteousness" had risen on him. He 
 never i;efer:. to law, or priest, or prophet, or dream, or divine reve- 
 lation of a'ly kind. He was a worshipper of a true but a whollv 
 unknown God. He wa^j a Hebrew Socrates. His religion was the 
 "religion of nature." If it be said that he possessed in addition 
 that knowledge of God which had trickled down thrcigh tradition 
 from the patri.Trcha! age, it may l^e replied that every devout 
 heathen hrs possessed the same knowledge. He lived in the faith 
 of the aphorism, I3e virtuous and you will be happy. So long as he 
 
 ! 
 

 HELPS TO BIHLE STUDY. ^ 
 
 wa,s prosperous his "religion of n.ture " stood him in g„o,l „ea,l. 
 w e nrr" "'^"r-'^-- -ep. away, I chi.dr 
 « fc and she was almost the direst misfortune of all. I e wa, 
 fo nda,""?:^ ' ' ™"" ""P^'"' P"P'-i'y- Ihe very 
 on u that an this was a puni.hment for his sins. He was ,00 good 
 a man to play at mock humility, and indignantly denied it e 
 ma,„ta,ned ,s virtue, and yet he couM no, give up Ms faith i" Co'cP 
 
 just that whtch the d.vme reve'ation gives to us in our sorrow. « Oh 
 
 ,ha, ,h,s d.vme Enemy who has sufifered blow on blow to fail u™„ 
 
 N ,u^: r"ehv" ^^"^ '° "'"^'" "'^ "'^ -" '-ea, his wi, " 
 Na,ural rehgton fads ,„ great sorrow. Then the soul wants a 
 Saviour— wants a Bible. 
 
 When the student has got this general view of the book of lob 
 
 an n the oook. every cry of Job, every supercilious consolatio, 
 offere by h,s three miscalled friends, becomes signihcant. No ma^ 
 can understand a part ,ha. does not understand the whole " 
 that wottld mierpre. a single flower in the tapestry must firs stand 
 offalmle and get a view of the whole pattern ' "'^1 stand 
 
 velattof Did7"l "■? '"": ^"'""e" ^ •"><"< -y '"= b-k of Uc. 
 relation. D,d God not w.sh us to understand this bo. k Wuuld He 
 have ,, „ ,„ „,, sor-esay it is so dark and mysteri,, s c ,m 
 
 on,yboo.i„theBibietharitrthrdevrc;cSer:v^^^^^ 
 
 ay "ti' r" ""'• '" ^°" "P """ d-nChristend m,' d 
 sTJnd ,h h , ■ '°"'' '™'''"*5 ""^ Revelation, you cannot u der- 
 stand the book, ,t ,s ,00 hard for you. " The fact is he does not want 
 
 ? Tofucalbf. Take the word "Iovp" o,,i , 
 
 in searehtng what the Bible says ab'ou. it: frorlri': A^r 
 
 the .' w;" ::"• sf"'' ,=° ™;, Ta- up one word in a book such as 
 OeU,vm m St. John, tvery chapter but two speaks ofbeliev- 
 
I I 
 
 8 
 
 BELFS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 iag. Look up the nineteen personal interviews with Christ. Take 
 the co/iwmo«^ofthe Bible: the seven "blesseds" and '' overcomes" of 
 Rev. lation. See what I John 3 says about " assurance" or " we 
 know." In that one chapter there are six assurances. That whole 
 epistle is written on assurance. Take up the five '"ptecious" things 
 of Peter ; the "verili/s" of John; the ''seven walks' of Ephesians ; the 
 four ''much mores'^ of Rom. 4 ; the two receiveds of John i; the 
 seven "/tmr<s' in Prov. 23; and especially an eighth, the •' foo^- 
 inos,'' the ' lookinys hack," the " beholds," the " / am«," and " / 
 wills " of the Bible. 
 
 3. Mak'i marginal notes and key words. Note anything strik- 
 ing or of special service to you. When a preacher gives out a text 
 just take and mark it, and as he goes on preaching, just put a few 
 words in the margin— key words that shall bring back the whole 
 sermon again. Dr. L. Moody says, "Every man ought to take 
 down some of the preacher's words and ideas, and go into some 
 lane or alley and preach th^m out again to others. We ought to 
 have four ears, two for ourselves and two for other people. Then, 
 if you are in a new place, and have nothing else to say, jump 
 up and remark, " I heard someone say so and so," and they will 
 always be glad to hear you, if you give them heavenly food. The 
 world is perishing for want of it. My Bible is worth more to me 
 han all the Bibles in this place, and I will tell you why ; be- 
 cause I have so many passages marked in it; and if I am calkd upon 
 to speak at any time, I am ready. I have got these 'ittle words in 
 the margin and they are a sermon to me. Whether I speak about 
 faiih, hope, charily, assurance, or any subject whatever, it all comes 
 back to me ; and however unexpectedly I am called upon to preach, 
 1 am always ready. So, whenever you hear — or read — a good thing 
 just put it down, because if it is good for you it will be good for some- 
 body else ; and we should pass the coin of heaven round just as we 
 do the current coin of the realm. This plan of iuible marking, 
 with the insertion of side notes, marginal references, etc., converts 
 the margins of one's Bible into a note book ready to hand at any 
 moment. 
 
 •' You ought," says Rei Joseph Cook, '*to mark a liible every 
 live years so thoroughly that you cannot use it any more. If, every 
 live years, yuu tan mark a Bible tkoroughly, and memorize what 
 js marked, it will be your best diary full of the records 
 
 • it 
 
HBLPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 9 
 
 
 of the deepest inmost in your souls, to be intelligible to yourself, 
 and to no one else. 
 
 Aneminentstudent of God's word, says of his Bible: "A 
 thousand precious things are stored up in it. With it in my 
 hand I am never at a loss for a sermon or word of instruction and 
 he p 7 he best thoughts of many Bible students are tucked away on 
 half blank pages ; the outline of scores of sermons, the indicated analy- 
 isofmany books, the testimony and comments of saints upon cer- 
 tain passages. The help of this is-that you fix things in your mind 
 and hear which you would not otherwise have done. On opening 
 your Bible your mind is at once stirred with a thought or a memory 
 Indeed, everyone's Bible should carry the students own spiritual his- 
 tory m notes-not necessarily intelligible to any one else. 
 Til ; ? [^"^^'"g ^re some samples of Bible marking, from Ihe 
 nustratedC%r.^^^^^^ Weekly, " Hints on Bible M rking," by Mrs. 
 Stephen Menzies, and from " Symbols and System in lible Mark- 
 ing, by Rev. W. F. Crafts, and others. Some are origina'. 
 
 of [ohn. Your Bible lies open before you. You believe thaino 
 prophecy IS of private interpretation. You therefore begin by 
 vou ?n h' T °' ""^^ *" °P^" ^° ^°" ^^^ ^-'h -stained for 
 
 Z n )'" uT'' '^^'" ^"" '''^ '' °^"' ^' fi-t '«P>diy ; you 
 
 nun to get a bird's-eye view of it as a whole ; you see that its'theme 
 this . What does this chapter teach me of Christ ? 
 
 fheFathefT • .^^'^.'^-"tthem: Light, Only- begotten of 
 
 IfGod SoV7r%'M"'''"'^-''^^^ ^^^ L-^' 'he Lamb 
 
 of God Son of God, Master, Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Joseph 
 
 the Savior (Jesus, Matt., i : i6), the Master, the Atoning Sacrifice 
 he Incarnate One. the true Man and therefore the perfecf Ex^mp ,' 
 the future King. You draw a heavy black line under each tiUe ' 
 you connect them, by a light line. You now have a bodv o 
 Chr.stology on a page of your Bible, if you have wrought 'this 
 out for yourself you have done a good day's work ; cert'nly if 
 you have taken home to ynnrc«H .k. ♦_,.fi- .u_. . ! ^^ A^' " 
 
 „ . " •' "'^ iiUtii uiui he IS i/aur Kino- 
 
 your Saviour, your Sacrifice, your Example ^' 
 
 The next day you return to your study again. You take uo a 
 
 smgle passage, verses n and 13. Who are the so., of God ? a' 
 
10 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 many as received him and were born ot God. How? You put 
 your references now in requisition. You look them up. You turn 
 to your Bible Text-book under Regeneration. You pass by many 
 texts that at another time will strike "ou, but do not now. The 
 result of your studies is embodied in a note at the foot of the page : 
 They are born of the Spirit, John 3: 15; 6y the Word of God, 
 I Peter i : 2, 3 ; with the word of truth, James i : 18 ; in Christ 
 Jesus, i Cor. 4:13; who is himself the Only-begotten Son of God, 
 verse 18. You have here, in four verses of Scripture, the source, 
 instrument, the accompaniment, and the result of the new birth. 
 Yoa begin again : What is it to receive Christ? The result of your 
 studies is embodied again in certain references which impress you, 
 and which you accordingly underscore, and in certain other refer- 
 eiices which you discover and therefore add in the margin. 
 
 But you have not exhausted this subject. You return to it on the 
 morrow. You study the negatives. Not of blood ; nor of the will of 
 the flesh ; nor of man ; but of God. Your Concordance will tell you 
 the meaning of born of blood, if your own thought has not suggested 
 it to you ; the sons of God are not brought out by merely good 
 breeding, good pareniage ; Rom. 8 : 3, 4, 8, 9, tell you what is the 
 meaning o( Jlexh, viz., man in his natural state ; we are not born 
 into the kingdom by our own resolution ; the will of man is inter- 
 preted to you by I Cor. 3 : 5-7 ; we are not brought into the 
 km^rdom of God by human endeavors. There are three theories of 
 moral reform— good blood, strong will, good education— all repudi- 
 ated ; and in contrast with them ^he true Scripture view, the new 
 birth by the Spirit of God, as interpreted in your verses below. 
 
 We have scarcely opened our theme ; but we have done enough 
 to give those of our readers who desire to study the Bible, and to 
 preserve the result of their study in their Bible, some idea of how 
 to do it. 
 
 Every student will invent, to some extent, his own system, but 
 certain principles of universal application are inculcated by Mrs. 
 Menzies. 
 
 In any given verse underline only the word or words required 
 to suggest the thought. 
 
 Connect these underlines by the fine line, always at the end, 
 never in the centre of the underline. 
 
 If a connection is needed with a reference to another page, 
 
HELPS TO BIBLR STUDY. 
 
 11 
 
 carry the fine line, which she calls a railway, to the margin, and 
 write the reference there. 
 
 Draw all lines with a ruler, and as lightly as possible, particu 
 larly the -Railways." with a fine pen and India ink. or some 
 good black ink ; the laiter is better. 
 
 Make your own marginal references as freely as possible, 
 refernng at each verse to the other. 
 
 It should be added that a good Commentary is a great help in 
 such a study, in giving information as to the meaning of the 
 ongmal and other points, provided it is used as a help to study, not 
 as a substitute for it. Mrs. Menzies uses Alford and refeis to it 
 by the following mark '. But the reader may easily make his own 
 system of notation to favorite writers, provided he does not have 
 too many. 
 
 O A circle round any reference letter calls special attention to 
 that reference. 
 
 X signifies a Foot-note or Head-note. 
 
 Cf. signifies Compare Ctr. signifies Contrast. 
 
 After entering a foot lote, or group, it is well always to write 
 the number of the page it has been entered upon beside each of the 
 verses referred to in such foot-note or group. 
 
 A red cross + in the midst of any verse by which inquirers 
 have been led to saving faith and souls converted to God. Red 
 having an especial attraction to the eye, the Christiam worker is 
 greatly helped by these red crosses in finding quickly the passages 
 that shall aid the e.iquirer at his side, while the story of some soul 
 that has cast anchor on this very promise is also brought to mind by 
 the same sign. | A heavy perpendicular stroke to be placed by 
 
 the sides of verses which contain duty or command. for 
 
 choice passages. ri This indicates close connections, and is 
 sui able for enclosing parables, miracles, incidents, sermons, etc 
 If any passage is explained by a portion of some book you have in 
 your library, refer to it by givin^^ title and page. 
 
 R for beginning of Scripture Reading, and E for its end. X 
 for a text. M for Messianic passages in the Old 1 o. ament. S^ 
 the mark for Christos in the catacombs and elsewhere in .he ancient 
 church for references in the New Testament to Christ's divinity. 
 A for passages on the Trinity. D for passages on the Kingdom of 
 God. 7 for the combination of God and Man in Christian work, 
 
12 
 
 HKLPg TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 lo for Christian perfection. 40 for temptation and trial. A circle 
 for references to the eternal future. A small picture of a harp for 
 references to music. IM>. beside proved promises, a ul a blue 
 underline for promises in general. C beside refere. ccs to child- 
 hood, and W to woman. The d te beside a text, from which in 
 private meditation or public teaching at that time a spiritual uplift 
 has been received. A heavy black underline for judgments. A 
 red underlme for references to the blood and .he cross, especially 
 those passages of prophecy and during Christ's life that point for- 
 ward to it, these red passages giving "the shadow of the cross." as 
 the coming event cast its shadow before it. in the heart of the 
 
 prophets and of Christ, -^mf^ 1^ to indicate God's warn- 
 
 ings, suggested by Jonathan's friendly arrows warning David A 
 line from a word to the margin when a note is lo Le written in 
 connection with it, or from one word to another with which it is 
 desirable to connect it. 
 
 4. lilographicaUy. Take up one chapter at a t-me and study 
 It. Carefully read all the Bible may say in reference to one char- 
 acter, - grouping the scenes of which they were the most prominent 
 human figures around their personal histories." David's psalms 
 ought to be read in connection with his biography, as given in 
 the books of Samuel. They throw much light on the events 
 that suggested them. 
 
 The life of Paul is an admirable theme for a course of bio- 
 graphical study. The autobiographical passages in his epistlesshould 
 be studied in connection with Luke's- history. For example, Phill. 
 3 : 4-10, with Acts 9: 1-8 
 
 We recommend the reader to get a harmony of the Gospels, and 
 read through the life of Christ, as you would read a biography of 
 Fletcher or Whitfield. The life will thus appear to you in new as- 
 pects. 
 
 S. Comecutivly. It is of the highest importance that we should 
 get a comprehensive bird's eye view of each Bible epistle, each his- 
 tory, each biography, by reading it continuously to tie end. It is 
 important to read a whole book of the Bible or a connected set of 
 books continuously and comprehensively to get the great general 
 thought that prevades the whole. 
 
 ...r. 1.-...^, ,,^„,..^,, .^j jjiisiui, says: ihoiiglj in my eariier 
 life I was engaged in the ministry of the Word in my own country, 
 I neglected for four years ^he copsecutive reading of the Bible. The 
 
 i 
 
 ';. 
 
 I 
 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 13 
 
 t> 
 
 consequence was I was a babe in knowledge and in grace. I made 
 no progress because I neglected Ood's own appointed means for 
 nour.shmg the divine life. But it pleased (Jod to lead me to love His 
 word. I was led to see that the Holy Ghost is the only instructor 
 of the soul and .hat the Wo.d is the medium by which He teaches. 
 Spending three hours on my knees, I made such progress that I 
 earned more in those three hours than in years before From that 
 ..ne I became a lover of the Word of God ; and in this way I have 
 •>een gom, on ever since. In July. ,829. I began this plan of read- 
 in ' from the beginning of the Old and the New Testaments. Before 
 I hnd been treating the Bible as a lottery, reading it just where I 
 opened. Of course, after a time, it opened just in the srme place, 
 and I got accustomed to read only certain portions. Consequently 
 I knew nothing even of the letter of much of the Word of God 
 But under my new plan, little by little, I made more and more pr> 
 gress, and thus it came to this, that, when I was asked where any 
 text was to be found. I could give chapter and verse-became in fact 
 a l.vmg concordance. A few years after I bejan this method. I was 
 in a large drawing room in a nobleman's house. Most there had 
 known the Lord longer thaa I. but they referred to me. and I could 
 te I where passages they wanted were to be found. This came by 
 habitually reading the Scriptures through. At one time I came to 
 I C hron.cles. I thought •' The first ten chapters consist almost en- 
 t.rely of names. I have read them recently; I may pass them over now. " 
 But I reelected that it was the Word of God, and read the whole. 
 At the fourth chapter I came to Jabez's prayer, " O that Thou 
 wouldest bless mc indeed." etc., and God gave me a rich blessing in 
 my soul m reading that God gave him that which he requested I 
 now read r Chronicles .ith the same delight as the Gospels, the 
 i salms, or the Epistles. 
 
 I wculd recommend you not to read always the Old or the New 
 Testament, but alternately. «<;, the Old in the morning, and the 
 New m the evening. One special blessing that will come to the 
 ^oul IS th.s : God furnishes a variety of food, and this He gives in 
 His whole revelation. This is deeply important. We are thus 
 kept from partial and favorite views, which are poison to the soul 
 
 1 here sepms nniiQ»-«nf rrs»^»r-'1iV''-' • •' '" 1 - 
 
 ^..areni co„.radiCuuns m me Word, but by patiently 
 and calmly gomg on reading and meditafng. these are removed 
 I have read through the Bible a hundred times, and I find no stum- 
 Wmg block at all. This is because I 4m sfitisfied with Gcd. The 
 
14 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 first, the greatest thing in the divine life is to know Cod— not ac- 
 cording to notions of Him current in the church, but as He isrevtakd 
 in the Word. You will Hnd Him such a loveable Being, of infmiic 
 wisdom and power ; and He exercises these onbehalfof His people. 
 How kind how gracious, how gentle He is ! The grenl i)oint is to 
 become acquainted with Him as He is revealed in His Word, not 
 according to men's notions of Him. Have we not thought of im 
 as an austere Being?. Hut he that has bec(miL- acquainted with 
 God says with the Psalmist: " They that know Thy name, will put 
 their trust in Thee." Psa. 9. 
 
 By thus regularly reading, the love of ihe Scriptures is kept up. 
 When I have read them through, I am as deli-htt^d to begin again 
 as I was 46 years ago. Of course this is by the grace of (iod, but 
 instrumentulljf, it is through this habit of consecutive reading. 
 
 Mr. Muller gives two illustrations of the value of consecutive 
 reading, one showing tl^e connection between Exodus 3: 5; and 
 Joshua 5 : 15 ; the uther between John 7 = 53 ; and 8 : i ; both of 
 which would probably be un perceived if the Bible were not consecu- 
 tively read. 
 
 Luke 15 and 16 are but portions of one discourse. The five 
 parables should be consecutively read. Books like Psalms and Pro- 
 verbs which have no continuous narrative, nted not be read In this 
 way. About two pages a day in an ordinary sized Bible, will bring 
 you through in a year. 
 
 Too much importance cannot be attached to the matter r f read- 
 ing the Bible by some systematic plan. Probably not one out of a 
 hundred, of those who profess religion, do this, and may be not one 
 out of a thousand. The great bulk of those who read the Bible at 
 all, read at random, both as to the time when they read and where 
 they read. And the profound ignorance of the Scriptures among 
 the masses is not to be wondered at, when it is known how little 
 time and attention is given to the reading of the Word, and how 
 carelessly that little is done. 
 
 How much would a student know of mathematics, or astronomy, 
 oi chemistry, or any other science, if he pursued his studies in that 
 science, in the same way that the average Christian studies the 
 Bible ? He never could learn anything. The Bible is a systematic 
 book, teach ng us the science of salvation, and to learn this s^.'ience 
 we need to study it systematically and thoroughly. We venture the 
 assertion that there are some portions of the Scriptures that some 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY 
 
 16 
 
 people professing religion for many years have never read. If the 
 Bible is not read by course, who ever turns to the first book of 
 Chronicles to read from choice. Some may, but the number is 
 small, liut when the Bible is read by course the books of Chroni 
 cles are read as often as any other and should be, for some of the 
 most beautiful passages in the Bible are found in these books, scat- 
 tered among the hard names, like fragrant flowers among the rocks. 
 And then, ''all Scripture is given by inspiration of God," Chroni 
 cles as well as other portions, " and is profitable for doctrine, for 
 reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man 
 of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 
 Another reason for the systematic study of the Bible is that 
 without it we shall lose much of the rarest worth. For God's Word 
 IS a deep mine ; its treasures are found where we do not expect ; 
 nuggets of the purest gold are hidden in the deepest depths ; gems 
 and sparkling jewels are found where we thought was nothing but 
 sand and gravel— mere debris. Now, to get it all, we must explore 
 the whole, and nothing that God has made in nature or written in 
 His word is beneath our attention. Then, let God's word be read 
 in its entirety and till it has become familiar. 
 
 The value of consecutive reading may be further seen from the 
 fact that the sense is often injured by the division into chapters and 
 verses. See i Peter, i : 4, 5. i Cor. 2 : 9, 10, as to verses, and 
 Isa. 8 : 22 ; 9 : 1-7 ; 10 : 1-4.; Luke 20 : 45, 47 ; 21 : 1-4 ; 2 Cor. 
 4 : 18 ; 5 : I, as to chapters. 
 
 The following is a ten-minutes-a-day plan for comprehensive 
 reading of the whole Bible in one year : 
 
 January— Proverbs, Genesis and Revelation. Total, 5 hours and 
 5 minutes 
 
 February-Ezekiel. Total, 3 hours. But should be read more 
 slowly or twice over. 
 
 March- Exodus, Galations and Philemon, Leviticus and Hebrews. 
 
 Total, 4 hours and 38 minutes. 
 April-Numbers, Ephesians, 2 John, 3 John, Deuteronomy, 
 
 Romans and James. Total, 4 hours and 38 minutes. 
 May— Joshua, 2 Corinthians and Titus, Judges, Rosea, I Corin- 
 
 thians and Ezra. Total, 4 hourS; 31 minutes. 
 June -Ruth, Luke, Acts and Daniel. Total, 4 hours, 25 minutes. 
 July and August— i Samuel, 2 Samuel, Psalms, i Kings, o Kings', 
 
 Total, 9 hours, 10 minutes, 
 
16 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 September-Jocl, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Nahum, Habbakuk, 
 Zephaniah, Haggai, Malachi, i Chronicles, 2 Chronicles and 
 Esther. Total, 4 hours. 43 minutes. 
 
 October-Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, John and Canticles. Total, 4 hours, 
 22 minutes. 
 
 November— Jeremiah. Lamentations, Zechariah and Mark. Total, 
 
 5 hours, 12 minutes. 
 December-Job,. |ude, Micah and Matthew, i Thess., 2 Thcss., 
 I Peter, 2 Peter, Nehemiah, i Timothy, 2 Timothy, Collos' 
 sia.s. Phillipians and i John. Total, 4 hours, 57 minutes. 
 Time required for reading the books of the Bible : 
 
 3.05 I Ecclesiastes 27 
 
 Song of Solomon 15 
 
 •saiah 2.50 
 
 Jeremiah ^.i^ 
 
 Lameniations . 17 
 
 Ezekiel 3.00 
 
 Daniel 
 Hosea 
 Joel 
 
 Genesis 
 
 Exodus 2.30 
 
 Leviticus 1 cq 
 
 Numbers j.^e 
 
 Deuteronomy ... 2. 1 5 
 
 Joshua 1.25 
 
 JutJges :. 1.20 
 
 Ruth ... 
 
 1 Samuel 
 
 2 Samuel 
 
 1 Kings . 
 
 2 Kings , 
 
 •15 
 1.50 
 
 1.30 
 
 1.50 
 
 »o5 
 
 1 Chronicles 1.40 
 
 2 Chronicles 2.oc^ 
 
 E"a 50 
 
 Nehemiah 5^ 
 
 Esther ^o 
 
 Job 1.25 
 
 Psalms 3,oe 
 
 Proverbs j.io 
 
 39 
 
 25 
 
 . 10 
 
 Amos ^. ,20 
 
 Obadiah , 05 
 
 Jonah [[ .'05 
 
 Micah le 
 
 Nahum *oe 
 
 Habakkuk 07 
 
 Zephaniah 08 
 
 Haggai '. ".05 
 
 Zechariah ^o 
 
 Malachi 08 
 
 THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 
 
 Matthew 
 
 Mark 
 
 Luke 
 
 John 
 
 The Acts 
 
 Romans 
 
 1 Corinthians . 
 
 2 Corinthians 
 
 Galatians 
 
 Ephestans 
 
 Phillippians . , . 
 
 Cr.lossians 
 
 I I hessalonians 
 9 Thessalgni^ns 
 
 1-55 
 1. 10 
 
 2,00 
 
 1.30 
 
 '•55 
 •45 
 •43 
 23 
 .17 
 •»7 
 .12 
 
 •IS 
 .10 
 
 ,o§ 
 
 Timothy 13 
 
 ID 
 
 05 
 
 2 limothy 
 Titus .... 
 
 Philemon 03 
 
 Hebrews 3^5 
 
 James . 
 I Peter 
 
 12 
 14 
 
 2 Peter 10 
 
 1 John * 
 
 2 John 
 
 3 John ][[[ 
 
 Jude 
 
 Revelations 
 
 .13 
 
 .02 
 
 .02 
 .04 
 
 .50 
 
HKLl'S TO BIBLK 8TUDY. 
 
 17 
 
 •^ c 
 
 6. Chrom'oijkally. This means in the order of the narrative, 
 without regarding the ordinary arrangement of the books, nor of 
 their several contents. Thus one book must sometimes be inserted 
 m another, and the different parts of the book transposed. It will 
 give a great additional interest to the historical portions of the 
 Sacred Word to have them thus naturally interspersed with the 
 poetical or prophetical writings, while it will also show the pro- 
 gress of revelation. The reader who has not access to a good 
 •• Harmony " can generally find indications of date in the references, 
 or in the inspired inscriptions of some of the cnapters, as. for 
 mstance, Psa. 51-. -A Psalm of David when Nathan the 
 prophet came to him." So with Psalms 52 and 54. Isaiah 6 and 7, 
 and many others. 
 
 The following rough sketch of the historical order of the Old 
 Testament may be acceptable to some of our readers : Gen., i to 
 10 ; Job, (date uncertain) ; Gen., 11 to the end ; Exwlus, i and 2 ; 
 Psa., 88 ; Exodus, 3 to the end ; Leviticus, Numbf , i to 14 ; 
 Psa., 90 ; Numbers. 15 to the end ; Deuteronomy. Joshua, Fudges, 
 I, 2, 17 to 21, and 3 to 16; Ruth, I Sam., 1 to 30 ; with about 
 twenty of the Davidic Psalms (i Chron. i to 9 is a genealogy of the 
 preceding history) ; i Chron., 10 to the end, parallel with i Sam., 
 31 to the end of 2 Sam., and the remainder of the Davidic Psalms J 
 
 1 Kings, I to 4 ; 2 Chron., i ; Song of Solomon, Proverbs, i Kings, 
 5 to u ; 2 Chron., 2 to 9 ; Ecclesiastes, i Kings, 12 to the end of 
 
 2 Kings 14 ; and 2 Chron., 25 ; 2 Kings. 15 to the end ; 2 Chron., 
 26 to the end, parallel with the prophets (see inscriptions, etc.,) as 
 follows: Jonah, Joel, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, 
 Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ilabakkuk, Daniel, Obadiah, 
 Ezekiel, Haggai, Zechariah, Esther, Ezra, Nehemiah, Malachi. 
 
 The order of the prophetic books, which is the same in the 
 Hebrew as in the English version, is not the chronological order. 
 They rather appear to be arranged according to the size of the 
 books, the greater being placed first, and the minor prophets last. 
 JJ these books were rem and studlfd in their historical order, 
 doubtless they tvould be much better undn'utood. 
 
 Much of the obscurity which hangs over the prophetic writings 
 may be removed by perusing them in the order of time in which 
 
 Chronological reading is advantageous as regards doctrines as 
 well as history, because they mutually throw light one upon the other; 
 
18 
 
 ilU.n TO BIBLE STUDY, 
 
 ! 
 
 n 
 II' 
 
 indeed, it is only in this way that the doctrinal bookH-inptcially the 
 Pmlmn and the /*rop/wti~rerdre U'jhtand diHlinrincsH, whilr much 
 in added to thf. inte.rent and proJitabkntHH of hUtory. Without the 
 historical foundation, even practical exposition is <»ften, as it were, 
 built in the air ; many a colorless Psalm and many a prophetic word 
 are made alive— man// ilark or nceminf/ly lnHiyniJu-ant verncn receive 
 at once liffhf and Hiffnificance, in their mont delicate Mhaden of mean- 
 itKj, hy the light of a certain hintory beitit/ hrouijht to hear upon 
 them. History is rendered much richer, fuller, more intereating, 
 more edifying, and more remarkable, if the word like a golden 
 thread is interwoven with it. It may create an agreeable suri)rise 
 to find, for instance, that the Psalms have not altogether ceased 
 with David, but appear now and then a', a later period, even after 
 the Babylonish captivity, at the rebuilding of the temple and the 
 city. 
 
 The following plan of reading the Bible in the order of its 
 events is by Rev. W. F.' Crafts, and published by permission. The 
 Bible is divided into weekly portions of about 350 verses each, that 
 is 50 verses per day, requiring about five minutes for the reading 
 alone, with as much additional time for meditation and study as can 
 be given. If the verses are read in the morning, they can be carried 
 in thought and developed during the activities of the day. This 
 plan will complete the Bible in two years. The divisions are not 
 exact for each day, but as nearly so as the inequality of chapters 
 will allow. Sundays have larger assignments than other days. 
 
 l»t Wef k-Mon., Gen. I, 2. Tu., (other records of creation) Job 38: ig. Wc. 
 s. 33 : 6-9 : 104. 1 h., Isa 40 : 12-3, ; Jer. ,o : 10-16 ; John , : 1-5 ; Col.' 
 1 . 16, ,7 : Heb. . : 10-12 ; Rev. 4 : „. Fr., Gen. 3 ; Horn. 5 : ,2-21. Sa., 
 (.en, 4; John 3: 10-15. Sii., Gen. 5, 6, 7, 8, ' 
 
 jend Week— Mon., Gen. 9, lo. 'I'lu, 11 ; Job i. We., 2, 3, 4. Th s 6 
 
 m"' ^' A . 'r ^' ■°' ^"u' ' '' ^'\ ^l- ^J"*' '^«='"K Probabfy from the'pen of 
 Moses and belonging to the period of Abraham.) 
 
 3rd Week— Mon., Job 14, 15. Tu., 16. We., 17, 18, 'I'h.. 10. 
 21. Su., 22, 23, 24, 25. 
 
 41ll Week— Mon., Job 26, 27. Tu , 28, 29. We., 30. Th.. u 
 Sa., 34. Su., 35, 36, 37. 
 
 Mil Wt ek— Mon. Job 40. Tu., 41, 42. We., Gen. 12, 13. Th., 14 • Heb 
 6: 1J-20: 7. Jr., Gen. 15, 16. .Sa., 17. .Su., 18: .-15, 16-33 ; ,9 Luke 
 17 : 26-37 ; 2 Peter 2 : 4-9 ; Jude I : 6, 7. jj.iy.i^uKc 
 
 «th Week— Mon., Gen. 20, 21. Tu., 22 ; Heb. m 
 23. 'J"h., 24. Fr., 25; Heb. 12: 14-17, Sa. t 
 
 7tll Week— Mon., Gen. 2S, 29. Tu., 30. Wc , ^ 
 Sa., 36. Su,, 37, 38, 39, 
 
 ^8« TTTT^n— iTiuii., (.jcii. 40, iu.,41. \ve., 4'. :. ill,, 43, 44. Fr.. dc; a6 <■ 
 47, 48. Su., 49, 50 : Heb, II : 20-22. (A IVevv Testament Commentary^ 
 the scenes in Genesis.) vm^iy 
 
 Fr,, 20. Sa., 
 Fr., 32, 33- 
 
 f»9 ; James 2 : 21-24. We,, 
 1. 6. Su., 27. 
 
 1'!' li-^. 33- Fr.,34, 35. 
 
iiEi.™ TO nrni.i htiidy. 
 
 19 
 
 (It* Wreli-Jloi.., Kr, (Jal. ,, J, T„ ^i- » Til i Kr ,> S. 
 
 '■" '• ■■• Sii., 3. 4, 5 : |.,„., 83. (Wrfitci, almut ihi« lllne i„ Kgn.t.) ' 
 
 '"■:."•' v;';;-.^;^'"- ''-•"■ ^'••'- •'■"■■■°.'- ►>■.- »-. 
 '''';,r»n,:"KT:',r-^,V'„ :;,"■■».»■■ *-- •"■•."^.'*- ►•-.'5, 
 ''"s."";«"'s,f";,'';t "'• '■"■ ^'" ""■■ "■ "• ■'"•."• »■ *>-.j5- 
 
 '••"%r.i';.'';:t'""HV.':if s:ry,r s^r;,';:- - •'•^■' "« -•• 
 
 "' sarrjir"^;; .'s: ;•,.'■ ■»■ '■■" - "^^ •'■ ■'■"■■ •<■ ►■'••■s. 
 
 15tll Week— Mon , r,ev. io, 21. lu 23 We 21 'l"h ja hr t^ 
 
 36. Su.,27; H,.b. ,, .. (Hebrcw.s^,ei\,«an;v,Lw-itio;,of Jvilicu^^^ 
 
 "^^strr'f.T i'r" '^"'"- '■ ''"•• '• ^^"' '• ■''^•' 7- **'^- '- ^'''•' 9. 'o. 
 
 ^^"L^JKw V^w'e'^r;^''' ■■}^- '''"•■^\M9: '-56. (The Psalm of praise 
 K I 2 '57'9^- "'•' 97-136. Fr., ,37-176. Sa., I>.sa. 106. Si... 
 
 '*%srr^-^:-rS..t6- '^'"•'- ^^•'^^- ''■^•'33.34. Kr., 
 ''**V^'su.!'76^'°"- •'°''^- '• ''■"••9- ^- -■ J''- '«. «= Fr.. ,3. X4. Sa., 
 mil Wci-k-Mon., Josh. 17, 18. Tu , ,9. We., 20, .1. Th. 22 2. Fr 
 ^irituai'cSLn^aHes ^l^^^lu^'/' ^''^''^^'- ^"^ ^°'---' '-"^ 
 
 '"";7'T8"**su '\°'; 2^:'^'- •• ''"•• '■ ^^^- ^- '^■'^•' ^- ^-' i^^g- '. - «-. 
 '"V'^r's!';^-'.]:'?r^r;6.'''"-'^'^- ^^•■^''- ''''^••7'«- ^^'^•«-' 
 
 rraal,AVe«^^Mon Neh.,9;Heh. ,1:30-40. Tu.. Ruth ,, 2. We., 3, 4. 
 Ih., iSam. r. l<r.,2. Sa., 3, 4, 5. Su., 6, 7, 8. ' •^' ^ 
 
 ''*""!.yp*''''*-^^°"'J''^-'^'"-9. lo- Tu., ,,, ,2, 13. We., 14. Th., 15 Fr. 
 16 ; Psa. 19, 23. Sa , i Sam. ,7. Su., ,8; Psa. 8, 9, 29. (The Psi m be' 
 
 su^e"' tSo'. I'l: ''; ^""^^^'^ the points when^L/weiec:mpoid and 
 sung. 1 he locality of aiany is certain ; of others probable.) 
 
 31IIII Week-Mon. , Sam. 19: Psa. 58, 59- Tu., x Sam. 20: Psa. ,r, 64. 
 7s^m' S'"- "' '• ^""-r^^^ 70, 34, 40. Th., , Sam. 22 : 1,2 ; , Chron. ,2 : 8-,8 
 22 , ;o^p''"-V \^^'2':' "'0^5-^= ^^»- 57. Fr. ,3, 141, ,42. Sa. , Sam.' 
 22 . 3-19 . 1 ..a. 32, 17. Su., I Sam. 23, ,, 22 : 20-23, 23, 6 : 2-5, 7-12 ; Psa. 31. 
 
 3l«i "VVet^k— M 
 
 'I'l 
 
 °"- I '"'am. 23 : 13-23 ; Psa. 54 ; i Sam. 23 : 24-29 ; Psa 
 
 I Sam. 24 ; Psa. 7, 12, ,20. W 
 
 e., I Sam. 25 , Psa. 53. Th. i Sam. 26 
 
 35. 36. 
 
 1-7 ; I Chron. 12 : 1-7 ; Psa. 16, 38, 39. Fr. i Sam.' 27 : "s-i 
 Chron. 12 : 19-22 ; i Sam. 30. Su. 31 ; i Chron. 10. 
 
 27 
 
 2 ; 28, 29. Sa. I 
 
20 
 
 HELPS ro BCBLE STUDY. 
 
 3'jnd Week — Aton., 2 Sam. 1, 2:1-7; '*■''»• 27, 101, 95. I'u., 2 Sam. 2: 7-y.i, 
 W*"., 3. Th., 4, 5 ; 1-3 ; 23 : S-12, 18-39. ^r., i Chroii. 11 : 1-3, 10-14, 20-47; 
 12 : 23-40. Sd., 2 Sam. 5 : 4-10 ; i Cliron. 11 : 4-9. Su. Psa. 108, no, 122, 
 
 33r«l Week — Mon., 2 Sam. 5 : 11-25 '• ' Chron. 14 ; Psa. 21,124. 'I'u., -.; Sam. 
 6 ; Psa. 132. We., 24. Th., 78. Fr., 2 .Sam. 7 ; 1 Chron. 17. Sa. aiidSu., 
 Messianic Psalms 2, 45, 22, no, 118. 
 
 34(ll Wrck— Mon,, -2 Sam. 8; i Chron. 18; Psa. 60, 84. Tu., 44, 20. We., 
 2 Sam. 9, 10 ; I Chron. 19. Th., 2 .Sam. n, 12 : 26-3- ; 1 Chnni. 20 : 1-3. 
 Fr., 2 .Sam. 12: 1-23; Psa. 51. Sa. and Su. The otlier "Penitential 
 Psalms," 6, 69, 103, 32, 139. 
 
 35tll Wct'k — Mon., 2 Sam. 12 : 24, 25 ; 13. Tu., 2 Sam. 14 : 1-7, 15-17, 8-14, 
 18-33. We., 2 Sam. 15, 16, 17 : 1-24. 'J'li., Fr., -Sa. and Su., Psalms, ftirst 
 night and day after JJavid was driven from his throne into the wilderness be- 
 yond Jordan, 4, 3, 5, 144, 26, 28, 61, 62, 143, 42, 55, 41, 109, 6g, 06, 121. 
 
 .ttttll.Week— Mon., 2 Sam. 17 : 25-29; 18: i-6 ; Psa. 43. David's prayer at 
 Mah.-inaim while Joab fought in the wood.) Tu., 2 Sam. iS : 7-33 ; 19. We., 
 20. Th., 2 .Sam. 21. Fr. , 22. ,Sa., 1 Chron. 20: 4-8 ; 2 Sam. 23 ; J'sa. 18. Su. 
 2 .Sam. 24 ; x Chron. 21 : 1-6 ; 27. : 23, 24 ; 21 : 7-30 ; Psa. 30. 
 
 SJlll Week— Mon., I Chron. 22; i Kings i. Tu., 1 Chron. ^ 24, We., 25, 
 26. 'I'h., 27 : 1-22, 25-34 • 28. Fr., 29 : 1-25 ; Psa. 72, 67, .Sa., 68. Su., 
 91, 145, 65. 
 
 ■tStll Week — Mon., I Kings 2 : 1-9; 2 Sam. 23: 1-7, i Chron. 29: 26-30; 
 
 1 Kings 2 ; lo, 11. Tu., 1 Kings 2 : 12 ; 2 Chron. 1 : 1-12 ; i Kings 3 : 4-28 ; 
 
 2 Chron. i : 13. We., i Kings 2 : 13-38 ; 5. Th., 2 Chron. 2 ; i Kings 2 : 
 39-46 ; 3 : 1-3 ; 6 : 1-8, 15-36. Fr., 7 : 13-50. Sa., 6 : 9-14, 37, 38 ; 7 : 51 ; 
 2 Chron. 3:4:5. i. Su., i Kings 8 : i-ii, 62-64, 12-61, 65, 66. 
 
 3dth Week— Mon., 2 Chron. 5 : 2-14 ; 7 : 4-7, 6. Tu., 7 : 3, 8, 10 ; Psa. 47 : 97. 
 We., 9S : 99 : 100. Th., i Kings 7 : 1-12 ; 9 : 1-9 ; 2-Chron. 7 : 11-22 ; i Kings 
 9 : 10-23, 25. Fr., 2 Chron. 8 : i-io, 12-16 ; i Kings 9 : 24 ; 2 Chron. 8:11. 
 Sa., and Su., Song of Solomon. 
 
 401111 Week— Mon., i Kings 4 : 1-28 ; 10 : 26 ; 9 : 26-28 ; 10 : 14-25, 27-29. Tu., 
 2 Chron. 9 : 26, 25 ; i : 14 ; 8 : 17, 18 ; 9 : 13-21, 24 ; i : 15-17 , 9 : 27, 28. 
 We., 1 Kings 4 : 29-33 > 2 Chron. g : 22 ; Prjv. i. Tii., 2, 3. Fr., 4, 5. 
 Sa., 6. Sa., 7, 8. 
 
 41st Week -Mon., Prov. 9, 
 .Sa., i6. Su., i7i f8, 19. 
 
 10. 
 
 Tu. 
 
 Tu., 21. 
 
 . We., 12, 1 
 We., 22. 
 
 Th., 14. Fr., 15. 
 Th., 23. Fr 24. Sa. 
 
 4'in<l Week— Mon., Prov. 20. 
 25. Su., 26, 27, 28. 
 
 4;tril Week— Mon., Prov. 29. Tu., 30. We., 31. 'J'h., 1 Kings 4 : 34 ; 10: 
 1-13 ; 2 Chroii. 9 : 23, r-12. Fr., 1 Kings 11. Sa., Eccl. i, 2. Su., 3, 4, 5. 
 
 44lli Week- Mon., Keel. 6, 7, Tu., 8, 9. We., 10, 11. Th., 12. Fr., 
 2 Chron. 9 : 29-31 ; i Kings 12 : 1-19 ; r Chron. 10. Sa., i Kings 12 : 20-33 
 2 Chron. ir. Su., i Kings 13 ; 2 Chron. 12. 
 
 45III Week— Mon., i Kings 14. Tu., 15. We., 2 Chron. 13, 14. 
 16, 17. Fr., I Kings 16. Sa., 17. Su., 18, 19. 
 
 41"lh Week — Mon., 1 Kings 20. Tu., 21. We.. 22. Th., 2 Chron. i 
 Psa., 82. Fr., 2 Chron. 20: Psa. 115. Sa., 2 Kings 1, 2. Su., 3, 4. 
 
 Th., 2 Chron. 21. 
 
 47th Week— Mon., 2 Kings 5. 'J"u., 6. We., 7, 
 2 Kings 9. Sa., 10. Su., n ; 2 Chron. 22, 23. 
 
 4Hi,it Week Mnn., 2 Chron. 24 ; 2 Kings 12. Tu., Junah x, 2, 3 
 
 books of the prophets being introduced at the points in the history when 
 they were written.] We., 4 ; 2 Kings 13. Th., 14; 2 Chron. 25. Fr. 2 
 Kings 15 : x-4. Sa., Hos. i, 2, 3. Su., 4, 5, 6, 7. 
 
 I'h., 15. 
 
 , 18, 19 ; 
 Fr., 
 The 
 
 ! 
 
 >i 
 
UELPS TO BIBLE .STUDY. 
 
 21 
 
 40III We,k-Mon., Hos. 8 g lo 'J„ „ ,., 
 
 2- !*•••, 3, 4. ba., 5, 6. 8u., 7, 8, 9. ^^e-. '3, '4- I h., Arv.os i. 
 
 Su., .M.,ah I, = ; . Kin,. 15 : 37, 38 ; x6 : Z.5I ^l^hron'^s'- w"*^'^ '^ = ^•3'' 
 Hint U'wk— Moil 1st t q I',, 
 
 SECOND YKAR. 
 
 '*"'L^^',f,^"rf^'°"-i .'f;,3». 33. Tu., 34, 35 ; N'.-.h. ,. w,., , 3 . , Ki„„ 
 
 • i-: ly , i.sa. 39 , 2 Chron., ^2 ; 2k 26 'I'h -, k';„,r. o . ' '3.2 Mugs 
 
 •"".•>.: :f,i"s:: 3';:-3r: .-.;. -'i; -:«,,^^' «■ «■ ■'■'■•. <^. - .»• 
 
 2,3- Wc, a Kinij, ^,' Z:,'. 'V,; ■""'■ if- 8,28.33. n.., Z«pl,.',' 
 f> 5. .Sa.,6. l;,Hab..7;,j'-'™' ^^^ '■■';J«'--3:"-.5. 'n.., ^ 
 
 *'", a"*75'|™';:/;.'- '• .»• ''^■■l;<- «c., „, „. 11,., , King, .3 :,,, 30; 
 
 O.ro„. 36: 8,9; le;.;,-ii.'';''ir "i?- ^•'■'' »-"B»24; 5.9; , 
 
 '""s;''"'^;]^:-; -■/:■...;'—»• we.,48. ■,■„., 4,. »>.,. »., 
 
 l»tU Week-Mon., 2! Tu le,- „• . l-- 
 
 J-. 5. : 3 ; . Chron. 36 :'V^2;-;^k;JiL^J,r ^^^.i ^ j ^S'^V' ^H? ^ 
 
 3^ ^ ^:: ; ;r Sa^' ^ 3^?"3:^'" Jr Vi. ''■' J-- 37 : 5: 4^; 34 : u-.; 
 2, 4-7 ; Jer. 52 : 5-7 f 3^^ 2-7 'r^,^' '*'^-' ''^ = ^^"^'^ = 3- : 2 King.s 25 : 
 
 Sj, 94. Tu., ].an,. \, ,. Ve.," 3. f h^'l" f ' /,> ^^ 'Z-' ^ "^ ' ^'*''»- 74, 79, 
 40 ; 2 Kuigs 2s : -=; 26 • r,.f <, . ."' ■*' K ^ •' ^ ^"'«^ 25 : 22-24 : Jer. 
 52: 28^,orE,k 33^i^^■,'♦''A7..t|3 ,';7-.SaM4i: 8-13; 46 : 13-.8 ; 44. Su. 
 
22 
 
 HKLPS TO BIIU.E MTUDy. 
 
 34- 
 
 We., 37, 38. 
 
 Ki 
 
 lath AViM'k-Mon., E/ek. 25, 27, 28, 32. Tu., 33 : 1-20 
 Th., 39. Fr., 40. Sa., 41, 42. Sii., 43, 44. 
 
 I.'Hli Week Moii., 45, 46. 'I'u., 47, 4C. We., 29 : 17-:! ; 30: 1-19: Dan. 3: 
 I'h., 4. Kr., 2 Kings 25 : 27-30 ; Jer. 52 : ^1-34 : Dan. 7, 5. Sa., 8, 9 ; I'sa. 
 102. Su., Dan. 6: 2 Chron. 36, 22, 23 ; K/ra. i ; 14 ; Psa. 126, 85. 
 
 I4tli Week -Mon., i:/ra. i : 5-11 ; 2. 3: 1-7 ; P^a; 87, 107, in, 112, 113, 114, 
 115, 116, 117, 125, 128, 134. 'In., I'./ra, 3: 8-13 ; Psa. 84, 66. W'c'E/.a, 
 4: 1-5, 24; I'sa. 129. 'I'h., Dan. 10, n. Kr., 12. Sa., I'^zra. 5:1; H..g. 
 i : i-ii; K/ra. 5:2: Hag. 1 : 1215 : 2 : 1-9 ; Zech. i : 1-16 ; riag. 2 : ij- 
 23 ; Zech. i : 7-21. Su., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ; Ezra. ■; : 3-17 : 6 : 1-22. 
 
 I5lh Week Mon., Psa. 81. 146. lu., 147, 148. We., 149, 150. Th.. E/ra. 
 
 4 : 6-23 ; Esther i ; K/ni } 
 10. .Su., II, 12. 
 
 16ill Wrek— .\!o!i., 13, 14. 'l"u., KMhcr, 2: 2123 
 Fr., 8. Sa., 9, lu. Su., Neh. i, 2. 
 
 Fr., Esther 2 : 1-20: Iszra 8. S., 9 ; Zech 9, 
 
 We., 4, 5. 'I'h., 6, 7. 
 , 10, II. Fr., 12 ; 1-9: 
 
 We., S, 
 
 'I'h 
 
 ■ Till Week— Men., 3, 4, 'I'u., 5, 6, 7, 
 Sa., 13: 1-3 ; Psa. i Su., 119; 1-54. 
 
 IKtIl Wt-ek— IMon., 129: 65-120. Tu., 119: i2i-i;6. We., Mai. 1,2, 3: 1-15. 
 Th., Neh. 13: 4-31; Mai. 3: i6-iU ; 4. Fr., i C'lir. i, 2. .Sa., i, 4. Su., 
 5. 6. 
 
 lOlh Week— Mon., 7, 8. .I'u., 9, Neh. 12,1026. (The Chronological arrange- 
 ment of the (lospels wfiich follows is baseil on Newco -^es Harmony of the 
 Four FIvangelists' as given in iJagsier's Itible. liagsier's "Consolidated 
 dospels" puts the chro.iological arrangement into a still more convenient 
 form.) We., Luke i : 1-4 ; John i : i-i8. 'I'h., Luke i : 5-25. Fr., i : 26- 
 38. .Sa., 39-56. Su., 57-79. 
 
 aOlh W« ek— Mon., Matt, i ; 18-25, i-i7 : I-uke 3 ; 23-38. 'I'u., Luke 2: 8-20. 
 
 Matt, i: 25; Luke 2: 21. We., 22-38. 'I'h., Matt. 2; 1-23; Luke 2 : 
 F., 40-52. Sa., Matt. 3: 1-12; Mark'i : i-S. Su., John 1:8; 3, i-i; 
 
 39- 
 
 ai»t AVefk-Mon., Matt., 3: 1317: Mark i: 9-11; 
 Matt. 4: i-ii ; ?>Iark i : 12, 13. We., Luke 4 : 1-13. 
 Fr., John i ; 35-51. Sa., John 2 : 1-12 Su., John 2 
 
 Luke 3 : 21-23. lu., 
 Th., John I : 19-34. 
 ; 13-25 ; 3 : 1-21. 
 
 'i?n«l AVeek— Mon., John 3 : 22-36. 'I'u., Matt. 4 : 12 : 14 : 3-5 ; Mark i : 14; 
 6: 17-20; Luke 3 : 18 ; 4 : 14 ; 3 : 19, 20. We., John 4: 1-26. 'I'h., John 
 4: 27-42. Fn, .\Iatt. 4 : 17; Aku-k i: 14, 15; Luke 4 : 14 ; John 4: 43-54. 
 Sa., ^Litt. 4: 13-16; Luke 4 : 15-31. Su., Matt. 4 : 18-22; Mark i: 16-20; 
 Luke 5 : i-ii. 
 
 *^3rrt AVeek— Mon., Mark i ; 21-28 ; Luke 4 : 31 37. Tu., Matt. 8 : 14-17 ; 4: 
 23-25. We., Mark i: 29-39. I'l-i I-uke 4: 38-44. Fr., Matt. 4: 2-4; 
 Mark i: 40-45; Lukes: 12-16. Sa., Mattg: 2-8; AL-irk 2: 1-12 ; Luke 15: 
 17-26 ; Mait. 9:9: Mark 2 : 13, 14 ; Luke 5 : 27, 28. Su., John 5 : 1.18. 
 
 S4tll AVeek— iSIon., 19-30. Tu., 31-47. We., Matt., 12: 1-8 ; Mark 2: 23-28: 
 Luke 6: 1-5. Th., Matt. 12; 9-21 ; Mark 3 : 1-12 ; Luke 6 : 6-11. Fr., 
 Matt. 10: 2-4; .Mark 3: 13-19; Ivuke 6: 12-19. ^^-j -^Litt. 5: i-i6. Su., 
 1 7-30- 
 
 35tli AVeek— Mon., Matt. 5: 31-4S. Tu., 6: 1-18. We., 19-34. Th., 7; 
 1-14. Fr.: 15-29. Sa., Luke 6: 20-49. ^u-i ^L^tt. 8: i, 5-13: Luke;: 1-17. 
 
 26tli AVeek— Mon., Matt, n : 2-19; Luk^e 7 : 18-35; ^Litt. n : 20-30. 'I'u., 
 Luke 7 : 36-50. We., Matt. 9 : 35 ; 12 : 22-37 '• ^lark 6 : 6 ; 3 : 20-30 ; Luke 
 8 : 1-3 ; II ; 14-23. Th., ALntt. 12 : 38-45 ; Luke n : 16, 29-36, 24-26. Fr., 
 27, 28 : Matt. 12 ; 46-50 ; Mark 3 ; 31-35 ; Luke 8 : 19-21. Sa., Luke 11 : 
 37-54. Su., Lukeii: 1-59 ; 13: 1-9. 
 
 2Itli AVeek— Mon., Matt. 13. Tu., Mark 4: 1-34. We., Luke 8 : 4-14 
 Th., Matt. 8 : 18-27 ; ALirk 4 : 35-41 ; Luke 8 : 22 ; 9 : 5762 : 8 : 22-25 
 Fr., Matt. 8 : 23-34; Mark 5 : 1-20 ; Luke 8 : 26-39. ^^-r Matt., y : 1 
 
1-15- 
 Su., 
 
 ^ 
 
 HELl'S TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 23 
 
 29-39- 
 
 aStli Week -Mod., Matt, q : 27->a -t^ • =^ cfi • \i i ,- . ^ .- .. 
 
 " ";,'',• ^'-■■ -^^•''■'^ ^ = ^'-29 : Matt. ,4 : ,-2 ; 
 7-9 : Mark 6 : 3, .gx ; Luke 9 : ,0. 'M,., Matt. 14 ' 
 
 12, 13 ; Luke Q : 
 Mark 6 ; 14-16 ; 
 i.i-2i ; Mark 6 : 
 Mark 6 : 45-56 ; 
 Mark 7 : x-aj. 
 
 6. We. 
 
 I. like 9 
 
 .;a-44 ; l.uke 9 : 10-17 : Johii ft' 
 
 John ti : 15-21. Sa., 22-71 ; 7 
 
 10. 
 1-14- Kr., Matt. 14 : 22-3^ 
 r. Su., .^fatt. 15 : 1-20 
 
 5 • 21 
 .i2-39 
 
 •iJMIi WtMli- Mom., .M.at 
 7 : 31-37- 'J'li., Matt. 1 
 II, i.\ We., Matt. i6 : .t- 
 S : 37-30 : Luke 9 : x8-2i. 
 Luke 9 : 22-27. Sa., ALitt. 17 : , 
 1:14: • Pet. I : 16-18 : Malt. 17 
 
 Su., Ahut. I 
 .Mark 9 : 33. 
 
 .•Will W. <'k-Mon., Ahut. iS 
 We., John 7 : 2-53 : S : 2-xi 
 13; r^ : in-35. 
 
 -Men. 
 
 56; 17 
 
 Su., 
 
 ■■8 : Mark 
 
 AL-irk 3 : 
 ■! ; iSlark li : 13 
 Kr., Matt. 16 : 
 
 13 ; AL-irk 9 : 
 14-21 ; .^L^rk 
 
 7 : -^4-30 : Matt. 
 I- 10 : .Matt. 16 
 26. I'll., .\Lut. 
 21-28 ; Mark 8 
 
 22, 23 ; .NLaik 9 : 30- -2 ; Luk 
 
 :e u 
 
 5 : 29-31 ; Mark 
 
 1-4 ; Mark 8 : 
 
 6: 13-20 ; Mark 
 
 , , 31-38 : 9 : I ; 
 
 2-13 ; Luke 9 : 28-36 ; John 
 37-43- 
 
 34-27 ; 
 
 9 : 14-29 
 43-45 ; -M 
 
 Luke 9 
 ait. ,/ ; 
 
 ,35 ; 9 : 33-50 ; 9 
 
 Su., II 
 
 I- 
 
 Ih., 
 
 12-59. l''i--, 9 
 
 tilut AVi'ek 
 
 II :9 : 51 
 10 : 22-42, 
 
 1 1. 
 
 I.uke 14. 'J'u., 
 12-19- Kr., 17 
 
 Luke I 
 : 20-37. 
 
 , W'c, 
 
 •Sa., 18 
 
 46-50. 
 10. .Sr 
 
 10, 17 
 : 1-14 
 
 I'u., 10 : 
 ., Luke 10 : 
 
 : i-io. 'I'h. 
 10 : 38-42 ; 
 
 I -to. 
 17-37- 
 
 17 : 
 John 
 
 »?«fl Week- .Mon., 19; 
 13-15 ; Luke 18 : 15-17 
 18 : 16-30. Tu., Matt. 
 20-28 ; Mark. 10 : 35-45, 
 
 1-12 ; iMark. 10 : i-i 
 Matt. 19 : 16-30 : 20 
 ^'\,\'7-'9;io: 31-34 
 We., Matt. 20 : 2 
 
 ■9 34 
 
 : Matt. 19 : 13-15 ; ^[ark 10 : 
 i-i6; Mark lo ; 17-31 ; Luke 
 Luke iS ; 31-34 ; ,\latt. 20 : 
 
 35-43 : .9 : J-.8. Th., Sat. Lefbre crucitixL^: ' Sni ■°' ^^.' lo'^"" '^ = 
 II. Pahu Sunday. -Matt. 2: • i-,i u-,, ■ { .,i . ' ""'^J \ ' '' 9" 
 
 n ■ ii'^i II ■ '^'^^- rr ^'--'''>'^:'^^"-n'i«l:>:--Matt: tt^ 
 
 13 . ALirk II . 12-19 ; l-i'l<c 19 ■• 45-48 ; ALut. 21 : 20-22 ; ALirk 
 
 —Matt. 21 
 Su., Mait. 
 
 Sa., 'I'uesday before crucilixio'n 
 33 ; 12 : 1-12 ; Luko 20 : 1-19. 
 20 : 20-44. 
 
 .'Wnl AVeek-Mon., Afatt. 23 : 1 
 Mark 12 : 41-44 ; l^ike 21 : 1-4 
 r-37 ; Luke 21 : 5-36 Matt. 25 : 
 
 29- 
 19.12, 
 
 II : 20-26. 
 
 ;-46 ; 22 : 1-14 ; Mark 11 : 27- 
 i5-4f' : ■^Llrk 12; 12-37 ;Luke 
 
 Luke 21 
 f;.^'"",;-^'''^"- 26 : i-,6; Mark .4 : ,-ii 
 III., I nursday before crucili\ion.--Matt 26 
 
 20 : 45-47 
 
 Su., Matt. 26 : stefAIark 
 Matt. 26 : 
 
 34ni AVe»k 
 
 36-46 ; Mark 14 : 26 
 14 '■ 32-42 ; Luke 22 
 43-52 ; Luke 22 : 47 
 14 : 53, 54. 66 
 
 'H,' ^^"W^ '-' : 3S-40 : Luke 
 
 111., Matt. 24 : 1-5X ; 05 : 1-30 ; Mark^ 13 . 
 
 1-46 ; 21 : 37 38 We., Wed. before cruu- 
 
 Luke 22 : 1-6; John 12 : 2-8. 
 
 17-^9 ; AL-irk 14 : 12-16 ; 22 : 
 
 1-20. 
 
 21-23 ; J"lin 13 : 21-35. 
 
 14 • 27-31 ; Luke 22 : 31-38 : fohn 13 : 36-38. 
 
 7.3, : Mnrt ,;^ .3!=; ':ui:' i ;'=„■ V";;.-.; n:* ■ '"'- ■-■ 
 
 Mon., John 15 
 
 51-35 : Mark 
 
 '"^7 ■ 16 : 1-33. 'I'u., 17 : 1-26 ; Matt. 26 
 
 isa. 113-X18, inclusive,- the Passover " Hymn 
 
 39-46 ; John 18 : I 
 
 M: 
 
 ir|. 
 
 ohn 
 ke 22 
 
 2-12. 
 54-6a 
 
 <, -, - • ■r7-53 : Jo 
 
 AL-irk 14 : 53, 54, 56-72 ; Lu... _ . ^..^.^ , 
 l?' 59-68 ; xALyk 14 : 53, 55-65 ; Luke 22 : 
 l-r., I-rKlayofCrucilixion. -Matt. 27: ,, 2 11-14 
 - ■■ ,8 : 28-38; Luke 23 : 6-12 ; Matt. 27 
 
 13-23 : John 18 : 39, 40. Sa., Matt. 27 : 26-^,1 
 ■- ^^"'"'^ ' ^-'r"^',' '9 : 1-16 ; Matt. 27 : 3-10 ; AJts i 
 ■ 35-50; Mark 15 : 21-23 ; Luke 23 : 26-13 : Fohn 
 
 mU Wet'k-Mon. Matt., 27 : 35-50 : Mark 15 
 John ,9 : 1S-30. Tu., Matt. 27 : 5,-61 ; AL.rk ,. 
 
 Saturday after Crucidxion.- Matt 
 ■4 ; 27 : 52, 53 ; Mark 16 : i ; ALnti. 28 
 
 1-5; John 
 Luke 23 : 
 Luke 23 
 Matt. 27 
 
 . Mark 14 : 
 
 58, 6c;-7s ; 
 
 Matt. 26 : 
 
 19-23, 28. 
 
 56; John 19 :'3i-42. 
 Kaster— Matt 28, 
 
 We., Matt. 16 : 47.56 
 
 i h.. Matt. 26 : 57, 
 
 John 18 : 13-18, 24-^7 ; 
 
 66-71, 63-65; John 18 : 
 
 iMark 15 : 1-15 ; Luke 23: 
 
 15-23 : Mark 15 : 6-14 ; 
 
 Mark 15 : 
 
 19 
 
 /- 
 
 24-37 : Luke 23 : 33.46 ; 
 
 38-47 : Luke 23 : 45, 47- 
 : 62-66. We., 
 1:5-8; -NLiik 
 
 18, 
 
 10 : I- 
 
 15-20 
 
24 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 i6 : 2-8 : Luke 24 : i-ii ; John 20 : i, 2. Th., Luke 24 : 12 ; John 20 : 3- 
 lo; Mark 16: 9-1 1 ; John 20 : 11-18 ; Matt. 28 : 9-15. Fr,, Mark 16 : 12, 13 ; 
 Lukf 24 : I V36 : I Cor. 15. part of v 5. Sa., Mark 16 : 14-18 ; Luke 24 : 
 36-49 ; John '^o : 19-23 ; First Sunday after -esurn-ction— John 20 : 24-29. 
 Su., Matt. 28 : 16 ; John 2t : 1-24 : Matt. 28 : 16-20 . i Cor. is : 6, 7 : Acts 
 1 : 3-8. 
 
 :i<illl Week— Mon., ,0 days after resurrection— Mark 16: 19-20; Luke 24: 
 5U-53 ; Acts i : 9-12 ; John 20: 30, 31 ; 21 : 25. Tu., Acts i : 1-3, 12-14. 
 l-iity days after resurrection,— 2. We., 3, 4 ; 1-31. 'I'll., 4 : 32-37 ; 5. Fr., 
 6,7. Sa.,8, 9. Su.,io, II. (A chapter and a half ahout one man's soul- 
 longer than the description of creation.) 
 
 3T«I» Wet'k— Mon., 12, n. Tu., 14, 15. We., 16: 1-6 ; i Tim. i, 2, 3. Th., 
 (ial. I, 2, 3. Fr., 4, 5. Sa., 5, 6. Su., Philip i, 2. 
 
 .'tSlli W«>«'k— Mon., 3, 4. Tu., Acts 17 : i-io ; i Thes. i. We., 2, 3, Th., 
 4, 5. Fr., 2 Thes. 1,2. Sa., 3, 4. Su., Acts 17 : 10-34 = i8:#i-i8 ; i Cor. i. 
 
 Mth Vr«'ek-Mon., 2, 3, 4. 'l-u. 5, 6, 7. We., 8, 9. Th., 10, 11. Fr., 12, 13. 
 Sa., 14. Su., 15. 
 
 4«ill Wc«*k— Mon., 16. Tu., 2 Cor. i. We., 2. Th., 3. Fr., 4, Sa. 5. Su., 
 
 6, 7, 8. 
 
 4lsl. AV^'ek— Mon., 9. I'u., 10. We., n. Th., 12. F.-., 13. Sa., Acts 18: 
 ig-28 ; 19, 20. Su., Eph. I, 2, 3. 
 
 42u«l AVct'k— Mon., 4, 5, 6. Tu., Acts 21, 22, 23. We., 24, 25, 26. Th., 27, 
 28 : i-io. F., 28 : 11-31 ; Horn. i. Sa., 2. Su., 3. 
 
 4trU AVei'k— Men., 4. Tu., 5. We., 6. Th., 7. Fr., 8. Sa., 9. Su., 10. 
 
 44II1 We4li-Mon., II. Tu.. 12. We., 13. J'h. 14. Fr., 15, 16. Sa., 
 Philemon. Su., Col. i. 
 
 45lh Week— Mon.,2. Tu., 3. We., 4. Th., Titus i. Fr., 2. Sa., 3. Su., 
 Heb. I. .10. 
 
 4t»tli We.k— Mon., 2, 3, 4. Tu., 5, 6. We., 7, 8. Th., 9, 10. Fr., 11, 12. 
 Sa., 13. Su.. 2 liiii. (I'aul giving his last message.s.) 1, 2. 
 
 47l,l» \Ve«'k— Mon., 3, 4. Tu., Jam. I. We., 2. Th., 3, 4. Fr , 5. Sa., i 
 Pet. I. Su , 2. 
 
 48th AVeek— Mon., 3. Tu., 4. We., 5. Th. 
 Su., I John I, 2. 
 
 Pet. I. Fr., 2. Sa., 3. 
 
 491 h Week— Mon., 3. Tu.,4. We., 5. Th , 2 John, Fr., 3 John. Sa., 
 Jude. Su., Rev. i. 
 
 501I1 Week-Mon , 2. Tu., 3. We., 4. Th., 5. Fr., 6. Sa., 7. Su., 8. 
 
 5l»t Week- Mon., 9. Tu., 10. We., n. Tli., 12. Fr., 13. Sa., 14. Su., 15. 
 
 r»ainl Week— Mon., 16. Tu., 17. We., 18. 'I'h., 19. Fr. 20. Sa., 21. Su., 22. 
 
 7. Anatijtically. Read special portionsofS^ipturean.ilytically, 
 lurking iiiic) the deeper meanings, as astronomers search into the 
 depths (,'( the skies. New stars may be found in the most studied 
 chapt'»3. 
 
 There is more of valuable truth yet to be gleaned from the 
 Facred writing.s that has thus far escaped the attention of commen- 
 tators than from all other source? of human knowledge combined. 
 
 When you read your Bible, be sure you hunt Jor tiomethiny . 
 
Th., 
 
 lO. 
 
 Sa., 
 Su., 
 
 HELl'S TO BIBLE STIDY. 
 
 25 
 
 Read the same chapter over and over again till you understand 
 it. We would add — make yourself tho^-oufrhly familiar with St. P.iul's 
 Epistles. They are the key to all the holy Scriptures. 
 
 After a chapter has been read, analyze it and draw up t/our 
 own table oj contend. We arc indebted to an English gentleman tor 
 this su^'gestion, and as an illustration of our rr.eaninj,', give .such a 
 table as made by him : 
 
 CO.NTENI.S Ol' CHAI'TER I. MARK's (JQ.SI'EL. 
 
 (The numbers give the ver.ses,) 
 Three principal Persons mentioned — 
 
 John the Baptist: (4) Preached repentance - (4) Baptized 
 
 Jesus— (7) Pointed to Christ. 
 Jesus Christ : (9) Baptized by John -(13) Temptid of Satan— 
 
 (35) Prayed to God 
 Satan : {13) Tempted Jesus— (23, 32) Got possession of nun 
 —(25. 34. 39) Cast out by Jesus. 
 Three Titles (jiven to Jesus — 
 
 By Mark : (i) Jesus Christ. By God : (17) My be'oved Son. 
 By Satan : (24) Holy One of God. 
 7yiree Mirades wrovrpii by Jems — 
 
 {23) On an unclean spirit— (30) Simon's wife's mother— (40) 
 Leper. 
 Three Contrasts — 
 
 (8) Baptism of John— baptism of Jesus. (13) Satan tempts— 
 angels minister. (23, 24) Unclean spirit of devil— Holy One 
 of God. 
 Four IHscipl's — 
 
 Simon and Andrew, James and John : (16, 17) Called— (18, 20) 
 Forsake all— (18, 20) Follow Je^us. 
 A remark'ible Result of Disobedience— 
 
 Because the healed leper published his cure (when Jesus tuUI 
 
 him to ' ' say nothing"— (verse 44), Jesus could no more open !y 
 
 enter into the city" (verse 45). 
 
 Let any one adopt and carry out such a plan as this, or a simiLir 
 
 one, and it will wonderfully in^iroase and intensify Bible knowledge. 
 
 <S'. Take a sini^'le passage and dwell vpon it— \\?,mc, 2 Tim. 
 
 16, 17, as a personal glass through which to read each 
 ing what reproofj what instruction is there h 
 
 passage, ask- 
 ere for me ? 
 
 Read and study the passage as if it were written f .r yourself, 
 
26 
 
 IIELI'H TO HIBTE STUDY. 
 
 always taking the plain and simple meaning of a passage. In- 
 gcnious interpretations are usually dan^'erous. Another plan 
 is: Coi.sider the external circumstances, both as to the writer, 
 and the subject matter itself; consider the scope of the paragrnnh 
 or chapter containing the i)assage ; remark the structure ; compare 
 it with its connection ; and with marginal refarmces ; ponder the 
 words ; endeavor to uraxp the Id' a of the words ; and make the re 
 quired application. This is a delightful and profitable spiritual 
 exercise. 
 
 !K SyHtcmatkally. In gathering doctrinal truth from Scripture 
 bring together all the texts that refer to the same subject, whether 
 they be doctrines, precepts or promises, impartially compare 
 tliem, restrict the expressions of c ne text by those of another 
 and explain the whole consistently, Wc must gather our 
 views of Christian doctrine primarily from the New Testament, in- 
 terpreting its statements ;Consistently with one another, and with 
 the facts and clear revelations of the Old. Explain figurative pas- 
 sages by those that are clear and literal. Notice what things are 
 omitte.l in one book ; th ngs that are oftenest recommended ; what 
 is common to the two dispensations; observe the value ascribed in 
 Scripture itself to any truth or precept which it contains. Nothing 
 must be made a matter of faith which is not a matter of revelation. 
 
 Employ and interpret the doctrines of Scripture with special 
 regard to the practical purposes for which the Scripture reveals 
 them. Remember too, that deductions from Scripture are not 
 necessarily true, unless those deductions are themselves revealed. 
 
 10. Inferentially. Lessons may be drawn from the words of 
 Scripture, from the words in their place in the sentence ; from 
 words in connection with the context ; from the scope, either of the 
 book, or of the particular passage ; from parallel passages, not 
 merely verbal parallels, but paralle isms of thought. 
 
 '• It is incredil)Ie," says Bishop liorsley, *' to any one who has 
 not made the experiment, what a proficiency may be made in that 
 knowledge which maketh wise unto salvation, by studying the 
 Scriptures with reference to the parallel passages without any 
 other Commentary or exposition than what the different parts of 
 the Sacred Volume mutually furnish for each other. Let the most 
 illiterate Christian study them in this manner, and let him never 
 cease to pray for the illumination of that Spirit by whom these 
 books were dedicated, and the whole compass of abstiuse philoso- 
 
flEttS TO BIBLE STUDV. 
 
 j27 
 
 vt 
 
 phy, and recondite history shall furnish no arj^nmenl wilh which 
 the perverse will of man shall be able to shake this Kariicd 
 Christian's faith. 
 
 BRIEF MISCELLANEOUS HINTS. 
 
 1. Learn at least one verse of Scripture each day. Verses 
 from memory will be wonderfuby useful in your daily life and w(irk. 
 See Josh, i : 8 ; Psa. 119: 1 1. 
 
 2. Do not be satisfied wilh simply reading a chap'er, but ntudy 
 the mcaninij of at least one verse everif clay. 
 
 3. Read and study the Hible socially This is done in 
 Teachers' Meetings, Bible Classes, etc. Each one's views are sure 
 to be somewhat supplemented and stimulated ])y the views argu- 
 ments and sugtj;estion-i of others. 
 
 4. Set apa t at lea-;t fifteen minutes each day Jor sfiiilt/inij it. 
 This little will b: grand in results, nn 1 never be regretted. 
 
 5. Study how to use the B ble so as to " ivafk loith God," and 
 lead others to Christ. 
 
 6. Read the book as if it were written for youmclj. Always 
 ask God to help you to und'/rstanl it, an 1 then kxprc r that he 
 will. 
 
 7. Carry a Bible or Testament with you. 
 
 8 Read syst' matically, with some purpose in mind. 
 
 9. liead the Bible with a view of livina rather than merely 
 learniny it coming to it not only perfunctorily for lessons and 
 sermons, but also for lovlny conversation, "as a man talketh with 
 hi> friend." 
 
 10. Have Young's Analytical Concordance, and a Bible text 
 book at hand. Also in all cises refer to parallel passages and 
 marginal notes and lake lime to think be ore consulting com- 
 mentaries. 
 
 11. Study the Bible in the freshness of the morning rather than 
 the weary hours of the evening. Open and read it in th-i morning 
 before opening any other book or paper. 
 
 12. I'.elieve in the Bible as God's revelation to you and act 
 accordingly. 
 
 Some distinction should be made between the study of the 
 Bible, the leadin^^ o' the I'.ible, and meditation upon certain por- 
 tions of the Bible. Each is essential in its way ; the three combined 
 give completeness to searching the -criptures in order to abiding 
 
-iriiTni"- j/^-^-^^^^--^.^ 
 
 28 
 
 MRLPS TO BlIlLE STUDY. 
 
 communion with God. The study of the Bible is needful in order 
 to get a thorough knowledge of the contents of the sacred vohmie 
 the meanmg of words and phrases, the fulfihnent of types the 
 mterpretat.on of ceremonial observances, prophetic utterances, etc. 
 The readmg of the Bib'e is necessary in order to hear God's voice 
 speakmg to us, so that divine communion may be encouraged and 
 perpetuated. The meditation of the Bible is indispensable in order 
 to be fed with the sincere milk of the word, or the strong meat 
 thereof, that we may grow thereby. Meditation is to the reading 
 and study what digestion and assimilation are to the eating of 
 our dady food. Finally, let the Bible be ^udied critically and read 
 devolionally ; let it be meditated upon reverently and diligently, 
 comparmg spiritual things with spiritual, and allowing Scripture to 
 cxjjbin itself by Scripture. 
 
 'EARCH THE John 5 : 39. 
 >CRIPTyRES, John 2: 12, 13. 
 "ARNESTLY, Josh, i : 8. 
 
 A 
 R 
 C 
 H 
 
 Psa. 119 : 13. 
 
 John 20 : 31. 
 Psa. 119 : 9. 
 Acts 17 : II. 
 Psa. I : 2. 
 Luke 24 : 27. 
 2 Tim. 3 : 16, 17. 
 UMBLY, Luke 24: 45. 
 Tames l ; 22. 
 
 NXIOUSLY, 
 EGULARLY, 
 fVREFULLY, 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 RULES OF INTERPRETATION. 
 
 The great advantage of ru'es of interpretation is not to discover 
 the meaning of plain passages of ' cripture, but to ascertain the 
 meaning of such as are ambiguous or obscure. 
 
 I. Whether words are used literally or tropically, asceitain the 
 meaning affixed to them by the persons in general by whom the 
 language either is now or formerly was spoken, and especially in the 
 particular connection in which such a meaning is affixed. Th e 
 
 £• 
 
IIKLI'H To BIBLE STODY. 
 
 20 
 
 meaning of a word used by any writer is ihe meaning affixed to it by 
 those fur whom he immediately wrote. 
 
 2. It is sometimes necessary to 1 ok beyond the words, and 
 even the sentence to the context. 
 
 3- When the words, the connection of the sentence, and the 
 context, fail in removing all ambiguity, or in giving the full mean- 
 ing of the writer, it is then necessary that we look at the scope or 
 design of ihe book itself, or of some large section, in which the 
 words and expressions occur. Sometimes the scope of a passage 
 and that of the book are different. 
 
 4. Compare Scripture with Scripture in passages containing the 
 same word or phrase in similar sense, or speaking of the same 
 thing, or having a like thought to justify a comparison. 
 
 5 Study the circumstances in which a book was written. 
 
 6. Consider the relation of a given paiagraph to the whole 
 book. 
 
 7. Study the meaning of particular words and phrases. 
 
 8. Examine other statements of the same writer on the topic 
 treated in a given passage. 
 
 9. Beyin with the plainer passages, reserving the more obscure 
 ones until greater skill is acquired. 
 
 10. Remember the responsibilty that attends the right of 
 private judgment. 
 
 Rules for the interpretation of allegories, parables, types and 
 symbols of Scripture : 
 
 1. Ascertain what is the scope, either by reference to the 
 context, or to parallel passages ; and seize the one truth which the 
 type or parable is intended to set forth, distinguishing it from all 
 the other truths which border upon it, and let the parts of the 
 parable which are explained be explained in harmony with this one 
 truth. 2. Even of doctrines consistent with the design of the 
 parable or type, no conclusion must be gathered from any part of 
 either of them, which is inconsistent with the clearer revelations of 
 divine truth. 3 It is important that neither types nor parables be 
 made the first or sole source of Scripture doctrine. Doctrines 
 otherwise proved may be further illustrated or confirmed by them, 
 but we are not to gather doctrine exclusively or primarily from these 
 representations. 
 
:{0 
 
 iiKt.rs TO tuni.K Htrl>Y. 
 
 INTKKrKRIATION ()!• rR«M'IIKCY. 
 
 The peculiarities of the j)r()[ihelic Scriptures arc, as ti) //»»»'.• 
 I. The pruphcls often speak of thinjjs that bclonj; to the roniolc 
 future as if present to their view. 2. They speak of thin<;s future 
 as past. 3. When the precise time of indiviihial events was not 
 repealed, the prophets descrihe iheni as continuous. As to Inn- 
 [jHaijc : The whole is often desciibed in ligumtive and allcf^orical 
 or synd)t)lic terms. If projihccy haci everywhere consisted of 
 literal description it would have defeated its object, and either 
 have prevented the fuHillment, or have taken from the fullilled 
 prophecy all evidence of a divine orij;inal. Rules: i. Let the 
 student of prophecy ascertain the exact position of the prophet in 
 relation both (i) to his age, and (2) to his predictions, (i) ICach 
 prophet was a messenger to his own limes From the circum- 
 stances of his country he boi rowed his ima ery, and to the moral 
 and physical condition of his country as existing or as foreseen he 
 adapted his mess.ige. (2) Ascertain also his standing p int in 
 relation to his own pretlictions. Let the student also take his place, 
 if possible, by the prophet's side, and K)ok with him t)n the past 
 and on the future. 2. Familiarize yourself with the language of 
 ])rophccy — its figures and symbols. 3. It is a golden rule, that as 
 prophecy is not "self-interpretative" (of private inter|irelation 2 I'e. 
 I : 20, 21) each of the predictions of Scripture must be compared 
 with others on the same topic, and with history both profane and 
 inspired. 4. Mark the principles of prophetic interpretation sanc- 
 tioned by the New Testament. 
 
 The following helps to the inierpretation of Scripture will be 
 found of great value : 
 
 I. Some knowledge of the ideas and opinions prevalent among 
 the people to whom the inspired writings were addressed, or among 
 surrounding nations, is often important. *2. A knowledge of the 
 religious opnions of the nations by whom the Israelites were sur- 
 rounded. A knowledge of ancient profane history. 3. Fcclesi- 
 astical history is also of va'ue in interpreting Scripture. 4. A 
 knowledge of the order of events, and of the intervals between 
 them. 5. A knowledge of natural history. 6. A knowledge 
 of the manners and customs of the Jews. 7. A knowledge of 
 geography, under its two-fold division of historical and physical. 
 8 Deep piety. 9. Patience. lo. A reverence tor the sujireme 
 
 
HKLI'S TO BIHLK HTCDY. 
 
 31 
 
 authority of (mkI's Word. ii. I'ron.pt obedience to ll.e truti.. 
 12. The aid u( the Holy Spirit. 
 
 CHAP'rER III. 
 
 
 s 
 
 INTEKl'KliTATIONS 01- HlliLli TYl'HS AND 
 
 SYMBOLS. 
 
 "All Scripture is profitable for conviction, conversion and 
 ciiituie."l{ible similes, metaphors, allegories, parables, symbolsand 
 ti/,»'H are, then, '^ profitable Scrij I „ re," not chaff, as superficial 
 Christians have often intimated. 
 
 They are ahuml by pressing compari.sons too far and too 
 literally ; by naming as ti/pes, that is, picture prophecies of the 
 future, what are only Mi/mho'», that is, sij-ns oi ;>/m//< things; by 
 fanciful rather than Scriptural interpretations ; by making what is a 
 good "illustration" into a counterfeit symbol or type; and ly 
 neglecting or excluding the JUble's own interpretations. 
 
 But these abitsex should no more turn us aside from the prayer- 
 ful study of these inspired hieroglyphics of truth than the abuses of 
 other passages by Romanists, and slaveholders should drive us from 
 those portions of Word. 
 
 Types and symbols have mes as well as abuses. As in other 
 departments of knowledge, so in religion, we must learn the unseen 
 by comparison with the seen, the unknown thn.ugh the known, "fust 
 tiie natural, then that which is spiritual." It was necessary in the 
 childhood of the church to use the analogies of God's visiljle world 
 to teach the invisible truths of His Word, but it is no less necessary 
 in reaching the children of to-day with divine light to use these or 
 similar "likes" for advanced Christians as we I as for those who are 
 babes in spiritual knowledge. Few, if any, are so fully developed 
 in Christian life that they do not need ihe symbols and types which 
 Christ, as well as Moses, used in reaching through th- eye and ear 
 both cultured men, like Nicodemus, and unlettered hearers like the 
 woman of Samaria. 
 
 The New Testament gospel to-day is most deeply and richly 
 
32 
 
 HRLP.S TO lUHLK STUDY, 
 
 ^.^ 
 
 undcrstofxl by those who come to it l.y way of (Jcncsis through the 
 interpreting lights of types and synihols. Low views of Christ's 
 atoning work are the natural result of a study of the New Testa- 
 ment gospels without a previous examination of the <leep, blood- 
 stained foundations in the Old Testament gospels of Moses and the 
 prophets. 
 
 The types and Mijmholti of Srripliirc have hm distinct lawn as other 
 formn of lanyitaifc. 'I'here are laws for determining whether a 
 passage is figurative or not that are often given about as follows : 
 First, ' If a phrase does not make sense when taken literally, it 
 must be taken figuratively ; and secondly, if the connection de- 
 termines that the subject spoken of relates to visible objects and 
 outward facts, then this imagery must be interpreted accordingly ; 
 but if the context determines the figurative phrase to refer to spiritual 
 verities and facts the imagery recjuires a corresponding spiritual 
 interpretation." 
 
 Another law guides us in naming the figurative 'anguage. 
 When a passage is found to be figurative— a simi'e, metaphor, 
 allegory, parable, symbol or type— it should not be positively classed 
 as a God appointed "«^w/;o/" of present truth, or an inspired 
 "type" of future things, unless it is distinctly called so in Scripture. 
 In case of doubt it should be ramed an " illustration," thus avoiding 
 controversy and uncertainty. 
 
 For the interpretation of Bible types and symbols the study of 
 oriental customs, manners, literature and inscriptions, as found in 
 Palestine. Assyria, Egypt and other eastern countries, gives fixed 
 laws and principles nearly as clear as those which govern the trans- 
 lation of one language into another. The following table is the 
 condensed results of such study, aided by scientific and thorough 
 books, such as Atwater's " Sacred Tabernacle of the Hebrews," 
 Van-Lcnnep's "Bible Lands," and "Symbolical Language of 
 Scripture," in Spottiswoodes' " CenteHary Bible." 
 
 I. SYMBOLISM OF NUMBER AND FORM. 
 
 Three and also the three-sided figure, the triangle, A represent 
 Diety. The benediction was therefore anciently given with the 
 thumb and two fingers extended and the others closed. Thcascrip- 
 tion, " Holy, Holy, Holy," is three times uttered. So deeply was 
 the threefold personality of God impressed on the heart of ir..nn at the 
 
HELl'H TO BIBLE STDUY. 
 
 33 
 
 world's lieginning that even heathen nations conceive of a trinity 
 about their numerous idols. 
 
 Three seems also to l)c a symbol of earnestness. Matt 26- 
 44; 2 Cor. 12 : 8. 
 
 Fovr represenis the Kingdom of God on earth. A four sided 
 figure, eiiher s(,uare or oblong is the nionof/ram of (Jod's kingdom 
 Hence every part of the tabe.nacle and temple is foursided-the 
 ground plan, the walls, the roof, ^thc altars, the tables, the m.rcy 
 seat the laver, etc. 
 
 Seven, being the sum of «' Three " (Deity) and " Four " (fJod's 
 kingdom on earth) represents the union of the finite and infinite ; 
 any transaction or covenant in which both God and man are en- 
 gaged or intimated. Thi God-man is symbolized by the seven 
 golden candlesticks. The seventh day seventh month, seventh 
 year and the year following, seven groups of seven years were all 
 special times of God's b essings upon man. 
 
 7V/i— used but seldom— represents completeness, as will be 
 seen by studying passages in the concordance under the word Ten- 
 Ten Commandments, Ten Virgins, etc. 
 
 'frvelve is the monogram number of God's Israel, first literal, 
 then spiritual, e. <j , twelve patriarchs, twelve tribes, twelve spies,' 
 twelve apostles etc., sometimes doubled into twenty-four. Ezek.' 
 10 : 6-19 ; Rev. 4 : 4 ; 7 : 48 ; Matt. 19 ; 28. 
 
 Fort!/ was the S)mboI of probation and trial and was thus used 
 of Christ's fort) days' temptation, and also of similar scenes in 
 the life of Moses and others. 
 
 
 2. SYMBOLISM OF COLOR. 
 
 White represents purity and splendor, holiness and glory. Be- 
 ing a royal color during a part of the Bible times— it then repre- 
 sented kingship and priesthood combined, as in the transfiguration, 
 and also in the picture of the "kings and priests unto God " in 
 heaven as clad in white robes. In the high priests' dress the white 
 hnen doubtless represented the glory and holiness ot Christ, the 
 great High Priest. Miss Sarah Smiley sa^ s : " This linen wal not 
 'ike ours, but the soft, silky, snowy, shining hysus. In Rev. 19 : 8. 
 
 ■Atwater on " The Sacred Tabernacle of the Hebrews." 
 
34 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 ■ 
 
 we find that it signifies the righteousness of saints." The pale, 
 white horse symbolized death. 
 
 Bue represented heavenliness. It was the chromatic mark of 
 heaven and of everything pertaining to it. Hence, when the Jews 
 were told to wear as a badge (Numbers 15 : 37-41) **a ribband of 
 blue " and to use it about the tabernacle, it was the ticket which 
 indicated that their destination was " Heaven," and that their 
 thoughts and characters were to be heavenly while " pilgrims and 
 strangers " on earth, seeking their home in heaven The use of 
 blue by the High Priests indicated that Christ was to come down 
 from heaven. It is this same association with the blue of the 
 ** heavens " that has led to the idea oijid lily as connected wiih a 
 badge of blue. He who wears it as a temperance man, or in any 
 other organization, pledges himsel*" to be as true as heaven to his 
 vows and to the laws of heaven, and proclaims his citizenship in 
 " the Kingdom of Heaven." 
 
 Purple, in a part of Bible times was the symbol of Kingliness. 
 — Dan. 5 : 7. 
 
 Scarlet,* the blool color, represented life, since "the hfe is in 
 the blood," Hence all the references to atonement by "blood" 
 mean atonement by the substitution of one life for another, the lay- 
 ing down of one life instead of another, as was done in all the 
 ancient sacrifices, and last of all the Cross. " The scarlet thread " 
 of Rahab represented the pledge of life which had been given to 
 her, and besides, as the New Testament would indicate, some degree 
 of " faith " in the Lamb of God. whose life should be given for her. 
 — Heb. II : 31. 
 
 Jied, sometimes picHired war and bloodshed. 
 
 Black, afiiiction. 
 
 The symbolism of color has been beautifully brought out in 
 connection with the twelve colors of the heavenly wall, in Kev. 22 : 
 19, 20, by Mrs. Whitney in " Hitherto," of which the following list 
 is a compend : 
 
 1. Jasper (crimson) passion, suffering. 
 
 2. Sapphire (blue) truth, calm 
 
 3. Chalcedony (white) purity. 
 
 In Isaiah 1 : 18, this word is used to represent merely fast colors, the most 
 difficult to remove, and that passage and one in Revelation, about the "scarlet 
 woman," are exceptions to the usage of other parts of the Bible, 
 
IIE1.P8 TO BIBLE STUDY 
 
 Sf) 
 
 4. Emerald (green) hope. 
 
 5. Sardonyx (mixed color) tenderness and pain and purifying. 
 
 6. Sardius (blood red) love, includiii>r anguish. 
 
 7. Chrysolite (golden green) glory manifest. 
 
 8. Beryl (serenest blue) bliss. 
 
 9. Topaz (flame) joy of the Lord. 
 
 10. Chrysoprase (azure) peace that passeth understanding. 
 ir. Jacinth (purple) ) 
 
 12. Amethyst (purple) Ip'^^"^'^^^ ^^ ^^^ure glory. 
 
 See ! This crimson that lies at the beginning-it is the color 
 of passion, suffering. Out of the crimson we climb into the blue— 
 tha: IS the truth and calm. Beyond is the whi'.e glistening chalce- 
 dony, for purity ; and next flashes out thegreen-the hope of glory. 
 Then they mingle and alternate— the tenderness and the pain and 
 the purifying-it is the veined sardonyx stands for that-the life 
 story. 
 
 3. SYMBOLISM OF MINERAL SUBSTANCES. 
 
 Salt reprtser.ts preservation, incoriupiiblenes?, unchangeabl- 
 ness.^ Hen:e to "eatsah" with a man, or " make a covenant of 
 salt, tlat IS. to eat food with him, was a pledge of unchangeable 
 and enduring friendship. 
 
 Oohl represents kinghness and power. 
 
 Silver being the metal used in paying the " redemption 
 money was a symbol of redemption from sin. 
 
 Precious Stones, of all kinds, represented rank and hieh 
 pnvdeges. Rev. 21 ; iMal. 3:17. ^ 
 
 Brass seems to have represented enduring strength, as con- 
 nected with Chrisfs sacrifice of himself. Also sometime? the 
 endurance of obduracy. ' 
 
 Hock was the hieroglyphic and simile of strength, shelter Psa 
 18 : 2 ; Isa 17 : 10 ; and of Christ as our strong refuge. A smitten 
 or cleft rock typifies Christ's sufferings. 
 
 Brimstone, torture. 
 
 Iron, severity. Rev. 2 : 27. 
 
 4. THE SYMBOLLSM OF VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 
 
 Isa. 61 : 3 ; Psa. i : 1-3 ; 104 : 16 ; Gen. 49 : 22 ; Isa. 35 : i, 
 
 2, 7 ; 41 ; 19 ; 6i ; u ; Gal. 5 : 22, 23, are passages in which the- 
 
36 
 
 HKLPS TO BIBLE RTODY. 
 
 I I 
 
 prosperity of God's people and Tlis cause are pictured by the 
 general profiperity of vetjetation. The (jroioth of vegetation sug- 
 gests spiritual growth. Isa. 55 : 10, 11, On the other hand, the 
 weakness and adversity of those who oppose Cod's tiuth is pictured 
 in fadiiKj ve</etation. Jer. 8:13; Isa. i : 30 ; 38 : 4 ; Jude I : 12. 
 
 Branch, offspring. Isa. 1 1 : i ; Jer. 23 : 5 ; Zee. 3 : 8. 
 
 Cedar and ^cacm— being the most enduring kiml of wood — 
 represen:s continuance, eternity. The cedar also symbolizes 
 strength Can. 5 : 15 ; Psa. 92 : 12 ; Isa. 60 : 13 ; Hos. 14 : 5, 6 ; 
 and hence also great men. Zee. ii : 2 ; Isa. 2 : 13 ; Ezek. 17:4. 
 
 The Palm tree — or its branches— represents rojalty and also 
 prosperity. Psa. 92 : 12 ; Rev. 7 : 9. The palm branches 
 waved before Christ on Palm Sunday were a pictured way of saying 
 ' God save the King.' The palm branches in the hands of the 
 saints in glory mean the same as their white robes and crowns — 
 that they are " Kings; unto God," and shall "reign with Him." 
 Psa. 92 : 12 ; John 12 : 13. 
 
 Apple tree represents plainness combined with fruitfulness. 
 Can. 2 : 3. 
 
 Willow, sorrow Psa. 137 ; also prosperity, by their rapid 
 growth. Isa. 44 : 4. 
 
 Olive, cultivated, fatness and fruitfulness of Christians. Judg. 
 9:9; Psa. 52 : 8 ; Jer. 11 : 16 ; Rom. it : 24. 
 H ild Olive, man by nature. Rom. 11 : 17. 
 
 Oil, strength by anointing, and hence, the strength which 
 comes through the Holy Spirit. Perfumed oil, "joy in the Holy 
 Ghost." When the oil was liijided it represented the influence, 
 knowledge and holiness that shine forth from the heart in which the 
 Holy Spirit dwells. The wise virgins had— oil in their lighted 
 lamps— the Holy Spirit shining forth from their heaits, and so 
 went in to — the marriage supper — the joys of heaven. As there was 
 an incessant preparing of the olive oil by the priest, so we must be 
 continually taught of the Spirit. 
 
 Almonds, connected with the golden candlesticks, represented 
 life as the source of light. John 1 : 4. 
 
 In Ecc. 12 : 5, the blossoms of the almond tree, which seem 
 to be white, are made to represent the white hair of the aged. 
 
 Lily, beauty and prosperity. Hos. 14 : 5. 
 
 Hyssop (a plant having a very powerful aroma) purification. 
 Pia. 51 : 7. 
 
HELPS TO BIBLK isTUDV. 
 
 37 
 
 Shittim wood, probably Christ's lowly humanity. 
 Myrrh, grief. 
 
 Spices and perfumes, graces of Christianity. 
 Incense, the pleasure of God in receiving our prayers It 
 pictures also Christ's intercession. The horns of the altar of 
 incense, being touched with blood (representing Christ) and fire 
 (Holy Spirit), showed that prayer should be offered throunh the 
 iipirit and in the name of Christ. 
 
 Jom and wine, being the two principal products of the people 
 of Palestine, symbolize all the fruits of a man's labors, physical 
 mental and spiritual, and when offered in sacrifice, represent a 
 thankful ackowledgment of God as a Creator and King, and also 
 the dedication to his glory of all fruits of the worshipper's labors 
 
 Bread, livelihood generally Mat. 6: ii; God's truth as 
 brought 111 life and wo d by Christ to feed the soul. John 6 • 58 
 Vme, usually the Church of God, sometimes yielding Iruit of 
 good works, and sometimes only wild grapes of wickedness. Psa 
 80 : 8-14 ;Isa, 5:1; John 15 : i ; Hos. 14 : 7 ; Jer. 2 : 21 ; Isa. 
 5 • 1-7 ; Malt. 21 : 33-41. In general it represents luxuriant pro- 
 ductiveness. 
 
 Pomegranate., a fruit made up of many parts, the law. many 
 yet one. ^ 
 
 Reed, weakness. Isa, 36 : 6. 
 
 Mot, usually humiliation. Isa. 53 : 23 Sometimes, how- 
 ever, origin or source. 
 
 Brambles, Briers, Thorns, Thist'es, etc., evil influences. 
 Judg. 9:7-15; Ezek. 2:6; Matt. 7 : 16-20 ; Gal. 5 : 19.21. 
 
 Husks, Gha£ Heath, the worthlessness and doom of evil 
 Isa. i: 4; Lu. 15: 16; Jer. 17:5 6 ; 23-28 ; Isa. 17 : 13 ; Tob 
 21 : 18; Mat. 3: 12.) /. J. JOD 
 
 Orass is frequently referred to as a symbol of insignificance 
 Isa. 40 : 6 ; Psa. 103 : 15, 16 ; [as. i : 11. 
 
 Leaves represent the outward appearance and signs of re!i .ion 
 
 ^a. !\^'' ^'"■' ^^ =/ ' Lu. 3 : 9 ; Mar. 1 1 : 14 ; Job 15 t ^o. 
 leaded leaves picture the shortness of life. Isa. r ; 30 • 64.6- 
 Jer. 8 : 13. J > 'f • , 
 
 AxhcH were \iu\ u<">'^n thf h'^^A " ■ ~ ' t - 
 
 in ashes to manifest grief. " The ashes, of an heifer " which had 
 been burned wi.h her blood represented the cleansing power of 
 blood. Ileb. 9 : 13, 14. 
 
38 
 
 IIEIJ'S TO IMJM.K STl'DY. 
 
 The, Tree of Life represents the blessedness of piety. 
 Fruit, the outward activities of life. 
 
 ' 
 
 S. SYMBOLISM OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS. 
 
 Animah or Birdx, used as food, when ofTered in sacrifice, 
 represented food given to God, the altar being God's table, and the 
 sweet savour of worship being received by God's heart as food, 
 while the priest's eating of the sacrfice represented eating with God, 
 and from his table (aUar), as a friend restored to his favor by the 
 sacrifice. 
 
 A livinii animal or bird represented the living owner. If 
 offered alive, it showed the entire consecration and self-surrender of 
 its owner ; if slain, the owner's acknowledment that he deserved to 
 be executed for his sins, and his acceptance of a sub.Jitute to bear 
 the penalty "in his stead." Chri t as slain lamb. John i : 29 ; 
 Rev. I : 18. 
 
 The animal substitute (the scapegoat) being sent into the 
 wilderness, represented Him that '' taketh away the sin of the 
 world." A bird or animal being set free, as in the case of one of 
 the two birds in the leper's cleansing, symbolized the freedom of 
 the redeemed person, whom the bird represented. 
 
 The perfection of awmah for sacrifice, according to the 
 requirement, " without blemish and without spot," symbolized not 
 the worshipper, but the great, sinless Substitute, who, having no 
 sins of his own to atone for, could take the place of those who had. 
 
 Wringing, plucking, breaking or brusing a sacrifice (whether 
 animal or vegetable) represented Christ sufferings. Isa. 53, 
 
 The Dove represented the gentle influences of the Holy Spirit 
 and the Lamb the meek and lowly qualities of Christ ; which, when 
 transferred to his followers, made them his flock of lambs (children), 
 sheeplings (youth), and sheep (adults) See John 21 : 15 ; Isa. 
 40: II. 
 
 The ram skins and badger skins on the outside of the Taber- 
 nacle seem to represent the humiliation of Christ, who was 
 " without form or comeliness." 
 
 Blood, the most vital part of the physical system, represented 
 life, spiritual life more than physical Blood shed for another, 
 represented life sacrificed as a substitute. Blood, sprinkled, indicated 
 new life imparled. Dean Stanley, in an article mo e fanciful than 
 biblical, explains the meaning of "the blood of Christ," as used m 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 39 
 
 the New Testament, to be, •'The love of Christ." but one needs 
 only to (ry this interpretation in he passages where " the blood " 
 occurs, to see that it utterly fails to make good sense, as it fails also 
 to provide any way by which a guiity soul can escape from an 
 awful past by the acceptance of a surety. '• It is the blood that 
 maketh the atonement with the ///f." 
 
 The Eagk symbolized power, vision and motion, in their 
 highest forms. 
 
 The Lion indicated supreme slrentjth. 
 The Ox represented mbmksion. 
 
 When "Man," '♦Eagle," "Lion "and "Ov''nr«^ i- , 
 ;« r.^^ u 1- ,' . -L^ion, ana \jx are combined 
 
 u one symbolic hgure, it represents humanity raised to its highest 
 cherubic perfection, its full and perfect life in glory. The " living 
 creatures" in Revelation and E.ekiel represent this cherubic perfeo^ 
 
 Tl\ tr 's : la'"''* """'• ' '' ^'"^ '' ''''• ' '' '■' '^^^• 
 
 The critics who ridiculed the mothers for speaking of t cir 
 
 cherub boys" m heaven, it seems, were not warranted in their 
 
 criticisms. The latest studies indicate that cherubim are glorified 
 
 and perfected humanity. Rev. 5 : 8-1 1 ; 14 • ,.5 . , . 5 
 
 The Oxford Teachers' Bible gives the following 'additional 
 
 symbolism of animals and insects : 
 
 Beast, tyrannical, usurping powers or men. Isa 11 
 
 2 re. 2 : 12 : Dan 7 • ^-7 • S . -> » . d 
 
 , i^au. 7 • 3 7 , ?< . 3-8 ; Rev. 13 : 2 ; 20 : 4. 
 
 Hmr, foolhardy, ferocious enemy. 
 Bull, furious foes. Psa. 22 : 12. 
 
 l>og, uncleanness and apostasy. 2 i'e. 2 : 22 • Psa 22 
 Isa. 56: 10, II; Phil. 3:2. • ^t. ^-5 
 
 Crocodile, Egypt, anti-Christian power. 
 
 Goat, Macedonian power, Alexander, the wicked generally 
 
 ^^^^^.agentof war, symbol of worship of the sun. Zeci 
 o ; i<ev. 6:21. 
 
 Leopard, cruel, deceitful foe. 
 
 Lion, energy and dominion. Psa. 22 : 13 ; i Pg. .5 
 5 • .5' 
 
 Locust, destruction, a divine scourge. 
 
 Bee, Assyria, a fierce invader. 
 
 Swine, impurity and gluttony. 2 Pe. 22 ; 2 ; Mat 7 • o 
 
 Lu. I ^9.' ''""' "'"''• ''"" ^'''^' ""'''• 5 = 6' P-^^- 92 : 10 
 
 6-8. 
 
 16; 
 
 8; Rev. 
 
 6. 
 
40 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 A s 
 
 ■f 
 
 Fox, deception. Lu. 13 : 32. 
 
 Wol/, a faithless minister. John 10 : 12. 
 
 6. 
 
 SYMBOLISM OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES. 
 
 The TaberiKtdc symbolized the God-man, beautiful within, 
 but uncomely without ; the (iod-man, who should bring the divine 
 presence visibly near to men, and beco^.e the meeting-place of 
 
 14 — ■' The word be:ame flesh, and 
 
 deity and humanity. John i 
 tabernacled amomj m. " 
 
 The Temple also symbolized Christ embodied permanently on 
 the earth in his church. John 2 : 21 ; Ep. 2 : 21. Jerusalem 
 Itself and ML Zion, through their connection with the temple, 
 often represent the chuich, both on earth and in heaven. Heb. 
 12 : 22. 
 
 The Temple Altars were God's tables. 
 
 The TenqAe Court represented the life of ihi unsaved ; separa 
 tion from Gud through sin. 
 
 The Holy i^lacv was the picture of Christian life, sending up 
 its daily incense ot i)rayer, shedding forth the light of spiritual 
 influence, and feeding upon spiritual bread. 
 
 The Uoljj of IfolU'H represents heaven, the Kingdom of God 
 perfected in us there, as it was in Christ. 
 
 The VtU represented Christ's flesh. Ileb. lo : 20. 
 The Mercy Seat pictures Christ, also, especially as our Inter- 
 cessor. Rom. 3 : 25—" propitiation," meaning " mercy seat." 
 
 The Ark iiiHiU undoubtedly represented Jesus Christ. "Its 
 interior dimensions were so large that twelve ordinary men could be 
 closely packed into it. God never wasted anything. Why was it 
 so large, since it only contained the two tables of testimony, the pot 
 of manna, and the rod that budded ? Is it not a type of the great 
 heart of Jesus, in which the law is kept ?" 
 
 Door when open, opportunity ; closed, opportunity lost. 
 Keyn, stewardshii), authority. Isa. 22 : 22 ; Rev. i : 18 ; 
 Luke 1 1 ; 52, 
 
 (Juti'x, the seat of power, Psa. 9 : 13 ; Matt. 16 : 18. 
 
 7. SYMBOLISM OF PERSONS. 
 77te Hhjh Priest represented Christ as pure, (in His white 
 robes after His atonement for Himself) pre-eniiiient, atoning for us, 
 entered into heaven. 
 
HELPS TO BIBLK STUDY. 
 
 41 
 
 ^^^^ Pr/..As- were the symbol of all believers made "priests unto 
 
 Woman is the symbol of the church . Jer . 6: 2. 
 
 There are seven clifferent aspects in which vioman is viewed as 
 a type of those wh. m Christ redeems, i Virgin : Psa. 4? • 14 • 2 
 Cor. II : 2. 2 Bethrothed : Hosea 2 : ,9. 20. 3 Wife- Isa. 54 • 5 • 
 Jer. 3 : 14 ; Rev. 19 : 7 ;2i ; 9- 4 Mother: Gal. 4 : 26. 5 Widow- 
 Isa. 54 : 4 ; Luke 18 : 3. 6 Desolate and forsaken : Isa. 49 • 21 • 
 54: I- 7 Married again : Tsa. 62 : 4. ' 
 
 ^^ Adultery pictured unfaithfulne s to God in the church, Matt 12: 
 
 Daughter, the population of a city, as if the latter were a 
 mother. Isa. 37 : 22 ; Jer. 8 : 21, 22 ; Psa. 45 : 12 ; Psi. 137 • 8 
 
 The Oxford Teachers' Bible gives the following symbolisn. of 
 the hands : 
 
 Hands, symbolic of action ; wash h- freedom from moral 
 guilt or ceremonial pollution; right h- power, place of honor, 
 friendship ; to lijt up right hand-an oath ; to lift up both, an im 
 precation ; imposition of h~ transmission of blessing, authority 
 spiritual influence, guilt. 
 
 IIa?)d oj God, chastisement, 
 
 Arm, power manifested. Isa. 51 : 9; 52 : 10 ; 53 : i. 
 
 8. SYMBOLISM OF CUSTOMS AND MANNERS. 
 
 Shooting arrows indicates declaration of war and promise of 
 conquest i Sam. 20: 18-22 ; 2 Kings, 13 : 15-19. 
 
 Eating together was an acted covenant of friendship 
 
 Keys were a badge of authority, carried by persons of distinc 
 tion and of high office in the regal governments of antiquity. It 
 was a custom of the Jews to accompany and denote the taking of 
 the office by the delivering of a key. " To confer a key" is a phrase 
 eqmvalent to bestoui ig a situation of great (rust and distinction 
 
 Bmdtng and loosing were terms in frequent use among the Tews 
 and meant bidding and forbidding, granting and refusing, declaring 
 what was lawful or unlawful. 
 
 A Girdle put on indicated service, as when Christ girded him- 
 self to wash his disciples' feet- Lu' e 2 : 27 ; John i"' ■ 4 - 
 
 Putting anything on the shoulder was the symbol of authority. 
 rutfiv on sackcloth betokened sorrow. 
 
Ml 
 
 42 
 
 HKLF8 TO BIBLE HTUDY. 
 
 
 9. MISCELLANEOUS SYMBOLS. 
 
 Wuter symbolized the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit ; some- 
 times, alno its joy, and sometimes the Bible. I los. 14 : 5 ; Isa 12 ; 
 3 ; 35 : 7. y'f'p Brazen Sea, with twelve oxen beneath it ; three of 
 them looking toward the East, three West, three North, and three 
 South, represented the power of the Holy Spirit to cleanse all 
 parts of the world. 
 
 A Child, especially "a bright cloud," when connected with a 
 voice, or worship, or miraculous help, represented (lod the Father ; 
 sometimes means a multitude. Isa. 60 : 8 ; Jer. 4 : 13. 
 
 Fire, the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit, and also the 
 holy wrath of God and the trials of affliction. 
 
 Lujht is a symbol of joy, especially joy in the Holy Ghost, 
 and, also, of truth, the garment of Deity. 
 An Anchor is the symbol of hope. 
 Light, the divine presence, joy. 
 Babylon, an idolatrous, persecuting enemy. 
 Balance, justice, fair dealing. 
 Crown authority, victory. 
 
 Light, joy, Psa. 112: 4; foreknowledge, Eph. 5: 8; i 
 Thess. 5:5; outward influence for good. Matt. 5 : 14-16 ; purity, 
 I John I : S ; Psa 37 : 6. 
 
 Deiv, gentle, divine influence. Rosea 14 : 5 ; Psa. no : 3. 
 Rain, stronger divine influence. Isa. 55 : 10, 11. 
 Seal, security. Rev. 7 : 2-4. ' 
 
 Leaven, any diffusive silent influence, bad or good. Matt. 13 : 
 33 ; 16 : 6 ; i Cor. 5:68. 
 
 Dust, human frailty. Job 13 : 12 ; Psa. 103 : 14. 
 
 Leprosy, 1 . >^ ,, 
 
 Filth'm'ss ) ^ ^^^ ^'" '^ ^^ loathsome as these to us. 
 
 Blindness, unbelief. 
 
 Chain, bondage, affliction. Lam. 3 : 7. 
 
 ^«VrMmcw:o«. putting away sin. Phil. 3 ; 3. 
 
 'WS.V, self-denial for the sake of others. Malt. 16: 24; 
 generally the christian religion, 1 Cor. I : 17, 18; Gal. 5 : 11-24 J 
 6: 12-14 ; l^hil. 3 : 18. 
 
 Day, an appointed time. Isa. 34 : 8 : 63 : 4 i n period, R 
 13 : 12 ; a life, Job 14 : 6 ; John 11:9. 
 Cup, our portion in life. 
 
 nm. 
 
HI .PS TO BIBLE 8T0DY. 
 
 43 
 
 le- 
 2; 
 of 
 ee 
 ill 
 
 le 
 
 t, 
 
 22 
 
 8: 
 
 Fire God's wmth. Psa. 18 : 8 ; Jer. 48: 45; Ezek. 22: 21, 
 ; his purifying afflictions, Mai. 3 : 3. 
 
 Harvest, the consummation of all things. Matt. 9 : 37 ; John 
 35 » Joel Z: IZ', i<ev. 14 : 15 ; also present opportunity, Jer. 
 20 ; John 4 : 35. 
 
 Death, separation. Col. 3:3; separation from God, Rom. 5 : 
 6 ; insensibility to spiritual things Matt. 8 : 22 ; Rev. 3:1; 
 second death a future separation from God, Rev 2 : n. 
 
 Lift, union with God. Col. 3:4;! John 5:11, 12. 
 
 Chariot, government and protection. 
 
 Oirdle, when tightened preparation for activity. Luke 12 : 35 • 
 I Peter 1:13; when loosened, repose, Isa. 5 : 2. 
 
 Hunger and Thirst, intense desire. Matt. 5:6; Luke i : 53. 
 
 Incense, prayer. Psa. 141 : 2 ; Rev. 5 : 8. 
 
 Fro^ Helps to the Study of the New Testament- By Rev. W, 
 F. Crajts. Funk & Co., New York. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 ANALYSIS OF THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE. 
 
 Specific introductions to the books of the Bible are as Bishop 
 Percy has observed, "The best of commentaries, and frequently 
 supersede the want of any. Like an intelligent guide, they direct 
 the reader right at his first setting out, and thereby save him the 
 trouble of much after inquiry ; or, like a map of the country through 
 which he is to travel, they give him a general view of his journey, 
 and prevent his being afterwards bewildered and lost." 
 
 In the following analysis of the books of the Bible, we make no 
 attempt to prove their genuineness and authenticity. We proceed 
 on the firm grounded belief that the Scriptures are the Word of God. 
 
 GENESIS. 
 
 I. Authorship and date. Written by Moses for the Hebrew^ 
 149 1. B. C. ' 
 
', I 
 
 44 
 
 i 
 
 HKM'H TO nil'.LK STUDY. 
 
 2. Clniractfr of lOHtvnlf* : 
 
 Primeval and ante-deluvlan hfstnrv 
 4004 to 1993, B. C. •^' 
 
 Chaps. I, 2. 
 3- 
 
 4. 5- 
 
 ^^, 9. 
 
 10,11. 
 
 
 Patriarchal history. 
 192 1, 1635, i^. C." 
 
 12-25 : '8. 
 
 25: 19-34. 
 28-36. 
 
 37' I. 
 
 C real ion 
 The Fa'* 
 Genoa, /gies 
 The Dohige 
 , Genealogies 
 History of Abraham 1 ^.. 
 and his family. ] ^hap5 
 
 History of Isaac and | 
 his family, | 
 
 History of Jacob and ) ,, 
 his family. | 
 
 History of Joseph and \ ,, 
 , his brethren. j 
 
 The contents of Genesis consist of history, covering a period of 
 abou 2,369 years, from the creation to the death of Joseph Ud 
 to chapter twelre we have the history of the world in general'; then 
 the tarly history of the chosen race, and establishment of a 
 theocracy From the Hrst pnge of this book it has been truly said 
 th.t a child may learn more in one hour than all the philosophers 
 in the world learned without it in i.ooo years. This book is the 
 foundation of all history, for we are indebted to the tenth chapter 
 or al that we know about the origin of nations ; yet it is remark- 
 able how much larger a portion of it is occupied .ith the history . f 
 one family, than with all other inhabitants of the earth. The object 
 o the writer, under divine guidance, would seem to have been two 
 fold ; one to solve the great problems which have perplexed men's 
 minds, respecting the origin of things, and the existence of evil '• 
 and second how the patriarchal church was grounded upon 
 promise, and preserved the hope, in the woman's seed of a pred-'cted 
 Redeemer. ^ 
 
 S Central and eo lateral truths. The origin of things 
 Mans fa 1 -recovery-covenant blessings. Key thought: The 
 book of beginnings. This book abounds with lessons of trust 
 obedience, integrity, God's faithfulness and man's depravity, and' 
 Illustrates that retribution surely follows deception and prevarica- 
 tion This latter point is strikingly shown in Abraham, Isaac and 
 Jacob, and in the treatn.ent received by Joseph from Jacob's sons 
 1 revarication is twice shown in Abraham relative to his wife • once 
 
 ;, "",:'"";:; -••— ^« l^^^u. Abraham and his wife, in 
 
 he matter of Hagar. appear to have been in a hurry to secure the 
 fulfillment of God s promise. God had not yet said that the seed 
 
^A'! 
 
 HKrj'd To BIBI.F STUDT. 
 
 48 
 
 hal 7 ",''''•""'''■■ '""•■""-■- TI,c,lis«i„,„Ia.k,„„fAL. 
 
 b! TJ' ::'r""1 '." •':.» »•■" ■--• --' - — '-- l, deceived 
 "y Ihc treachery of his wife, an<l of his son Jacol, 
 
 is r„i„ rhe,'' T' ''"' '"'" '^l-^entalive men. In Adan, there 
 
 sa" 'wo^ ' rT • ^°''^- '=Bon=ra,ion ; Abraham, faitl, : 
 
 have airTh 'V--'"tu""'"' -<' in Joseph, t'ory. Here we 
 
 lead, I r^ '■• '""^ """ '' "=' "«■ •'V Ihe atonement, which 
 
 watrrvr:::::,:; " '"'" "'"■ "^•^^^ ■'°"''"'''' ^"" "^'"• 
 
 Chi, ^ i T "'"" '""" °f ^'''"' '^W'^h h-^ "^de. types of 
 
 ot?t ' r, ":• °'"'°"" '° "'™'"'"" '"-'«" 'he blood of 
 
 l«,e of ,h 1' T '" "'""'"i"" ""■" Noah, the former the 
 las dav rtrr,?^'' '""''•''''' before the judgments of the 
 
 Ih/o Jthf ;: :::f; ''P-f;'- -"h'r- --0 -"-"' passing 
 o„ 11- -'""Smcnt.. 4th, Abraham in connection with lot 
 
 saac" ;?,hf. '"'\ '"' f " "^ ^^«'"- 5.-.. Ishmaeitnci 
 born of the . , ,' °™ °^ "■= "^''^ persecuting him that was 
 Jacob Ir he fl'I ;•"";"''"« '"* ^'"'"'P' «'". Esan and 
 bv Godl ' "''''. "'^""'"^'J "■>■! "ated, while he, that was elected 
 
 rfh Toenh T,T"l"P'"^"'^ ^""" and discipline, 
 lowed r'; ' "' "' '"'=""^"' '="^ "f suffering fol- 
 
 word - Z h .' '" .'^™"«''°" o"-' -h- the " Saviour !f the 
 world, as his Egyptian name signifies, received his Gentile bride 
 wnose name means "beauty." . . "<-niiie oriae, 
 
 J Erro,-s refuted. It is here recorded that the Deity, a Beine 
 infinitely above all creatures, formed the world in the plenitude of 
 
 P^trers'm' an'd'.h" m""",; ""'^^ ""'«"'• "^ '-sgression ft; 
 iantheism and the Manichean system, therefore, two oricinal 
 
 mdependent principles of good and evil, are repudiated b^This 
 
 S. Prophecies fulfUled. 
 
 Bondage of AbVaham's descendantc. -> ^"^"^''"^"t- 
 
 Gen. 15 : 13. j Gen. 46 : yy. 
 
 Concerning Isaac. ) 
 Gen. 18 : 10. 
 
 / 
 
 Gen. 21 : i. 
 
46 
 
 JIKLI'M TO IHIU,K HTinV. 
 
 Joseph's advancement. / ., 
 
 (ien. 37 ; 5. ( <*<^"- 42 •• 6. 
 
 1*. B*Ofiraith'\tn. Of tlie nine prominent l)ioi;raphies contained 
 in this book, only throe Abel, Knoch and Joseph— are fanllless. 
 Joseph is a type of C'.irisl —a most .suitable biography for young 
 men 
 
 foscph, it has justly been remarked, is a biii^hl example in 
 every relation. At the age of seventeen years he appears uncor- 
 rupted by the wickedness of his brethren or the partiality of his 
 father ; discountenancing the sin of the former and prcnpt in his 
 obedience to the latter, :^t. 2-13 ; 4 : 8, 11. Unjustly sold as a 
 slave, he is faithful to his master, 39 : 4-6. He flees youthful 
 lust, although exposed to tem[)iation 39 : 9. I'ersecuted he, 
 like Paul, finds in prison op|)urtunitics of usefulness, 39 : 22 j 
 
 40 : 7- Flattered by Pharaoh, he disclaims all ability of himself to 
 interpret the dream, and, avows before a heathen court the power of 
 God, 41 : 16. At the age of thirty he is sudde ily raised to the 
 highest dignity, and yet becomes a pattern cf industry and justice, 
 
 41 : 38 ; 46 : 48. Though a courtier, he is truthful and with 
 noble simplicity avows the disreputable employment of his connec- 
 tions, 46: 31-34. As a brother, he exhibits unabated affection, 
 not only for Benjamin, but to those who had hated him, 43: 29, 30 ; 
 45.: *4 ; 44 : «8-34 ; 45 : 4I3- As a sou, though lord of Egypt, 
 he manifests the most aflf'ectionale regard for his aged parent, who 
 was now dep ndenl upon him, 46 : 29 ; 47 : 7, As a father, his 
 piety appears in the names he nave his children, 41 : 51. 52, 
 and his earnest desire for God's blessing for them in liringing them 
 to Jacob's dying bed, 48 : i. For eighty years he lived in the 
 midst of the greatest worldly grandeur, surrounded with every 
 temptation to worldliness and idolatry, but his dying breath testified 
 how entirely his heart and treasure were in ( od's promises, 50: 
 25 ; Heb. 11:22; i John 5 : 4. 
 
 7. Connection rvith other parlx of the Scripture». The book of 
 Genesis may properly be called a foundational one ; it stands inti- 
 mately connected with the other books of Scripture. There is a 
 remarkable correspondence between the books of Genesis and 
 Revelation ; the paradise of God, the tree of life, the river the 
 crown of sovereignty on man's brow seen in the former, re-apnenr. 
 ing in the latter, and the blessings lost in the first Adam are 
 ifestored in the last Adam in the very order in which they disap- 
 
 i 
 
 
HKLPH TO B1BL1! WTVDY. 
 
 47 
 
 // 
 
 pcarcd. Jhcre arc seven prophecies of a Redeemer in this book 
 3: 15; 12:3; I8:i8; 26:24; 28: 14; 49:10. 
 
 Study the 3rd chapter of (ienesis, noting thirteen marks of the 
 fall and tmd a i^ospel remedy for each one. through the atonement 
 ot Jesus, Note, also, the ever increasing downward tendency of 
 those v^ho mdulge in sin, as indicated in Rom. 1st chapter. 
 
 8. MiHcdlaneouH note.. From Genesis 17: i, it does not 
 appear that God reproved Abraham for his laughing, but went on 
 wuh h.s announcements. Esau, to revenge his father, probably 
 marned a wife of another nation. The Moabites and Ammonites 
 were the offspring of incest committed by Lot and his two daughters. 
 
 EXODUS. 
 
 1. Authorshi and date. 
 B. C. 1491. 
 
 t'. Character of rontmttt. 
 
 History of Moses [- Chaps. 1-7 
 
 Written by Moses for the Hebrews 
 
 13. 
 
 Israel in Etjypt 
 1571-1491 B. C. 
 
 The Egyptian ) _, 
 
 Plagues j ^haps. 7.14: 12. 
 
 Departure of the ) 
 Israelites and f Chaps. 13-17. 
 
 Chars. 18-23. 
 
 Chaps. 24 40. 
 
 journey to Sin^i, ) 
 
 (Promulgation of 
 Commandments 
 and Laws. 
 The Tabernacle, 
 its furniture and 
 X services. , 
 
 More briefly, this book is divided into two parts : chapters 
 I -19, historical ; and 20-40, legislative. It embraces the history of 
 about 145 years from the death of Joseph to the erection of the 
 Tabernacle in the wilderness of Sinai. The title of this book is 
 peculiarly appropriate. Exodus means departure, and this book 
 contains the account of the departure of the Israelites out from 
 Egypt-an event which is the foundation of their whole history as a 
 nation, and which is more frequently referred to than any other, in 
 their subsequent history. 
 
 o\ Central and collateral truths. Bondage. Redemption 
 by blood. Key thought : The book of redemption types The 
 cruel bondage of sin. The mighty delivering power of God. as 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 If I 
 it ■ 
 
 manifested in the ten plagues u id the crossing ol the Red Sea. 
 The tendency to speedy apostasy in human nature, shown (i) in the 
 nuirmuring of the Israelites for water ; (2) then f(»r bread ; (3) then 
 for water again ; (4^ and then making a golden calf, which led to 
 the death of three thousand men. The success of importunate 
 prayer, seen in the intercession of Moses for the Israelites. God 
 must be obeyed. The superintending providence of (iod, shown in 
 his care over Moses at his birth, his removal to Midian, and forty 
 days fasting on the mount. 
 
 The many types of ihis book are fraught with lessons of the 
 deepest significance. Turn to chapter 17 : 6 : ''Behold I will 
 stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb : and thou shall 
 smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people 
 may drinU." Now turn to i Cor. 10 : 4 and get the New Testa- 
 ment interpretation of the above passage: "They drank of that 
 spiritual rock that followed them ; and that rock was Christ. 
 
 Manna is a type of the ** Bread which came down from heaven " 
 (John 6 : 5J), for nourishing the immortal soul. Moses was a type 
 of Christ in giving laws to the children of Israel. 
 
 It is a remarkable circumstance that Christ, our passover, was 
 sacrificed for us, and our deliverance from the bondage of sin com- 
 pleted, in the same month, and on the same day of the month, that 
 the Israelites were delivered frcm the bondage of Egypt. Man did 
 not intend this. Compare Matt. 26 : 5 with Acts 13 : 27. 
 
 There are more types of Christ in this book than in any other 
 book of the Old Testament. 
 
 We think the leprous hand must signify in the antitype, a re- 
 generated life. We have no doubt but that the rod is a type of a 
 thoroughly consecrated life ; a life with all its occupations cast 
 down at the feet of Jesus ; then taken up again and used henceforth 
 for Him and His glory. 
 
 The mixed multitude (Ex. 12 : 38) was composed of a multi- 
 tude of Egvptians and others, not Israelites, who went out with 
 Israel, when Israel left Egypt. This mixed multitude fell a lusting 
 (Num. II : 4-7), andstarted thechildren of Israel lu.sting too. At 
 first (Ex. 1 5) all was well. It was something to be identified with this 
 victorious people ; but afterwards ihey rebelled and became a snare 
 to the Israelites. Entire separation from all worldly associations is 
 the only safe course for the people of God. 
 
 4. Promises ur prophecies fulfilled. Here we have a fulfill.- 
 
UKH'« TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 49 
 
 'k 
 
 ment of the prophecy made to Abraham, that his seed should mul- 
 tiply and be afflicted 400 years, and in the fourth generation be 
 delivered ; also of a similar statement made by Joseph to his 
 brethren. 
 
 0. Biographies. Moses— brought up in all the learning of the 
 Egyptians; renounced all his privileges and prospects to become 
 the deliverer of his people ; he had a clear call to his work, and 
 forty years' training in Jethro's service ; in temper very meek. 
 Aaron— yielded to temptation and made a calf; his excuse for this 
 exceedingly shallow. 
 
 0. Connection with other parts of the Scriptures. The connection 
 between the books of Genesis and Exodus is supplied in Exodus i. 
 Thus at the close of Genesis we have Jacob's family before us ; and 
 as Exodus takes up the history of Moses, great- grandson of Levi, 
 Joseph's brother, we are at once informed as to our place chrono- 
 logically at the opening of Exodus-about three generations, sixty 
 to seventy years each (Matt, r : 17), or 200 years. This book gives 
 deep ppuitual light on many other parts of Scripture. There are 
 forty-four references to ths book by Christ and His apostles. The 
 description of the plagues may be read in connection with Kev. 
 15, 16 ; Israel's triumphant song with Rev. 15. From 2 Tim. 3: 8, 
 we learn that the magicians were Jannes and Jambres. 
 
 LEVITICUS. 
 
 1. Authorship ami date. Written by Moses, for the Hebrews 
 at Sinai. B. C, 1491. 
 
 ;^. Character of CO I dents. 
 
 I' Sacrifices and 
 offeiings. 
 Consecration 
 of Priests. 
 Purifications 
 Festivals 
 
 This is called the book of Leviticus, because it contains so 
 much of the law, the administration of which was iutiustcd to the 
 tribe of Levi ; it consists almost wholly of words spoken by Jehovah 
 from the tabernacle, and comprises the transactions of not more 
 than a n,onth. First, we h.ive the offerings, (i) the burnt offerinK. 
 Eph. 5 : 2 ; (2) the meat offering. John 4 : 34 ; (3) Uk- |.cacc- 
 offering, Eph. 2 : 14 ; {4) the sin-offering, showing what man is, 2 
 Cor. 5 : 21 ; (5) the trespass-offering, showing what man docs, 
 
 Chaps. 1-7. 
 
 I C'haps. 8-10. 
 
 1- Chaps. 11-22, 
 (Chaps. 23- 27. 
 
SSB 
 
 50 
 
 IIKLfS ro BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 f?: 
 
 'mi 
 
 I Pet. 2 : 24; (6) the heave offering, Heb. 9 : 12 ; (7) the wave- 
 offering Heb. 12 : 24 ; i ; 7 Second, priestly consecration, 8 ; lo. 
 Third, separation unto the Lord, 11 ; 12. Fourth, sinners cleansed 
 and consecrated. 13 ; 14, Fifth, " Be ye holy, for I am holy," 15- 
 22. Sixth, the feasts, (i) the Sabbath. Heb. 4:9; (2) the pass- 
 over, I Cor. 5 : 7 ; (3) the First fruits, i Cor. 15 : 23 ; {4) Pente- 
 cost, Acts 2., but evil present, Acts 5 : i-io; (5) the trumpets, 
 Mark 16 : 15 16; (6) the atonement, Heb. 9 : 22 ; (7) the Taber- 
 nacles, Titus 2 : 23. Seventh, looking on to the end, 24-27, the 
 last three chapters having been spoken in mount Sinai. 
 
 3. Central and collateral trut h f<.~ A ion em rnt n\ saciui'Ice. 
 Necessity of a Mediator— Woi ship and service. The Mosaic 
 economy was pre-eminently one of physical and moral cleanness. 
 God requires a clean people, inwardly and outwardly. Jehovah 
 requires implicit obedience in all things. He j^ives us light In/orr we 
 enter Canaan, and shows' us the absolute need of separation from 
 all worldly alliances. The sacrifices were types of the great sin- 
 bearer— "shadows of good things to come." The purity required 
 of the Levitical priests, teaches t le necessity of holiness as the 
 great qualifaction for those who minister in holy things. When a 
 man swears to a thing concerning which he has been kept in ignor- 
 ance, when he finds it out, he shall be guilty and shall confess 
 it, C ap. 5 : 4. 5. O ye member^ of masonic lodges consider this ! 
 Nadab and Abihu were slain for offering strange fire ! Chap. 10. 
 Take heed ! Aaron and his sons were not to drink wine nor strong 
 drink, when going into the tabernacle of the congregation, (Chap. 
 10 : 9. 
 
 4. Conn"ction with other parts of the Scriptures. Leviticus is 
 closely connected with Exodus at its beginning and with Numbers, 
 at its close ; for while the order for consecration of priests is given 
 in the former, th" ceremony itself is recorded in Leviticus ; and :he 
 exemption of the Levites from the military service, and their special 
 functions are given in Numbers. The Epistle to the Hebrews and 
 this book are intimately connected. Hebrews— especially chapters 
 5 to 10 is a Bible commentary on this book. The 26th chap should 
 be read with Deut. 28th chap. The preservation of the Jews as a 
 distinct people to this day, is a living comment on chap. 26 : 4, 
 
 o. For whom is this book peculiar/.!/ suitable '^ Unbelievers in 
 sanctification and total abstinence from strong drink should read 
 this book. 
 
 V 
 
IlELl'S TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 61 
 
 . 
 
 NUMBERS. 
 
 /. AvthovMp and date. Written by Moses for the Hebrews. 
 ■B.C. 1451, in the land of Moab. 
 
 2. Character oj contents. It contains both law and history. 
 
 (Census of Israelites. \ Chaps. 1-4. 
 Various . ceremonies | p., 
 instuuted. i '-''^^P^- 5-'o. 
 
 Journeynigs from / p. ^^ ^,^, 
 Sinai to Moab. j Chaps, u-21. 
 Tra sactions in the ) ^, 
 plaii.s of Moab. j '-"^P^- 22 36. 
 
 Called Numbers in the Septuagint and Vulgate from the double 
 census of the Israelites, covering a period of thirty-eight years. It 
 IS the wilderness book, recounting the trials, conflicts, and sins of 
 the way, an,' it admits the following divisions : First, preparation 
 for the journey, every man numbered, knowing his pedigree, hav- 
 ing his place and work assigned, responsible to maintain holiness, 
 separated unto the Lord, and presenting offerings all seen in the 
 light of the Sanctuary, and all needing the blood of the passover 
 and the guidance of the cloud, (1-9). Second, on the march, bul 
 failure at every step, first of " the mixed multitude," then of God's 
 people, then of the faith of Moses, then of Miriam and Aaron, then 
 of the ten spies, then of the whole congregation, then of Korah 
 l^athan, and Abiram, making the priesthood of Christ in resur- 
 rection fruiLfulness very precious to God, (10; 18). Third pro- 
 vision for failure along the desert road, (19) Fourth, sin, the 
 cross, and victory, {20-24). Fifth, mingling with the world and its 
 consequences, (25). Sixth, re-numbered, Simeon 1 sing heavily, 
 and directions given for the possession of the land, (2634)! 
 Seventh, the wilderness book closes with the cities of refuge and a 
 marriage, (35-36). 
 
 Chap. 24: 17-19 contains a remarkable prophecy of Balaam. 
 His prophecy of the star of Jacob points to the " bright and morn- 
 ing star," which, thorough the tender mercy of God, was to visit 
 us ; and his mention of the sceptre points to the sp ritual kingdom 
 of Him who must reign till he has put all enemies under his feet. 
 (I Cor. 15 : 25). 
 
 S. Central and <-oUatiiral t rut h>i, Man's rkhriijox Tiiibe'--^ 
 and conflict. Key thought : The book of wilderness walk Tnd 
 Israel's warfare. 
 
 The awful results of discontent and murmuring, manifested 
 
52 
 
 HdlLPS TO 13IBLB STtrDY, 
 
 when the Israelites complained and a Hre burnt among them ; when 
 they lusted for flvsh and God destroyed many of the people while 
 eating it ; when they murmured against Moses for destroying 
 Ivorah and his family, and 14 700 died of a plague ; when they 
 murmured about the way, and fiery serpents destroyed them. The 
 fearful sin of unbelitf, shown when they should have marched 
 right straight into Canaan, but were sent to march forty years in 
 the wilderness, and to die there. Notice also the mischievous 
 influence of the unbelieving report of the spies, and their awful 
 death. Of covetousness, as in the case of Balaam. Of jealousy, as 
 in the cases of Aaron, Miriam and Korah. Miriam becomes a leper, 
 and Korah was destroyed. The damning power of one sin is 
 strikingly seen in the case of Aaron and Moses being shut out from 
 Canaan for their transgression at Kadesh-barnea. The marvellous 
 power of prayer is shown when Moses prays for Miriam to be 
 healed ; when Moses and Aaron plead for the Israelites, (chap. 14), 
 and their guilt was forgiven ; when they plead that not all the con- 
 gregation, in the matter of Korah, should be destroyed ; when they 
 plead for water at Kadesh-barnea, and when Moses prayed for 
 their delivery from fiery serpents, God's priests must first be 
 consecrated before they enter upon their work as seen in the case 
 of the Levites. Their consecration similar to the Pentecostal 
 baptism of the Apostles. The cloud and pillar of fire teach that 
 God would h ive us move only when He leads. That God will sup- 
 ply all our needs is indicated in his caring for the temporal wants of 
 the Israelites. Always victory when God is obeyed, shown in the 
 wonderful conquests of so many kings, and the taking of their 
 property by the Israelites. The case of the man who was stoned to 
 death for gathering sticks on ihe Sabbath, teaches the much-needed 
 lesson of keeping holy that day. Those who are honored of God 
 are often envied, as was Moses and Aaron. 
 
 4. Biograjj/ilea, Moses manifested a want of faith as to how 
 the Israelites were to b.^ supplied with flesh. In Exodus 32 : 10, 
 the Lord said he would make of Moses a great nation, and now in 
 chap. 14: 12, he repeals it. He sins — by " speaking unadvisedly 
 with his tongue " at Kadesh-barnea. His piety and meekness see 
 in the case of Eldad and Medad ; in the case of his brothers and 
 sisters' sedition, and in the matter of the plague. He is warned of 
 his death. 
 
 Aaron sins against God with his sister. It does not appear, 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STODY. 
 
 53 
 
 r1 nf 
 
 hTr^' , ? '»" """""'"San.! jealousy against him. (iort causes 
 
 ta " '" ' T""" '"""""' "^ ™' -a:iya|,„r„ve,l of Oocl. 
 ''" taam, a covetous man, causes the children of Israel to com 
 mit Idolatry. Fie dies in battle. 
 
 ■^. C„n,„r,/„„ ,„■„,,, „„,„ p,,^^, „^ ^,^ ficriplur,.. , „or 
 
 hL r^ , V "* """' '" '"" "'"- ""■■""- °f 'he book of Num 
 hers .ncluded between chaps. „ and 26. This book throws much 
 
 ment on the h.story of the Israelites in the wilderness, .see Psa 
 78, .0 ,36 and , Cor. ,0. If you desire further ,0 know whal 
 he wdderness means, you must read 3rd and 4.h chapters o" Heb 
 and here you will see that the wilderness life means a l"e J 
 unbehe. and si„. Turn further to Heb, „. the whole forty vLrJ 
 
 wilderness state as the exper.ence of justified souls, note this ! 
 
 e. F.nmmfM 0, prophKn. This book wonderfully dis 
 plays the faithfulness o, God in his promise to Abraham that h^ 
 seed should be as the stars of heaven, for al the close of thrir 
 journey their number was found to be scarcely less th ^when hev 
 went tnto the wilderness. They left that wilderness amo™, " o 
 more than two millions. ""unnng to 
 
 .nH r ^"'7^^^ '•' *''^-' '>'^^ Peculiarly suitable:^ For careless 
 and disobedient professors of religion For thn.f^ wV,. , , I 
 of <?in i?«, fj, u '^'■g'uu. f or those who make light 
 
 f.nT'fn '"''^ "•■' "^^ ^^^>'^"g ^-"d by marchin.. into fhe 
 
 land of Canaan-«.<?. , perfect love. " ^ 
 
 S. Miscellaneom notes. The threefold form of blessing th. 
 chzdren of Israel is similar to the apostolic benediction aTdinti 
 
 tTei: 7eX;:: '''- ~ ^^^ ^-^^- of zeiop^r x 
 
 DEUTERONOMY. 
 
 in J.^^^z:t c":,^^'"" '' ^^-^^^ ^^^ ^^^ "^^--' 
 
 .^ CW««. 0/ <.o/,«.„^.,. Deuteronomy means the "law re 
 peated ;' and this fifth and last book of the Pentateuch, is so Illed 
 because It contains a repetition of the law. which ws a second 
 time delivered bv Mo.^ps, with somp rm-'-c' I -■ 
 Dlanition. Thl aa-1 omissions, aaditions and ex- 
 
 thX r r^' ^^^'^'''''' ^•'^ -^"^h as were peculiarly adapted to 
 their state, when just entering: the promised land. The explanl- 
 
H 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 U' 
 
 *lii)ns tend to illustrate the holiness of heart required by the Mosaiclaw. 
 As the l)Ook of Leviticus- would instruct them n the forms of their 
 worship, so may this book be conside ed as instructing them in 
 what spirit they should ptrform it. For instance, chap. lo : i6, 
 explained the spiritual intention of circumcision, that it had refer- 
 ence lo the purifying ol the heart from sin ; and— compared with 
 30 : 6— taught them, while referring all holiness to God's grace, to 
 look for that grace in the diligent use of every means appointed by 
 God for imparting it. Compare chap. 10 : 16 and 30 : 6 with 
 Phil. 2 : 12 13. Though this book is chiefly a repetition of laws, 
 it mentions some facts not recorded in either Numbers or Exodus. 
 See 4 : 3, 4 ; 8 : 4 ; 29 : 5. The whole book may be said to em- 
 brace a history of above five weeks. 
 
 Review of God's ) 
 dealing with the > Chaps. 1-4 to 40 v. 
 Israelites. 1 
 
 Israel's sojourn in the 
 
 Plains of Moab, 
 
 1451, B.C. 
 
 Repetition of the ) a • ai 
 moral, ceremonial > ^ ^5 
 and judicial law. ) ^ ' 
 
 Confirmation of 
 thelaw. 
 
 Personal history 
 of Moses. 
 
 j 27-30. 
 
 3I-34- 
 
 J, Central and collateral truths. Consecration to God. 
 Disobedience and death— obedience and life. Key thoughts : i. 
 The book of conduct for Canaan. 2. "Line upon line." Observe 
 the very important use to be made of the prophetic ode of Moses a 
 portion of Scripture remarkably displaying the attributes of God. 
 Observe also the prophecies uttered in this book concerning the 
 Jewish nation ; illustrating the moral use of piophecy — that is, the 
 manner in which God presented the future bef jre men, in order to 
 influence their present conduct. Thus we see here foretold the 
 success of the Israelites as consequent upon their obedience ; God's 
 blessing on their tribes ; their apostasy and corruption ; their 
 punishments, dispersions and desolation : the idolatry and captivi- 
 ties of their kings ; the rapid victories of the Romans, represented 
 under the figure of an eagle, which was their standard ; an enemy 
 coming from the end of the earth, as in fact Vespasian and Adrian 
 did, from Britian against Jerusalem ; the miseries to be sustain 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE .STUDY. 
 
 55 
 
 by 
 
 , 
 
 «1 by , hem when beseiged ,- compare Deut. 28 : 5^.58 „i,h 2 
 Kings 6 : 28, 29 , as also wieh (he account which the Jew! h his.ori 
 anJ„sei,hus.g,vesof,he .aking of Jerusalem by ,he Ko.uan "- 
 
 observauon Th,s prophet.c view of the whole hislory of the few, 
 rom thejr first redemption, after the Egyptian bondage, „ri'l 
 herrfinaconverston to Christianity, would not only prov! ^ coi. 
 imual evK lence to the Jews of the Divine mission of their great law- 
 gtver, but ,3 a confirmation of the inspiration of the Scripture and 
 
 4. Jtlmark.,l,le parliculars co»lamM in this l,ool- 1 T, „.,, 
 -with the obvious exception of the last chapter-not only written 
 but spoken by Moses ,0 all Israel, i„me>:ia,ely before his de "' 
 The pecuhar propriety of so solemn an address appears when 
 we remember that the generation which had originaHy he^rd the 
 law as dehvered from Mount Sinai, with the exception of this 
 under 20 years of age, had perrshed in the wiLlerness. 
 
 2 The general outlines of it, if not the whole book, were to 
 be w„ ten upon stones, set up on their entering the promised la"d 
 -a solemn memento of tl.. terms on which alone they s-.ould retain' 
 possession of it, 27 : 2, 3, S. 
 
 - wattJwrife'^^~'° '■"/.'"'"/"'""'J' ""'^ M°^es permitted to look! 
 
 was to wnte a copy of ,t with his own hand , and to read therein 
 
 all the days of his life, 17 : 18, ,9. merein 
 
 ., ,■," J' ZVZ ^ "^'^ P"''"'''*' '"' "■= P"=^'= <^'"y seventh year 
 at the Feast of Tabernacles, in the hearing of all Israel, 3, 9 . ' 
 
 5. It was by a reference to this book that our blessed Lord 
 
 chiidiys'! 7" "" '" '' ""'■"*' ''' ""' """"'^ '""•* ''"^ '» ">-' 
 
 o. Connection with other purl, oj the Scriptures. This book 
 ts closely connected with, and is a sort of index to all tie pre 
 cedtng books of the Pentateuch. Compare chap. ,8 : ,5 w .h 
 John , , 45; 6 , ,4! Acts 3 : 22 ; 7 . 37- The advent of the 
 Messiah ,s here more explicitly foretold than in the „receHi„„ ° J . 
 as llie completion ot the Mosaic dispensation. The 'preparation 
 which this proph-cy made for the coming of Christ remarkably 
 appears in the expecta-ion of the Samaritans, who admitted no 
 
56 
 
 TIKLP-* TO RIULE STrDY. 
 
 other books as inspired, than those of the Pentateuch, but who to 
 this day ground their expectation of the Messiah on this prophecy. 
 By comparing the law given in 21 : 22, 23 with (Jal. 3 : 13, we 
 tind that it had a prophe io allusion to Christ, wlio was hanged on 
 a tree and made a curse or us. 
 
 JOSHUA. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY NOTES TO HISTORICAl. HOOKS. 
 
 The historical books— from Joshua to Esther inclusive — contain 
 the h'story of the Israeliti>;h people during three great periods of 
 their national life. i. As an oligarchy developing into a republican 
 confederacy. 2. As a monarchy, speedily becoming disunited and 
 separating into two kini;doms, falling to pieces by internal dissen- 
 sions and bad government. 3. As tributary to foreign invaders. 
 These books also contain their history till their return after captivity 
 
 in Babylon. \ 
 
 1. Anthorfih'i) and date. Supposed to have been written by 
 
 Joshua except a few verses describing his death— in Canaan B. C. 
 
 1426 (chap. 24 : 26). There are evidences in the book of a different 
 and much later hind 15:63. "The Jebusites dwell with the 
 children of Juiah at Jerusa'em, unto this day." We learn from 
 Judges I, that this joint occupation of Jerusalem did not take place 
 until after Joshua's death.. Verses 8-21. 
 
 3, Ch't.rartcr of contents. 
 
 Conquest ofCa-)(.^ J. j2. 
 naan by Joshua. ) ' 
 
 Israel under Joshua 
 1451-1425 B < ^ 
 
 L,. 
 
 Hi vision of Ca- 
 naan among the 
 tribes. 
 
 Chaps. 13-22, 
 
 Joshua's fare- | 
 well, admonitions > Chaps. 23, 24. 
 'and death. ) 
 
 Joshua is the first of the historical books. 
 
 3. Central and collateral truths. The Rest of Faith. 
 Conflict— faith— and victory. Key thought : The book of warfare 
 in Canaan. The evils of covetousness are vividly shown in the case of 
 Acha-i. "It is remarkable," says Dr. Pentecost, "that the first sin that 
 Gjd sign illy punished upon the children of Isra^^l entering Canaan, 
 was that of Achiin, who coveted the wedge of gold and the goodly 
 Babylonish garment ; while the first sin that He punished after the 
 
 II 
 
Helps to bible study. 
 
 57 
 
 descent of ihe Holy c.^i^jt ^,^ ^^^^ of Annanias and Snpphira. who 
 kept back part of the price of their pc ssession, while pretending to 
 have given it all to the Lord." Une .in hinders the work of God. 
 \ ictory always follows obedience and fnilh. This is strikingly 
 shown in the falling down of the walls of Jericho, and the slaying 
 ol thirty-one kings. In spiritual warfare God uses the most unlikely 
 means tl.at the glory may be given to Him. Read i Cor. i : 27-29 
 The crossing of the Jordan teaches utter death to self-life. 
 
 The destruction of the Canaanites is a fearful admonition of the 
 hnal issues of transgression at the great Day. Compared VNilh the 
 israehlesthe were, p cbably, a disciplined, valiant people; but 
 they seem to nave made little effort to repel the invaders. Perhaps 
 they trusted to the "swellings of Jordan," which at the time when 
 Joshua entered Canaan-the vernal equinox-made the stream, as 
 they supposed, impassable ; or perhaps, as one of their number ex- 
 pressed It - the terror of the God of the Hebrews" had fallen upon 
 them. They were certainly fearfully wicked. Lev. 18 • 24-30 • 
 Deut. 9 : 4 ; 18 : 10-12. Their idolatry had, as idolatry ever does' 
 augmented licentiousness and cruelty. The Divine will they had 
 once known for they were descendants of Noah, and for centuries 
 the .ight of an early revelation had linger, d among them. Gen. 
 14. rhey had been warned-by the deluge, by the history of the 
 cities of the plain, the destruction of Pharaoh, the recent over- 
 throw of their eastern neighbors the Amorites, the passage of the 
 Jordan, the capture of Jericho, the preservation of Rahab, and 
 the conviction of their own conscience. Their removal from 
 lalestine, moreover, seems to have been essential for the preserva- 
 tionofthel -aelitesfrom the contaminating influence of idolatry, 
 and they had the alternative of flight. In fact, many sailed to the 
 distant shores of the Mediterranean, and there founded flo. .shing 
 colon es, thus preserving to comparatively modem times, rccoids of 
 the God who fought against them. Some may object that the war 
 m which they were exterminated was cuel, and that they might 
 have been removed by famine or pestilence, but to the>V.^ objec- 
 tion u IS a sufficient reply that, the cruelties thus practised were 
 common to the age. and that in exterminating a very guilty people 
 God did not direct milder usages than those which g neiall 'prevail. 
 jo.h o. ihe second objection is answered by ihe fact tl.a't no plan 
 could have made clearer or more impressive the power and right- 
 eousness of God, his infinite superiority to the idols of those nation. 
 
68 
 
 1IKLP8 TO BIllLR STUDY, 
 
 II? 
 
 fkfl 
 
 t 
 
 t! 
 
 i : 
 
 and his righteous hatred of the crimes into which they hat! fiillcn. 
 It may be added that by similar discipline the Israelites themselves 
 were chastised, and the general system invclved in these events is 
 strictly analogous to the course of moral government still exercised 
 in the world ; with this ditTerence only, that now men act as rods of 
 God's anger by tact permission ; then, under his immediate author< 
 ity. 
 
 4. Prophtcy fuljilh'd. The promise made by God, to Abra- 
 ham, Isaac and Jacob, that their seed should possess the promised 
 land, is here fulfilled. 
 
 5. 8io(jra])hiea, Caleb, Joshua and Achan are the most pro- 
 minent characters. The two former are noted for their faith and 
 obedience. Joshua especially is characterized for his courage and 
 fidelity. Notice the boldness of his faith in commanding the sun to 
 stand still. Joshua is an instance of the remarkable influence which 
 one holy man may be permitted to exercise over a whole nation. 
 
 6. Connection with other parts of the Scrqtturc *. The book of 
 Joshua is one of the most important writing; of the Old Testament, 
 and should never be separated from the Pentateuch, of which it is 
 at once both continuation and completion. Between this book and 
 the five books of Moses, there is the same analogy as between the 
 four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. Compare Joshua care- 
 fully with the epistles to the Ephesinna and Collossians, and read 
 them in connection with each other. The Red Sea shows what we 
 are separated jrom, and answers to Rom. 6:7; the Jordan shows 
 what we are separated to and answers to Eph, i : 2 in the heaven- 
 lies now in Chris*: jcsus. 
 
 7. For whom is this book peculiarly «uitahle ? For the faint- 
 hearted and " slow of heart to believe." Every doubting "Thomas" 
 should read this book. 
 
 S. Miscellaneous notefi. The phrases *' be of good courage," 
 "to this day" "be strong," »re of frequent occurrence iu this book. 
 
 JUDGES. 
 
 /. Authorship and date. It is not easy to decide on the author- 
 ship. It is probable that the earlier part was written by Samuel, 
 1 120 H. C 
 
MELl'H TO IllULK hVVDY, 
 
 i\ C/iaracitr of cotUcutH. 
 
 69 
 
 / 
 
 Israel under 
 
 the 
 
 »425 
 B. C. 
 
 Judges, 
 
 to II20\ 
 
 (State of Israel ) 
 after the death > Chaps. 1-2. 
 of Joshua. ) 
 
 Introduction of ] 
 idolatry, andf,., 
 consequent pun- ( *-^'''P'- *7 21. 
 ishment. ) 
 
 Oppression of /Othinel to Gide- ) ^.^ 
 
 the Isralites. on. \ ^ ^^P^- 2 8. 
 
 y 
 
 and deliverance. | Abimelech to ) ... 
 ^ V Samson. j Chaps. 9-16. 
 
 The transposition of some of the chapters, as above given, is to 
 meet the chronological order of historical events recorded. It com- 
 prises a period of about 300 years, (or, according to the LXX— 
 chronology quoted by Paul, Acts 13 : 20, 450 years.) Seven 
 periods of captivity, extending through 131 years, which God does 
 not reckon in his chronology , a.? he takes note of time only when 
 Israel are in his land, and seven prominent deliverers raised up to 
 break the yoke of oppression. 
 
 The Judges here mentioned were not only magistrates, but 
 some of them were prophets, and military chiefs, and avengers of 
 the people. There were fourteen of these persons raised up liot in 
 regular succession, but from time to time, to govern Israel^ inter- 
 niediate between Joshua and the kings. 
 
 .'>. Ctntral and collateral truths. The rest of faiih dis- 
 TURBED. Idolatry and defeat. Repentance and deliverance 
 Key thought : The book of failure in Canaan. Rctribut on is seen 
 in the case of Adonibezek losing his thumbs and toes; in Abimelech 
 who was slain by throwing a piece of mill-stone upon him ; and in 
 the case of the Israelites' troub'e and oppression for marrying into 
 other nations, and for otherwise disobey ing God. The th'.trwlive 
 power of, in is shown in the slaughter of 40.000. Israelites, and all 
 the tribe of Benjamin, except 600, as the result of the Gibeoniles' 
 sin. Thai it is not mere numhers that rvin, is illustrated in the case 
 of Gideon and bis army, and in the single-handed victories of 
 Samson. Jephtha's case shows the folly of rash vow.«. 
 
 The book of Judges forms an important link in the history of 
 the Israelites. It furnishes us with a lively description of a fluctualinc 
 and unsettled nation-a striking picture of the disasters and 
 
m 
 
 ll«Li»H TO liiithK MTUDY. 
 
 i 
 
 If.J 
 
 w 
 
 dangers which prevailed wilh(nu magistracy, when the highways 
 were unoccupied, and travelers walked through by-ways ; when a 
 few prophets were appointed to control the people, and 'everyone 
 did that which was right in his own eyes. 
 
 It exhibits the contests of true religion with su])erstition ; and 
 displays the beneficial effects which flow from the former, and the 
 miseries of impiety. It is a remarkable history of the longsutlering 
 of God towards the Israelites, Kxodus 34 : 6 ; I'sa. 103 : 13. in 
 which we see the most signal instances of his justice and mercy 
 alternately displayed. These things were written for our warning ; 
 none should prtnuvie, for God is just ; none need dispuir, for God 
 is merciful. 
 
 The isMie of worUUjifritndHliipH. The league of the I^raeliies 
 with the Canaanites issued in that people becoming thorns in their 
 sides, and subjecting them to many grievous oppressions, chap. 2 : 
 3 ; 3 •• 8, 14 ; 4 : 3 ; 6 : ^ ; 10 : 8 ; 13 : I. Micah's sacrilegious 
 agreement with Jonathan the Levite, issued in the Levites robbing 
 Micah of his ephod etc., 18 : 20. 
 
 The Israelites, after the death of Gideon, remembered not the 
 Lord their God, neither showeil tluy kifidness to the house of 
 Gideon ; thus instructing us that if a man hav ca> t off God he will 
 soon cast of his friend, which is further seen in the case of Abime- 
 lech the usurper and his friends the Shechemites. The blood of 
 fiideon's sons is shed by the help of the Shechemites ; the blood of 
 the Shechemites is shed by Abimelech, who had thus employed 
 them, 9 : 24. 
 
 Samson's marriage feast with the i'hilistines was disgraced by 
 fraud in his fiiend, and treachery in his wife. His connection with 
 Delilah is a yet more striking illustration of the fact ' that the 
 friendships which are begun in wickedness can not stand." See 
 2 Cor. 6 : 14-18. 
 
 4. Promises or propkevie>< fulfiW'd. The prophecy of the 
 evils that should come on the Israelites if they did not cast out 
 the nations from the land, or if they went into idolatry, is here in 
 part fulfilled. 
 
 J. Bioyraphlt.'<. Those of (Jideon, Jephlha and Samson are 
 
 the most important. Samson's eyes were not put out till the Lord 
 
 departed from him. The fre(iuent retaliation of Samson un the 
 
 ni.'.siMit^s, and uis three tunes lyiiig tu Delilah and deceiving her 
 
 are worthy of serious consideration. On this point it should be 
 
1 
 
 HKLPH To BlULJC «TUbV. 
 
 61 
 
 borne in nund ihat these mcn-the Judijes-son.etimes acted under 
 ilivine direction in . xecuting judgment ; for if this be lost sight of it 
 will be impossible to approve of their conduct on some occasions. 
 Some of them were called by God. 3 : 9 ; and others elected by 
 the people, 11:5,6. 
 
 6. ConnecthH mltk othn ,,art» ofth^ Scriptures. The books 
 of Joshua and Judges Ijear the same relation to the four books of 
 the Law, that the Acts of the Apostlesdoes to the four Gospels, but 
 the former mark the decline of the Jewish, the latter records the 
 progress of the Christian church. The corresponding Scripture in 
 the New Testament is the second Epistle to the Ephesians Rev. 2 : 
 1-7, the seven churches in Asia, answering in general to the seven 
 stages of declension described in Judges. 
 
 7. MlmdlamouH uot<'H. God permitted some of the heathen 
 nations to remain in the land to test the Israelites. Two noted 
 women are mentionctl ,n this book ; one, with a nail, kills Sisera, 
 captain of Jabin, king of Canaan, the other kills Abimdech. The 
 Benjimmites espoused the cause of the wicked men of Gil)cah. 
 Seven weak things in Judges. 
 
 Left hand Judges 3 : 21' 
 
 The ox -goad , 
 
 A woman 
 
 A nail 
 
 Piece of millstone. . . 
 Pitcher and trumpet 
 Jawbone of an ass . 
 
 3 
 4 
 4 
 9 
 7 
 15 
 
 I Cor. I : 27 ; 
 
 2 Cor. 12 : 9. 
 
 RUTH. 
 
 Samn *I «'r "'t^' T^ '^"''' '"^"^P^^^^ *" '^^^^ ^'^"^ ^"'ten by 
 
 judge ' '^' ''"'' ''^'" ^^^'°" ^"' "^"^^ ^° be 
 
 2, Characttr 0/ contents. 
 
 Emigration of Naomi ) ,,, 
 Return with Ruth. j ^"^P- '• 
 
 T , , T , F 'kindness of Boaz to } „, 
 Israel under Judges / Ruth l Chap. 2. 
 
 1322 to 1312 B.C. " 
 
 Rutlis visit to IJoaz. ; Chap. 3. 
 M 
 
 Marriage of Boaz and ) ,,, 
 Ruth. CienealoL'v. *-"^P 
 
 (jfenealogy. \ 
 
62 
 
 IlELl'H TO BIHLK STUDY. 
 
 The book of Ruth contains the origin of David's family, and 
 his descent fr*)m J udah'— Compare chap. 4 : 18, with Gen. 38 : 29 ; 
 Matt. I : 3. 
 
 It had been foretold to the Jews that the Messiah should be of 
 the tribe of Judah ; and it was aftj-rward revealed further that he 
 should be of the family of David. It was therefore necessary for 
 the full understanding of these prophecies, that the history of the 
 family of David in that tribe should be writttn before the 
 prophecies were fulfilled, so that there might not be the least 
 suspicion of fraud or design ; and thus this book, these prophecies 
 and the accomplishment of them, serve to illustrate and explain 
 each other. 
 
 The events recorded took place in the time of the Judges i : i, 
 but the history was certainly written some time later 4 : 7. Israel 
 was greviously oppressed by the Midianites, who invaded the land, 
 stripped them of their corn, and created an artificial famine; the only 
 famine mentioned during the administration of the Judges. 
 
 This book comprises a period of ten years, and records the 
 history of Ruth the Moabitess, who renounced her idolatry, married 
 into an Israelitish family, and became united with the people of 
 God. It traces the genealogy of David to a source not flattering 
 to that sovereign ; and this fact is one evidence of the truthfulness 
 of the narrative. 
 
 3. Central and collati'ral truths, the salvation of ihegkm- 
 TILES. The bride— the kinsman redeemer— the marriage— the Son. 
 Key thought ; the book of typical prophecy, or godly households. 
 This book— though brief— is remarkably rich in examples of fai'h, 
 patience, industry and kindness. It teaches the particular providence 
 of God over our concerns ; "still out of seeming ill educing good.' 
 Elimelechs misfortunes ; his son's sin in marrying a Moabitess ; 
 the loss of her husband— all end in her own conversion, and in the 
 honor of her adopted family. What changfs ten years have pro- 
 duced ! They have turned Naomi into Mara. She who went 
 out full has come home again empty. Her fortitude and fa'th, 
 however sustain her ; and in her trouble she shows equal wisdom 
 and tenderness. When her daughters arc told what they must 
 expect if they accompany her to Canaan, Orpah weep?, but returns 
 to her idol.s : nnd Kiith cleaves to her., indicating therein depth of 
 affection and religious decision i : 16 ; 2 ; 12. Her reward she 
 received " of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings she came 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 I 
 
 63 
 
 to trust " O, the sure and bountiful payment of our God ! Whoever 
 forsook the Moab of this world for the true Israel, and did not at 
 length rejoice in the change ? 
 
 The adoptirn into the line of the Messiah, of Ruth, a Moabitess 
 seems also to be a preintimation of that great mystery, to be re- 
 vealed under the gospel, that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs 
 and of the same body, and partakers of God's promises in Christ.' 
 Eph. 3 : 69. The pious amiability of Boaz, the pattern chief of a 
 a tube, contrasts favorably with the prominent characters among 
 the judges-Abimelech, Jephthah and Samson. Learn further, that 
 
 good people like Naomi, may be very much afflicted for a time, 
 
 yet God will be their comfort. 
 
 4. Cohnectiou with other parts oj the Scripture.^. This book 
 
 may be considered as an appendix to the book of Judges, which i >- 
 
 cedes it ; and an introduction to the two books of Samuel, which 
 
 follow it ; as the chief subject of those books is David. Read this 
 
 book in connection with Judges 6, 7, 8. 
 
 o. For whom In this hook peculiarly suitable ? For household^; 
 
 generally. Mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law may learn much 
 
 from this stoiy. 
 
 6. Missellaueom note. Of the rich B.az the Chaldee reads 
 miuhtu in the law. If he was both, it was a most are and excellent 
 conjunction ; to be mighty in wealth, and to be mighty in the Scrip- 
 tures too, is to be mighty indeed. He was the grandson of Nathan 
 prmcc of Judah in the wilderness, and son of Salmon, probably a 
 younger son, by Rahab, the harlot of Jericho. 
 
 I. SAMUEL. 
 .1. Authorship ami date. The first 25 chapters are supposed 
 to have been written by Samuel, and the rtmainder by the prophets 
 Nathan and Gad. See i Chron, 29 : 29. 
 ~. Character 0/ conlctits. 
 Israel under ) 
 
 Eli and Samuel. 
 
 Judges 1171- 
 1140 B.C. 
 
 chosen 
 
 Israel under 
 Reign 
 4C- 
 
 kings 
 of Sau 
 1056 B C, 
 
 1 II 
 
 Saul 
 king. 
 
 Saul's authority / ,,, 
 confirmed ^ ^"^ 
 
 [-Chaj s. 1-7. 
 i Chjips. 8- 10. 
 
 Saul rejected. 
 David's prepar 
 
 ps. 11-12. 
 
 t hai 
 
 JS 
 
 i3-«5- 
 
 ation for the king- Chaps. 16-31 
 
 kdom 
 
 \ 
 
64 
 
 llELPS TO BIBLE StUDV. 
 
 I 
 
 This book comprises a period of aLout 115 years. This and 
 the four succeeding books show Gods dcaliiigs with his people 
 under a monarchy. This volume contains the account of the 
 change ofgovernmentfiom judges to kings, to the death of Saul, 
 who was the first of the kings. 
 
 .?. Central and collateral trut/in. theocratic uovernmenj' 
 DISHONORED. Royal government in the hands of Saul. liis dis- 
 obedience-rejection and death. God calls the young— e, <j. Samuel. 
 Neglect of parents in punishmg their children is a sore evil, and 
 always results in calamity, as seen in Eli not restraining his sons 
 God may give us our requests, but irouble ensues. He gave the 
 Israelites their request for a king, but he sent leanness into their 
 soul. See Psalms. The ill government of Samuel's sons caused 
 the Israelites to wish for a king ; so one sin leads to another. The 
 evil results of impatience seen in Saul offering sacrifice instead of 
 waiting for Samuel. God's commands must be fully met, partial 
 obedience will not do, even if accompanied wiih sacrifices. We 
 must not spare even the best, if God says destroy them. e. y. Agag. 
 God does not look merely upon the outward appearance— example, 
 the selection of David from the sheep fold to be King over a great 
 nation. Success does not depend on human might, but on faith 
 in God,-e.^. David and Goliath. The envy of the human heail 
 at the success and promotion of others beyond ourselves, shown in 
 Saul hating David. David rises by pious, circumspect living. 
 Through all the persecution of Snul towards David, he had the 
 presence and help of Jonathan ; so God always tempers good with 
 evil. Those who have God on their side, as did David, are bound 
 to prosper. When men are God-forsaken, though they resort to 
 other means for help, as did Saul when he applied to the witch of 
 Endor, they always m aerably fail. 
 
 4. Promises or ^Jt'ophedcs /ul/illcd. Death of Eli's sons, i 
 Sam. 2 : 34 ; i Sam. 4:11; Death of Saul, i Sam. 28 : 19 ; i 
 Sam. 31 : 42. 
 
 J. Biographies. Eli was good in the main, but neglected his 
 duty in reproving his sons, for which he was severely punished by 
 death. Samuel, a most admirable character, wise, upright, holy 
 and unselfish. Observe his piety, his obedience to Eli, and his 
 strict regard for the truth. lie is earnest and persevering as a 
 minist-r, leading men to repentance, As a judge he feared God, 
 was unselfish, and always sought the good of others. He lived to 
 
 
HELPS TO niBLK STUDY. 
 
 65 
 
 tlie noblest of purposes-the glory of (kxl, an.l the good of liis 
 country. Sail! made a good beginning, but came to a miserable 
 end. David, led step by step by Clod, uas obedient, successful and 
 very merciful to Saul his enemy. [Je communed with Cod, be- 
 haved " wise as a serpent, and harmless as a dove." The sons of 
 Eh and Samuel both did mischief, and caused others to do wrong. 
 IL ConnecMon vnfh otlier partn of the Scrijifures. Many of the 
 events recorded in this book shed light on the Psalms (;f David 
 with which they should be carefully read. 
 
 1. David's shepherd life, i Sam. i6 ; Psa. 19 : 23. 
 
 2. David V victory over (ioliath. i Sam 17 : 18 ; Psa. 8 : 9. 
 3 Saul's effort to capture David, in his own home, i Sam. 
 
 19 : II ; Psa. 59. 
 
 4. Jonathan's warning i Sam. 20 : 35-42 ; Psa. 11 : 64. 
 
 5. David's flight to Ahimelech the priest, i Sam. 21 : 1-9, 
 etc ; Psa. 52. 
 
 6. David's flight to Gath. i Sam. 21 : u ; Psa. 56 : 70. 
 
 7. Escape from Gath i Sam. 22 : i ; Psa. 34, 
 
 8. David in the cave of Adullam, i Sam. 22 : i. 2 ; Psa 57 
 13, 40, 141, 142. ' 
 
 9. In the forest of Hareth. i Sam. 22 : 5 ; 23 : 14 16 • Psa 
 63 : 17. 
 
 10. Escape from Keilah to the mountains of Ziph. i Sam. 
 23: 10-13 ; Psa 31 : 54. 
 
 17. David sparing Saul, i Sam. 24: 1-16; Psa. 7. ^An 
 appeal again.^t Gush who had slandered him to Saul, saying, "David 
 seeketh thy hurt.") 
 
 12. The cave of En-gedi i Sam. 23 : 29; Psa. 35 : 36. 
 
 13. Wilderness of Paran. Incident of Nabal. i Sam. 25 ; 
 Psa. 53. (Nabal means fool.) 
 
 14- (>^iklag) I Sam. 27 ; Psa. 16 : 38, 39.. 
 
 W. Mm'ellaneom notes. The book discloses a grand display 
 of Christ, who is,-i Sam. 2 : lo.-for the firrt time in Scripture 
 spoken of as the Messiah, or anointed, and also as a king before 
 that ofiice was established among the Israelites. 
 
 "Who does not see," says St. Augustin, "that the spirit of 
 Hannah prophesied of the Christian rpliVinn th« ^W., r.r n^A „,u- ^ 
 king and founder is Christ. This is indeed the chief import of the 
 hymn." Compare Hannah's song with that of Mary. Luke i • 
 46 55- 
 
66 
 
 HIiLPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 2 SAMUEL. 
 
 1-14. 
 
 1. Authorship aiul date. Written B. C. 1030. 
 "\ Character of contents. 
 
 /' Reign and acts of David up f p, 
 Israel under Kings. ^^ Absalom's rebcllion> j ^'^^^P^' 
 
 Reign of David. ' j ^^^id's troubles as King. [- Chaps. 15-23. 
 
 V David's last acts. }- Chap. 24. 
 
 Comparing this book with the books of Kings, we judge the 
 author to have written during a time when the Mosaic law was for- 
 gotten, as he betrays no displeasure at its infringement, by sacrific- 
 ing in high places, as is done by the writer of the Kings. 
 
 The scope of the books of Samuel is to continue the history of 
 Israel ; and to show the reason of the gove:nmental change into a 
 monarchy from the theocracy. 
 
 I . David establishes hj.mself at Jerusalem as the seat of govern- 
 ment. 2. The subduing of the Philistines, Ammonites, Edomites, 
 Amalekites and the Assyrians ; extending his kingdom to the ut- 
 most bounds of the land, thus fulfilling the promise made to Abra- 
 ham, Gen. 12 : 2. 
 
 ;2. Central and collateraltruths. Theocratic government 
 ACKNOWLEDGED. David — obedience — acceptance — life— Key 
 thought : the book of royal g .vernment in the hands of David. In 
 this book there is a remarkable number of cases in which retribu- 
 tion followed sin, and the same measure meted back to the offender. 
 
 Abner kills Asahel, and Abner is killed for this deed. Baanah 
 and Rechab slay Ishbosheth— Saul's son, and David orders them to 
 be slain for doing so. David causes the death of Uriah, and he 
 loses his child by Bathsheba and Absalom also. Absalom slays 
 Am ion and Joab slays Absalom. David numbers the people and 
 70,000 die, illustrating the divine statement, that "pride goeth 
 before destruction." David is very careful to ask counsel of God 
 before making war, or taking any important step. He returns 
 good for evil, as seen in his treatment of Mephibosheth and tender- 
 ness to Absalom his rebellious son. The most devoted are in dan- 
 ger of falling:. The curse of God will rest down on a nation, if it 
 has done wrong, until that wrong is repaired, or repentance shown, 
 as seen in God sending a famine for three years on the Israelites for 
 Saul's slaying the Gibeonites. 
 
 i. Prophecies fulfilled. Tlie |;rediction that God would pun- 
 
HELPS TO BIDLE STUDY. 
 
 67 
 
 ish David for his adultery by raising up evil against him from his 
 own house. Also that his wives should be given unto his 
 neighbor who should lie with them in the sight of all Israel before 
 the sun. This was fulfilled by Absalom. And so far as this book 
 goes, we see the sword did not depart from his house as God had 
 said. This book confirms the divine authority of the Pentateuch, by 
 pointing out the fulfillment of a p.ediction there given. Deut. 17 • 
 H, 15- 
 
 4. Connection with other p.irt>i of the Scriptures. This book 
 like the first volume, is a key to many of the Tsalms. 
 
 1. David king at Hebron. 2 Sam, 2:17; Psa. 26 : loi. 
 
 2. David king at Jerusalem. 2 Sam. 5 : 625; Psa. 21, 
 108, no, 
 
 3. The ark brought to Jerusalem. 2 Sam. 7 ; Psa. 132, 15, 24, 
 94, 138, 29. 
 
 4. Wars of David with Edom, Syria, etc. 2 Sam. 8 ; Psa. 60, 
 61, 44, 20. 
 
 5 David's penitence for the ''great transgression." 2 Sam. 
 n, etc.; Psa. 51, 32, 6, 69, 103. 
 
 6. Absalom's rebellion, 2 Sam, 15-18; Psa, 4 [first evening 
 or flight]; 3 (nevt morning), [also the two Psalms next mentioned]; 
 5, 143, 26, 28, 61, 144, 62, 143, 42. 
 
 7. Ahithophel's trea on, 2 Sam, 15-18 ; Psa. 55 41, 109, ' 
 
 8. Victory over Absalom. 2 Sam. 18; Psa. 43, [David's 
 prayer at Mahanaim, while Joab fought with Absalom in the woods]. 
 
 9. Sheba's rebellion. 2 Sam. 20, 21 ; Psa. 2, 84. 
 
 10. David's review of his many victories. 2 Sam, 22 ; Psa, 18. 
 This book is incomplete, and requires i Ciron. chaps. 22-29 
 
 to supplement it. These chapters bring out incidents connected 
 with makmg arrangements for building the temple, vhich are not 
 found elsewhere. The reader will readily see the connection. 
 
 By noting the dates as found in all reftrerce Bibles, it will be 
 seen that these chapters fill up an interim in the history chronologic- 
 ally. They form a complete historical chain, and fill up the space 
 
 between the books of Samuel and the books which follow 
 
 These two books of Samuel have a close connection with what fol- 
 lows in Bible history. 
 
 5. For xohom is this book peculiarly suitable? For il.. <;- who 
 wish to see the hand of God in the history oi nations, indiv.duais 
 and churches. 
 
68 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 TFIK TWO BOOKS OF KINGS. 
 /. Authornhlp and dofe. Written l)y the high i>ri.\sts, or 
 scribes and recorders, who were contemporary with the events 
 2 Sam. 8 : 17 ; 2 Kin^s 18: 18 Who these successive writers were, 
 we are informed in 2 Chron. 9 : 29, where we read, " The acts of 
 Solomon, are they not recv)rded in the hook of Nathan the prophet, 
 and in the prophecy of Abijah, the Shilonite, and in the visions of 
 Iddo the seer." By Jewish tradition the writing of these books 
 is ascribed to Jeremiah. This is favored by internal evidence, 
 there being a very marked resemblance between the latter portion 
 of 2 I\ings— in the incidents of which Jeremiah was a participator— 
 and the corresponding narratives in the book which bears his name, 
 and in which some of the events are described more fully. Com- 
 pare 2 Kings 25 : 22 ; and Jer. 43 : 7 The view, that the two 
 books of Kings were drawn up from various documents by one 
 hand, is confirmed by the books themselves. This reviser was 
 probably E/ra, or Jeremiah. 
 
 ^, Chararter nj vnntnitx . 
 
 FIRST BOOK. 
 
 /The undivided king- 
 j d >m under Solomon. 
 
 1, > Chaps. I- 1 1, 
 [5 to 984, B. 0. > 
 The divided kingdoms F Reigns of Rehoboam \ p, 
 under Rehoboam Jero-< and Jeroboam. j *-"^P^- ^2-i4i 
 
 boam. etc., 975 to 879 | Reigns of Abijam, Asa, ^ ^, , ^ 
 
 B.C. I etc. ' 5 Chaps. 15, 16. 
 
 I < 
 
 I Reigns of Jehoshaphat, / r,. 
 \Ahaband-^Aha/,iah ( Chaps. 17. 
 
 22. 
 
 SECOND BOOK. 
 
 {Ministry and miracles ) p, q 
 
 of Eli^ha. i ^naps. i-». 
 
 Reigns of Jehoram, Ah- / p, 
 aziah, Jehu and Joash. \ '-'"^P^. 9.13. 
 Reigns of various kings. \ 
 and conquest of the [> Chaps. 13 18. 
 country by the Assyrians \ 
 
 /Reign of Hez-kiah. [Chaps. 19, 20. 
 
 Decline and fall of the ^"^^"^ f Manasseh ] 
 U,-n^=4r>.n. .-.f T,,dah ^ ^"^o."' . Josiah and / Chaps. 21-23. 
 '""' \ Jehoiakim ) 
 
 I Reign to Zedekiah, and ( p, 
 V captivity to Babylon. j ^"^P^' ^^' ^^' 
 
 kingM'M 
 
 721 588, B. C. 
 
Mblrs To bIblk s'f(;i)V. 
 
 tf9 
 
 The two books of Kings form but one bcK)k in the Jewish 
 canon. They contain the records of the Hebrew nation from the 
 accession of S ;lomon to the destruction of Jerusalem. Anyus says, 
 26 years after. They comprise a period of about 426 years ; also 
 several prophetic utterances. The wr tings of the prophets, who 
 lived before and during' the captivity, receive much elucidation from 
 the contents of the two !)joks themselves. T,\c fir-t hook 0/ Khujs 
 comprises the history, of the Israelies for about one hundred and 
 twenty-six years, and consists of two distinct and separate portions ; 
 the first relating to the history of the undivided kingdom under 
 Solomon, and the second the history of the two separate kingdoms 
 of Judah and Israel for about eighty years. 
 
 The text of Samuel, Kings and Chroi.icles, is in a worse condi- 
 tion than that of any other of the inspired writings. We must not, 
 however, ascribe to the authors what is real'.y due to the errors of 
 the copyists. 
 
 Both books contain several prophecies, and are quoted by our 
 Lord, and the writers of the New Testament as canonical. See 
 Luke 4: 25.27; Jas. 5: 17. Note the subjugation and removal by 
 Assyria of the ten tribe , one hundred an-l thirty-four years before 
 the overthrow of Judah. They e...brace a period of four hundred 
 and twenty-seven years. 
 
 J. Central wid collateral trutha. First book, i 11. Theocratic 
 
 GOVERNMENT ACKNOWLEDGED AND DISHONORED— Solomon— 
 
 obedience— magnificence -disobedience— darkness. From chapters 
 12 to 22. Idolatry. Divine warnings -punishment— kingdom 
 divided. Key thought : The book of royal government in the hands 
 of Solomon and his successors. Second book. Divine Judg- 
 ments. Idolatry— rebellion— overthrow— captivity. Key thought: 
 The book of royal government in its decline. 
 
 The events detailed in these books are of themselves very inter- 
 esting. The account of the wisdom of Solomon; the rash and 
 impolitic conduct of his son, llehoboam ; the disobedient prophet ; 
 the widow of Zarcphath ; Elijah and the prophets of Baal ; Bcnha' 
 dad's pride and defeat ; Elijah's ascension to heaven ; Elisha's suc- 
 cesion to his ministry, and the series of miracles he performed ; the 
 panic and flight of the Syrians ; the predicted ileath of Ahab and 
 Jezebel, and their children, are all pregnant with instruction. We 
 perceive in these impressive histories the characters and the qualities 
 of men painted with the utmost fidelity, and the attributes of God dis' 
 
70 
 
 IIKIJ'H TO IHIU,K SrUDY. 
 
 CI 
 
 t 
 •V 
 
 If f 
 
 plnyc'd wiili giral cUccI. The inirticulars and circumstJinccs arc 
 stretched out with a biiel and lively description ; anil the imagin- 
 ation lingers with p easure in filling up the outline presented to our 
 view. 
 
 Both these books are full of deep lessons on the bitter evils of 
 apostacy. 
 
 The fall of Solomon should ttach us that the very highest 
 endowments, possessed by man, arc not sufficient to preserve one 
 from falling into the gravest sin and fully ; and that the way of the 
 transgressor is always hard. 
 
 4. /'rophccii's fulfilled. These books contain the fulfdlment of 
 many prophecies on the departure of Israel from (lod. Note also 
 the following : 
 
 I'Kc; ;<K( V. 
 
 I i:x r. 
 
 i-ii.mi,i..mi';n 1 , 
 
 lUiilcler of Jericho Josh. 6; 26 1 Kiii^s 16; 34. . 
 
 liirth of Josiali 1 Kiii.iis 13: -j. 2 Kiii^js 23: 15. . 
 
 Death of a prophet 1 Kin);s 13: 22. . i Kin>;s 13: 30. . 
 
 Destruction of the house of Jerohoani 1 Kings 14: 10.. i Kings 15: ?c).. 
 
 Death iif Jeroboam's son Kings 14: 12. . 1 Kings 14: 17. . 
 
 Destruction of Baaslia's house i Kings 16: 3. . . 1 Kinj's 16: 1 1 . . 
 
 (Ireat drought in the reign of Ahah 1 Kings 17:1... i Kings iS: 41 . . 
 
 Syrian invasion 1 Kings 20: 22. . 1 Kings 20: 26. . 
 
 I'unisiiment for the murder of Nahoth i Kings 21: 19. . i Kings 22: 38. . 
 
 Destruction of the house of Ahah i Kings 21: 21 . . 2 Kings 10: 11 . . 
 
 Death of Jezebel i Kings 21: 23. . 2 Kings 9: 36. . . 
 
 Miraculous supply of water 2 Kings 3: 17. . . ;> Kings 3: 20. . . 
 
 Plentiful supplj- of food ... 2 Kings 7: 1 . . . . 2 Kings 7: 18. . . 
 
 Death of the unbelieving lord 2 Kings 7:2.... 2 Kings 7: 17-20 
 
 Reign of Jehu's sons to the fourth generation. . : Kings 10: ',0. . 2 Kings 15: 12. . 
 
 Death of the King of Assyria 2 Kings 10: 7. . . 2 Kings 19: 35-37 
 
 Babylonish captivity 2 Kings 20: 17. . 2 Kings 24: 10.16 
 
 5. Bioipaphies. The characters of the kings of Judah may 
 be thus briefly given : David, the devout ; Solomon, the wise. 
 After the revolt : Rehoboara, the simple ; Abijah, the valiant ; Asa 
 the upright ; and Jehoshaphat, the religious. The reigns of these 
 kings were long when compared with the wicked kings of Israel. 
 The number of the good was nearly equal to that of the bad ; but 
 the reigns of the good wore generally long, and the bad short. 
 I Kings, 16 : 15. 
 
 6'. Gonrn'Cfion with other 2mrts of the Scriptures. The two 
 l)ooks of Kirxjs arc connected immediately with the two books of 
 Samuel as theii continuation. These books contribute to throw 
 
HELPS TO HIIJLK HTUDV. 
 
 71 
 
 liKht upon the writings of the prophets who lived before, and at tiie 
 lime oi the destruction of Jerusalem. 
 
 THE TWO BOOKS OF CHRONICLKS. 
 /. Authorship and date. Written probably by Ezra, B. C. 
 525. after the return of the Jews from the Babylonian ca'ptivity' 
 Internal evidence favors the supposition that Ezra was the author of 
 Chronicles, since the style and Chaldaisms strongly resemble those 
 of the book of Kzra. In this, both Jewish and Christian writers 
 agree. 
 
 .i. Character of conlcntH. 
 
 FIRST liOOK. 
 
 Genealogies, 4004-1200, B. C. [-Chaps. 19. 
 
 Reign of David, 1048-1015. B. C. [Chaps. 10-29. 
 
 SECOND HOOK. 
 
 The undivided kingdom under Solomon, ) ,,. 
 
 1015-992, B. C. ( Chaps. 1.9. 
 
 / Reigns (;f Reho- ) .,, 
 boam. j Chaps. 10 12. 
 
 Of Abijah. [Chap. 13. 
 
 Of Asa. [ Chaps. 14 16. 
 
 Of Jehoshaphat. [Chaps. 17-20. 
 
 Judah and its kings, 
 
 from ihe revolt of the wt Kings irom 1 
 
 ten tribes to the Baby / Jehoram to Ama- f Chaps. 21-2 q 
 lonish captivitv. 002 zinh I ' -' 
 
 lonish captivity, 992 
 6io, B. C. 
 
 ziah 
 
 Of Uzziah and 
 Ahaz. 
 
 Of Hezekiah. 
 
 Of Manasseh. 
 
 Of Josiah. 
 
 
 j Chaps. 26-28. 
 
 1- Chaps. 29-32. 
 \ Chap. 33. 
 -Chaps. 34-36. 
 
 The genealogical tables are valuable, sin<;e they record the un- 
 broken line of the faithful people, for about 3,500 years. 
 
 The cause of their compilation is naturally suggested by the 
 hrst difficulties that would present themselves to the leaders of those 
 who returned from the captivity, in alloting the various portions of 
 territory to the families entitled to them according to the Mosaic 
 law. And again, the maintenance of the temple service, and of the 
 payment of tithes, etc., required strict legal proof of hereditary 
 descent on the part of the officiating priests and Levites. These two 
 
 ° ^ lUv^iion, nctcisuutcd the compilation of authoritative 
 
 genealogical tables. The Chronicles are the beginning of the 
 ecclesiastical history, which continues, in an unbroken thread to 
 the end of the book of Nehemiah. 
 
f • 1 
 
 I' I 
 
 72 
 
 IIKLPH TO niHLE STUDY. 
 
 The first book of t'hronici s coincides, generally, with the 
 secund book of Samuel ; at the same time the beginning gives 
 mntter which is not to be found either in th ' -o! < of Kings or 
 Samuel and which stretches back as far as tb rei.LiU uch, Joshua, 
 and Judijes. Note especially the genealogical record showing that 
 Jesus Christ was of the seed of Abraham ; also the i)articular 
 reference '.o David's instituti m of the divine worship, his court, and 
 his men of valor. The tirst portion of the second book, chapters 
 one to nine, relates to the same events as the first portion oi the 
 first book of Kings, viz.: the history of the undivided kingdom under 
 Solomon, and the second portion to the history of Judah under its 
 several kings, from the revolt under Jeroboam, to the Babylonish 
 captivity. 
 
 In the two hundred and lifty-four years of the monarchy of 
 Israel, nine different jamilies occupied the throne. Twenty kings, 
 all descendants of David, for three hundred and eighty-eight years 
 occupied the throne of Judah. 
 
 J. Central and collateral truths. Those of the first book are 
 the same as in the second book of Samuel. Key thought : The 
 book of God's earthly elect, connected with the throne und the ark. 
 The principal truths in the second book, one to nine, are the same 
 as in I Kings i-ii ; and those in 10-36 the same as in 2 Kings. Key 
 thought : The book of Ciod's earthly government in the house of 
 David. 
 
 These books have been held in low estimation and much 
 neglected by Bible students and commentators, because they say 
 that ihey contain few things which are not to be found in the pre- 
 ceding books. This, to some extent, is true ; but it is equally true 
 tliat they supply many circumstances omitted in the former 
 accounts, with additions, and are written with a particular view, 
 which was : First, to separate God's people from the mixed multi- 
 tude that returned from Babylon ; second, to ascertain the lineage 
 of ludah, from which the Messiah should come; and third, to 
 re-cUablish them on their ancient footing. 
 
 Harmony of prophecy and fore-knowledge, with human freedom 
 and responsibility, are illustrated in the history of these kingdoms. 
 Prophecy, on the su'oject of heathen nations, becomes uiost copious 
 ill the age when these nations seem to triumph the most. 
 
 4. J'ropheci/ fulfilled. The number of Abraham's seed— Gen. 
 15 : 5, 6 ; fultilled in I Chron. 21 : 5, 6. 
 
 h 
 
 m 
 
HELPB TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 78 
 
 .5. Coiinedion irlth other [xirfd of the Si'i'lptuirs. The three 
 double books of Saniiul, Klnys and Chronicles, have much in com- 
 mon, thouf,di ihey have also characteristic difCc onccs. They treat, 
 for the most ])art, of the same period, and shouid be read and com- 
 pared together, A comprehensive view may tl is he gathered of 
 Jewish histoiy, and much light will be thrown .)ii brief and obscure 
 expressions. Their differences of aim, however, are as marked as 
 in their substantial identity, Samuel gives the history of the form- 
 ation of the kingdom, and a biography, even more than a history of 
 the first kings. The books of Kings, on the other hand, give a 
 history of the theocracy under regal goveinment, and are rich in 
 brief allusions to the character, sins, and constcpient punishment of 
 the rulers and of the people. The books of Chronicles again have 
 special reference to the forms and ministry of religious wt.rship, to 
 the genealogies, and consenuent possessions of the various families 
 and tribes, and to other lojjics connected with the return. Hence, 
 genealogical tables; hence, also, the prominence given to the pious 
 care in establishing public worship ; of David, Solomon, Hezekiah, 
 and Josudi. 
 
 The second book concludes with an intimation of the decree of 
 Cyrus for the restoration of the Jews, and the rebuilding of the 
 temple. 
 
 Additional light is thrown on the Psalms : 
 
 1. The pestilence withd awn, i Chron. 20: 14-30; 21 : i ; 
 Psa. ;^o. 
 
 2. The building of the temple committed to Solomon, t Chron. 
 28, etc.; Psa. 65, 67, 68. 
 
 3. David's review of his life. I'sa. 145. 
 
 4. Giving the kingdom to Solomon, i Chron. 29 ; Psa. 72, 91, 
 I Chron. 20 : i, this '•hai)ter goes on with the narrative in the 
 
 eleventh and twelfth cha, ors of the second book of S.muel ; and it 
 is remarkable that the importan; episode of David's sin in the 
 matter of Uriah, his reproof, and his repentance, are entirely 
 omitted ; and this book of Chronicles passes immediaiciy from the 
 first verse of the eleventh to the twentieth verse of the twelfth 
 chapter. It omits also the cr.mcs of Amnon and Absalom, David's 
 song, and passes to the eighteenth verse of the 2 1st chapter of the 
 .second bo k of Samuel, the last five verses of w hich, 'with some 
 variations, conclude this chapter. This is due,, erhaps, to the 
 
74 
 
 HKLPH TO niHF-R STUDY, 
 
 i 
 
 brevity of the history before the <livision of the kingdom ; for he 
 iloci not spare the sins of the pious monarchs that followed. 
 
 (1. Iflfn'tdrncnt o/tlic prop/i(t9. 2 Chron; i6 : lo. Asa, king 
 of Judah. imprisoni the seer who had told him God was displeased 
 with him for havinjj relied on Syria, instead of Jehovah. 2 Ckron. 
 i8 : 7, Ahab hates Miciah for th'- same reason. Miciah smitten by 
 Zedekiah for his message. Miciah imprisoned. 2 Chron. 25 : 21. 
 Zechariah stoned to death for reproving Joash king of Judah, and 
 his people for idolatry. 2 Chron. 17: 7, certain prophets called 
 princes (?) ! 
 
 7. MhcdUiveous noten. Vxoxn 1 Chron. 21 : i, we learn that 
 it was .Satan who tempted David to number Israel. The place 
 where David made an altar to God on the occasion of the pesti- 
 lence -Oman's threshing (loor- was afterwards selected as the site 
 for the house of God. See 2 Chnm. 2:1. It is noteworthy, that 
 in I Chron. 28 : 12, we find that the pattern of the house of Cod 
 which David had, was {jiven him by the Spirit. See verse 19, s me 
 chapter. Solomon twice anointed king. Chap. 29 : 22. The 
 second book gives only the history of the kings of Judah — not one 
 of Israel. 
 
 EZRA. 
 
 1. Authorfthip ami date. Written by Ezra, a priest, after the 
 Babylonian captivity. This book, like the Chronicles, consists of 
 journals kept from time to time, which were afterwards collected, 
 and either abridged or added to, as the case required by a later 
 hand. This later hand in the book o Ezra was his own, as appears 
 in the last four chapters. 
 
 £. Character 0/ contentn .• • 
 
 Reigns of C;rus, Da- | Rebuilding the temple. |- Chaps. 1-6. 
 rius, and Artaxerxes, ( Reformation by Ezra. { Chaps. 7-10. 
 
 Ezra's writings are an important continuation of [ewish history 
 after the return from the 70 years captivity. They embrace a period 
 of about 80 years from H. C, 536 to 456, dating from the time of 
 the decree of Cyrus, at which the Chronicles conclude. The book 
 of Ezra is the accomplishment of Jeremiah's prophecies concerning 
 the return of the Jews from Babylon. 
 
 It is to be observed that between the dedication of the temple, 
 and the departure of Ezra, i. e., between chapters 6 and 7, of this 
 book, there is an interval of about 58 y ars ; during which nothing 
 
HELPS TO Funr.R RTinv. 
 
 75 
 
 is here related concerning the Jews, except that contrary to CkkI's 
 commaiul, ihey intermarried with the (icntiles. 
 
 .'/. Central imil roll(iferiilfrut/in. Kksiorahon. Temple re- 
 built— prosperity— repentance -reformation. Key thoughts: (i) 
 The book of ecclesiastical hi.-tory upon the return from Babylon. 
 (2) Separation. See Joshua 23: 11 ; Judges 2: 3; 2 Chron. 
 25 : 10. 
 
 Among the remarkable dispensations of Providence recorded in 
 this history, we may notice especially how wonderfully ( iod inclined 
 the hearts of severa' heathen princes — Cyrus, Darius and 
 Artaxerxes— to favor and protect His people, and to aid them in 
 the work of rebuilding their city and temple ; i, 4, 6, 7. Maik, 
 too, how God overruled the opposition of the Samaritan, the decree 
 of Darius being much more favorable than that of Cyrus: Ezra i 
 and 5 ; 6. There is also another display of God's special and 
 discriminating providence in the fulfillment of Ilis promises to His 
 people. Whilst in the land of /S'rt ma Wa, colonies of strangers had 
 been planted, which filled the territory of Israel with a heathen race, 
 so as to prevent the r turn of the ancient inhabitants ; it ai)pears 
 that in the land of Jiulah full room was left for the return and 
 restoration of the Jews. 
 
 Note, the Samaritans, who sought to help and join the Jews in 
 building, on ])fing refused, became their enemies and sought to 
 hinder them. They wrote to Artaxerxes to order them to stop 
 building, which order was granted. Another letter was written to 
 Darius, who ordered the work to proceed, and their enemies to help 
 them. So God makes the wrath of man to praise him. 
 
 4. Fropheriex/ulJlUetL In the return of the Jews from Babylon, 
 we see the fu fillment of the prophecies of Isa. 44 : 28, and Jer. 25 : 
 12 : 29 : 10 ; the former had predicted the name of their deliverer, 
 and the latter, the exact time of their deliverance, as well as the 
 state of heart with which it should be accompanied. 
 
 5. Biograjthj. Ezra was one of the captives at Babylon, where 
 he was probably born. He was the grandson of Seraiah, the chief 
 priest, who was slain at the taking of Jerusalem. 2 King 25 : 18- 
 21, and therefore a descendant of Aaron. He was a " ready scribe,'' 
 or rather instructor in the law of God. He was a man of deep 
 
 hiimilitv. Q t in-ic (»f fprvpnf /pnl fnr f^nrl'c h'^"'~>r "^ • "i<^ • 8 • •>!- 
 
 23, deeply grieving over the sins of the people, and sparing no pains 
 to bring them back to repentance, 9: 3 ; 6: 10. He joined th^ 
 
I 
 
 "I 
 
 76 
 
 HKLPS ro BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 1 
 
 1. 
 
 Jews at Jerusalerxi many years after their return, going up thither 
 with the second large company. Unlike Nehemiah, Ezra seems to 
 have remained at Jerusalem. He is said to have lived to the 
 same age as Moses, 120 years, and is esteemed by t' e Jews as next 
 to hiu) for the services he rendered their religion. He appears to 
 have exercised civil authority for nearly twelve years. We read of 
 him in the next book as employed in his sacred duties, and 
 zealously co-operating with Neh-^niiahj who succeeded him in the 
 government, in promoting the reformation of the people. Ezra is 
 supposed to have revis d all the books of the Bible then extant, 
 disposing them in their proper order, and settling the canon of the 
 Scriptures for his time. 
 
 6. Connection with other parts of the 'criptures. This book 
 harmonizes with the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah, which it 
 materially elucidates. Compare Ezra 5 with Haggai i : 12, and 
 Zech. 3:4. ' 
 
 NEHEMIAH. 
 
 1. A nthorship and date. Written by Nehemiah, one of the 
 Jewish captives, who was appointed by Artaxerxes (Ahasuerus), 
 king of Persia, to fill the office of cup bearer. 
 
 2. Character oj c&ntenfs. The book of Nehemiah takes up the 
 history of the Jews, about twelve years after the close of the book of 
 Ezra, and it gives an account of the improvements in the city 
 of Jerusalem, and of the reformations among the people which 
 were carried on by Nehemiah. The re-building of the city 
 wall was accomplished in 52 days, notwithstanding the difficulties 
 created by Sanballat and Tobiah, who were leading men in the rival 
 colony of Samara, They first scofied at the att-^mpt, then 
 threatened to attack the workmen, and finally used varous strata- 
 gems to weaken Nehemiah's authority and even to take his life. In 
 addition to these dangers from without, Nehemiah encountered 
 hindrances from his own people, ar sing out of the general distress, 
 which was aggravated by the cruel exactions of the nobles and 
 rulers. These grievances were redressed on the earnest remonstrance 
 of Nehemiah, who had himself set a striking example of economy 
 in his office. It appears, also, that some of the chief men in 
 Jerusalem were at that time in conspiracy with Tobiah, against 
 Nehemiah. 2 : 9, 20. Thus the wall was built in " troublous 
 times," Dan. 9 : 23, and its completion was joyously celebrated by 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY, 
 
 27, 43. 
 
 77 
 With 
 
 a solemn dedication under Neheniiah's direct ion, 12 
 tfiis book the history of the Old Testaiient closed 
 
 / Depature from ) 
 
 n ■ r , I Shusan. iiuildine of f Chaiis, 1-6 
 
 Reign of Artaxerxes. ^ the walls. ^ ( ' 1^' ' °' 
 
 I Reformat icm ef- ) ^, 
 
 Uected. j Chaps. 7-13. 
 
 'I Cevtral avd colhferal trufhs. Refokmation. Wdl re 
 built and dedicated-covenant sealed. Key thoughts : (i) The book 
 of civil condition upon the return from Babylon. (2)" Let usr-se and 
 build." In the ninth chapter we have an instructive summary of 
 the history ot the Jews, in its most important light, showing at once 
 what God is, and what men are. Few books, indeed, of the Bible 
 contain a richer illust.ation of Divine philosophy-that is, of true 
 religion, taught by example. This work represents, in type the 
 restoration of civil government to the Jews, and their national 
 supremacy in the last days. 
 
 4. lUography. Nehemiah-the Tirshaiha-presents a noble 
 
 example of true p friotism founded on the fear of God 5 • 15 and 
 
 seeking the religious welfare of the State. His nspect for the 
 
 Divine law, his reverei.ce for the Sabbath, 13: 18. his devout 
 
 acknowleagment of God in all things, i : 11 ; 2 : 18 ; his practical 
 
 perception of God's character, i: 5; 9: ^..., his union of uatch- 
 
 fulness and prayer, 4 : 9-20; his humility in ascribing all good in 
 
 himself to the grace of God 2 • 12 • 7 • c n,« oii i,- iT 
 , , „ ^ ""' ^ • ^2 ' 7 • 5r 'lie all highly commend 
 
 able. He was-as a reformer-very fiun. a sort of second Moses. 
 
 6. Connection with oflur parts of the bcnj>tnr('H. This book is 
 a continuation of the book of Ezra. Chap. ,3: 26, she<'s some 
 liilht on the matter of Solomon's strange wives. 
 
 6. For whom is this book peculiar/y mifahle? AH 
 Christian workers should study well this book. In it they will find 
 much to stimulate their faith, zeal and courage. Faint hearted 
 ones-those who are timid and halting in the face of strong and 
 organised opposition -should read this book, especially the lourth 
 chapter, " 
 
 7 Misrellaneovs notes. After Nehemiah, Judea be came subject 
 to the kings of I'ersia for nearly one 1 undred years. Afterwards 
 they came under the Egyptians, then under the Syrians. To deliver 
 the Jews trom the Syrians God raised up the Asmoneans, after-ards 
 called the Maccabees. Under the Maccabean princes, Judea be- 
 came a free state. The Jews afterwards came under the Ron.ans, 
 
 iiX 
 
'I: 
 
 H 
 
 m 
 
 K 
 
 i ' 
 
 !! 
 
 78 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 LFnder Herod the Great, in the 36th year of his reign, while 
 Augustus was emperor cf Rome, Jesus was born. 
 
 ESTHER. 
 
 1. Autliortihip and date. Ezra is supposed to have been the 
 author. Date about 485 B. C. Some suppose that this l)Ook was 
 written by Mordecai ; but the more probable opinion — one which 
 may account for the ou)ission of the name of (iod — is that it is an 
 extract from the records of Persia. Tins supposition accounts for 
 the retaining of the Persian word Purim 9 ; 24-32 ; for the details 
 given concerninc: the empire of Ahasuerus ; and for the exactness 
 with which the nanii-sof his ministers, and of Haman's sons, are 
 recorded ; also for the Jews being mentioned only in the third 
 person ; and Esther being frequently designated by the title of the 
 "(^ueen;" and Mordecai by the epithet of "the Jew." It also 
 accounts for those parentheses which occur in the course of the 
 narrative, the object of which appears to have been to give illustra- 
 tions necessary for a Jewish reader ; and for the abrupt termination 
 of the narrative, by one sentence relative to the power of Ahasuerus, 
 and another concerning Mordecai 's greatness. 
 
 '£, Character of contents. 
 
 Feast of Ahasuerus — | p, 
 Vashti deposed. ^'-nap. i. 
 
 Esther queen — con- \ ^, 
 spiracy discovered. \ 1 * • 
 
 Decree for extirpation ) ,., 
 of the Jews. \ I ' 3' 
 
 Mordecai's appeal — ) r,, 
 
 Esther's reply. \ ^''"P" 4" 
 
 T, • r »i Esther's approach to ) .,, 
 
 Reign ot Ahasuerus ■ ,, , . tt ' '^ » 1 M hap. 5. 
 ^ > -j the kmg-Hamans plan \ ^ ^ 
 
 Mordecai's loyalty and i .. I ^ 
 
 public honor. \ ' P' 
 
 Esther's success — Ha- ) .., 
 
 , 1 J ( hap. 7. 
 
 man executed. \ ' ' 
 
 Decree in favor of the ) -^.. « 
 T Chap. 8. 
 
 Jews. \ ' 
 
 The Jews avenged — / 
 
 feast of Purim. 
 
 I 
 
 (X 
 
 Chap. 9. 
 
 Mordecai's greatness. | Chap. 10. 
 
 But few, comparatively, of the Jews availed themselves of the 
 crivilefre to return to the land of their fathers. Most of the exist- 
 
 1 c 
 
 ing race had been born in Babylonia ; they had made that country 
 their home, and had gathered around tluin comforts which were 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE ITUDY. 
 
 79 
 
 not easily al.andoned. Not more than 50.000 persons had gone up 
 under /erubbabel. The second band, under Ezra-more than 70 
 years later-numl)ered in all about 6,000 persons. Yet later, other 
 bands probably sought the city and temp.e of God . Still the great 
 bulk of the people remained in the land of their exile 
 
 The institution of the festival of P^^rhn, and its continued 
 observance to the present time, is an evidence of the truth of this 
 book n has always been received as canonical by the Jews, who 
 hold It m the highest veneration. 
 
 v. Cmtral and collateral truths. Dihne iJ^TERrosiTiON 
 Dangers ave.ted-deliverance secured. Key thoughts : (i) The man 
 whom the king delighted to honor. (2) The book of God's secret 
 government towards Israel. 
 
 The book of Esther shows how these Jews- -though scattered 
 among the heathen-were preserved, even when doomed by others 
 to destruction. Though the name of God is not found in the book, 
 his hand ,s plainly seen, anticij.ating threatened evil, defeating and 
 overruling it to the greater good of the Jews, and even of the 
 heathen 1,2:4-10 Nor was it the safety of the Jews in Babylon 
 only that was in peril ; if Haman had succeeded, as the power of 
 Fcrsia was then supreme at Jerusalem and throughout Asia, the 
 Jews throughout the world must have perished ; and with them the 
 whole of the visible church of God. Mark and admire the provi- 
 dence of God, using what seems the most trifling circumstance to 
 accomp ish I is will chap. 6. Mark, also, the faith of Mordecai, 
 whose fear of the unalterable Persian decree was less than his trust 
 in the faithfulness of God 4 : 14. Though he knew not how, he 
 foresaw indemnity to Israel ; and he asks the aid of Esther rather 
 for her honor than for their deliverance. See i John 5-45 
 
 For a fuller consideration of the special providence of Clod, as 
 taught in this book, read the " Hand of God in History," by Rev 
 rl. Keade. ' 
 
 4. Biographies. The contrast throughout, between the tone 
 of MorJecai and Daniel, under similar circumstances, and the 
 inferiority of the former to his contemporaries, Ezra and N. hemiah 
 IS very marked. Haman was of the cursed seed of Amalek. 
 
 5. Conmcthn with othei^ oarts of the Scriptures. The facts 
 related in this Ko^i^ -hn-ilrl K« — -, ' i ■ ^i. - - 
 
 --7 ""•-' -^o^^i^ be icau beiween the sixth and seventh 
 
 chapters of Ezra, which is their true historical position. Compare 
 Mordecai s position under Ahasuerus Esther 10 : 3, with that of 
 
 '11 
 
80 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STT'DY. 
 
 I 
 
 Ml 
 
 t 
 
 Ml 
 
 i' 
 
 40, and thai of Daniel at the 
 
 Joseph under Pharaoh Cien. 41 
 court of Babylon. Dan. 5 : 16-29. 
 
 JOB. 
 
 The poetical books include Job to Canticles. They are classed 
 together, mainly because they formed the devotional books of the 
 Jewish Church. Called poetical, because they are almost wholly 
 composed in Hebrew verse. 
 
 1. Anthornh'qy and date. It is supposed to have bten written 
 by Job ; while others attribute its authorship to Moses— notably the 
 beginning and ending of the book. 
 
 The most probable opinion fixes the date of this book as earlier 
 than Abraham. The arguments in support of this theory are: I. 
 The long life of Job extending to 200 years. 2. The absence of 
 any allusion to the Mosaic law, or the wonderful works of God 
 toward Israel m their departure from the land of bondage, and their 
 journey to Canaan which are constantly referred to by other writers, 
 as illustrating the character and government of Jehovah. 3. The 
 absence of any reference to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah; 
 which memorable event occurred in the vicinity where Job lived, 
 and which as a signal and direct judgment of the Almighty upon 
 the wicked, would hardly have been omitted in an argument of this, 
 nature. 4. The worship of the sun and moon being the only form 
 of idolatry mentioned ; which was, without question, the most 
 ancient, chap. 31. 26-28. 5. The manners and customs described, 
 which are those of the earliest patriarchs. 6. The religion of Job. 
 is of the same kind as that which prevailed among the patriarchs 
 before the Mosaic economy. It is the religion of sacrifices ; but 
 without any officiating priest or sacred place. 7. To these argu- 
 ments Dr. Hales has added one derived from Astronomy, 
 founded on chaps. 9 : 9. and 38 : 31-32. He states that the prin- 
 cipal stars there referred to, appear by a r.rrograde calculation, to 
 have been the carcMnal constellations of spring and aut-mn, about 
 B. C. 2130, or about 184 years before the birth of Abraham. 8. 
 The most ancient kind of writing, by sculpture, is mentioned in Job 
 19 : 24. 9. The manner in which wealth is estimated, by cattle ; 4,^ : 
 12. 10. The slavish homage of prostration to princes, which pre- 
 vailed from an early period in the East, was then unknown, no 
 traces of such adoration being found in this book. ii. The most 
 ancient species of idolatry is here mentioned, namely, Zebianism, 
 or the \yorship of the sun and moon. 31 : 26-28. 12. The 
 
 f 
 
hi!LP8 TO UIBLE 8TUJ>Y. 
 
 81 
 
 language spoken by all the persons named in this book— Idumeans 
 and Arabians— being purr Hclitew, we arc referred on the (lucsiiou 
 of its authorship to a period when this language had not yet branched 
 into differe.it dialects. The coincidences of names, with some of the 
 descendants of Ishmael and Esau, and supposed allusions tothede. 
 struction of Sodom 15 : 34; 28 : 15, are thought to refer to u date 
 nearer theExodus. The scientific and physical knowledge displayed 
 in it.and references to artificial instruments of advanced civilization, 
 41 : 7-13, have led some to assign it to the time of Sc!omon. 
 
 While agreement is nearly unif rm, that the historical incident 
 belongs to the patriarchal age, opinions differ as to the date of its 
 composition. Assyrian tablets and monuments show that there 
 were such animals and monsters known,— except the leviathan— and 
 that astronomical knowledge was as far advanced as that displayed 
 in the book of Job. 
 
 '2, Gharacter of contenU, 
 
 'Introductory narrative. 
 
 Opening of discussion. 
 
 First speech of Eliphaz. 
 
 Answer of Job. 
 
 First speech of Bildad. 
 
 Answer of Job, 
 
 First speech of Zophar. 
 
 Answer of Job to the \ 
 whole argument. \ 
 
 Patriarchal 
 history. Life 
 and experi 
 ence of J >b. 
 2180 or 2no, 
 B. C. ^ 
 
 1 Chaps. I, 2. 
 |-Chap. 3. 
 I Chaps. 4, 5. 
 1 Chaps. 6, 7. 
 1 Chap. 8. 
 1 Lhaps. 9, 10. 
 l-Ch-.p. II. 
 
 Chaps. 12-14. 
 
 Second speech of Eliphaz. J- Chap. 15. 
 
 Answer of Job 
 
 Chaps. 16, 17. 
 
 Second speech of Bildad. [-Chap. 18. 
 Answer of J, b. 1 Chap. 19. 
 
 )' Second speech of Zophar. \ Chap. 20. 
 
 Answer of Job 
 
 ^Chap. 21. 
 
 Third speech of Eliphaz. \ Chap. 22 
 
 Answer of Job, 
 
 Chaps. 23, 24. 
 
 Third speech of Bildad. [ Chap. 25. 
 Answer of Job and con- ^ ^,, 
 
 <\ijswci ui juu unu con- ( ^,, - 
 
 elusion oflhe cmtroversy \ ^^^^^- 20-32. 
 Speech of y.Oi\x. \ Chaps. 32-37. 
 
 Address ^: Jf hovah. | Chaps. 38-40. 
 
 Answer o. Jub. | Chap. 40 : 3-5. 
 
 Address ol Jehovah con- { Chaps. 40: 6 toend 
 
 tinued. j of 41. 
 
 Answer of Job and con- / .^, 
 
 elusion. { ^^^^P- 42. 
 
 This book is interestir^r as containing the earliest record of 
 palri.-rchal religion, as it was professed by one not probably of the 
 *eed of Abraham. 
 
 Hi 
 
 M 
 
I','!*' 
 
 ■ 
 
 82 
 
 llELfS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 •?. (Jt'ulrnl and collateral trutfis. Divine disci plink, 
 Afllictions— heart searchings— rest in God. Key thoughts : (i) The 
 book of individual discipline for the learning of self. (2) '* So God 
 blessed the latter end of Job more than the beginning." Doctrines 
 and lessons, i. The resurrection. 2, Repentance. 3. The Holy 
 Spirit an active agent in the work of creation. 4. The personality 
 and malic- of Satan. 5. The world by wisdom knows not God. 6. 
 The need of a daysman between God and sinner?. 7. The un- 
 searchable perfections of Jehovah. 8. " The end of the Lord, that 
 the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." 9. It is worthy of 
 notice, that if Job lived between the deluge and the call of 
 Abraham, we have an additional proof that God has never left the 
 world without witnesses to his truth. 10. Copy Elihu's humility, 
 though able to speak best he spoke last. 11. Uncharitableness is 
 of the devil ; I : 9, 10. Its origin, no less than its unloveliness, 
 should put us on our guard against it. 12. Whai wisdom is needed 
 to conduct controversy wisely, when even Job failed. 13. It teaches 
 the innate depravity of the human hea'^t, and the necessity of death 
 to self and acquiesence in the divine will. 
 
 Prominent words in this book: "Almighty," "afflicted," 
 "tongue." 
 
 4. Bioffraphies. Eli))haz was of Teman in Iduniea. This 
 was originally the name of a prince of the posterity of Esau. Gen. 
 36: 1 1- 1 5. Bildad belonged to a people descended from Shuah, 
 the last of the .sixs- ns of Ketuiah.the second wife of Abraham. Gen. 
 25. /ophar, who is called the Naamathite. Nothing further is 
 said of his descent or place of abode. In their controversy with Job 
 they uttered many deep truths. 
 
 That Job is a real character, is proved by the manner in which 
 he is introduced by the prophet Ezekiel, 14 : 14, and the apostle 
 James, 5:11. He was an inhabitant of Uz, in that part of Arabia 
 bordering on Judea, and has been supposed to be descended from 
 Uz, the eldest son of Nahor, Abraham's brother. 
 
 in Job we see the mighty power of grace to sustain the soul 
 under the deepest afflictions. Behold his patience, his resignation 
 and general integiity I But in the third chapter we see this eminent 
 saint yields to impatience, and curses the day of his birth ! How 
 are we to reconcile tlris outburst of depravity with his previous pru- 
 fession and divine indor.senient of his perfections ? This difficulty 
 may be met in two ways : i. " Allowing his perfection to be 
 
HELPS TO BIHLK .STUDY. 
 
 83 
 
 evangehcal-as in the Arminian l)alances- the divine indorsement 
 was primarily announced ; but afterwards he sinned, and gave 
 place to impatience, and cursed his birth. SanctiHed humanity is 
 not impeccable. 
 
 2. " We deem it a belter explanation to affirm that Job's per- 
 fection was a general indorsement of his moral standing. It was a 
 perfection less than the elimination 0/ all depravity. When Job 
 cursed his birth he indisputably became sinfully impktient. It was 
 an outburst of innate depravity. After that he did better • and God 
 then endorsed him as more correct than his companion. Whoever 
 undertakes to vindicate Job as being all the time a fully sanctified 
 man, undertakes a logical load that will break him down. We 
 think it safer to limit Job's perfection to his age, i. e , to the light— 
 the dim light of the patriarchial dispensation. We do not like the 
 common practice of referring to Old Testament samples to illustrate 
 New Testament standard perfection."— y,*. Qilhert. 
 
 5. Connection with other parts of the Scriptures. The book of 
 fob may be read in connecti m with Rom. 3 and Heb. 12 : 1-14 A 
 certain writer says : Job is the key to the whole Bible. If you 
 understand Job you will understand the entire Bible. I divide Job 
 into seven heads : i. A perfect man untried That is what God 
 said about lob ; that is Adam in Eden. 2. Tried by adversity • 
 and Job fell as Adam fell in Eden. 3. The wisdom of the world 
 The world tries to restore Job ; the wisdom of the world is centered 
 in his three friends. 4. Then comes the daysman ; that is Christ 
 5. God speaks. 6. Job learns his lesson, "I abhor myself and 
 repent in dust and ashes " 7. God restores him. 
 
 PSALMS. 
 
 1. Authorship and date. Composed at diflFerent times and 
 collected and arranged by Ezra and his companions, B. C. 450. 
 
 3. Character of consents. The composition of the Psalms ex- 
 tends over 1000 years of the national life from Moses to Malachi. 
 m which Hebrew history is set to music. The Psalms, both in the 
 Hebrew and in the Septuagint, are divided into five books, and the 
 close of each is indicated by a doxology-viz. : P«ilms 41 : 13 • 72 • 
 18-20 ; 89 : 52 ; 106 : 48 ; 150 : 6. Book I. Christ in covenunt 
 relation {o his people, walking in communion, though in the midst 
 of tnaks. Jehovah-the covenant title in redemption, occurring 
 more than 270 times. God-creation title, not fifty tin.es. Book 
 2. Christ m connection with his people, viewed as out of the land. 
 
 
d4 
 
 H(SLPS TO niBI-B HTtJDY. 
 
 Jeliovah, occurring about 30 limes and God more that! 200 times. 
 IJook 3. Chri.t in connect on with Israel from the beginning of 
 their history. Jehovah occurring about 50 times, and God about 60 
 times. Book 4. Christ coming to take the Kingdom and to bless 
 the Gentiles ; the progress and results ofhis advent being celebrated. 
 Jehovah occurring more than 100 times and God about 20 times. 
 IJook 5. Christ ruling over all to prepare the Jews for his earthly 
 reign. Jehovah occurring more than 230 limes, and God about 30 
 
 times. 
 
 One of these Psalms was composed 1500 B. C. They describe 
 Iragely in prophecy, the inner life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Unless 
 th s 'iict is kept constantly in view, they cannot be read intelligently. 
 Of the 75 quotations from the Psalms found in the New Testament, 
 more than fifty represent Christ as the speaker, or are directly ap- 
 plied to him, while he himself affirms that he is the theme of their 
 testimony. Luke 24 : 44 ; John 5 : 39- 
 
 In some of the Psalms David utters bitter curses against his 
 enemies. The most remarkable in this respect are Psalms 69 and 
 109 ; but these, Peter applies as prophecies fulfilled in the punish- 
 ment of Judas and of the Jews. This teaches us that we are to 
 understand the curses contained in the Psalms as thieatenings ut- 
 tered, or judgments foretold by a prophet of God, against hardened 
 and finally impenitent sinners ; and that the feeling with which we 
 should repeat them, should be an awful sense of God's holiness and 
 justice in the punishment of sin. 
 
 For a complete classification of the Psalms the reader is referred 
 to ''Townsend's Harmony of the Old Testament," and to "Angus' 
 Hand Book of the Bible." This book (Psalms) is valuable as sup- 
 plying addiiion.al scraps of history unrecorded in other books. 
 
 i]. Central and collateral truths. Experimental religion. 
 David—sin and sorro ^s— grace and triumph. Key thought : Th.; 
 book of experimental holy song and Messianic prophecy. The fal- 
 lowing titlcS-o( special Psalms-point out the leading idea of ea^h. 
 Psa. I. Photograph of a happy life. 2. Messiah the Prince. 4- 
 FA-ening hymn. 5. Morning hymn. 8. Song of the Astronomer. 
 12. Good thoughts for bad times. 19. Creation and redemption 
 anthem. 22. The Psalm of the Cross. 23. Heavenly pastoral. 
 2-. Ascerwion Anthem. 45. Brief form of 8ong of Solomon. 46. 
 Uuhcr's i'salm. 62. n:e' ^' only " I'^alm. 7°- A'^or mans' memo- 
 rial. 90. Ditge for dying humanity. 98- Coronation. 103. A 
 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 85 
 
 
 Bible in itself. 104. 1 1 em bold t says of ihis P«alm, ihat it is the 
 finest description to be found of nature. 
 
 Prominent words in this book : praise, joy, artliction, deliver, 
 keep, wait, mercy, prayer, peace, refuge, tongue, trust. 
 
 4. For whom h this book iteculimiy suitable ? 
 
 Specially for the Saint It is an epitome of the Bible, adapted 
 to the purposes of devotion. In the language of this book the 
 prayers of the church have been offered up from age to age. 
 
 5. How to he interpreted. 
 
 In studying the Psalms, two rules of interpretation are of prime 
 importance: first, ascertain the au hor, the historical origin, and the 
 obvious scope of the psalm ; second, carefully consider the historical 
 meaning of its terms and allusions, and ascertain from New Testa- 
 ment quotations, or from the general tenor of the gospel, how it is 
 to be applied, either to Christ or the Christian church. Though 
 perhaps, every Psalm is connected in its origin and allusions with' 
 an economy which was " to vanish away," all are no less clo.ely 
 connected in sentiment and applicability with the economy that 
 " abideth," and, wisely studied, Ihe whole book mav be made our 
 own, and become to us the expression of the holiest feelings in the 
 holiest form. 
 
 PROVERBS. 
 
 1. Aufhorshi/, ( ml date. This book was written chiefly by 
 Solomon, probably in the early part of his life. 
 
 2. Character oj contents. The object' of the book is stated 
 "to give subtilty to the simple to the young man, knowledge and 
 discretion. The language is poetical, and the matter is strongly 
 ethical. ^ It is a manual of practical rules of life, as the book of 
 Psalms is a manual of devotion. 
 
 Exhortations to the study of wisdom. |- Chaps. 1-9. 
 The wise maxims of Solomon's wisdom ) ,-,, 
 
 explained more fully, \ ^haps. 10-22 : 16. 
 
 Wisdom specially applied to individuals. } Chaps. 22-24. 
 Second collection of proverbs of Solomon [- Chaps. 25-29 
 Precepts of Agur.. Khaps. 30, 31. 
 
 S. Central and collateral truths. Wisdom. Piety— integrity- 
 purity. Key thought : The book of wisdom for the world. Wisdom 
 IS here used in the sense of piety. This book shows in vivid color, 
 the evils of intemperance ; the snares of n :hes and of evil women . 
 the mischief of sloth ; the sin ot pride and of oppressing the poor! 
 
 \a 
 
 ■ u 
 
86 
 
 HEM'S TO UIHLK STUDY. 
 
 Il further points out the causes of poverty ; shows the vahic of in. 
 dustry and of a ^ood wife, and (»ivcs much instruction on the proper 
 training of children. 
 
 If. Conncclion wUh other /lurf.s of the Scitptaro*. The I'ro 
 verbs are frequently quoted in the New Testament. See Malt. 15 : 
 4; Luke 14: II ; Rom. 12 : 16, 17 20 ; i Thess. 5: 14; i Pet. 
 4:8; 5:5; James 4 : 6. 
 
 Notice especially the invi ations and counsels to mankind by 
 Christ in the character of wisdom, and study each maxim in the 
 lijjht of Scripture examples. For instance : " Trust in the Lord 
 with all thine heart ; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 
 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." 
 Prov. 3 : 5, 6. For Scripture example^ in illustration, see 2 Chron. 
 14 (Asa); 2 Kings 14: 14 (Hezckiah); i Sam. 30: 6-8 (David); 
 Ezra 8 : 21-23 (Ezra); Abraham's servant Gen. 24: 12-27; Nehe 
 miah 2 : 4. Again : Prov. 4 : 14, " Enter not into the j^ath of the 
 wicked." Gen. 13 : 10-13 (Lot); I Sam. 23 : I (David). 
 
 Prov. I : 7. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of know- 
 ledge ; but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Rehoboam, i 
 Kings 12 : 13 ; Eli's Sons, I Sam. 2 : 25 ; Athenian Philosophers, 
 Ac. 17 : 18. 
 
 Prov. I : 10. " My son, if sinners entice thee consent thou 
 not." Adam, Gen. 3:6; Balaam, Num. 22 ; Jehoshaphat, I 
 Kings 22 : 4; prophet of Judah, I Kings 13: 15-19, 24; Miciah's 
 firmness, I Kings 22 : 13, 14. 
 
 Prov. I : 32. " The prosperity of fools shall destroy them." 
 The Israelites, Deut. 32 : 15-25 ; Hos. 13 : 6 ; Tyre, Eze. 28 : 2, 
 16, 17 ; Sodom, Eze. 16 : 49. 
 
 Prov. 4: 18, 19. "The path of the just is as the shining 
 light." The wise men. Matt. 2 : 1-13 ; Nathanael, John i : 46-51; 
 the eunuch, Acts 8 : 27-40 ; Cornelius, Acts 10 ; Paul, 2 Cor. 3 : 
 18. "The way of the wicked is as darkness; they ku-^w not at 
 what they stumble." Ahab, i Kings 18: 17 ; the Jews, Eze. 18: 
 29 ; |er. 5 : 19 : 25. Also their ignorance that the cause of their 
 present miseries is their rejection of the Messiah. Deut. 28 : 29. 
 
 Prov, 5 : 22. " His own iniquities shall take the wicked him- 
 self." Agag, I Sam. 15 : 33 ; Adoni-bezek, Judges I : 7 ; Haman, 
 Est. 7: 10; Judas, Matt. 27: 3-5. 
 
 Prov. 9: 8. "Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.'' 
 David loved Nathan ; Peter loved our Lord, John 21 : 17 ; the two 
 
HLLP8 TO iJinLR STUDY. 
 
 87 
 
 ^^>CMWc.con.t.ninecl their re,., ver to abide with then, Luke 24: 
 
 TvJvl '°'' '"^"^""'"^^'^ "' ick-chicss prolit nothing." 
 Tyre, Kzc. .... ,5; 27-28; the rid. man, Luke 16 • 2^ • Unt 
 ri^hteousnc <lc livereth from d- - . \h ('en \ . l 
 
 • 7 , iian 5.6; Belsh cururastcd with Daniel. 
 
 2 Kill'';/";/" /; "^^^ "^^'"^''y "f th. just is blessed/' Elish:,. 
 
 16 Mar 'vr.V ^ ' ' '^'"*""- '^ = '5 ; Dorcas. Acs 9: 
 Absalom, 2 ham. 18: 17 ; Jehoialdm. Jcr. 22: 18, ,9 ; Jezebel 
 2 l-ngs 9:37: Jeroboam, son of Nei>at. 2 Kings i • I \, 
 
 eoussha.M.,.nted.'^^:.::,,s:m.'^^ 
 
 17 ; Simeon, Luke 2 : 20. 10 • P«o ^-r . . . r u 
 
 „ ^' -J" ' ^sa.37: 4; John 1' : 2: 24 
 
 no mor-' ' E. h'* r^' ^'^ "'''"^"" ^^'^■^•^^''^' ^ '« ^^^ wicked 
 no more. Elah, i Km«s 16: 9; Zimri, i fin^s ,6- ,8 ,0 
 
 1 u the nghteous is an everlasting foundation." Abraham. Gen 
 17.1-8; David, 2 Sam. 7 : 16 ; Matt. 7 : 24. 25 
 
 Miriam \"^ "' " ^^'^'" ^^^^ '^""^^'^^' "'^" <^°'-^^h shame." 
 fe ar m":"':' ^^ ^ ^?\}^^^''^^' ^ ^'-^ ^6: 16-21 ; Nebuchad- 
 nezzar Dan. 4 : 30 "Hut with the lowly is wisdom." Daniel 
 Dan. 2 : 30 ; Joseph, (len. 41 : 16. ' 
 
 Prov. 11:5, 6. 'The righteousii ss of the perfect shall 
 direct h. way: but the wicked shall fall by his own' wick dn 
 Ihe righteousness of tl„ upright shall deliver them: but tra -' 
 gressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness." Haman Est 
 
 2 Sam'.. ^'' ^^'"''''' '''"'"'' ^'"- ^•' ^4; Ahithophels death," 
 2 Sam. 17 : 23, contrasted with David's restoration to his throne 
 
 Provii:,o. '* When it goeth well with the righteous ihe 
 city rejoiceth." Mordecai. Est. 8 : 16. "When the wlked 
 Penseth there is shouting." Sisera, Judges 5 ; Athaliah, 2 iSn 
 ii • 13, 20 ; Rev. 19 : 1.3. ® 
 
 Prov. II : 21 -Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall 
 not be unpunished." Tower of Babel, Gen. i : 4 • :he kin J 
 
 ^ButTe'^"^', JT'- r-^= '' ^ ; Adoni^edt' Josh 7o 
 But the seed of the nghteous shall be delivered," Mephi- 
 bosheth. 2 Sam. 21 : 7 ; Solomon, i Kings ii : 12, 34 • Abiiam 
 I Ku.gs 15:4; the Israelites often, Exo. 3 : 15. 17 ; . Kirlgf 8 ^19.' 
 
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 (716) 872-4503 
 
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 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 "But he 
 19-24 ; 
 
 ii 
 
 Prov. II : 25. '•The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he 
 that walereth shall be watered also himself." Abraham, Gen. 13 : 
 9: 14; widow of Zarephath, i Kings 17 : 10; the Shunamite, 2 
 Kings 4. 
 
 Prov. 12: 5, "The counsels of the wicked are deceit." 
 Oeshem, Neh. 6:2; Ishmael. Jer. 41 : 1-7 ; Daniel's accusers to 
 Darius, Dan. 6:8; Herod's to the wise men, Matt. 2 ; the 
 Pharisees respecting the tribute money, Matt. 22 : 15 ; the Jews 
 lying wait for Paul, Acts 23 : 15. 
 
 Prov. 12: II. ** He that foUoweth vain persons is void of 
 understanding." Followers of Abimelech, Judges 9 ; and of 
 Absalom, 2 vSam. 15 ; of Theudas and Judas, Acts 5 : 36, 37. 
 
 Prov. 12 : 13. •' The wicked is snared by the transgression of 
 his lips ; but the just shall come out of trouble." Adonijah, i 
 Kings 2 : 23 ; Daniel's accusers, Dan. 6 : 24 ; the Jews, Matt. 
 27 : 25. 
 
 Prov. 12 : 15. ''The way of a fool is right in his own eyes.'' 
 Lot's sons in law, Gen. 19 ; 14; Pharisees, John 9 : 34. 
 that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise." Moses, Exo. i8 
 Apollos, Acts 18 : 24-26 ; Pharaoh, Gen. 41 : 37-45 ; Jacob, Gen. 
 43 : II ; Nathanael, John i ; 46, 47. 
 
 Prjv. 12 : 19. •' The lip of truth shall be established for ever." 
 Caleb and Joshua, Num. 13 : 14 ; Nathan to David, 2 Sam. 7 : 12- 
 17 ; with Luke i : 32. •' But a lying tongue is but for a moment." 
 Gehazi, 2 Kmgs 5 ; Annanias, Acts 5. 
 
 Prov. 12 : 25. " Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it 
 stoop, but a good word maketh it glad." Nehemiah, Neh. 2, 12 ; 
 the woman that was a sinner, Luke 7 : 38, 50 ; Mary Magdalene, 
 John 20 : iii.'i; Luke 24: 17-32. 
 
 Prov. 11:7. "There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath 
 nothing." Haman, Est. 5: 13; church of Laodicea contrasted 
 with the church of Smyrna, Rev. 3 : 17 ; 2 : 9 ; Ahab, i Kings 
 21 : 4, 16, 22. "There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great 
 riches." Matthew, Luke 5: 27, 28; Paul, 2 Cor. 6: 10; Phil. 
 3: 8. 
 
 Prov 13 : 24. " He that spareth his rod hateth his son, but 
 he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes." Eli, i Sam. 3 : 13 ; 
 David, I Kings i : 5, 6. 
 
 Prov. 14: 6. * A scornerseekethwisdom, andfindeth itnot." 
 Athenian philosophers, Acts 17: 18; Herod, T uke 23 : 8 ; the 
 
 H 
 
HBU'S TO DIBLR STUDY. 
 
 89 
 
 Jews looking for the Messiah, and yet rejecting Christ Acts u ■ 
 to; „ ;"'<r?;"^^f'58'oo;jas. ,:5;Ma„.,n.5. 
 
 his «: ■•■ loh^^ : ,?!,:;„?": .°6 "k"™"^"' ' '° • "•'"^"""' 
 
 fxii f r /'^ • 20 , i.eut. 4:6: Lcc. 12 : 13. «« But the 
 
 c uU Dat 6^ '"^'a" ^•^'^^' ^ ^^"^^ 5= -A;; Dani^r: 
 accusers, Dan. 6 : 24 ; Annanias and Sapphira, Acts 5 : r-n 
 
 necs^'^Honh .^'- ;;j^r-k^d is driven away in his wi;ked- 
 
 h! h H ^ ."' '"^ ^ ^'"''^''' ^ ®"'"- 4 = "• " «"t the righteous 
 hath hope in his death." Jacob, Gen aq. ,s . q.^^u J";^°"^ 
 cr firY . ij I rj,. *' ' '^"* 49 • lo htephen, Acts 7 : 
 
 55-60; Paul. 2 Tim. 4: 6-8; Peter. 2 Peter , : ,4: ,6 ; 3 : 13. 
 
 Prov. 
 
 15: I. "A soft 
 
 p , . - , answer turneth away wrath." The 
 
 Reubemtes Josh. .. , .5,^,-30, Gideon, Judges 8 : ,.3 Abigail 
 
 Chron, 10 : ,3 ; Snul and Jonathan, I Sam. 20 : 30.34 
 
 (he wlv"" '^A '"' ■' "^'"''""°" '^ grievous to him that (orsalceth 
 (he way. Asa, a Chron. ,6 : ,0 ; the Jews, Isa. i : , • Tcr 5 • 
 
 filh-^^K *°- "^"^ "= "'^' ■""="' -p'^fshaii di ..• li; 
 
 ™.'7 • 'r .'/;;.; \i ^^™- ^-^ ^ ^^ ■> -^^ j-. ^ ch.on. ,e = 
 
 Prov. ,0 : , J. ..The destruction of the poor is their poverty ■' 
 ■nasmuch as ■( exposes them .0 injuriesand abuses. But so ne, ml, 
 poverty ,s a protection, as appears in the tremendous JudgZtt 
 fl.ctedon the Jews by Nel,uchadne^^ar , where we are told he 
 burnt eve,y great man's house, (aking all that had property ao ive 
 butleavng the poor of the land ,0 be vine dresserl '. Ki.^gfrs i 
 
 .7 • fs""' 'tV- '• ■ " "' """ "'"'"' ""■'"'^'"P '^ '""^■" S« also 
 
 ircums'tancis but a"? ™"<'™".»"°" "' -'"^'y^hips, under all 
 
 rash"r ^^ '"^ '^'"'' ""denaking them 
 
 and *!,?'• '^ r"' " '"^'^ ""^^^ ^' "'f". ""deth a «ood (hintr 
 and obtameth favor of the Lord. '• Manoah found it so b^t Ahab 
 did not, nor Job, nor Jehoram, ' ^^""^ 
 
 Prov. 22 : 6. " Train up a child in (he way he snould <-o and 
 when he is old he will not depart from if " P, '''.«°' """^ 
 
 «hll«,i i„ „ 1 , . . i'"'" """' "• Pious prmciples n- 
 
 Stilled m early youth, sdUom fail ol operating in old age. Moses 
 Samuel, Timothy are instances of it. Yet wicked aL? on rl 
 
 ri:::-^ — p'- -^-^d in scripr:;^^^:^ 
 
 a wicked father, and the father 
 
 vva'j 
 
90 
 
 HKLPS TO Bll3r,E STUDY. 
 
 of a wicked son. Jeroboam had a pious son, Abijah ; and Samuel 
 a Joel and Abiah, who turned out unjust judges, though we have no 
 intimation, as in (he case of ICli, that he had been too indulgent V, 
 them. 
 
 5. 
 
 Rules Jor applying the Proverbs, i. Like all general laws 
 some of them have occasional exceptions. Not all are unlimited or 
 universal. For example, IVov. 27 : "The fear of the Lord prolongeth 
 days, but the yearc of the wicked shall be shortened." Such is 
 often the case, but Abel was murdered, and the life of Gain pro- 
 longed. Jonathan and Saul— the one a very brother of David, the 
 other an apostate-perish in the same battle. " The corn cut down 
 with the weeds, though to better purpose." Men are less likely to 
 harm us if we be followers of that which is good, and yet per;e- 
 culion, because of our goodness is supposed, i Peter 3 : 13. In 
 truth, God has to teach us a double lesson— that he certainly will 
 punish, and that he will- punish hereafter. The shortening of the 
 years of the wicked— present punishment-teaches the first, the 
 lengthening of their years-the postponement of punishment— the 
 .second. Hence both the exception and the rule. Prov. 16 : 7. 
 " When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies 
 to be at peace with him." So it was with Abraham and the 
 Israelites, with Solomon and Jehoshaphat ; so it was not with 
 David or Paul. 2. The force and significancy of these maxims will 
 be most clearly seen and felt, if they be studied in the light of 
 Scriptural examples. They are comprehensive laws, understood 
 best when examined in particular cases. 
 
 6. AJiscellaneous notes. We are not generally to expect any 
 connection, either of sense or sentences in this book ; but this is 
 like a heap of pearls, loose and unstrung. 
 
 Proverbial instruction is common in the early history ot most 
 nations, and especially in the East. This style of communication 
 excites attention, exercises ingenuity is favorable to habits of reflec- 
 tion, and fastens truth on the memory in a form at once agreeable 
 and impressive. The elegance an I force of the Proverbs of Solomon 
 are increased by the poetic parallelisms in which they are written. 
 Nearly every sentence is antithetical or explanatory, and attention 
 to corresponding clauses will often fix the reading and determine 
 the sense. 
 
HELPS TO UIBLE STUDY. 
 
 91 
 
 ECCLESIASTES. 
 ./. Authorship and date. Written by Solomon, B. C. 977, prob- 
 ably at the close of his life, after his lapse into sin, i Kings 11 • 
 I-13. 
 
 S. Character oj covf.nts. Chapters one to six show the vanity 
 of all earthly pleasures and occupations ; chapters 7 to 13 show the 
 nature, excellence and benefits of true religion. In this book wis- 
 dom IS used in the sense of science, or sagacity. 
 
 3. Central and collateral truths. Vanity. Pleasure -riches- 
 ambition. Key thoughts : (i) The book of one who found the world 
 too small for his heart. (2)" Vanity of vanities ; all is vanity," chap. 
 I : 2. This is it first lesson.-" Fear God and keep his command- 
 ments -IS Its last. The main object is to show the utter insufiicency 
 of earthly objects of desire and pursuit to confer real happiness. The 
 mscrutableness of many of the arrangements of Divine Providence in 
 this life, together with the universality of Divine control in the affairs 
 of men IS also set forth ; also the numerous and '.iter disappoint- 
 ments often experienced in the failure of human purposes and plans 
 The need of the gospel, rather than the gospel itself, is proclaimed 
 m this book. Note especially the beautiful description of (ne in- 
 firmities of old age in the last chapter. Use temporal things but 
 desire eternal. To seek God is to desire happiness-to find him is 
 that happiness. 
 
 4. C'o7mection with other 2)art.s of the Scriptures. We believe 
 that this book is not directly quoted by our Lord and his Apostlt-s 
 yet there are several references to it in the New Testament. The 
 book is interesting, as it supplies satisfactory evidence of the fact 
 that towards the close of his life, Solomon repented of his unholy 
 practices and licentious principle , if in such a course asispiobable 
 he had imbibed them. ' 
 
 5. For whom is this book peculiarly suitable? Let the young 
 learning from it the guilt and danger of yeilding to the imaginations 
 of the heart, 11:9, remember their Creator in the days of their 
 youth ; old age. even if they reach it, being a very unfi. season to 
 begm SD important a concern as the salvation of the soul. 
 
 6- Miscellaneovs notes. It is a strange proof of the depravity of 
 oui nature that modern infidels-Frederick the gre..t, Voltaire and 
 others -have warmly praised those parts of Ecclesiastes in which 
 Solomon records the false principles which his folly had for the 
 moment led him to maintain. The true wisdom of the book they 
 
r 
 
 ama 
 
 »2 
 
 HKLP.S TO lUlUiK STUDV. 
 
 entirely disregard. Tl is necessary to keep the eye steadfastly fixed 
 on the purport of the discourse, and to discriminate what the author 
 delivers in his own and what in an assumed character. 
 
 SOLOMON'S SONG. 
 
 1. Authorship and date. It was written probably by Solomon, 
 in the early part of his reign. 
 
 ^. Character of contents. This poem is said to be the only 
 remaining one of the 1,005 songs composed by Solomon. In the 
 Hebrew idiom it is called the song of songs, or the best of them all. 
 Both Jewish and Christian tradition agree in this. It is not quoted 
 m the New Testament; but it formed part of the Jewish Scriptures. 
 This book gives a description of wedded love. It is applied by 
 Jews and Christians to the history of the chosen people of God, and 
 their relation to him. It is said by others, that the more probable 
 time of its compilation is^the period of Kehoboam's reign ; and that 
 it refers to an overture of peace between the two kingdoms. A 
 sublime and mystical allegory referring to the Lord Jesus Christ, 
 and Hiii union with a pure church. 
 
 3. Central and collateral truths. Union whh Christ. In- 
 dividuality-completeness-perpetuity. Key thought: _nebook 
 of on« wh. found the object too great for his heart. Looking at 
 this .,ong from the position of the Old Testament, its ground idea 
 is, "Thy maker is thy husband." identical with this is the New 
 Testament idea : " The bride, the Lamb's wife." 
 
 4. Abuse of interpretation. Much of the language of this poem 
 was misunderstood by early expositors. Son^e have erred by 
 adopting a fanciful method of interpretation— attempting to give a 
 mystical meaning to every minute circumstance of the allegory. In 
 all figurative representations there is always much that is mere 
 costume. It is the general truth only that is to be examined and 
 explained. Others, not understanding the spirit and luxuriancy of 
 Eastern poetry, have considered particular passages as defective in 
 delicacy— an impression which the English version had needlessly 
 confirmed ; and so they have objected to the whole ; though the 
 objection does not apply with greater force to this book than to 
 Hesiod and Homer, or even to some of the purest of our own 
 authors. If it be remonbered that the figure employed in this ' 
 allegory is one of the most frequent in Scripture— that in extant 
 oriental poems it is const;. ntly employed to express religious feelimr 
 
\l 
 
 II ELI'S TO lllBLl! SiUDV. fjg 
 
 -.ha, many expressions which are applied in our translalion ,o .he 
 
 pe.son, beionK.ng prorerly lo .he dres,-!hat every generation has 
 
 o Z"::lr °'"".'=-^-'h'^ ^^ "elica.e in .hIsLse h ing b^ 
 
 tha. Hsl ,""' '""'^^ ""'' '^ ^P°''™ "' collectively, and 
 
 tha. ,t ,s he general .ru.h only which is to be allegorizedl.he 
 
 Christ a" r""?,'" "' "" "■"" -P— 'ion of .he union be.w en 
 po2„ o s 1' Mf '" '■'"' "«" ''™P"'^ ""''=-'<'«'. '^'S 
 
 frorZ- t-,\ P""'"" °f ""> -f'"^ 'o wi'hhold .he book 
 
 from their children till their judgments were matured. 
 
 55 I 4. 6 ; 62 : c • Ter 2 ■ !. ■ , . ■ . IT ^ '"• 45 . isa. 
 
 ■^ -' • ^ ' 3 : I ; r,ze. 16 : 10 11 * Hoc o. 
 
 •4-23 ! Matt. 9 : ic J 22 ■ 2 • 2e ■ . ,, t u ^ ' 
 
 2- Enh c ,,,- n ' '• ■•"> Johns: 29; 2 Cor. 11 : 
 
 2. 1-ph. 5.- 2V27,Rev. 19: 7.9; 2,. 2.g. 22. ,^ 
 
 PKOl'HKTICAL BOOKS 
 
 Nahfr'/e7 "t- -f""? ''■ ■r"^'- Amo., Hosea. Isaiah Micah. 
 jNahura /ephaniah prophesied before the caplivitv • Teremiah 
 
 M::<S-^;er';;f ; '''"'"''"'"'' "-"^ Hagglf/ZechZ ' 
 w^rilltl! : K T; ''"P'"'^' ""' 6^"""' »PP'"ation 
 
 Xfsth t c ter 'oft:' "'," '"'' ""' '"""""'' P'-P""^- 
 also ,» V„ I M . ' °P''' '""' """"■"">' 'h= «»'«<«»(* 
 "SO . « (,., .Samuel, Nathan, Gad, Iddo, Isaiah, Jeremiah Exulan 
 a ion of erms . the prophet. : Jewry, country of Judea ^Wh 
 the caprtal of Assyria , Tyre and Sidon, the two principal citks of 
 
 I'ZZ ■ Tt? "' ""'"' "' ''■^'"^"- """^'""^ '-"'"- 
 
 meamngs. i. The country around Babylon, 2. The country of 
 
 des' ."•.^■^ ?'• ^"^'^ '="""">' "f ^'"•'i.ans, or A^bs 
 descendants of Ishmaelites. Mohammed, an Arab; hi coun.Vyme,; 
 who followed him were called Saracens. Ethiopia, the name o" 
 
 ISAIAH. 
 
 1. AtUhor.shtpaml date. Written by Isaiah, who prophesied 
 dunng the re.gns of Uzdah. Jothan, Ahaz. and Hezekiah. iH^lZr 
 judan Ji. C. 765-69S, '*^ 
 
J 
 
 04 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE nTUDY 
 
 
 ..''- Character of contcufs, 
 
 ReiK. .,f Uz/iah. ) /^'"n^Htion of the Jews. > ^. 
 
 f Gospel times. j <-/naps. 1-5. 
 
 Reigns of Jotham i , • , , ) 
 
 and Ahaz. j Invasion of Judea. Chaps. 6-12. 
 
 ( Tredictions against vari- / ^, 
 Reign of Heze- ) °"^ "^^ions. j Chaps. 13-24. 
 
 kiah. 1 Calamities. Deliver- / ^,, 
 
 I ance. Gospel times. t ^'^''^^- ^5 35- 
 
 L Historical. «. Chaps. 36-39. 
 
 / Introductory. [- Chap. 40. 
 
 Promises of deliverance I ^, 
 from iJabylon. j Chaps. 41-48. 
 
 Advent of Messiah. ) 
 i J[^'^p'j"gf '^"^Fpniisescon- [ Chaps. 49 57. 
 
 Close of Heze- 
 kiah's reign. 
 
 nected therewith. 
 
 Messiah in his propheti- 
 cal and priestly offices, f ^. „ ^^ 
 
 Future triumphs of his ( ^^^P^- 58 66. 
 Vkingdom. ) 
 
 3. Central and collateral truths. Messiah. Humiliation— 
 death-triumph-glory. Key thoughts : i. The book of compre- 
 hensive and magnificent histor.. 2. "The vision of Isaiah which 
 he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. " 3. Salvation. 
 
 Prominent words: Light, darkness, affliction, salvation, 
 strength, peace, delight, ashamed, I will. Note God's great care 
 for his people and for his messengers. Sixteen chapters refer to 
 the Messiah. Hezekiah in deep affliction sends for Isaiah to piay 
 for the nation. Sennacherib sends Hezekiah a threatening, blas- 
 phemous letter. Hezekiah spreads it before the Lord. God hears 
 his prayer, and promises to put a hook in his nose, and defeat .«en- 
 nacheiib, which he did and smote five thousand one hundred and 
 eighty of I he Assyrians ; Sennacherib himself being killed. Fifteen 
 years was added to the life of Hezekiah in answer to his prayer- 
 Hezekiah, on his recovery, shows the messengers of Meiodach- 
 baladan. King of Babylon, all his treasures, and all he had. Isaiah 
 was sent to reprove him for this, and foretells the Babylonian cap- 
 tivity. This conduct was a mark of pride in Hezekiah, and became 
 a temptation to his enemies. In 2 Chron. 32 : 31, we learn that 
 Hezekiah did this while God had left him to try what was in his 
 I eart. 
 
 In reading this, and every other book of the prophets, particular 
 attention should be paid to the sins whiHi np^nii^ri,,,.^!!^^ r^-^u ^u- 
 
 \ ■ 
 
HKLl'S TO BIBLK .STUDY. 
 
 95 
 
 indignation of Oo.I, that we may avoid them. Thus, besides the 
 grosser sips of bloodshed, oppression, slaying the children in the 
 valleys, ,n the clefts of the rocks, etc., may be noticed covetousness 
 5:8; confounding the distinctions betwe.,'n right and wrong, 5 : 20 ; 
 self conceit, 5 : 21 ; disregard of God's providence, 5 : 12 ; 29 : 15 '; 
 a heart intoxicated with success, and giving itself up to worldly 
 pleasure, 47 : 8 ; 22 : 13. So also the evil of pride in liabylo. 
 14 : 13 ; Moab, 16 : 6 ; Tyre, 23 : 9 ; Kphraim, 28 : 3 ; Shebna, 
 22 : 16-19 ; Sennacherib. 37 : 23 ; and the b'c':si-.g of humility are 
 very observable. Human philosophy thought humility incompatible 
 with other virtues ; the Bible declares all other virtues to be vices 
 and defects without it. 
 
 4. Prophecies fuf filled. In the writings of Isaiah we find 
 several prophecies which had an early or immediate fulfillment • 
 and these, as they were fulfilled, confirmed the faith of the people' 
 in the more remote. Syria and Israel, for example, were to be 
 conquered by Assyria before the infant son of the prophet could 
 say, '« My father. " The glory of Kedar was to fall in one year, that 
 of Moab m three years, that of Ephraim in sixty-five years, that of 
 Tyre in seventy years, while the predicted prolongation of Heze- 
 kiah's life must have established the authority of the prophet, and 
 illustrated the providence of God. 
 
 5. Connection with other parts oj the Scriptures. Read in 
 connection with Isaiah to know the actual state of the people of 
 Judah at that particular time, 2 Kings 14-20 ; 2 Chron. 26-32 
 Observe also that chapters 36-39 of Isaiah are identical with 2 Kines 
 18-20. ^ 
 
 6. Miscellaneous notes. It may be well, before entering upon 
 the pi-ophecies, to say that they must be studied in the light of two 
 principles : First, they express the counsels of God with respect to 
 his Son, and look on to the great crisis that is to us'.ier in his second 
 advent. Second while many of the events which they predict may 
 have had a fulfillment in the past, they can have their fulfillment 
 only in that grand consummation, toward which the church and the 
 world are so fast hastening. The five books, known as " the law," 
 give us the utterance of God's voice, showing what man ought to 
 be. followed by the historical books, showing what man is under 
 the best circumstances. " The prophets " give us the utterance of 
 God's voice, showing what man will be till Jesus comes. The five 
 books known as "the Psalms," and including Job, Psalms 
 
11 
 
 OG 
 
 HKLPH TO HIBLK STDDY. 
 
 ncc ,?,„•"•■"'" """ "■' '"'"^ "' So'""'-, liive us .he u..-.- 
 
 Lun< er , , ," t ■ ""' '""" ""^ P'" '" "-"•■ being .aw„ 
 asumler, („r contradicting or adding to the Mosaic law. Isa 6 • i 
 compare with Ex. 33 : 20. 
 
 JKRKMIAH, 
 
 ,i.H 1' r*""'"™'* «"<' «''"«• Written by Jeremiah, who prophe-" 
 sted dunng the reign, of Josiah. Jehoiakim' and Zedekiah' .'c. 
 
 i^. Character of contents. 
 
 Reign of Josiah, Chaps. 1-12. 
 
 Reign of Jehoiakim. Chaps. 13-23 : 25, 26. 35, 36, 65, 69. 
 
 ReignofZedekiah, Chaps. 21. 24, 27. 34. 39, i- 
 
 Gedahah, chaps 40-44. 
 
 Added by Ezra, after Jeremiah's death, Chap. 52. 
 vonn T"^ °[ '^' ^""'^ '"'"^ ^° J"^^"^^^^ ^hen he was very 
 
 I amh at the distance of about ,00 years. He delivered his discourses 
 
 thelaH ' rJ'""''. ^"''"^ ' P'"°^ °' "^^'^ ^'^^^ 40 years ; and hence 
 it en I ^.'^.°"°'"S'^^' -^" -^ J"gi-l arrangement. Although 
 
 iW ! r" ","" ^"'''' ^" ^'^^ "°^' ^^>''"g circumstances, 
 Zs" /t/Tf"Saf--ediately succeeding the Babylonian 
 nm . and the fall of Jerusalem, he may be pre-eminently called 
 the prophet of hope. He was regarded as the bird of evil omen 
 by he rulers of Jerusalem, and was subjected to the greatest perse- 
 cut on. He saw the city besieged and taken, his warnings 
 neglected, but fulfilled, his fellow citizens carried captive, and 
 Jerusa em a heap of ruins. In an adjoining cave he wrote his 
 lamentations over it. A remnant rallied round him after th death 
 of Gedalmh, and were forbidden by God, through his mouth, to 
 flee into Egypt ; but they accused him of falsehood and disregarding 
 the divme command, carried him with them into that country, where 
 according to Jerome, he was put to death. 
 
 3 Central and collateral truths. Judgment and mercy. 
 Kebelhon-desolation-captivity-deliverance. Key thought: The 
 book of judgment upon Judah, nations, and latter day glory In 
 Jeremiah we have an example of the strictest fidelity in reproving 
 s.ii^ milled with ihe deepest compassion for the sinner. Note his 
 sufferings. Jn the 20 chap, we are told that he was put in the stocks 
 for dehvermg God's message. In chap. 32, Zed. kiah imprisons him J 
 
HKLP8 TO BIBLK MTDDY. 
 
 97 
 
 in chap. 37, he is smitten, and ftt,rnin cast int.) prison ; and in ;S 
 he IS cant into the dungeon, and sinks into the mire. 
 
 From his predictions may he clearly shown that the prophets 
 under the Mosaic law, foresaw its abrogation, .nnd acknowledged it 
 was mtended to introduce the gospel scheme. lie speaks of the 
 ark being no more remembered, of the abolition of legal ordinances 
 the propagation of a more spiritual religion, and says that the new 
 covenant, which God would make with Messiah, would set aside 
 the old one. He also foretells the call of the Gentiles, and the 
 final restoration of Israel. Ho further describes the efficacy of the 
 atonement ;-the excellence of the gospel in j iving holiness as well 
 as pardon. 
 
 4. Connection with other paHn of the Scriptures. For the first 
 fulfillment of the prophecies respecting the return of the Jews, read 
 Ezra and Nehemiah. 
 
 o. 
 
 Miscellaneous notes. The book of Jeremiah differs from 
 that of Isaiah m this respect ; that while it was the leadi.g object 
 of Isaiah to attempt the reformation of the Jews, the awful nature 
 of Jeremiah's message was to proclaim the near desolation of his 
 country, now hardened in impenitence. This gives a peculiar 
 feature both to his character and writings which has led to his being 
 called the weeping prophet. His name translated is "He shall 
 exalt Jehovah " and his whole life was spent in endeavoring to pro- 
 mot"; God's glory. ^ 
 
 His prophecies were known to Daniel in Babylon. Dan. 9 : 2. 
 LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH. 
 
 1. Authorship and date. Written by Jeremiah after the cap- 
 tivity and taking of Jerusalem. 
 
 3. Oharmter of contents. I his remarkable poem is a dirge 
 consisting of five elegies, sung amid the ruins of Jerusalem. As in 
 the Psalms, the sufferings of God's people are so linked with the 
 suflTenngs of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he is to be kept in view all 
 the time. The chapters of this book express, with most pathetic 
 tenderness, the grief of Jeremiah for the desolation of Jerusalem 
 and the captivity of Judah, the miseries of famine, the cessation of 
 all religious worship, and the various other calamities by which his 
 countrymen had been visited according to his predictions. 
 
 3. Central and collateral truths. Unutierahle woe. Cal 
 amities and sorrows- humiliation and prayer. Key thought : 'l^he 
 
r 
 
 98 
 
 Illtr-rH TO lUIJLK HTUUY. 
 
 book of j^udly feelings ill view of laia-Tj soirow.s The use of this 
 book no (loiibl was f^rcat to the pioiis Jews in their sufferinj^s, 
 furnishing ihein «iih languaj^e to express their natural i;rief, and 
 helping; to preserve in them a hvely renieml. ranee of their dtsolatttl 
 Zion ; and as well for their children who did not see it, who were 
 in captivity. His leadinj; object is to teach his countrymen neither 
 to despise *' the chastening of the Lord, nor to faint when they were 
 rebuked of Him " but, turning to (iod with deep repentance, to look 
 to him alone for deliverance. When we consider the illtrentment 
 which Jeremiah received from his countrymen, the spirit which he 
 here displays is a striking illustration of the influence of the Holy 
 (ihost on the heart of a true servant of (iod. 
 
 4. ConnecHon with ol/tcr parts 0/ fJi<' Scn/iturcn, '] his book is 
 is a kind of appendix to the prophecies of Jeremiah, of which, in the 
 original Scriptures, it formed a part. Compare Lam. 3, with Job. 
 
 3 : 13-23. , 
 
 J. For whom is t/iin hook jtcculiarlt/ Huitahlc ? This book is 
 eminently adapted to the afllicted and to those who mourn over the 
 desolations of /ion. 
 
 EZEKIEL. 
 
 i. Authoi'iilup and date. Written by Kzekiel, who prophesied 
 for about 22 years, B. C. 595-574, duiing the early part of the 
 captivity, both before and after the destruction of Jerusalem, and 
 was contempor.^ry with Jeremiah and Daniel. He was among the 
 first cajjlivts who were carried away l(; Babylon by Nebuchad- 
 nezzar, and was probably settled with other exiles on the banks of the 
 river Chebar, which was the principal scene of his predictions, 
 though he was occasionally conveyed in spirit to Jerusalem. 
 
 ;^. Character o/" contents. 
 
 Call and Commission of ) ^,, 
 
 > Chaps. 
 
 Eztkiel. 
 
 1-3. 
 
 During the cap- 
 tivity. From the 
 fifth to the twenty^ 
 seventh year there "^"^ 
 of. 
 
 Denunciations against ) ^, 
 the Jews. ! Chaps. 3-24. 
 
 Judgments against sur- | .,. 
 
 unding nations. \ "-"^P^* ^-^ 32. 
 
 Restoration and conver- ) ^v 
 sionofthejcws. j Chaps. 33-39. 
 
 1 Vision of the second ) ^., o 
 
 \ Temple. I Chaps. 40-48. 
 
hkli'h to hM.i: mtudy. 
 
 99 
 
 The (lesion <,f K/ckiel's proplurics was to instruct the captives, 
 so that whilst Jciemiah was denouncing the ju.lynunts ol ( m..1 .-t 
 Jerusalem, promising c»,nsolation to the faithful and threatening the 
 cli^oLcdient and idolatrous with punishment. Kzekiel was pursuing 
 the >ame course at Hahylon, confirming the truth of Jeremiah's pre- 
 dictions as to the sp-edy disi.uction of krusalem, comforting the 
 pious among the captive Jews with the assurance of their future 
 rf.storation and of the divine ju<Igments upon their cruel oppressors, 
 and predicting the rtouiishing and happy state of the church in the 
 tunes of the Messiah. The predictions of Ezekiel a.e marvelously 
 varied. He has instances of vision 8- 1 1 ; symbolical actions 4:8- 
 similitudes 12:15; parables 17 ; Proverbs 12 : 22 ; 18 : i ; poems 
 l9;nllegores 23. 24; and open prophecies 6, 7, 20. Ezekiel's 
 prophecy war; largely for the envourauement of Israel. In the 
 vision of dry bones, it was intended, no doubt, to revive their hope; 
 and It may be considered as an earnest of a general restoration here 
 promised to the whole house of fftrnel. 
 
 a. Central and coUaUral truths. Destruction ok Jeru- 
 salem. Idolatnj-nhemon-cnidivity-reMoration. Key note • 
 The book of judgment upon Israel, and connected nations, 
 with future blessin. of Israel. Notice the self-denial and suf- 
 fering to which Ezekiel was called in the discharge of his office 
 and yet his ardent love for his countrymen ; the wickedness of 
 the Jews at Jerusalem, immediately before their destruction, 
 particularly illustrated by the conduct of Pelatiah, and his awful 
 death, producing no change in their conduct; the deceit they 
 practised on themselves in the commission of sin ; the mention of 
 disobedience to parents ami profanation of the Sabbath, as among 
 the sms which brought upon them God's wrath ; the treatment of 
 Ezek.el s ministry by the Jews in captivity ; the conduct of the Jews 
 m Judea. who after the destruction of Jerusalem, instead of being 
 awed by so terrible a visitation, persisted in the same sins, and 
 confidently hoped to be enriched by the ruin of their brethren, 
 rhese are views of human nature given by the Holy Spirit for our 
 admonition. Observe also Pharaoh's pride, and God's notice of it. 
 The vision of the dry bones, setting forth the restoration of the 
 people of Israel, illustrates to us the only means by which our 
 nature can be raised from the death of sin to the life of righteous- 
 ness. But let us remember that though God works in us to will and 
 to do, we must seek His grace bv sincere renpn«an-- '^'•- -^ 
 
 s. li\. VH.ICt3 
 
I 
 
 100 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 I I 
 
 of Israel, rcj^arding inumity in their hearts, were not heard. Of 
 the prophecies and types respecting the Messiah's kingdom, may l>e 
 particularly noticed — the prophecies in which Christ is spoken of in 
 the character of a shepherd, and untlcr the title of David, as being 
 the person in whom all the promises made to David are fulfilled ; 
 and the vision of the holy waters, issuing out of the temple, and 
 theii virtue ; a most beautiful emblem of the gradual progress of the 
 gospel, and of the influences of the Holy Spirit accompanying it. 
 
 4. Biograiihy. Bzekiel was, like Teremiah, a priest as well as 
 a prophet. His name signifies : " The power of God girding with 
 strength." He was a man of great energy of mind, vigor of con" 
 cej)tion, and tenderness of heart, subordinating his whole li e to the 
 great work of his prophetic office, and was eminently fitted, both by 
 natural disposition as well as by si:)irilual endowments, for the 
 special department of service to which he was divinely called. The 
 style of his writings is particularly vigorous and bold, picturesque 
 in imagery, commanding in diction, manifesting at times sternness 
 v/ith dignity, and frequently referring to the spirit and form of the 
 ceremonial law. We learn from an incidental allusion in chapter 
 24 : 18 — the only reference which the prophet makes to his personal 
 history — that he was married and had a house, 8 : i, in the place of 
 exile, and that he lost his wife by a sudden and unforseen stroke. 
 Tradition says that he was put to death by one f his fellow-exiles, 
 a leader among them, whose idolatries he had rebuked : and in the 
 .iiiddle ages what was calleu his tomb was shown, net far from 
 Bagdad. 
 
 The lost ten tribes. The ten tribes composing the kingdom of 
 Israel were taken captive into Assyria by Tiglath Pileser, about 740 
 B. C. See 2 Kings 17: 6. Many have been the conjectures 
 with respect to their fate ; some authors maintaining that they 
 became totally extinct ; others that they exist to this day in some 
 unknown part of the earth. Yet to others it seems more probable 
 that they and the captives of the tribes ot Judah and Benjamin, 
 amalgamated during the Babylonian captivity, and they returned 
 together as one people, under the edict of the Persian king. To 
 this conclusion the reader will be brought, who attentively examines 
 the bearing of the f>llowing passage: Neh. 11 : 3; 12: 47; 
 Ezra 3 : 1:6: 16 ; 8 : 35 ; lo : 5 ; Eze. 37 : 16-28. On no other 
 account is it easy to account for the amount of population which is 
 stated by Tosephus as existing in Palestine at his time. 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STl'DY, 
 
 101 
 
 o. Miscellaneous uo.e,. The 17th cliapter of Eze. should be 
 read m connection with Exo. 20: 5. Tyrus is three times 
 prophesied against thus : " It shall never be any more." - never be 
 found again." "never shalt thou be any more" It is here 
 prophesied that Egypt should be a base or tributary kingdom. This 
 
 t'h .'';; ^r^'^'"''"''^- ^' '^ ^'^° P^^P^^^^^^^ ^hat Israd and 
 Judah shall be united, 37 : 19. 
 
 Ezekiel and Daniel are the only writing prophets of the Old 
 lestamentwho lived and prophesied anywhere but in the land of 
 Israel, except we add Jonah, who was sent to Ninereh to prophesy. 
 
 DANIEL. 
 
 1. Authorship and date. Written by Daniel, who prophesied 
 during the captivity for a period of more than 70 years, B.C. 606- 
 534. consequently he was contemporary with Ezekiel. 
 
 ^. Character of contents. 
 
 r» • .1. ^ . . i Historical. }- Chaps. 1-6. 
 During the Captivity. ] ^ 
 
 _,, - (Prophetical. [-Chaps. 7-12. 
 
 The first part was written in Chaldee. the rest in Hebrew. 
 Chap. 2 predicts the course of the 5 great empires of the world, 
 which should succeed each other in supremacy-viz : the Babylonian 
 Persian, Grecian, Roman and Christian. Chap. 7, the four worldlC 
 empires, under the figure of four beasts, are viewed in their religious 
 aspects. In chap. 8 is foretold the struggle between the Persian 
 and Grecian powers, and the rise of the corrupting influence of 
 Antiochus Lpiphanes (the little horn) which prepared the way for 
 the hnal overthrow of the Jews by the Romans. Then follow the 
 p-ecise prophecies regarding the Messiah. In 7 weeks (49 years) 
 the c.ty would be rebuilt ; in 62 weeks (434 years) Christ would 
 begmhis ministry, and in the middle of one week (3^ years) he 
 would be cut oflF. Chap. 10 foreteils the opposition of the Persian 
 power tc the restoration of the Jews; while chap. 11 more eminently 
 predict., the history of the 4 Persian kings, that of Alexander and 
 his successors, till the conquest of Syria by Rome, followed by a 
 forecast of the growth of the supremacy of Christ's kingdom to the 
 end of the world. Chap. 7 gives an epitome of the world's history. 
 ! h!s c^ook expre.s.sly predicts the death of the Messiah, whom 
 Daniel is the first to mention by name q : 25-26. he even mentions 
 the year in which he would be cut off. Ihe later ^ erses of chap. 1 1 are 
 
.,|ffa - - ; rg^ rjaT jj 
 
 
 I -l 
 
 ; 
 
 I '1 
 
 102 
 
 liBLPK TO HIBLK HTUDY. 
 
 certainly applied in 2 Thess. 2, to Antichrist, and the 1260 years 
 
 of rhap. 12 are reftjrred to in the Apocalypse, as the time after 
 
 which a great deliverance is to be eflFected for the church. The^ 
 
 predictions of this book have much of the distinctness of history, 
 
 and have long formed an important part of the evidence ot 
 
 Scripture. The prophecies of this book extend from the first 
 
 establishment of the Persian empire, more than 500 years before 
 
 Christ, to the general resurrection. The fulfillment of some of 
 
 these prophecies gives us the greatest assurance that the rest will 
 
 be fulfilled, and at the same time affords an unanswerable proof that 
 
 the Bible is the Word of God. The book of Daniel was written in 
 
 the darkness of the most terrible captivity the church had ever 
 
 suffered. ** By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we 
 
 wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the 
 
 willows in the midst thereof." But then the harp of prophecy was 
 
 most inspired with hope ; then the grandest revelations were made 
 
 of the future glories of the church, and of the providence of God 
 
 controlling all events for good. 
 
 3. Central and collateral truths. Dhine Omniscience. 
 Key note: The book of Gentile political history. Rise 
 and fall oj empires— The everlasfim/ kingdom— Messiah's con- 
 quests and glory. Everywhere, the providence of God is seen, 
 working or overruling all for the good of his people. The his- 
 tory of the temptations of Daniel and his companions, their 
 constancy and deliverance, is highly Instructive, illustrating at once 
 the mystery of the Divine dispensations, and the spirit and fidelity 
 with which good men submit to them. The promise of the rebuild- 
 ing of the temple was given to a penitent and prayerful prophet, the 
 promise more comprehensive than the prayer he presented. He 
 asked concerning Jerusalem, the answer told also of Messiah the 
 Prince. The glorious display of the great work of redemption Wds 
 made to Daniel v;hcn in the act of prayer. The book shows, more- 
 over, that the world is God's world ; that God is the Judge ; that 
 he putteth down one and setteth up another ; and the manifestation 
 of his glory in the salvation of man is the great purpose He is 
 carrying on in it. The wisdom of God in overruling the punish- 
 ment of the Jews to tlie spreading of the knowledge of himself 
 among the Gentiles, is very striking. Their 70 years cap- 
 tivity m Babylon, and the miraculous events recorded in 
 this l»ook, would prove before the world, what Nebuchadnezzer 
 
flELtS TO BIBLE STUDY* 
 
 108 
 
 and Danus were forced to acknowledge, that the God of Shadrach. 
 Meshach and Abednego, the God of Daniel, was the living God 
 he great King above all gods. See also Ezra i : 3, with regard to 
 Cy.us. Learn also that the privilege of an intercourse with heaven 
 IS not conhned to a secluded life, or those that spend their time in 
 contemplation, for who was more intimately acquainted with the 
 mmd of God than Dan.el, a courtier, a statesman, and a man of 
 busmess ? If those that have much to do in the world plead that as 
 an excuse for their lack of devotion to God. Daniel will condemn 
 them. 
 
 4. Connection with other varta of the Scriptures. Compare the 
 book of Daniel with that of Revelation, and observe the intimate 
 connection between the two. Compare Daniel 9 : 4, 21, etc.. with 
 
 J Biography. Of Daniel, little is known beyond what may 
 bo gathered from his own writings. He was not a priest like Jere- 
 miah and Ezekiel ; but like Isaiah, of the tribe of Judah. and 
 probably of the royal house. Dan. i : 6 ; 3. He was carried to 
 Babylon m the fourth year of Jehoiakim, B. C. 606 ; eight vears 
 before Ezekiel, and probably between the 12th and i8th year of his 
 age. There he was placed in the court of Nebuchadnezzar, .nd 
 became acquainted with the science of the Chaldees, compared 
 with whom however. God gave him, as he records, superior wis- 
 dom. By Nebuchadnezzar he was raised to high rank and great 
 
 m' 7r?'°" ^" '''"*"'^'' '^°"2^ ^°^ uninterruptedly, un.ier 
 both the Babylonian and Persian monarchs. The first even, which 
 gained Daniel influence in the court of Babylon was the disclosure 
 and explanation of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. This occu.red 
 m the second year of the ,ole reign of that monarch, i.e., in 60s 
 Twenty-three years later, as Usher thinks, B. C. 580, his conT- 
 panions were delivered from the burning furnace ; Daniel himself 
 being probably engaged elsewhere, at the time, in the affairs of the 
 empire. Ten years later occurred the second dream of Nebuchad- 
 nezzar and during the seven years of his madness, Daniel, it is 
 thought, acted as viceroy. The date of the events recorded in 
 chap. 5 ,s B. .:. 538, towards the close of the reign of Belsha..ar 
 when It appears Dan.el was in private life, ver. 12, 13. That 
 night the king was slain and the dynasty changed. The rlianii. 
 \vhich iieishazzar confer.-ed on Daniel in the last hours of his 
 monarchy was confirmed by Darius ;.:mI Cyrus. Daniel died at an 
 
104 
 
 HELPS TO T?IBLE STUDY. 
 
 advanced age, having prophesied during the whole of the captivity, 
 I I 21, and his last prophecy being delivered two years later in the 
 third year of the reign of Cyrus. Ezekiel mentions his extraordinary 
 piety and wisdom. Eze. 1 1. : 14-20 ; 28 : 3. 
 
 6. Miscellaneous nqtes. Daniel has been compared to Joseph, 
 the one at the beginning and the other at the end of the Jewish 
 history of revelation ; both representatives of Go-l and his pe©ple 
 at heathen courts; both interpreters of the dim presentiments of truth 
 expressed in God-sent dreams, and therefore raised to honor by the 
 powers of the world, so representing Israel's calling to be a royal 
 priesthood among the nations ; and types of Christ, the true Israel, 
 and of Israel's destination to be a light t j lighten the whole Gentile 
 world, as Rom. 11 : 12-15 foretells. 
 
 The Chaldean name of Daniel was Belteshazzar, which was 
 given him on the occasion of his being put in training for a courtier, 
 i : 3-6. 
 
 ' HOSEA. 
 
 Prefatory note. He is the first of the minor prophets, whose 
 books were written a< various periods exteiiding over 400 years. 
 Called minor not as less in point of inspired authority, but simply in 
 point of size. 
 
 1. Authorship and date. Hosca, the writer of this book, 
 prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Heze- 
 kiah, but esjiecially in the days of Jerob:am 2. king of Israel. B. C. 
 800-725. B.t was coniemporary wiih Auios, Micah and Isaiah 
 though he began to nrophecy bsfore the latter, Isa. i : i ; Hos. i : i 
 
 2. Character oj contents. 
 
 Reign of feioboani. 
 
 Interregnum. 
 
 Reign of Pekah. 
 
 Reign of Hoshe 1 . 
 
 Previous to overthrow. Chaps. 13, 14. 
 The prophecies of Hosea are directed almost exclusively to the 
 ten tribes. He addresses them under the title of Israel, of Samaria 
 which had been since the days of Omri, their capital ; of Ephraim, 
 the most distinguished of the tribes, to which Jeroboam, their first 
 king belonged. The great sin of that king in having set up the 
 calves at Dan and Bethel, uninterruptedly persisted in by the Israel- 
 liies duiing the course of 150 years, had spread every form of vice 
 among priests and people ; and though, when Hosea began to pro- 
 
 Chaps. I, 2. 
 Chaps. 3-6. 
 Chaps. 7 9. 
 ChajDS. 1012. 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 106 
 
 phcsy ,n the reign of Jeroboam the second, there was great outward 
 prosperity, iniquity was fast working their ruin. Hosea, therefore 
 m the strongest terms, points out their guiU and danger, using the 
 expressive figures of adultery and whoredom to reprove their idolatry, 
 which implies the violation of their covenant with God, and the 
 alienation of their affections from him, and in the most earnest 
 manner calls them to repentance, showing how vain was their de- 
 pendence on other nations, and their pursuit of happiness in de- 
 parture fiom God : they were sowing the wind and would reap the 
 whirlwind. He labored more than 60 years, but with very little 
 success, and probably lived to see his awfd threatenings executed 
 in the captivity of the ten tribes. The principal events predicted 
 in this book are-the captivity and dispersion of the kingdom of 
 Israe ; the deliverance of Judah from Sennacherib-figurative of 
 salvation by Christ-the present destitute state of the Jews • their 
 future restoration and un on with the Gentiles in the kingdom of the 
 
 Tl' '.?^" °^''"' '^'"^^"'^ °"^ °^ ^^P^ ' '-^"d I^>« resurrection 
 on the third day ; while the assurance of a final ransom to his people 
 from the power of death and the grave is celebrated m the loftiest 
 strains of triumph and exultation. 
 
 3, Centml and collateral truths. Idolatrous disobe- 
 dience. Jiejectian-dispersion-restoration. Key note- the 
 book of Israel's moral condition-past, present and future. Note • 
 for 60 long years Hosea continued these warnmgs and appeals 
 -with but httle success-a bright example of persevering fidelity 
 under the greatest discouragements. Chaps. 6, ,3. 14, will be 
 found particul'irly useful to awaken those feelings of repent- 
 ance and faith which become the Christian and the church in 
 TdXpToV;;'^'' '' "'■'"^•^ -^Jewels asornaments are spoken 
 
 4. Connection with other parts oj the Scriptures. Huetius 
 observes that many passages in the prophecies of Jeremiah and 
 Ezekrel seem to refer to, and to be borrowed from, the prophet 
 Hosea, who wrote a good while before Ihem. As Jer. 7 • 34 • 16 • 
 9 ; 25 : 10 . and Eze. 26 : 13, speak t..t same with Hosea 2 ' n* 
 so Eze. 16 : 16, is taken from Hos. 2 : 8. And that promise of 
 serving the Lord thdr Ood, and David th.lr M.n y. .^ . c 
 E^e. 34 : 23. Hosea had before, 3 : 5, Eze. 19 /12, is'talcen irom 
 "OS, 13 : 15. Thus one propher confinns another ; and all these 
 worketh that one and the self-same Spirit. 
 
106 
 
 HBLPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 lOEL. 
 
 /. Authorship and datf. Joel (whose God is Jehovah), son of 
 Pethuel, tribe of Reuben, prophesied about the middle of the reign 
 of Uzziah kingof Judah, B. C. 810-795, contemporary with Amos 
 and Hosea, 
 
 .2. Vharactpr of cmtcnts. The prophecies of this book are 
 addressed to Judah. The principle events predicted are : The 
 Chaldean in /asion, under the figure of locusts, etc. ; the destruction 
 of Jerusalem by Titus, described with such force and af^<;ravation 
 of circumstances as to be in some measure descriptive of that final 
 judgment which every temporal dispensation of the Almighty must 
 faintly prefigure ; the blessings of the gospel dispensation ; the 
 general outpouring of the Holy Spirit A\hich was to accompany it ; 
 the conversion and restoration of the Jews to their own land ; 
 the destruction of the , enemies of God ; and the glorious 
 state of the Christian church which was to follow it. He 
 exhorts them to repentance, fasting and prayer, and promises 
 the favor of God to those who should be obedient. The whole 
 book indicates that the prophet lived at a time when the people of 
 Judah had not fallen into that extreme depravity, which in later 
 times, drew down upon them such heavy chastisements. Uzziah 
 had indeed begun to lift up his heart, 2 Chron. 26 : 16 ; but the 
 evil seems as yet r-ther a subject of prophecy than of history, 
 though given in historical form. 
 
 In the Hebrew Bible this book is divided into four chapters, 
 but if it is proper to make any break at all, it should occur at the 
 iSth verse of the second chapter. 
 
 " It shall come to pass ajterioard I will pour out my Spirit upon 
 al' flesh." When the Apostle quotes this language on the day of 
 Pentecost, he does not say the scene then witnessed was a fulfill- 
 ment of the prophecy, but, " This is that which was spoken by the 
 prophet Joel ;" and we know that the signs accompanying the pre- 
 diction were not witnessed, "blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke ; 
 the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, 
 before that great and notable day of the Lord come." These signs 
 did not follow the gift of the Spirit in Peter's day, because Israel 
 was not then repentant and obedient, but as God's word is true, 
 they will surely be seen in a day yet future. 
 
 Hence the last chapter tells of the gathering of all nations about 
 Jerusalem, where the judgment Uxkes place which is described in 
 
HKLPS TO BIBLE (STUDY. 
 
 107 
 
 Mat. 25 : 31-46. "The Lord also shall roar out of 2ion, and utter 
 hs voice from Jerusalem ; and the heavens and the earth shall shake : 
 bu the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the 
 d^.ldren of Israel " Their ene.nies will be overthrown, but amid 
 he toKens of supernatural fertility. " Judah shall dwell forever, and 
 Jerusalem trom generation to generation." 
 
 3 Central ami collateral (ruths, Thk Holy Spirii 
 Humihation-prayer-conflicts- victory. Judgment and bles! 
 SING. Temporal calamities-repentance-promise of the Spirit 
 
 ZTi .^'"T^ u^'^''"'''- ^' '' '^' '^"^'^ °^ ""^^"^^1 judgment 
 and latter day blesssin^ for Judah. 
 
 -'h Conmction ivith other parts of fhe Scriptures. This book 
 should be read with Acts 2, Rev. 6 and 14 chapters. 
 
 .1, 7^^^J°^^ ^^^ contemporary with Amos is not merely seen in 
 the fact that Amos begins his prophecy where Joel concludes his : 
 I he Lord shall roar out of Zio>,, " but " that he speaks of the same 
 judgments of locusts, and drout;ht, and fire that Amos laments 
 which IS an intimation that they appeared about the same time' 
 Amos m Israel, and Joel in Judah. 
 
 AMOS. 
 1. Authorship and Date. Amos (a burden) a shepherd of 
 Tekoah and dresser of sycamore trees and contemporary of Hosea 
 prophesied during the reigns of U'zdah and [eroboam 2, and during 
 the early part of Isaiah's ministry, B. C. 810-785. "No* a 
 prophet or prophet'^ son ," /. e. not trained to that office, but call- 
 ed by an irresistible Divine commission to prophesy. Amos saw his 
 first vision «'two years before the earthquake » which happened as 
 we learn from Zechariah, in the days of Uzziah, Zech. 14 : 5 ; Isa. 
 5 : 25. His name is not to be confounded with that of Isaiah's 
 father, Amoz. 
 
 2. Cliaracter of contents. Amos directed his prophecies chief- 
 ly to the ten tribes of Israel ; though not exclusively, for he de- 
 nounces judgments also against Judah, and threatens the kingdoms 
 that bordered on Palestine, --as the Syrians, Philistines, Tyrians, 
 Edomites, Ammonites, and Moabites. He foretells in clear terms 
 the captivity of the ten tribes, a prediction accomplished about 60 
 year:i after when Shalmanezer, king of Assyria, des^troyed the king- 
 dom, and the awful calamities attending it ; concluding with assur- 
 ances that God would not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, but 
 
mmmmifmm^ 
 
 108 
 
 HKLPH TO Rinr.K STUDY. 
 
 
 I ; 
 
 [ i 
 
 I I 
 
 i I 
 
 I i 
 
 I 
 
 after sifting, as it were, and cleansing it among the nations, he 
 would raise it a:<ain to more than its former splendour and happi- 
 ness in the kinjjdom of the Messiah, by the accession of Gentile 
 subjects. He rebukes also, the corruption of their manners, which 
 kept pace w th their prosperity ; he chnrges the great men with 
 partiality as judges, and violence towards the poor. 
 
 S. Central and collateral truths. Divine judgments. Sin 
 —punishment— mercy— restoration. Key note : the book of cer- 
 tain judgment upon the Gentiles and all Israel, with future 
 restoration of the latter. 'I he previous occupation of Amos 
 illustrates the grace which selects its ministers "from the tents 
 of the shepherd, as well as from the palace of the sovereign," 
 qualifying each for the duties to which he '*s called, i Cor. i : 27, 
 29. Note : The idolatrous priest Am iziah complains to Jeroboam, 
 who orders Amos to quit his kingdom, and instead of prophesying 
 against him to prophesy against Judah. In the next chapter a 
 famine of God's word is threatened. No prophet has more mag- 
 nificently described the Deity, more gravely rebuked the luxurious, 
 or reproved injustice and oppression with greater warmth or more 
 generous indignation. 
 
 4. Connection with other parts of the Scriptures. Compare 
 chap. II : 11-15, with Acts. 15 : 15. This book may be read in 
 historical connection with 2 Kings 10, 16, 18, and 2 Chron. 26. 
 His prophetic character is established by the testinony of Stephen 
 the first martyr, and James, Acts 7 : 42, 43 ; 15 : 15-17, 
 
 OBADIAH. 
 
 1. Authorship and date. Obadiah (servant of Jehovah). The 
 time when he prophesied is uncertain, probably between the taking 
 of Jerusalem and the destruction of Idumea, B. C. 588-583, and 
 consequently contemporary with Jei emiah ; or at a much earl er 
 period, and therefore contemporary with Isaiah and Ilosea. 
 
 2. Character of contents. This book— though very short— is 
 very important, as it predicts the utter destruction of the Edomites, 
 or Idumeans, the descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob, 
 and the. type of the unchangeable hostility of the flesh to that which 
 
 is born of the Spirit. Although their nnmp nnrl iripntifv ore Ir.ef of 
 
 present among some of the existing nations, God will search them 
 out in the last days ; and it is apparent that a more terrible destruc^ 
 
im.PS TO Blraj, 3TUDT. 
 
 100 
 
 non .waits ,h.m .hen, .ha„ .ha, which has overtaken then, in .he 
 
 Hr./Ii!" T^^'l ^"°°"°«^ ">at the h«,d of the Lord will 
 
 s^e a CeT ' aTd' Tth "°" "' ™"'^' ''""'' '"'^ '-''"■- 
 
 -en "j f aleJ^lTh r' "f""""'^ "" ''"'' '"' '""' "«"■ 
 "I Jerusalem m the day of its calamity and sorrow TKJc 
 
 'r:: ".^T™ ■"""^ «" ■=="?'= touches "heTpl^of H 
 
 up:nr.::"h::.h:~':^ " "'"-'"" --"-•-- 
 
 K^fu • • , jesus, and like all prophecy Dromi«5M 
 
 Edom ; and finally rejoice in the holy r'ei.n otth^'prmi^d 
 
 S Central and collateral truths, fUDGMENT and mercy 
 Denunaation-destruction-restoration-victory. Key note Th^ 
 boo of judgment upon Edom. From the doo'm of The Ed;™!^ 
 we learn how hateful their disposition are in the sight of God 
 He that IS not concerned that his brother should perish isTn 
 great danger of perishing himself. " ^ ' " 
 
 nhJ\^''''''''''^.^'^^' ^'^'''' P^^^^ oj the Scriptures. Compare 
 Obadjah I : 9. with Jeremiah 49 : 14-22 ; also with 2 Chron ' 8 
 17. also verse 21, with Luke i : 33 : Rev n • ,c • ro A a ' 
 
 -!^ 14 «2 , 24 . 17.19 ; Psa. 60 : 8-12 : n7 : 7 • Tsa rr • 
 
 "v t\'"'' I'- T^^^-"--gare a few of he Lny refer'ences 
 which show the ill treatment of the Jews by the Edomite's 2 Zn 
 28 : 17 ; with Exo. 25 : 12, ,3 ; and Obadiah. 
 
 Obadiah is a fuller statement, and as it were, commentary on 
 the foregoing briefer prophecy of Amos as to Edom. An.nc . !^, . 
 9 : II-I5. of which last five verses Obadiah is an amplificaTion, Ind 
 therefore placed next to Amos. So much of - .dia'h is found in 
 Jer. 49, that it seems antecedently more prop«Dle that Jeremiah 
 
 II 
 
no 
 
 HKLP.S TO nilJLK sraDY. 
 
 should have (luotcd from Obadiah than that Obadiah should have 
 incorporated so much of Jeremiah. Obadiah has many expressions 
 very similar to Joel. 
 
 5. Prophecy fulfilUd. The prophecy of the destruction of 
 the Edomites was partially fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar, 
 and further by the entire subjugation of Edom by John 
 Hyrcanus, after which it vanishes from history ; but its completion, 
 m the possession of Idumea by the Israelites, must still be 
 anticipated after the final return of that people to their promised 
 inheritance, and, therefore, this book is the most favorite study of 
 the Je^s to this day. 
 
 JONAH. 
 1. Axithonliip and date. Supposed to have been written by 
 Jonah 862 B. C. He was the son of Amittai, a native of Galilee. 
 2 Kin,;s 14 : 25. This fact is a proof of the falsehood of the state- 
 ment of the Pharisees, that out of (ialilee cometh no prophet. John 
 7 : 52. Jesus quotes from this book as of authority, hence no fable. 
 The contrast between the Gentile sailors and the heathen 
 Ninevites and the prophet, is so greatly in favor of the former, as to 
 stamp the narrative with truthfulness. 
 
 ',2. Character of contents. This book is mainly an historical 
 narative, recording Jonah's prophecy against Nineveh. 
 
 His first mission, chaps, i, 2 ; his second mission, chaps. 3, 4. 
 Jonah succeeded Elisha as the messenger of God to the ten 
 tribes about 180 years after Solomon. He is considered the .T^ost 
 ancient of all the minor prophets whose writings have been handed 
 down to us. He appears as a prophet to the Gentiles, being sent 
 to Nineveh, which soon after this became the capital of the great 
 Assyrian empire-a city equally distinguished for its magnificence 
 and corruption. Nineveh at this time is supposed to have been 
 much larger than Babylon, and the chie Gentile city of the world, 
 Assyria is frequently mentioned in 2 Kings 15, and following 
 chapters. It is necessary that the reader should first read this 
 prophecy as an episode in the history, enabling him better to under- 
 stand what follows. 
 
 S. Central and collateral truths. Divine forbearance. 
 Disobedience — disaster — punishment. Obedience -deliverance. 
 
 Sincere repentance is alwava surrpccfiii o^j -?.."" *-• 1 --^-•-_ 
 
 before executing his judgments. Notice the particular providence of 
 God as illustrated in this narrative, i . God sent a great wind. 2. He 
 
HKf.PN TO niBLK HTI'rjy. 
 
 Ill 
 
 prep-W-a.. «sh. 3. He spoke .o .he fish. 4. He prepared . 
 
 ca", t„d "■'" " """"■ *• "■= •"•«?»"•■" ••■ -"^h""'-' 
 
 ->. &-o:/mp/,,/. Jonah is the same prophet who is sent to 
 Je „,„a,„ 2-see 2 Kings ,4: 25_in answer to the bitter cry of 
 a .c.,o„ that rose fro.n Israel. O0.I overruled Jonah's ZZ 
 
 offere,: 1 1 '•«"" ""^ ""-' ">=" f^""^' ""= ^ord exceedingly, 
 offered a sacnfice unto the Lord a.d made vows. Jonah prated 
 
 and was dehvered Nineveh was spared notwithstanding Jonahl 
 
 r d ,H .T- ' '' ''"='"'' '"'"''■""8 ""■* ^^"'^hing to our siuls, to 
 nd ha. the „,a„ of God was exceedingly displeafed. and grie ed 
 by the d.v,ne forbearance and patience. He had cried : "Yet forty 
 days and Nineveh shall bo overthrown." And the city S 
 remarned. Regard for his own reputation ade hi,n anpy • a 'd 
 
 see hl^er, ; """? "" ''"""="°" °f '" ">= Assyrians' t'hn"o 
 ee himself dishonored. Perhaps another clue .0 his unwillingness 
 
 and murmuring was his foreknowledge that the nation so sparS 
 coltry, " '° ' ''°'" '"'""'"' "" '"= '™'"^'-"' °f "is ^UVe" 
 
 S. Connectmi with other parts oj the Scripture. The prayer 
 of Jonah has striking resemblance with many pllms, .. ,' Ps7" 
 
 trlT'oftahr^--^""^"™^- '°-^- .He book^o'f Jonah 
 
 ^ ^- '^'m. The time of Jonah's continuance in the belly of the 
 
 fish was typ,cal of our Lord's continuance in the grav"' Lt 
 
 7 For whom is this book peculiarly snitahh ? F or those whc, 
 shun their cross, or run away from their post. 
 
 8 Miscellaneous notes. Any one taught by the Spirit can 
 readily see that the object of the Devil-in calling forth a sn er of 
 increduhty at the deliverance of Tonah^is to lead men to reLm^^^^ 
 resurrection of Jesus; ior it is no more difficult to believe he one 
 than the other. Science has shown that "a great fish " ie trTe 
 shark exists in the Mediterranean. Yet when God spLaks he i! 
 only to be treated 3« n l,or tj • - • ^ ' "^ ^^ 
 
 ut 
 
 SUCil Is 
 
 1 , , — -"V-.. lo man. it should hp 
 
 ^TeTt fith ' Vt •' """•"" *^""^"^ ^'^'- "'^' " <^''''^^^ 
 i,H 1-, , ■ IV '"■'"°"'' ""'• '° ^"''e "•»' he counted the 
 «tle children .n Nmeveh more than .20,000, and also many cattle! 
 
r 
 
 H f 
 
 
 112 
 
 HKI.PS TO BIBM? STUDY. 
 
 MIC AH. 
 
 i. Authorship and dale. Written by Micah, a prophet of 
 Judah who prophesied during the reigns of Jotham. Aha/, and 
 Hezekiah, H. C. 758-699, «nd was contemporary with Isaiah, Joel. 
 Hosca and Amos. "^ 
 
 S. Character of contents. He foretells in clear terms the 
 invasions of Shalmanezer and Sennacherib ; the dispersion of 
 Israel; the cessation of prophecy; the utter destruction of 
 Jerusalem by Vespasian ; nor less clearly the deliverance of Israel ; 
 the destruction of Assyria, and of the enemies Assyria represents ; 
 the birth place of Christ, and his divine nature, for his goings forth 
 are from everlasting ; the promulgation of his Gospel from Mount 
 /^•on, and its results, and the exaltation of his kingdom over all 
 nations. He makes a striking reference to the history of Balaam, 
 and begins his prophecy with the words uttered by his great name- 
 sake Micaiah. 150 yevs before, chap, i : 2 ; 2 Kings 22 : 28. 
 
 His prophecies are divided into three sections, each marked by 
 a formula, "Hear ye," each commencing with denunciation and 
 ending with a promise. 
 
 Jotham, King of Judah ) 
 
 _, , , \ Chap. I. 
 
 Pekah, king of Israel, ) 
 
 Ahaz, king of Judah, ) 
 Pekah and Hoshea, \ Chaps. 2-4 : 8. 
 kings of Israel. j 
 
 Hezekiah, king of Judah } Chap. 4 : 9. 
 As Samaria, Israel's metropolis was taken first, and Jerusalem. « 
 Judah s capital, subsequently, in the introductory heading, Samaria 
 IS put first, then Jerusalem. 
 
 S. Central and collateral truths. Judgment and mercy 
 Sm and punishment-salvation and peace. Key note : The book 
 of judgment and future blessing of Jerusalem and Samaria. 
 
 4. Oonnectionmth other partsof the Scriptures. Comparegener- 
 ally with the prophecies of Atros. Hosea, and Isaiah ; and observe the 
 Identity between Micah 4 : ^l, aad Isa. 2 : 2-4. Also chap. 4 . 
 2, 7, >vith Luke I : 33; chap. 5 . 0, with Eph. 2 : 14; and chap: 
 7 : ;8, 20, with Luke i : 72, , , h, i^ng^^g, ^^^^^ ^,^^ j 
 
 by Zephamah 3 : ,9; Ezek. 22 -. 27, perhaps by Isa. 2 : 2-4 : 4, ■ 
 15, ana Dy our Lord, Matt. 10 : 35, 36. 
 
 J. Biographkal notes. One of Micah's predictions saved the 
 
HKLPS TO BIBLK HTUDY 
 
 113 
 
 P~« in the day, of H«.k,al,, Jer. JM'Z '"'°"- "' '"«' '" 
 
 NAMUM. 
 
 720.698. "«'""="<>■• of Je,.,.ulen, by Sennacherib B. C. 
 
 XNanum, whose name s gniries "cnmfnrf»r " ■ j 
 
 scnpt,on of ihe justice and power of (Wl ^ "'blme de- 
 
 suffering, ,„d fore.ells the des^rlc ion of'tn T •t'^ ;"" '""«• 
 
 ''^' Central avdroJlateral truths. Divine ANri.« i^- k 
 ance-judgment-ruin. Key note • th. nn t r '■^'" 
 
 upon proud Assyria Tht L t ,^ ""^ ""^"^ judgment 
 
 by confirming .he fai.h of .helue belt ,0 ^ :;X"^ '°';T 
 presen. duties. ' "'™g""='> h'm for his 
 
 boDk in connection wi.h (onah, of «hich it i« f !'• ""' 
 
 supple^en.; the remissiorl of f Ld's ^dgL t bei ^ Zt'T H^"' 
 Jonah and the execution of the,,, in Nah„r Compar it" f. I 
 also Rom. lo : le with MoK .- "'"pare isa. 53 : 7. 
 
 G. Prophecj/ fulfilled. Nineveh, in Nalu.m's tin., v .u 
 I.rges. and most opulent city i„ the worid. r:a:':::;t::S t 
 
lU 
 
 HE LI'S TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 ir 
 
 Cy.'.xares B. C. 625— an event which had been predicted by Jonah 
 nearly 100 years before. Xenoph-n describes the wall void and 
 large, 150 feet high, 50 feet wide, and 22 ^ miles in circumference, 
 while the neighboring inhabitants knew not what it had been or 
 how it had perished. In the 2nd century A. D. the site was lost. 
 
 HABAKKUK. 
 
 1. Authorship and date. Habakkuk probably prophesied in 
 the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, in the time of Jeremiah, a 
 short time before the seige and destruction of Jerusalem, B C 
 612-598. 
 
 ^. Character of contents. Of all the nations that had most 
 afflicted the Jews, and in them the church of God, the chief were— 
 the Edomites-the Assyrians— the Chaldeans ; and three of the 
 prophets were raised up on purpose to pio.iounce the destruction of 
 these nations : Obadiah, that of the Edomites; Nahum, that of the 
 Assyrians, who had carried the ten tribes into captivity ; and now 
 Habakkuk, that of the Chaldeans, who completed the captivity of 
 the remaining tribes. His predictions are in the form of a dialogue, 
 and relate to the wickedness of the Jews, and their certain punish- 
 ment by the Chaldeans ; the captivity in Babylon with deliverance 
 therefrom, and the ultimate destruction of the Babylonian empire. 
 This book breathes a remarkable spirit of prayer. It expresses the 
 prophet's holy indignation at the iniquity of his countrymen, with 
 earnest intercession for their welfare. The concluding prayer, in 
 which he describes the wonders God had wrought for Israel in 
 times past, was admirably calculated to inspire the pious among 
 them with confidence in prospect of their approaching calamity. 
 
 3. Central and coUaterai truths. The Confidence ok Faith. 
 Adversity-calamity-trust and joy. Key note : the book of Jewish 
 spiritual exercise. From chap. 2 : 3, 4, we may observe the great 
 principle which forms the character ot the true servant o^ God in 
 every age— a passage quoted three times in the New Testament. 
 This principle will enable us, like Habakkuk, to joy in .ribulation. 
 
 4. Connectiomvith other parts o/the Scriptures. Compare chap. 
 
 1 : 5, with Acts 13 : 40, 41 ; and chap, 2 : 3, |, with Rom. 1:17; 
 Gal. 3 : II ; and Heb. 10 : 37, 38. See also Heb. 11 ; and Gal. 
 
 2 : 20. 
 
 5. Biographical notes, it is said that Habakkuk remain -rl 
 amidst the desolation of his country rather than follow his brethren 
 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 115 
 
 
 into captivity. In the days of Eusebius his tomb was shown at 
 Bela in Judah. 
 
 ZEPJIANIAH. 
 
 1. Authorship and date. Zephaniah (defended by Jehovah), 
 s-n of Cushi, prophesied in the former period of [eremiah's ministry,* 
 and m the early part of the reign of Josiah, B. C. 640-609. 
 
 2. Character oj rontents. Zephaniah prophesied with the 
 
 same object as Jeremiah, viz., to declare that the great day of 
 
 trouble, distress, desolation, and darkness was at hard in the ap- 
 
 I^roaching captivity of Jiuiah, and to point out the sins which were 
 
 the causes of it. He denounces God's wrath against the nations 
 
 which assisted in oppressing the Jews, or rejoiced over them in theii 
 
 calamities ; and he foretells their present dispersion and ultimate 
 
 conversion, when the name of God, through them, shall be glorified 
 
 throughout the world. He describes the desolation of Nineveh with 
 
 remarkable accuracy. No doubt this prophet assisted Josiah in his 
 
 pious efforts to bring back the people to the worship and obedience 
 
 ot the true God. 
 
 3. Central and collateral truths. Divine vengeance De- 
 nunciation-punishment mercy-restoration. Key note • The 
 
 book of unsparing judgment and blessing upon the remnant of Israel- 
 Aote the following impressive declaration : " He will search Teui- 
 salem with lighted candles." Silver and gold are of no value in the 
 day of God's wrath. 
 
 /. Connection with other parts of the Scriptures. Compare chap 
 I : 7. with katt. 22 : 2-14 ; chap. 11 : 13-15, with Nahum 2, 3. 
 
 o. tulpied prophecy. By comparing Amos i : 6-8, and Zech. 
 9 : 5, with Zeph. 2 : 4-6, it will appear thPt ..he prophets made the 
 foUowmg discrimination as to the fate of the four neighboring and 
 chief cities of Philistia, viz., Gaza. Ashkelon. Ashdod, and Ekron. 
 They declared of Gaza that baldness should come upon it ; that it 
 should be forsaken, and bereaved of its king. At the present 
 moment, amid ruins of white marble, showing its former princely 
 magnificence, a few villages, badly built of dried mud, are the only 
 abode of Its inhabitants-amounting altogether to less than 2,000. 
 Of Ashkelon and Ashdod they had said. " J will cut off the inhabi- 
 S: °!" ,:^'^^°^^ ' '^'^^^^°" •^^^'I be a desolation-it shall not be 
 T"rrr ' ''''"^ '" " ''• ^"'''' ^^ inhabited, but Ashkelon and 
 Ashdod are not ; their ruins mark their site, but no human beings 
 hve there : they are the abode only of scorpions, though many 
 
116 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 ;i 
 
 I! 
 
 ■ 
 
 "w: 
 
 hundreds of years after these prophecies were delivered they were 
 among the most celebrated cities. But as distinct from Gaza, which 
 was to be the abode of poverty, and Ashkelon and Ashdod, which 
 were to exist, but be without inhabitant, it was foretold of Ekron, 
 " it shall be rooted up," and such is the fact. Its very name is 
 lost, nor is the spot certain on which it stood ; though, at the time 
 the predictions were uttered, it wasequally flourishing with the rest. 
 
 HAGGAI. 
 
 1. Authorship and date. Haggai was the first who prophesied 
 after the return of the Jews from Babylon, B. C. 520-518. 
 
 ^. Character of rontentti. This prophet is supposed to have 
 been born during the captivity, and to have returned to Jerusalem 
 with Zerubbabel. He appears to have been raised up by God to 
 exhort Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, to resume the work 
 of the temple, which had been interrupted nearly 14 years by the 
 Samaritans and others artfully attemi^ing to defeat the edict of 
 Cyrus. But now that these hindrances were removed, the Jews 
 had become lukewarm in this great public work, and more solicit- 
 ous to build and to adorn their own houses than to labor in the 
 service of God. He continued prophesying about four months, and 
 his earnest remonstranc; appears to have had the desired efifect. 
 He predicts the greater glory of the second temple ; for it was to be 
 honored with the presence and ministry of the Messiah, whom he 
 designates as "the Desire of all nations." In the closing prediction, 
 Christ himself is spoken of under the type of Zerubbabel ; and the 
 temporal commotions which preceded his first coming, viz. the sub- 
 version of the Persian monarchy by the Grecian ; and of the Grecian 
 by the Romans ; and in the terrible destruction of Jerusalem and the 
 ruin of the civil government of the Jews shortly after his ascension. 
 
 3. Central and collateral trutliH. Divine encouragement. 
 Reproof— obedience— promises— triumph. Key note : the book of 
 encouragement in rebuilding the temple. Here we may learn that 
 worldliness Ijrings its own punishment. They " looked for much " 
 and "it came to little." Drought and mildew were sent to rebuke 
 their negh ct of what ought to have been their first work. Note, in 
 his remarkable prophecy of the Messiah, he five times uses the for- 
 
 III ma. 
 
 th 
 
 Suitft iuc Lord of hosts. 
 
 4. Connection vith other parts of the Scripturen. This book 
 should be studied in connection with Ezra, Nehemiah and Zechariah. 
 
HKLPa TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 117 
 
 /ECHARIAH. 
 
 , n, ^; /«f ^^«^^> «"'i date. Zechariah began to prophesy about 
 a mon hsafter Haggai, in the second year of Darius Hys'taspes B C 
 ^ J'T '°"''""''^ ^^ P"^°P^^^y ^bout two years. 
 
 Haal- aT7 f ''''''''' ^^'' P'^Ph^^ ^^^ contemporary with 
 Hagga, and had the same general object as he, to encourage and 
 urge the Jews to rebuild the temple. The Jews we are told 
 yerrl'T^' '\ prophesying," Ezra 6 : ,4. and in abo ^^ 
 
 connected 7 "1 '"''''• "^'^ this immediate object were 
 connected-as was the universal custom of the prophets-others 
 more remote and important. He emblematically describes the four 
 great empues-the chariots and horses pr.babi; representing the 
 BabylomaB, Persian, Macedonian, and Roman empires ;-he fore! 
 tens many circumstances respecting the future condition of the Jews 
 and their destruction by the Romans; and with these he inte"' 
 perses many moral instructions and admonitions. Notice especially 
 he preciseness of the predictions connected with our Lord's entry 
 
 Zlrtr "'■ '^ ""^ "" °^ "°"^y '^ ^^ P-d for his be- 
 nnd Th. '°'"' 'T''^"' ^^' concerning the second advent, 
 
 and the conversion of the Jews. Jerusalem, a second time to be 
 destroyed. The last part of his prophecy contains the history of the 
 Jews and of the Church to the end of time. 
 
 uJ' ^'"'7^/"^ ^•^««''^''-«' ^^-^ths. The Second Advent. 
 udgmen s-deliverance-triumph. Key note : the book of '' th 
 last days connected with Israel. 
 
 7..»,f"-?"Tf u" ""''^ ''^^''' ^"^"^^ ^-^ '^' Scriptures. Compare 
 /echariah with those portions of Isaiah and Daniel which relate to the 
 
 coming ofthe Lord and the times of the Gentiles. Should be tded 
 with Ezra, Nehemiah and Haggai. 
 
 .,.„ ^' f'j"^""^' """■''■ Next to Isaiah, Zechariah has the most 
 frequent and plam allusions to the character and coding of Christ 
 llh' '=;;?".r.='f =°"^ points which had not been' noticed b; 
 'Uofhua " Th" ' "'"' ""^ "^""'='''" "Shepherd," ani 
 .hXh..2ecLlr'°" "'-''""^■'-" occurs 47 ti^es in 
 
 MALACHL 
 
 1. Authorship and date. Malachi-the last of inspired pro- 
 
 ttLTN /''•?' ''"^'"^"^ dispensation- prophesL, .ufing 
 the time Nchemiah was governor of Judea, and about 120 years 
 
118 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STL'DY. 
 
 f|f 
 
 \tm>>. 
 
 after the return of the Jews from captivity, consequently at a later 
 period than Haggai and Zechariah, B. C. 420-397. 
 
 S, Character of contents. At this time the second temple was 
 built, the city was in a prosperous condition, b«t the people, though 
 externally religious, had became so hypocritical and wicked, that 
 Malachi, was commissioned to reprove both priests and people. He 
 predicted the coming of the Messiah, and his harbinger John the 
 Baptist; the calling of the Gentiles ; and the extensive spread of 
 the go>pel. God expostulates with the Israelites for their ingratitude; 
 for offering to him useless things, and things which they would not 
 offer their governor. The priests are reproved for corrupting his 
 covenant, and the people for strange marriages and impiety — 
 the very evils which Nehemiah so earnestly condemns, 
 
 3. Central and collateral truths. Messiah. Expostulation 
 and reproof— judgments and promises. Key note : The book 
 of Jehovah's last pleadings with Israel. Here we learn that rebel- 
 lion, sacrilege, covetousness and infidelity is "robbing God.'' 
 Backsliders must take up neglected duties. A blessing prom sed to 
 come on produce, etc., if obedient, and al^o discernment. "The 
 Sun of righteousness," to be given to the godly ;but a terrible day 
 — one that "shall bum as an oven " await the disobedient. 
 
 Seven times they ask the insolent question, " Wherein hast 
 thou loved us?" "Wherein have we despised thy name?" 
 " Wherein have we polluted thee ?" " Wherein have we wearied 
 thee?" "Wherein shall we return?" " Wherein have we robbed 
 thee ?" " What have we spoken against thee ?" Truly might God 
 say, " I am the Lord, I change not ; therefore ye sons of Jacob are 
 not consumed." Bat in the midst of the empty profession there was 
 a little remnant, that feared the Lord, and spake often one to 
 another ; and the Lord hearkened, and heard with delight their 
 prayers and conversation. Yea, their very thoughts of him he 
 put down in his book, as he puts the tears of the saints in his 
 bottle, and their prayers in his vial. Twenty-five times in four 
 short chapters do we find " Thus saith the Lord," as if the people 
 then like many professed Christians now, were losing all faith in 
 verbal inspiration. 
 
 /(,. Connecliwi, with other purls of the Scriptures. Compare Mai. 
 2: II, with Neh. 13 : 23-31 : and Mai i : 10 ; 3 : 8, with Neh. 13 : 
 io,ii. It is worthy of note that this book concludes^with announc. 
 
HELPS TO iilJBLE STUDY. 
 
 119 
 
 ministry of John the baptist. 
 
 for. '^' ^f '^t""''"' "''"'• ^^' ^'''' predictions of Scripture, there- 
 1 ver'r T. """T'- "^'^^ "'"'^ ^°""f^^^-^ -^' P-«'-e de- 
 • ever?. ^^' V'^^°^^ '^' '"^^°"^y °^ *^^ fi-' dispensation and 
 3 ' rr- ^'^ P"P'^^ '^ ^^^" ^^^ ^-^^- ' -^> I^- ^ast 
 r T °. "" ''"'^ 'P^"^"^^ obedience, and again of the gospel 
 
 and Us healing glory 4:2. s 1 <=• 
 
 ,,,: 7^'"?''°^ '' '.^' ''^"''''°" "'^^ ^^'*^^^^" the two great dispen- 
 at.ons of redemption, the last note of that magnificent oratio of 
 revelation, whose wailing of sorrow and breathing of hope were 
 soon to gwe place to that richer song, which should be not only 
 of Moses, but of the Lamb, and tell not only of Eden and Sinai' 
 I'ut ot v^aivary and heaven. 
 
 To understand the Old Testament, consider Christ and Israel 
 as the centre and key, 
 
 Hhlorical mmmary. The idolatry of the Jews was punished 
 first by, nvasions of the Syrians, and af.er„ards by the invasion of 
 the Assyrians, who earned the people captive, and colonized the 
 country wnh a mixed idolatrous race, who mingld their nLrve 
 worshtp w,th that of Israel. Fron, these sprang the " Samaritan " 
 who mtermarned w,th some of the Jews, borrowed their rites 
 accepted the Pentateuch, and set up a false temple in Gerizim. t1; 
 wo tribes, ,33 years later, were carried captive by the Babylonians- 
 but after 70 years. B. C. 536, a portion of them returned rebuit' 
 
 Satrap, esident at Damascus. As the/a,W. of Abraham had been 
 ewarded by the inheritance of Canaan, the unfaithfulness of Z 
 clescendants had forfeited it, and they were all sent back to the 
 heathen " between the rivers," trom which their progenitors wer! 
 d.v,nely called ; from which e.vile ten tribes never returned, but the 
 remnant-pnncipally of the tribe of Judah-oame back, cured of 
 .dolatry and looking hopefully for the restoration of their kingdom 
 and the birth of the promised seed. "mgaom. 
 
 Preservation of, he Old r..,tame„t. The " Book uf the Law '• 
 placed by Moses m the side of the ark in the tabernacle. Deut „ • 
 
 20, With the vnrmnc «' or,«„). " -^.1 „ .... ••• J* • 
 
 , n -J o" , .".""to unt.t prupnenc ijuuks from Tosfiua 
 
 Dav.d Solomon deposited in the temple, where they remad 
 
 till Its destruction. 2 Kines 22 : S • T.a. 34 : 16. Daniel L 
 
 of " the books" in Babylon. Dan. 
 
 2-1 
 
 I a copy 
 I. and also of Jer. 9 : 2. 
 
120 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 After the temple was rebuilt, Nehemiah collected the sacred books 
 and made "a library " of them, 2 Mace. 2: 13, to which was 
 added the writings of Erra and his contemporaries— Nehemiah and 
 the later prophets. 
 
 The Apocrypha, sometimes bound with the Bible is a collec- 
 tion of ancient books. They are not found in any catalogue oi 
 canonical writings made in the first four centuries after Christ. 
 Philo never quotes them as he does the Scriptures. Josephus 
 expressly rejects them. The Jewish church never received them as 
 part of the canon. Christ and the apostles never quote them ; and 
 Malachi said no other messenger would come till the second Elijah. 
 All external evidence is against their inspiration. As for internal 
 evidence : i. None of the Apocryphal writers claimed divine 
 authority ; and some virtually disowned inspiration. See 2 Mace. 2 : 
 23 » '5 = 3^' 2. The books contain statements at variance with 
 history, are self tontiadictory, and opposed to the doctrines and 
 precepts of Scripture. They never formed a part of the rule of faith; 
 yet the Council of Trent -A. D. 1545— gave them canonical 
 authority. The writings are of value, however, for historical 
 purposes, illustrating the propress of knowledge among the Jews ; 
 their tastes, manners, customs, religious character, their govern- 
 ment ; some books explain prophecies ; others show the fulrillnient 
 of prophecies; and some passages express high and noble 
 sentiments. 
 
 THE FOUR GOSPELS. 
 
 It is a remarkable fact that there are only four accepted gospels 
 when so many pretended ones were written, and that there are as 
 many as four recognized by the whole church as genuine and 
 authentic. The Divine Spirit guided in the selection as well as in 
 the composition of the gospels. 
 
 I. Many comparisons have been made in relation to them. 
 Ireneeus compared them to the four quarters of the globe, to four 
 columns, four winds ; Augustine, to four trumpets ; Calvin, to four 
 horses drawing Christ's chariot. The best of such comparisons — 
 because an aid to memory — is that of the cherubic symbol in Ezekiel 
 I : 10 ; or, what is preferable, in the order given in Rev. 4 : 7, ot 
 ihe symbolic forms of the lion, ox, man, and eagle, the coincidences 
 recalling the special nature of each gospel. 
 
 Ma thew's emblem is the lion. In his gospel, Christ is pre- 
 sented as the lion of the tribe of Judah ; the root of David ; the 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 121 
 
 Shiloh ; the King of the Jews ; •' the son of David :" the son of 
 Abraham,— Matt, i : i. 
 
 ^Mark'semblem is the ox,the oriental symbol of patient toil. In his 
 gospel Christ is the Son of God. in his humiliation making him- 
 self of no reputation ; the divine servant and worker. Mark begins 
 with Malachi. ^ 
 
 Luke's emblem is the face of man. Christ is traced to Adam, 
 not to David or Abraham ; the Son of man in his humanity as the 
 teacher and healer of ours. Luke begins with Zachariah. 
 
 John's emblem is the eagle. In his gospel we are carried to the 
 subhmest heights, and behold Christ descending from heaven, not 
 the Son of David, Abraham or Adam, but of God. 
 
 In the following analysis of the gospels we have sought to avoid 
 that fatal error of the harmonists, of attempting to secure chrono- 
 logical unity at the expense of the individuality of the gospels. 
 
 MATTHEW. 
 
 1. Author.hi,> and date. That Matthew's gospel was written 
 by the the discple whose name it bears is proved (i) by the name ; 
 (2) by tradition ; (3) by coincidences between the man and the 
 book. 
 
 The w'riter. before his conversion named Levi, a publican, and 
 collector of the tolls andcustoms of persons and of goods crossing the 
 lake at Capernaum, was son of Alph^eus, and a Hebrew. 
 
 Notice the variation in the accounts of his call as given in 
 Matt 9 : 9 ; Mark. 2 : 14 ; Lukes: 27, 28. As illustrating his 
 Christian modesty, Matthew omits to mention that he was Levi, the 
 son of Alphanis, andth t he left all and made a great feast for 
 Jesus. But he mentions what the others omit-that he was a pub- 
 lican. His modesty is also exhibited by the difference in the order 
 of the disciples' names in Matt. 2:4; Mark 3 : 16, 19 ; I,uke 6 • 
 13, 16 ; m his record of the disrepute in which publicans were held 
 -Matt. 5 : 46 47 ; 9 : H ; II : 19 ; 18 : 17 ; 21 : 31 ; and also ia 
 his omission of all favorable t. publicans, as the conversion of 
 Zaccheus, Luke 19 : 2 ; the parable of the Phaiisee and publican. 
 Written about A. D. 37. 
 
 2. Character of mnt nts nj,.«,. *u„ u.,-^. ,.. , ^ 
 
 - -^ -'" '"«• ^iy^= mc iiuman descent of our 
 
 Lord from Aoraham, as evidence of his being the promised seed, in 
 whom ad nations should be blessed. Thus He completes the Old 
 Testament history and covenant. He is the one Antitype in whom 
 
f 
 
 122 
 
 HKLPS TO HfBLK STtTIiY. 
 
 all has been fulfilled ; in Him the Old Testament passes into the 
 New ; the prohibitions of the Law into the encouragements of the 
 Gospel ; Sinai into the Mount of Beatitudes ; the prophetic into Oie 
 teaching office ; priesthood into redemption by suffering ; kingship 
 into the supremacy of Almighty grace restoring a fallen race. 
 
 The Gospel of the discourses and miracles - of types and fulfil- 
 ment of prophecy. Christ, the true Israel, called out of Kgypt, 
 true Solomon to whom the East brings its treasures, the true Moses 
 who gives the law ; the wonder-worker, teacher, high priest. Gospel 
 of warning. Prophetic warning Matt. 24 and 25. The high priest 
 r-^nc's his clothes Mati. 26 : 65, and God rends the veil of the 
 temple, Matt. 27 : 51. Pilate's wife dreams, and Pilate washes 
 hands, and the people imprecate on themselves the blood of Him 
 whom the Gentile centurion confessed to be the Son of God. Matt. 
 27 : 19, 24. 25, 54. 
 
 It is easy to perceive als) that Matthew does not observe any 
 chronological order in his narrative, but ranges over the whole 
 field of our Lord's ministry, in order to call out and group together 
 the facts and incidents that illustrate the point he has before him. 
 
 3. For whom written. Matthew wrote especially for Jews in 
 Palestine ; hence he gives no explanation of Jewish customs or to- 
 pography, and shows the fulfillment of the Old Testament in the 
 New. 
 
 Matthew presents one continued comparison of Jesus of Naz- 
 areth, with the Messiah of the Prophets, a comparison which could 
 not fail to have marvelous convincing power with any candid Jew. 
 His argument is nothing, and his gos:-)el almost unintelligible with* 
 out this. Besides the capital fact emphasized by Matthew that Jesus 
 changed from plain teaching to parabolic, because of the blindness 
 and obduracy of the Jews, it may be shown that most of the long 
 list of parables contained in the latter half of this book, are especial- 
 ly condemnatory of the Jews. This is true of the parable of the un- 
 merciful servant, which opposes the boundless forgivness required 
 in the kingdom, to the teaching of the Jew which confined the for- 
 givness of an offending brother to three successive offences ; that of 
 the laborers in the vineyard, which lifts the Gentile to the same 
 level of Divine ])iivi:ege with the Jew ; that of the two sons, which 
 exalts t .e Gentile above the Jew ; that of the marriage of the king's 
 son, which threatens that the kingdom shall be taken wholly from 
 Jewish people and given to the Gentiles ; that of the ten virgins 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE 8TUJ)Y, 
 
 123 
 
 which contrasts true piety with Jewish formality ; that of the talents 
 
 which opposes productive spiritual activity to Jewish obduracy and 
 barrenness. 
 
 That this book was written for the Jews is also seen in its 
 omhsiom. Matthew in his Gospel, in writing for the Jews, charac- 
 teristically omits as useless for his purpose whatever is distinctively 
 Koman, Greek or Christian. The careful reader will note the en- 
 tire absence ofsuch explanations of Jewish customs as that which 
 Mark gives of the religious washing of the hands before eating, and 
 of the washing of cups, pots etc, which were necessary for strangers 
 oj Roman birth. There are no such explanations of Jewish topo- 
 graphy as that which Luke gives cf the " village called Emmaus, which 
 was from Jerusalem abcut threescore furlongs," which are necessary 
 to strangers of Greek birth and philosophic turn of mind. 
 
 There is an absence of such explanations of fewish facts as that 
 which John gives of the ministry of the Jews to the Samaritans, John 
 4 : 4. and which were necessary for the Christians over the world 
 after the destruction of Jerusalem. Matihew gives none of these 
 scenic representations of events which are seen to abound in Mark, 
 which were fitted for the Roman, the man of power. He also 
 omits those eminently human features in which Luke's gospel 
 abounds, and of the facts of the ministry of Jesus in Perea. One 
 who duly considers this omission by Matthew will see that it con- 
 stitutes the very heart of Luke. The moslr remarkable of all 
 omissions by Matthew is the absence of the ministry in Judea, and 
 those spiritual discourses which constitute the greater part of the 
 fourth gospel ; but on more careful consideration it will be seen that 
 they were mainly addressed to that small class of Jews who had 
 adopted the Christian faith. That this gospel was written for the 
 Jews is still further seen in its additions. The most noted of these 
 are : The visit of the wise men ; our Saviour's flight into Egypt ; 
 the slaughter of the infnnts by Herod ; the parable of the ten virgins; 
 the dream of Pilate's wife ; the resurrection of many saints, and their 
 appearing unto many immediately after our Saviour's resurrection ; 
 and the bribing of the Roman guard appointed to watch the 
 sepulchre. The sermon on the mount is peculiarly adapted to the 
 Jew which Mark entirely omits ; nlso the judgment of the Scribes 
 and Pharisees, and of [erusalem. His description of the last 
 judgment demands our special attention, in order that while look- 
 ing simply to his merits for the remission of sins, we may manifest 
 
 fif 
 

 \l 
 
 HKLra TO BIBLE .STUDY. 
 
 m every parable, ,n every accion. there are bright intimations of Hi 
 grace flowing out to the Gentiles. Hence in the opening chapter 
 
 was a dark stain m the estimation of the proud Jew. There were 
 many .llustnous women in the line of His human ancestry but I y 
 
 h7th! J ; • "'I "'"^''' "^ '■' ^^'^ "^'>' ^^'^-^ --« hinting 
 t save h'r^H r 'r ^° ^'^ ''^°"' '"^^^' '" -^'- ^° «-k and 
 LZf T 7 "'' '"'' ^' ^^°°^^^ ^^^'^^ ^P°«^'^^ -nd sends 
 them forth, first to " the lost sheep of the house of I.rael," but only 
 
 one of them. Judas Iscuiot. or Judas, the man of Krioth. is of 
 Judea, while all the rest are Galilleans. Chap. lo. 
 
 See story of (ientile magi, of the Gentile centurion's faith 
 greater than any in Israel, the parable of Christ judging the world, 
 and the command to disciple all nations. »« woria, 
 
 4. Peculiarities of style in this gospd. It is in this gospel we 
 find the phrase, 'Mhe kingdom of heaven," or more literally "the 
 kingdom of the heavens." It occurs thirty-two times, and cioes not 
 
 found tr :- " ''' ""'^ '^"'^"^^"^' ^^« --^ '-^9dom is 
 found fifty-six times; .nd although the expression, "the kingdom 
 
 of God, IS used three times, there is an obvious reason for the 
 change m the language. God's king was there in Israel, but being 
 denied and disowned, he was taken up into the heavens, and "the 
 kingdom of the heavens "began upon His ascension to the right 
 hand of the Father. Hence the phrase is equivalent to the present 
 Christian dispensation, during which Christ from the heavens is 
 exercising rule in an especial manner over that part of the earth in 
 f!!ffil, . ;'^°'^'^!' proclaimed. The phrase, "That it might be 
 fulfilled, occurs thirteen times. " Then," occurs ninety tinfes (in 
 Mark 6. and Luke 14) ; " Heavenly Father." six times; Father in 
 heaven, sixteen times ; church, two. The other evangelists never 
 use this word. 
 
 1 lis business habits caused his gospel to be more systematic 
 than he others H^ groups things of the same kind-discourses 
 parables, mira.les. As discourses, in Matt. 5.7 ; parables in chap' 
 13; and miracles in chaps. S and 9. 
 
 J. Central and collateral trvfu,. The Lord Jesus as jhe 
 
HKLPS TO UIBLE STUDY. 
 
 *2^ 
 
 Son Of .^''^^^^""'"^^^-^^"^"ests-elory. Key word. : Christ, 
 Son of Abraham, and David', son and Lord according to promi^-. 
 
 secmf "o !f.'> ""'f T-^ "' '''"'^^"''' ««^P«'' ^"^ «"« >-hich 
 eems .0 us Us most stnkmg characteristic, is it. varied picturing of 
 
 Chnsts teachmg which naturally made a deeper impres ion on the 
 converted tax collector than on either ot the other evangelists No 
 book m the Bible not even those in the Old Testament'that record 
 
 in. of rewT T'^^'T''' ^^^ ^ --h about the final reckon- 
 ing of rewards and punishments, as this Gospel of Matthew. The 
 2jrd chapter contains the severest denunciations of sin that are to 
 be found anywhere in the Scriptures, and in the book, as a whole 
 
 111'/^".''""^''' "'^"'" "''^'" "hyP-ites.'' .'woe." are 
 lound on almost every page. 
 
 <!. Oom„clion mlh other part, of the Sntplura. Compare the 
 facts, discourses and incidents with those of the same character in the 
 other gospek Read this gospel in connection with the epistl. o he 
 Romans. Read Matt. 24, with the book of Revelation. Matthew 
 
 whUe Mart? "•, ""'•""" °' "-"^ "' ^"""l <1"<"«"-. 
 wh le Mark has only fotirteen, Luke sixteen, and John fourteen 
 
 rte!a.i:„."'' "^ ^""^ =""'='^ "P™ "" "^^^ »' Scrip'u" 
 
 Matthew can he read, without haste, for a comprehensive view 
 m two hours, and should be read continuous!, a. some time I Th 
 
 a M dTj '" 7 '" '" '" S™' '""""e '"""gh'^. by '''king 
 a bird s-eye view of it as a whole. 
 
 MARK. 
 
 P . ^.' ^J'^*;^'^^^^ «''^ ^^«^«. According to tradition this gospel is 
 Pe er s, Mark being only his amanuensis. Inte mal evidences Kov 
 instance, he mentions things he would be likely to know or observe 
 -see Mark i : 29 ; Luke 4 : 38 ; Matt. 21 : 20 and Mark „ • „ 
 14, 21. He omits anything that specially honoured Peter' his 
 walking on the sea, Matt. 14 : 28. 31 ; also Matt. 16 : 13. ,0 • ,n . 
 28 ; John 21 : 15. ,9 ; and that he was the first of the di.sciples to 
 whom Jesus appeared. Inserts all discredif.hip .n h.-p^c.jf ^^ 
 Mark 8: 32, ^z; compare Mr.tt. 26: 75. and Mark 14: 72^'but 
 mentions the message sent specially to him. Mark 16 • 7 
 
 Mark was the John Mark mentioned in Acts 12 : 12 25 • , ^ 
 
1S6 
 
 HELPH TO BIBLE HTDOy. 
 
 I 
 
 5. 13 ; 15 : 39 ; Col. 4 : 10 ; i Pet. 5 : 13. Supposed l,y some (.. 
 be the young man mentioned in Mark 14: 51, 52. Referred to 
 by Paul, Phil. 24; 2 Tim. 4 : 11. 
 
 Neither of these men could have accomplished this work al.me ; 
 for, even if Mark was of Roman birth and nature, he had not the 
 facts of the Gospel; and even if Peter was a man of action and 
 trammg, as such, he was at the same time of Jewish birth and 
 nature. The two were indispensable. Written about A. D. 64 
 or 65. 
 
 a. Character of contents. Maik relates the works rather than 
 the discourses of our Lord. Jesus is presented as the faithful-ser- 
 vant. According to the terms of the prophecy, Isa. 43: 1-3, 19; 
 49 : o; 52 : 13 ; 53 : 11. This service was undertaken in secret 
 prayer , it was a service promptly rendered. Ten times in the 
 openinjr chapter we find the words immediately, atraitway, forth- 
 with, .1; indicating the haste and energy with which the obedient 
 Servant did the bidding of Ilim who sent him. The Greek word 
 so translated occurs eighty times in the New Testament, and forty 
 times it is found in the short gospel of Mark. It was an universal 
 service, a service that entered into minute details, it was a service 
 rendered In great tenderness, it was a service not performed for dis- 
 play, but carried on unobtrusively. He himself declares, only in 
 this gospel, "of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not 
 the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." 
 This language which has perplexed so many becomes perfectly 
 plain, when we remember that it is the purpose of the Holy Ghost 
 in Mark to reveal Him as the faithful servant ; and "the servant 
 knoweth not what his Lord doeth." All the way through this 
 gospel it is service. It is important, too, to state that Mark observes 
 the chronological order of events as Matthew does not, and hence 
 it is easy to follow him in his narrative. Rabbi, not Lord (only so 
 addressed by the Syro-Phonoecian woman). 
 
 While Mark has much in common with Matthew that many insist 
 that he is a mere copyist or abridger, there is yet this wide differ- 
 ance. that whereas Matthew rests wholly on prophecy, Mark is so 
 entirely independent of prophecy, that, after the opening verses, he 
 never even records the words of a prophet, except as he quotes from 
 the mouth of Jesus. 
 
 -/. For vhom written. Mark wrote for the instruction of 
 Roman converts. No work of old Roman, in short, was ever more 
 
u> 
 
 H1LP« TO BIBLE HTUnV. |J7 
 
 Roman in i.s rhetorical movement than the «o.spcl by Maik. This 
 « further seen m .ts om.ssion, and addition,. Mark omit, th. par- 
 ables of special Jewish significance and condemnatory of the Jews. 
 ittl r °^'^' '"''■^'^ ^'''^ ^^'^'"'^-^ '^ equally apparent. 
 
 e u, M rr '" "''"'"^ '^' ''^'''''''^ A'^'"^'-'" ^o'd« "«ed h; 
 
 form \ th^ r f'"'"^^"^"^ '^^ ^^-^ of Latin words in Greek 
 
 and wh: ^ ^ ""u't " T^''' '^'' ^'^""^' '" ^^^ ^'^ Testament, 
 and wh.ch would have been unintelligible to readers of a purei; 
 
 gosp I are th'V 7'' ''"':'" "^"^"^ "^'^^'"^'^ ^^^^''-^ '° ^^il 
 of the ZlT r7 u'^' ^'"-'"'^ °^^^^ «^^^ <^-" > ^he healing 
 
 capons ; and the form of the last commission. 
 
 seed?""^ t' '''°^''''"' °"'^ ^'^""^ P''^^^^'^^' ^'^-^ the sower, the 
 seed corn, the mustard seed and the wicked husbandman. The 
 rst^^^^^^^^ th «e are employed in 
 
 unfolding the growth of the kingdom as an out.anl of^jecL thing. 
 Ihe first- he sower-contradicts the false Roman idea, by putting 
 the invisible, spiritual power of truth in the place of the visible 
 material power of the Ceasers ; the second-the seed corn-present^ 
 a development as independent of human will, and as inevitable as 
 
 th,.^ .t""' f' "''^""^'"^^ '" '^' "^"^' ^^°'"^" conception ; the 
 th.rf- he mustard seed -completes the sketch of the developmen t 
 
 whlh p'"^ '^ '^7'"^ '^' ''^''^ ^''^'^ •"'« th-t universality 
 I^reali^eT' '^'' ''°'^'"^' ""^''"' ^"^ *^^^" ^'"P"'^^^^' 
 
 4. Central and collateral truths. The lord jesus as the 
 mviNE MAN. Ministering service -compassionate sympathy- 
 alleviated misery-salvation. Key words : Christ the servant . f 
 his Father, and the meeter of man's need. The book of miracles 
 wrought immediately by Christ as the Divine Servant, for the sake 
 ol those who believe, being astonished. 
 
 If the Roman was, as can be shown, the man of action, of state 
 worship of universal empire, these characteristics must furnish the 
 key to the Gospel intended for him. 
 
 5, Peculiarities of style in this gospel Personal traits of Christ 
 are recorded in this gospel, not found elsewhere, as in Mark ii : n 
 and lo : 32 ; and also mention I'n «pv. vni rs!-"-" '^<" rv-i--'- i • 
 moved, grieved, loving, sighing. Only in Mark do we find the 
 words in Mark 2 : 27 and 4 : 39. 
 
 In Mark, " straight A^ay " or - immediately " occurs 41 times. 
 
m 
 
 1/(1 
 
 h 
 
 HKLP8 ro BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 Ma"^, .mT'"'"™' •" '" ^'"^ ■ ^ U; . = 33. Compare 
 MatL 9 . 2 , Mark 2 : 3, 4 , Ma.t. 8 , .3, 35 and Mark 4 : 36, 38. 
 
 abo„-T;,h- r'""' ^'■''" ""'"8='" "»<• """ghty works," 
 aoour.d m this intense gospel. 
 
 Marlf'if "-Iff/ '''''^' "'^'^ ^^"'^ ^'^^^'^ ScHpturcs. Compare 
 
 V whhfh ^ ^ '^i'^ "^^ ^'"- 7 = '4-21, and compare general- 
 ly with the gospels by Matthew and Luke. 
 
 This book contains 67? verses inrl mo,, ].<> j • 
 and 15 minutes. ' ^^ ^^ ''^^ '" ^"^^ h^""- 
 
 LUKE, 
 i. Avthor8hip and ilate. Little known of him. Said to be 
 
 irVtdVt"^ ^'' ' r "^''^'^^' ^"'^^ ' = ^- TradUion a 
 Col V' T r t '■ ^'""^' °' '" ^"*^^°^^^'P- A Gentile convert, 
 
 n° 2 Tim 4*: L '""' ""'' ' "' ^ '^""^ ^^'"P^"-"' ^^^« '6 •• 
 
 .n J.' ''•'^•' ""^.'^y'^g testimony of the early church, that Lul^^'s 
 gosp or.g„,,te, his companionship and work with Paul an. 
 
 Lin d thfr .'' 'f "^^^"' '^ ^^^^ Sreat Apostle, who o. 
 
 citizenship of the Roman, and the undying devotion of the chi- f 
 ofsinncrs saved by grace. ^' me cniu 
 
 ■ f Luke .hi ; "" P"-™'"""y fi«^d 10 furnish, with the ai,l 
 
 exatple onhtT," VT'"'"' '"' "'^' "'"''• ^o more s.riki, ,, 
 example of the fitness of the means devised for the accomplishment 
 of d,v.„e ends can be found even in sacred history. C", 
 about the year A. D. 63. ' "ritten 
 
 S. aaracterorcmlct,. The author states at once the two 
 .nam objects of the historical wr.ter : to draw up a continual J 
 
 wi nl""T ''T ''"''"' -"'--ing of the'testimoni s o ye. 
 <ntnes es and m.n.sters of the «ord , and to cou,mit it to writin/,n 
 
 UUchir T '• '"'?" "™^"''^ "«"= '""^ clelineaT d r 
 babe. Child lad, man. Only in this gospel do we read of Clmsfs 
 
 eattng e..rthly food after his resurrection-Luke .4 ■• 30, 43 ' , 
 pare John 2 : ,3, ,5. m, ,,„,„„„ ,y„,p,(,,i^, more f„n;,;, ,„" h 
 forcmldren. Infants brought .0 him. The only d.^ughtof 
 Jatrus, and only son of the father who besought hin, For win en 
 
HELPS TO UIBLE STUDY. 
 
 129 
 
 Mary and Elizabeth, and Anna, Martha and Mary, the women that 
 ministered to him, 8 : 2, 3. The <laughters of Jerusalem, 23 : 28. 
 or widows, 4:25; 20: 47; 2: 37; 7: 12; 18:3,5; 21: 2, 
 3. i or the poor and outcast-, illustrated by the parable of the rich 
 man and Lazan,s, Zaccheus, the woman who was a sinner, and the 
 parable in Luke 15. 
 
 Here only are we told that "a certain man went down from 
 Jerusalem to Jericho ;" that "a certain man had a fig tree planted 
 m his vineyard; ' that "a certain man made a great supper ;" that 
 this man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them;" that "a 
 certain man had two sons;" that "there was a certain rich man 
 which was clothed in purple and fine linen ;" that "two men went 
 up into the temple to pray ;" and that the centurion, deeply impressed 
 by the scenes which atte ded the crucifixion said, -Certainly this 
 was a righteous man." The last statement is the more striking 
 when compared with the testimony of Matthew, "Truly this was 
 the^Sonof God," and of Mark, "Truly this man was the Son of 
 
 Here too the human side of his character is brought out in the 
 frequent mention o^ his praying. Nowhere else do we learn that 
 when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that 
 Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was 
 opened ;^ that " he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and 
 prayed; that "he went out into a mountain to pray, and con- 
 tinued all night in prayer to God," before his choice of the twelve- 
 that as he was alone praying » Peter confessed Him " the Christ of 
 God; that "he went up into a mountain to pray; and as he 
 prayed the transfiguration occurred ; that " as he was praying in 
 a certain place, when he ceased » he taught the disciples the Lord's 
 prayer ; that he said to Peter, " I have prayed for thee, that thy 
 faith fail not ; ' that " being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly" 
 that on the cross he prayed, "Father forgive them; for they 
 know not what they do." Surely in all this he brings himself 
 very r.ear to us as the pattern man. 
 
 When our Lord sent forth the twelve, according to Matthew 
 he commanded them saying, " Go not into the way of the Gentiles' 
 and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not : but. eo rather tn 
 the lost sheep of the house of Israel ;" because Matthew gives us 
 the gospel of the king of Israel. But in Luke we are told that 
 "they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel 
 
130 
 
 H^LPS TO HIBLE .STUDY. 
 
 I 
 
 
 and healing everywhere ," because here we have ,he co.pel of the 
 Son of man ,n his relations to the whole world 
 
 that fhe'trr'"* "'"" *r. "'■'■' "' '"™'' «°'P^'^> " ""' "e found 
 
 ?'ft op= a 1'"", r™'""' l^™'""^"" •° ">= ""'.^ Ghost and his 
 ftts operations. an,l div.ne personality. .See Luke I : ic ^c 41 Ai 
 
 thJ'fZ-!"''"" "'""''"• '"''"'■=•' fo' "•= «'«!<, and through 
 he,^, oenfles everywhere Hence Christ is traced t; Adam, lew 
 sh customs and chronology made intelligible to a foreigne and 
 he parables of the Good Samaritan and Prodigal Son 'and he 
 
 lost piece of silver introduced. 
 
 made^cl??„1-"'"''?^ *"' '"' '"'"" '^'^''"y "' »>" should be 
 made clear to him. Accordingly we see that Luke has taken care 
 
 ll, ,T '''""^' °''"" ''''««' ^"i. ""■'■^h 'eflect the cleared 
 
 after dea h. and during the interval of its dissolution and the dav of 
 resurrection. He has done this in his recital of the histo ; o'the 
 ru^h man and Lazarus, and in the speech of our Lord to the penit nt 
 thief on the cross, "To-day thou shalt be with me in Paradi e" 
 
 he raising of the daughter Jairus, has taken care to specify the fact 
 that her spirit came back .0 her again. He thus corrected the 
 erroneous notions of popular belief and philosophical inc eduli^y 
 
 that the human soul, on its separation from the body by death 
 passes immediately into a place of joy or of sorrow ; a„7th" t 
 lemains there until the last day, when it will be re-unitedTo the 
 body, and be admitted to the full fruition of heavenly bl is or be 
 consigned .0 the bitter pains of everlasting woe. -\Wrd:'worth 
 A Gospel tor the Greek must be shaped by the Greek idea • 
 must present ..e character and career of Jesus of Lareth rom he' 
 Greek point of view, as answering ,0 the conception of a pe flot 
 and divne humanity , must exhibit him as adapted, in his powe 
 and mercy. ,„ his work and mission, to the wants of the ^1^ 
 soul and of humanity as represented in it. It must present Tesas 
 as the perfect man, to meet the Greek ideal ; as the divine man "„ 
 «re he wretchedness of the despairing Greek. It must bring God 
 and the invisible world near, to meet lh<. w.nt= -f -v- 1--- 
 G.eek soul and elevate it above itself and' int'; commtiot"^:^ 
 God , must open the eyes of the blind Greek to see the sinfulness of 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 of the 
 
 131 
 
 sin and the beauty and desirableness of virtue and holiness It 
 must open the way to a mission grand enough for man here and 
 must bring to light an immortality beyond. 
 
 Wordsworth has well said. - The universality of man's apos- 
 tasy from the prmieval Law of God ; the universality of the guilt of 
 mankind ; the universality of the misery in which the human race 
 ay ; the universality of their need of a Redeemer and a Saviour ; 
 the universality of the redemption accomplished by Christ dying on 
 ^he cross for the sins of the world ; the universality of the ( hristian 
 church, constituted by him to be the dispenser to all the nations of 
 all the means of grace flowing from his sacrifice ; and the preparatory 
 and transitory character and functions ot the Levitical law and 
 pnesthood-these were solemn topics on which all men needed to 
 be mstructed, particularly the Gentile world." 
 
 To the Greek these are the credentials of Jesus, no less essen- 
 tial than prophecy to the Jew. or power to the Roman. The Greek 
 soul of that age furnishes the true key to the third gospel 
 
 4- Central and collateral tmiths. Thk Lord Jesus as the 
 
 'T°''^:n..^°"'^^''^°"~^'*^^-'"'"'^^^^'^" ^"d ascension. Key 
 ^°t"V?' ^^°" ""' ^'^^ establishing his kingdom in all the 
 world." Christ the Son of Man in his service'amongst men. 
 Ihe central Idea of the third gospel, in its internal aspect, ap- 
 pears throughout. It is this : Jesus is the perfect, divine man, the 
 Saviour of the world-especially does it present the universal 
 grace of God. In the character and condition of the Greek civili- 
 zation in the apostolic age is to be found the key to the third gospel. 
 5. Peculiarities of style. Luke's favorite expression, used also 
 by Matthew, and less frequently by Mark, is, "And it came to 
 pass. He uses the word sinrytr oftener than all the other evan- 
 gehsts combined. The word people also is used oftener than in 
 either of the other gospels. There ivas, or it happened that occurs 
 about sixty times in the two compositions of Luke. Other 'ch-ac 
 teristic words : "Son of Man," "heal," "compassion," "prayer " 
 "man," "all," "Gentiie," "joy," "house," "blessed," "word'" 
 ''women," "children." "sat at meat." " kingdom of God," thir'ty 
 times. The word " prayer " more frequent in Luke than in any 
 other gospel. The style of Lukeis more classical than that of the oth*.r 
 evangelists. His gospel more of a biography than any of the others it 
 and Acts alone have dedications. The Physician shows himself in the 
 particular detai's of diseases ; the ArtiM in the vivid pictures of 
 
 If 
 
132 
 
 II 
 
 HELFii TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 life-like scenes ; the companion of Paul in the extension of the 
 Gospel to the Gentiles, 4 : 16-30. His history, complete, begins 
 earlier, ends later ; gives particulars about the Saviour's youth ; has 
 more references to dates and coeval events, &c. See Luke 1:5; 
 2 : I, 2 ; 3 : I • 2 : 21 ; 2 : 33 ; 2 : 37 ; 3 : 42 ; 9 : 20 ; 9 : 28 ; 
 13 : 16. Traces of his profession ; (|uotalion of Isa. 59 : i ; in 
 Luke 4 : 18 ; also in Luke 4 : 23. Compare Matt. 8 : 14 and 
 Luke 4: 38; Matt. 8; 15, Luke 4 : 39; Matt. 8 : 2 and Luke 
 5 : 12 ; Matt. 8 : 6 and Luke 7:2: Matt. 9 : 20 and Luke 8 : 43. 
 Influence of Paul: Compare Luke 22: 17, 20 and i Cor. 9: 23, 
 26. Predilection for triplets, i Cor. 13 : 13 ; i Thes. 5 : 23 ; 2 
 Cor. 13 : 13. 
 
 6. Connection with other part a 0/ the Scriptures. Compaie 
 Luke 21 with Mark 13 and Matt. 24, and compare generally with 
 the gospel by Mark. 
 
 Luke has 1149 verses and can be read in two hours. 
 
 JOHN. 
 
 1. Authorship and date. Written from Ephesus by John about 
 A. D. 97. It is clearly a fact of history that the fourth gospel was 
 prepared and given to the church long after the other three had 
 been completed. If, as is generally supposed, his gospel was not 
 written till near the close of the first century, he was ripened for it 
 by an experience of nearly seventy years. 
 
 John was not what the painters have represented him, an 
 effeminate man, but with much of force and fire in his nature, yet a 
 reverent, loving man, with special gifts of insight. These points 
 are illustrated by his never giving the name of John to any one but 
 the Baptist. His delineation of his character in John 3 : 25, 36 ; 
 also in his record of the mingled familiarity and reverence marking 
 thfe intercourse between Christ and his disciples— John 4. : 27 ; 13 : 
 23, 36. His love is shown in Mary being committed to his care ; 
 in his full account of Peter's restoration—John 21 : 15, 19 ; and in 
 his making a companion of Peter— John 21 : 7 ; Acts 3:1. 
 
 John is said to have remained at Jerusalem till the death of 
 Mary, about the year A. D. 48. After Paul had left Asia Minor, 
 John went to labor there, residing chiefly at Ephesus, and founding 
 ^_.^,,,, ^,.,,,jv.ji^^cr HI liiai wiiiiiij'. tjnoiiiy uiiciwuius, uuring me 
 persecution under Domitiau — or according to others— towards the 
 end of the reign of Nero— he was banished to Patnios, an island in 
 
 t.J 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STfJPT. 
 
 13S 
 
 the .^.gaan Sea, where he received the visions of the Apocalypse. 
 On the accession of Nerva he was liberated and returned to Ephesus, 
 where he continued to labor during the rest of his life. He died in 
 the hundredth year of his age, about A. D. loo. 
 
 2. Character of content,. This gospel was intended to correct 
 what was false in the Jewish and heathen systems of religious 
 philosophy. 
 
 Tradition says he wrote this gospel to present an aspect of 
 thrist s nature apt to be too little regarded by readers of the other 
 ^ospel3-the divinity of Christ, His gospel was written after the 
 destruction of Jerusalem; see John ii: i8, and 18: i-hence 
 safe to relate the resurrection of Lazarus-and [ohn 18 : 10, and 18: 
 26, which compare with 18 : 16. 
 
 Generally, his gospel is rather a compilation of distinct disser- 
 laHons than a continuous narrative. It connects the redemption of 
 mankind with the creation by the same source of Life. Its subject 
 is: "The Eternal Word made Flesh." i. Asprc-existent. 2. As 
 incarnate. 3. As revealing the Faiher. 4. As connecting humanity 
 with divinity through his own incarnation by means of spiritual 
 agency. Hence the transmission of this spiritual influence through 
 material substances is rvidenced by the first miracle, 2 ; expounded 
 to Nicodemus, 3 ; allegorized to the San.aritan woman 4 ; exempli- 
 Jied in the impotent man, 5 ; Humholized and emphasized in the 
 feeding of 5,000, and subsequent discourse. The revelation of the 
 leather is developed by miracle and parable in 7 : 10. His life 
 giving power communicated to human nature temporarily and 
 eternally by spiritual agency in Ii-I3;the perpetual transmission 
 of that power from Himself to mankind through His apostles, and 
 their commission to execute their functions in 14 : 21. This gospel 
 was probably the last tvritten of all the books of the Bible • and 
 while proving the divine nature of Christ, it corrected several of the 
 heresies-Gnosticism-etc, which sprang up in the first age of 
 Christianity, and supplies an answer to some that prevail in our own 
 3 For whom written. John's gospel was written for mankind! 
 In It Christ IS the light of the world, and in it no knowledge of 
 Jewish custom or topography is assumed. 
 
 The fact that the first three gospels were missionary irosoels 
 originally preached to unspiritual men with the view of bringing 
 them to Christ, accounts for their su marked variation from John 
 the Christian gospel, originally preached to spiritual men already 
 
 I 
 
134 
 
 .1 i 
 
 HifiLPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 p 
 
 
 jnTs 
 
 : ( 
 
 -1 yl 
 
 li 
 
 |;-|;|i 
 
 
 1 
 
 L. 
 
 brought to faith in Christ by the Gospel in its First three forms, and 
 preached for the purpose of aiding them in making progress in the 
 divine life. The impossibility of only one gospel, the absurdity of 
 four gospels of precisely similar character, and the completeness of 
 the four gospels as they are, all appear manifest from this point of 
 view. 
 
 In the / ams which fell from the lips of Jesus himself, as given 
 by John, is summed up the fullest possible exhibition of L 
 and work, and of that perfect satisfaction for the spiritual v»; J 
 all men which is to be found only in him. 
 
 The Christian aim of the fourth gospel appears especially in its 
 omission of facts and truths made prominent in the other gospels. 
 He omits parables, with the partial exceptions of John lo : i, 
 1 6, and 15 : i, 5 ; becouse he does not recoid Christ's popular 
 discourses, but his private conversations with his disciples, and 
 theological discussions with the highly educated Pharisees and 
 Sadducees. Pie repeats only two of the miracles recorded by the other 
 evangelists— the feeding of the five thousand, and the walking on the 
 sea. The explanation of the first of these, in John 6 : 35, 51 makes 
 known to us that miracles are parables, and form a ^mplete system 
 illustrated by the miracles of resurrection, of which the first was that 
 of an only daughter, the second that of an only son, the third that 
 of an only brother. The first, that of one just dead ; the second 
 dead one being carried to the grave ; the third, that of one buried 
 four (lays. The culminating miracle of resurrection is that of Him 
 who was the only begotten Son of God. No human genealogy, 
 no divine origin of the Messiah, no early experience and preparation 
 for his work, no sermon on the mount, no apprehensions of the 
 cross, no delivering to the Gentiles and mocked and spitefully 
 treated and spitted upon, no prayer in the garden or agony, 
 no angel strengthening him, not a word of sweating as if it were 
 great drops of blood ; no weakness, but power ; no darkness, no 
 commending himself to God. The divine^; beams though the 
 human everywhere. 
 
 Still more clearly does the Christian aim of John's gospel ap- 
 pear from the oddUiom which he makes lo the material furnished 
 by the other evangelists. These additions are : John the Baptist 
 directing his disciples to Christ ; Christ iuining wa-er into wine ; 
 his healing the nobleman's son ; the infirm man at the pool of 
 Hethesda ; and the blind man at the pool of Siloam ; and his rais- 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 135 
 
 ing La/arus from the dead ; to which may be added his discourses 
 with Nicodemus, with the Samaritan woman, with the Pharisees 
 concerning his divinity at Capernaum, concerning himself as the 
 bread of life, and with his disciples on various occasions, particu- 
 larly on the night preceding his crucifixion ; his intercessory prayer ; 
 and after his resurrection his appearance to his disciples at the sta 
 of Tiberias, and the restoration of I'eter to the apostolic office. 
 
 4. Central and i!ollateral trutlh^. The Lord Jesus as Goi'. 
 Light— life— salvation— union— power— glory. Keywords: ,i) 
 Christ the Son of God in the moral glory of His person and ways. 
 (2) Believe on the Son of God, who is before all and above all. 
 The character and needs of the Christian furnish the key to John's 
 gospel. The first eighteen verses of the first chapter will give 
 a clue to the intention of the whole gospel. 
 
 5. Peculiarities of style. John's favorite expression is "After," 
 and 'After these things." John's gospel is remarkable for peculiar 
 terms applied to Christ : The Word, Only begotten. Life, Light, 
 Lamb- all designed to set Him forth as the Divine Saviour of men' 
 Thcwords "love," "truth "and " faith," are of frequent occurrence 
 —the latter especially is used loo times, or almost as many times as 
 all the other New Testament writers-Paul included-taken together. 
 No other evangelist uses the expression, Verllij, verily, even once, 
 but John uses it twenty-live times. Other characteristic words', 
 '•Him that seat me," "Father," " Holy Spirit," "disciples," 
 
 believe, " ^ ' love, " « ' abide. " He alone of the evangelists indulges 
 in comment, as John 7 : 39 ; " : 5i ; n : 13- His style is simple, 
 vivid, earnest, reverential, often full of pathos. 
 
 The gospel by John contains 879 verses, and may be read in 
 one hour and a half. 
 
 ACTS. 
 
 1. Authorship and date. Written for the church by Luke 
 from Rome A.I). 64. ' 
 
 ^. Character of contents. This book forms the sequel of 
 Luke's gospel. It is the history of the foundation and spiead of the 
 Christian Church— the former under Peter, 1-12, the latter under 
 Paul, 12-28. It was founded on the Day of Pentecost ; its first sods 
 were Jews (hence it appeared only a Jewish sect in Judea) ; and the 
 forn r part of the book is occupied with its establishment ihere, 
 with arguments in its favor and with challenges to disprove the 
 
136 
 
 HKLPa ro BIBLE STUDY, 
 
 h I 
 
 fundajueiUal fact of Christ's resurrection. Its first development into 
 an organized community, with official staff, provoked the first 
 persecution and martyrdom, which precipitated its extension to 
 Samaria and Syria, caused a new and more independent centre of 
 operations to be planted at Antioch, whence under Paul (the first 
 converted persecutor) it spread to Asia Minor, Greece, Rome, and 
 various parts of the (Jentilc world. The motive influence was the 
 direct impulse of the Holy Spirit, not any preconceived plan of the 
 Apostolic body, 2 : 4 ; 1 1 : 17 ; 15 ; 6, 7, 9. 
 
 Analysis. A. The Acts of Peter :— liirth of Christian Church, 
 and extensi(m to Sau'aria, comprising (i) foundation and progress 
 of the church in Jerusalem and Judea, 1-8 ; (2) first persecution and 
 extension to Samaria and to Gentile family of Cornelius, 8- 11 : 18 ; 
 (3) second persecution and foundation of the Church at Antioch, in 
 19; 13: 3- 
 
 B. The Acts of Paul :— Extension of the Church to the 
 Gentiles. 
 
 (1) Paul's call and first Apostolic journey, 13: 4-15: 5; (2) 
 
 Council of Jerusalem fixing terms of admission, 15 ; (3) second 
 
 Apostolic journey, 15 : 36-18 : 22 ; (4) third Apostolic journey, 
 
 18 -. 23-21 : 17 ; (5) Paul's imprisonment at Citsarea, and voyage 
 
 to Rome, 2i : 18-28. So the progress is recorded from a small 
 
 Jewish sect to the universal Church. In this book all the articles 
 
 of the Apostles' Creed may be found, chiefiy in J'eter's speeches, 1-5. 
 
 This book might properly be called "The Acts of the Holy 
 
 Ghost,'' for it contains His name nearly 60 times. It compri'-es a 
 
 history of about 30 years, from the Saviour's ascension to Paul's 
 
 arrival at Rome after his appeal to Ctesar. 
 
 S. Central and collateral truths. The power of the gospel. 
 Depravity— darkness— conversion — illumination — service. Key 
 thoughts : (I) Christ in heaven, and the eneryy of the Holy Ghost on 
 earth. (2) " By the name of Jesus doih this man stand before you 
 whole." Others give chapter i : 8, as the key verse. It is a most 
 suggestive fact that prayer, and united prayer occupies so prominent 
 a place in this instructive book. Another striking fact is the 
 Scri|)lural preaching of the apostles ; and further, the dependence 
 of the aposiles and early Christians upon the Spirit. 
 
 Looking at the writings uf Luke, in his gospel and the Acts, as 
 jresent to us f( 
 
 one book, they 
 
 their key worc''^, '• The Son of Man. 
 
 great thoughts clustered about 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 187 
 
 1. Christ is the Son of Man in the sense that Hr /t,is our true 
 Inivtatutii, and is one of our " brethren." 
 
 2. Christ is the Son of Man in the sense thai llr hrlninjs in (/„ 
 whole race m " /ne nni-nntional num." 
 
 3. Christ as the Son of Man sends forth every Christian to 
 "act" in his stead, and sends the Holy Spirit to give strength for 
 the required activity. 
 
 4. Christ as the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that 
 which was lost. Christ as the Son of Man, feeling our infirmities, 
 grasping the whole race with his atoning love, calling the church to 
 noble activity, and longing to save every lost soul. 
 
 Notice the frequent words, "accused " and "accusers " in con- 
 trast with " accord " and " added." Contrast also the oft-repeated 
 words, "boldness" with " bonds," and "joy" with " prisons." 
 
 Among the doctrines prominent in this book are : The divine 
 nature of the Son of God ; also of the Holy Ghost. Jesus is the 
 object of divine worship by Stephen. lie is spoken of as Lord of 
 all. The Holy Ghost is called God, and many instances of his per- 
 sonality are given. 8 : 29 ; lo : 19 ; 13 : 2 ; r6 : 7 ; 20 : 28. 
 
 4. Prophecies and promises fulfilled. The gospels close with 
 a prophetic allusion to several facts recorded in the Acts, and with 
 a promise of the Holy Spirit, of which this book gives the fulfillment. 
 Luke 24 : 47-49 ; Mark 16: 17, 18; Jo n 14: 12-17. 
 
 '5. Biot/raphie.^. Paul. His history as given by himself in 
 different parts of the New Testament is as follows : He was a Jew 
 of Tarsus, a city of Cilicia ; a freeborn Roman citizen ; a Pharisee 
 and the son of a Pharisee ; circumcised the eighth day ; of the tribe 
 of Benjamin ; a Hebrew of the Hebrews ; brought up at the feet of 
 Gamaliel ; taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the 
 fathers ; being conversant, also, not only with Jewish but Greek 
 literature ; and thus distinguished from the rest of the Apostles as 
 a man of education and learning. None of the twelve Apostles 
 were— humanly speaking— fitted to preach the gospel to the cidtiva- 
 ted^ Oentile world. To be by divine grace the spiritual conqueror of 
 Asia and Europe, God raised up another instrument, from among 
 the highly educ^ed and zealous Pharisees. 
 
 5. Connection with other parts 0/ the Scriptures. Luke un- 
 doubtedly intended this book as an appendix jlo his gospeI,if not, in- 
 deed, the whole may be considered as one publication in two parts. 
 The careful reader will observe that where Luke's gospel leaves off, 
 
138 
 
 HKLPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 the latter begins after the intro(hu:ti(,n contained in the first thirteen 
 verses. The epistles plainly siipp(,sc that those facts had actually 
 occurred which this history relates. Hence -pears the importance 
 ol the Acts, as a kind of postcript to the e-spels, and as an intro- 
 duction to the epistles, in the study of which it forms a most useful 
 gUHle. Read this book particularly in connection with the epistles 
 to the Romans. Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and Thessa- 
 lonians ; also the gospel by I.uke and Joel 2. 
 
 ROMANS. 
 
 /. AuthoTHhip and date. Written by Paul from Corinth. 
 A. J). 58. 
 
 2. Chararte.r oj contents. ( , ) Sinfulness of the human race : ^a) 
 
 of the heathen i ; (/.) of the Jews 2 ; (r) Comparison of Jews and 
 
 (.entiles. (2) The I'lan of Salvation explained (a) in theory (3); {b) by 
 
 Illustration 4, 5. (3) Its value: (a) union with Christ 6 ;(/>) a servants 
 
 '.f Christ 6 ; (.) supplying defects of the Lawj. (4) Justification by 
 i^aith : {a) Christian's duty and privilege ; {h) cause of rrjection of 
 
 some, election of others.of Abraham's seed ; (c) blindness and final re 
 
 jectionofthejews. (5) Development of Itruth 12-15. 6. Personal 
 
 communications 15-17. 
 
 Justificatioi) how"' | '• Not by Gentile works of nature. Chap. i. 
 
 - 2. i\ ot by Jews works of the law. Chaps. 2,3 :2o. 
 
 j I 3- Saved only by faith in Christ. Chap. 3:21:4. 
 
 ictrinal \ , ,, • 1 /^. , 
 
 1 I I. I'eace with (lot!. 
 
 Result. '' -' ^' Sanctification. 
 
 l>octrinal 
 
 i) [ Without 
 ■5 Works. 
 
 ° I Admission 
 
 H ',of Oentiles 
 
 l'ractic;ai. 
 
 ) 3. (Glorification. 
 
 {4. Both Jew and (lentile. 
 
 I I. Advice toChristians. 
 • 2. Jleh.avior in civil society. 
 
 Chap. 5. 
 Chaps. 6, 7. 
 Chap. 8. 
 Ch.ips. 9-1 1. 
 
 Chap. 12. 
 Chap. 13. 
 
 I 3. Hehaviorni churcli society. Chaps. 14, 15: 14 
 
 ) 
 
 1. Account of himself. 
 
 2. Particular salutations 
 
 1 11 • I . . Chap. 15 : 15-20. 
 
 Apologetic. • 2- ^I ai-ticiilar salutations. Chap. 15 : ,0-31. 
 
 3- Warnings against divisions. Chap. 16: 1-16. 
 V4- Salutations and benediction. Ch.ip. 16:17-27. 
 
 The moral condition of the nations to whom the gospel came, 
 Paul has descibed in the epistle to the Romans. 
 
 V/e find there were opponents to the gospel at Ror^e, who 
 argued against it on the ground of the immoral consequences which 
 followed— as they thought-the doctrine of justification by faith and 
 even charged Paul himself with maintaining that the greater n^an's 
 sin the greater was God's glory 3 : 8. Moreover, not all the ]ev.'Uh 
 members of the church could bring themselves to acknowledge their 
 uncircumcised Gentile brethren as their equals in the privileges of 
 
HKiii'M TO nrm.r stiti>y. 
 
 isn 
 
 Muist's kinjidoiii. j : 9, 29; 15 : 711. On the other hand, the 
 more enlightene<l ( itnlile converts were inclined to treat the linger- 
 ing Jewish prejudices with scornful cont'^nipt, 14 : 3. It was the 
 aim of I'aul to win the former of these parties to ChriHtian truth, 
 an(i the latter to Christian love. Two things the Jew then stumbleil 
 at. I. Justificati(m by faith without the works of the law, and 2. 
 the admission of the Gentiles into the church ; therefore both these 
 I'aul in his letter to the church of Rome, studied to clear and 
 vindicate. 
 
 .?. For whom vrritten ? For the Christians at Rome. The 
 name of the original founder of the Roman church has not been pre- 
 served to us by history, nor even celebrated by tradition. It is 
 therefore probable that it was formed in the first imtance of private 
 Christians converged in Palestine, who had brought back Christianity 
 with them from some of their periodical visits to Jerusalem, as the 
 "strangers from Rome," from the great pentecost in A. D. 29. 
 Acts 2 : 10. 
 
 4. Central and collateral truths. Justification and Sano 
 TiFiCATiON. Faith— conflict— peace— consecration. Key thoughts: 
 ( I ) Christianity unfolded. (2)Condemnation in sin, and justification by 
 faith through grace. 
 
 God is kept prominently in view throughout the epistle, his 
 name occuring one hundred times in the book, and twenty-one 
 times in the opening chapter, where we read of the gospel of God, 
 the Son of God, the beloved of God, the will of God, the power of 
 God, the righteousness of God, and the wrath of C "'. In con- 
 nection with this we see in the same chapter the progress of the 
 human race apart from God, (vs. 21), the results of human culture, 
 (vs. 22), the achievements ot the human intellect, (vs. 23), the mani- 
 festations of human virtue, (vs. 24). ihe end reiched of human love 
 of truth, (vs. 25), human religion when man is left to his own re- 
 sources, (vs. 25), and the true picture of society, after philosophy, 
 science, and art had done their best for the Greek and Roman 
 world, (vs. 26-32). 
 
 5. Connection ivith other partis oj the Scripttirfn. Read in 
 connection with this epistle the gospel by Matthew and the epistle 
 to the Galatians. Read chapters 10, ii, with Eze. 36, Zech. 12,13. 
 A knowledge of the Old Testament is requisite to an understanding 
 of this letter of Paul, as he mp.kes reference ic it over seventy times, 
 fifty of which are verbal quotations bearing directly in answer to the 
 
I 
 
 140 
 
 IIKM'H TO HIRI.K HTrUV. 
 
 I ^ 
 
 Srm question raised l,y Job. an.l whic h perva.lcs ,hc entire Old 
 les(anu.nl, viz .- '• How shall a man he j.,sl with (i,,.! r 
 
 I. CUklNTFIlANS. 
 /. ^luthovM/np ami ,h,t,. Written by I'aul fro... I^^hesus. 
 
 /\i iJ. C7, ' ' 
 
 ^i. (Vmrarter of co>,tmU Tw.. epistles are a.Mressed to this 
 
 church, which .nchuled not only those who lived at Corinth, hut in 
 
 he adjacent towns of Achaia (the upper p,.rlion of the Morea. alon^ 
 
 (. mnth during his second missionary tour, visiting the neighhorinL^ 
 ernes, and establishing chu.ches in them. Corinth was the great 
 cen re of commercial fartic on the overland route from Rome to the 
 Kas; and also between Upper and I.owerGreece. Possessing the only 
 good harbor in that quarter, aud being the shortest and safest route, 
 small vessels were dragged across the isthmus, larger ones t,an- 
 sh.pped their cargoes, and hence all the trade of the Mediterranean 
 Howed through it.so that "a perpetual fair was held there from year's 
 
 Til '7.t "' ;'u "'"'' ""^ ""'''' '^'^^Sreat annual gatherings of 
 t.reeksat he Isthmian Games " (to which Paul alludes, i Cor g- 
 24-27). Hence it was proverbial for wealth, luxury and profligacy" 
 lis population, and that of Achaia. was mainly foreign, formed of 
 olonists from C.vsar's arn.y, and or manumitted slaves (..«. 
 lertius, (,)uartus, Achaicus, Fortunatus, etc.) settlers from Asia 
 Minor returned exiles from the islands, and at this time a large in- 
 »iix of Jews lately expelled from Rome (Ac. i8 : 2). 
 
 Paul's preaching m the synagogue was acceptable till he boldly 
 testified that Jesus was the Messiah, when persecution set in he 
 was rejected from the community, brought before the Roman gover- 
 nor, and set up a rival church. His disciples were mostly of the 
 lower orders, partly Jews, but mainly Roman freedmen and heathen 
 'xreeks who became enthusiastic admirers of the apostle. Here he 
 wrote the latter or both of his two epistles to the Thessalonians, 
 ami one to the Romans ; immediately after which he returned to 
 i^phesus, and was succeeded in his mission by Apollos, who also 
 made many converts. The latter was imperfectly instructed in 
 Lhnstunity, but was well versed in the Jewish Scriptures, and 
 very eloquent. There arose two factions-a fewish. clinHn. to 
 a nausaic attachment to the law ; a Gentile, prone to'push^E^van- 
 geljcal freedom to license ; while keeping the right faith, claiming 
 
M 
 
 IIRLPH TO BIHI.B HTtJDV, 
 
 141 
 
 e-,he„ .sacrin..i.,l f.ns,,-, .Ic^ra.!.,! ,„c Holy C„j,„ ■„ "'f,, ' 
 
 ;r. rr ; ""r?' ""7 "" ''- ^' -""" -■' -" ■- - 
 
 nn ri,;, n , " "' '""■•"■■"""I »l>«ulation an.l discussion 
 
 Z, 1 r ■', r'''°"'' '■" •■""*»" "" '-''"-«»" di»Pulos were 
 
 rum,,,,. ofa,.™i„g „isp„,es reaohe., hi., J,„ ,/b; ..S;;: 
 
 now wnTrihe ,, '"'■'' '''^''P'"'-h«<' 'hither Tin.o.heus, l.ut 
 
 ^rTill , J '•''""'" ">"■» Corinthians from Ephesus (AD 
 
 HrSE";: ■="-=":— ^^^^^^^^ 
 
 i.lola;;v'!Tr '""" '° """'• '=°'"""=""« "" '-'''•'^i'^ 'o hear.. 
 
 2 Love as the faculey for l<nowing (Jo,,, 1 : ...30 , . : 9.,6 
 
 3. ChrKs^un love ,he best king (, ,, our l,o<,ies, 6 : ,1 20 ; ,0 , 
 
 4. Theheartmanhoodoflove, 3: ,.,3. ,6 ■ ,3 ''°-3'- 
 
 ma-./lj"""?""'' ""™'"'''°"-'' f-"-ri"g. -If-crificing love to 
 6. Eternal love, 13 : 8-13 
 
 andfr"''*; ■• .^''"°°'"' ""^ '"'="'''- ^ ™n"-'i"g hu™an 
 
 of h, followers and the proper relation of teachers and disciples, 
 
 rr'l.T '•,.'°'"'°""^ """■ ''"'h*^""- r«;i»c«/ J rsnaw suits ■ 
 f'-; church discipine, 4:21 . 6-20 ^ a„ > i / '"w suns , 
 
 3. «.L-se ,f spi . :;'x:?r:itr::^ i;Ltf ;-:r:;^ 
 
 5. Resurrection of the dead : the future <<fnt^ tu ■ ^/^ \^°' 
 Christian iifp rr r- , ine uuure state, the aim and end of 
 <^nr,,stian nfe, 15 Conclusion : of a personal nature. 
 
 -?. Central and collateral truths. Ti,k K'p.r^.RfrcT-o- 
 runty -consecration -steadfastness. Key thouirhts'- m ri „ "l" 
 order and discipline. (.) • « Let all that ye do be done fn Lev >' ^6 :' 
 Secondary keys : .4 : 40, and 7 ; 29-31. See double addr;ss, /. a! 
 
i m 
 
 
 Ill 
 
 i 
 
 142 
 
 HELPS TO BI1',LE STUDY. 
 
 A careful sUuly of this epistle, with reference to the character 
 of the apostle, will afford a line illustration of the practical influence 
 of those doctrines of grace which he taught : for instance, his awful 
 sense of his r sponsibility as a mi istei, and his jealousy over him- 
 self; his entire dependence for success on the Divine blessing, yet 
 his diligent use of means ; his prudence fidelity and tenderness ; 
 his humility even while asserting his apostolic authority ; and his 
 little regard for those gifts, by which he was so distinguished, as 
 compared with charity, i. f. christian love. " uch conduct is a pattern 
 not only to ministers, but also to private Christians in every age. 
 
 For those who profess to have no sympathy with superstition, 
 and little respect for authority, these epistles are peculiarly instructive. 
 They conil 'ne, in the most striking way, the utterances of a liberal, 
 manly spirit, with doctrines the most humbling. They cherish the 
 loftie t hopes for man and for truth, and they tell us how alone 
 these hopes may be fulfilled. Further, these epistles more than any 
 other of Paul's writings throw light on the state of the early 
 Christian church, and on the evil tendencies with which the gospel 
 had to struggle, even among good men. 
 
 4. Connection tmth other parts of the Scriptures. Read in con- 
 nection with this epistle. Acts. 18 and 19 : 10. 
 
 2 CORINTHIANS. 
 
 /. Authorship and date. Written from I'phesus by Paul, 
 about the latter part of A. D. 57 or the beginning of 58. 
 
 ri. Character of cotite7di^. This epistle was called for by the 
 effect of the first. In the interval occurred the riot at Ephesus — 
 headed by Demetrius— and Paul's expulsion. Timothy and Titus 
 had both l)een sent to Corinth and at Troas he waited their return 
 in vain, till he was bowed down with anxiety and evil foreboding. 
 Titus at last brought sufficiently cheering accounts : the church as a 
 whole, had bowed to its "father's " reproofs; the incestuous man 
 had been expelled and brought to repentance ; the Gentile license 
 had been restrained ; confidence between the church and its founder 
 had been restored ; but the Judaziers had been reinforced by some 
 bearing * letters of commendation" from some higher authority 
 and now were arrogant in their supremacy. This epistle expresses 
 two conflicting (.motions : (i) Thankfulness for the removal of evils ; 
 (2) Indignation at the arrogance of his opponents. The former 
 epistle is a careful and systematic intellectual treatise ; the latter 
 is more emotional, expressing the gushing of a warm heart. 
 
HBl-P.S TO BIBLE .STUDY. ^^^ 
 
 Sumnianj. (j) Its occasion : A rranit We . f . , ' 
 
 ance of his confidence, 12(2) "'"•'''^" "^ '''^'^"'^ '-^'"1 ^^^^^r- 
 
 --ce, 3, 4. r^; its difficulties Vi ":: n """''"' ^"^ '" 
 
 » o. y- (5) ni.s sclf.vitHlication, 10-13 
 
 This epistle as well as th. fi. ^ ,' ' ' "'"'^"'ficiencyisofGod." 
 
 <o™.hia„s as hiss^iritaa, chilcl „ in C H "f ";°" f"' '"= 
 
 to repentance vpf nnv.-^f .1 • , '^ ■* "'•^JC'y at thdr return 
 
 with which he exhorts ,C^ ' '^''''™'>' »"'' «'W'«s 
 
 as.onishi„s labortaJ i^cl Liorj^'iri' ™"'*""™ ' "'» 
 where expresses of his i„sufficiT„:; Tthi k orV 2 ""Z"' ""^^ 
 himself: his humilltv in „,„■ ■ /.'",'"" " '° "o anything as ol 
 
 ing fourteen y a" I'l ' ! 7 '" "'"'" ''" *' "^h' -" '" allow- 
 mark he had of eD line f! 1™™'"°""' ""^ -'-ordinary 
 
 heaven ; with vaiousX'' "" """^ ^''"S'" "P '" '^e third 
 out by thTeade™ while 'r"' ""' '^ "'^ "'"'''^'"^ '""owed 
 
 f-r the „,:; cr rresTt"; g?,:? ^vr ' -^"^ 
 H::;:rnrhi;:^;;:T\-h^vr-^^ 
 
 neverthelesslahorintheU ^.fof :^XS .~^,^'?^, r;,""';' 
 us ^s to U,e proper eftecs of ,he promises o^th Go^spe ;'.™? 
 wnat IS Its great motive to obedience • i^ • r. ^^' ' 5 • H, 
 
 blessing which language can exp ss ' h " /''' ^""^^"^^^^^^^ ^very 
 
 as flowing to us frof. L Z:7o;^ Jh tl t ZJT'"' 
 return. ^'"^ "^ ^o 'ove him m 
 
 4. Further reasom for a .second enhtU nr ,u 
 churehes formally addressed by he My Gho,? ,1; r "" f°f 
 tians, Ephesians, Philippians and (v !!■ ' *^ '*°"'»"'' ''"'a- 
 
 each, and the momen.Tconfe t oT'r""'""™'"""'^'^"^ 
 clearly understood, it will be seenThatnLh ""T' '''"'''' '"^ 
 They arecomplete in JLXT bLT:"^''" ?""'"' '° "^"»- 
 to the Corinthians nnd Th , ""'"'^ "'a''°"5 f""eco„d epistles 
 ^orintnians and Thessalonians are equallv obvious Tk 
 
 was Cb ?"=" """ '''"'"'' "^-"=0 seLnd'e^is I ; and i 
 was not by chanee, or oversight, or forgetfulness on the pa^t' ofihe 
 
U4 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 Holy Spirit to say something in the first epistles which needed men- 
 tion, that two of the seven churches are addressed a second time. 
 
 Moreover there is a profound significance in all of the second 
 epistles, which should not escape the notice of careful students of 
 God's word. Besides the two to the Corinthians and Thessaloni- 
 ans, we have the second epistle to Timothy, the second epistle of 
 Peter, the second and third epistles of John. In all of these much 
 is made of the proper ministry of the word, much is made of the 
 truth ; and there are solemn warnings and awful denunciations against 
 false teachers. This fact, taken in connection with repeated refer- 
 ences to the second coming of Christ, shows that the Holy Ghost in 
 the second epistle designs to make a special application to the last 
 days of the truth brought out in the first epistles. Hence the 
 peculiar value of the second epistles at the present time, when all 
 manner of false doctrine is rapidly increasing on every hand. 
 
 '5. Connection with other parts of the Scriptures. Study this 
 book in connection with i Cor., Rom. and Galatians. 
 
 GALATIANS. 
 
 1. Authorship and date. Written by Paul from Corinth, A. D. 
 57-8. 
 
 S. Character of contents. We learn from the inspired history 
 that the apostle twice visited (ialatia, a central province of Asia 
 Minor, whose inhabitants were originally Gauls. The first visit was 
 during the progress of his second missionary tour, Acts i6 : 6 ; and 
 the second was some years lat^ir, during his third missionary journey, 
 when he " went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia, in 
 order, strengthening all the disciples." Acts i8 : 23. 
 
 A painful surprise awaited Paul on his arrival at Corinth. He 
 found that intelligence had reached that place concerning the state 
 of the Galatian churches, which excited both his astonishment and 
 indignation. His converts there, whom he regarded with peculiar 
 affection, whose love and zeal for him had formerly been so con- 
 spicuous, were rapidly forsaking his teachings, and falling an easy 
 prey to the arts of Judaizing teachers from Palestine. We know 
 how great was the difficulty which Paul had to meet, with this rest- 
 less party at Corinth, 2 Cor. 3 ; and now he heard that they had 
 been working the same mi-hief in Galatia, where he had least 
 expected it. Paul, in addressing the Galatians, although he assumes 
 that there were some who were familiar with the Mosaic law, yet 
 
HKLPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 145 
 
 eo looseX i,oM of :lr 'T"°; "■"' '"''' '"^"er, resolved 
 converts. Th s'o he 1^" "'7'''='"°- -" -P- of these 
 
 "PHghtnessi„rri;?:rwii:tr:Mr'' ■"- 1- "=-' °^ 
 
 persuading the Oentiles'to renol^ rrtL'/deTe'd VT '" 
 
 had notLeTtwleh! "??'■"''"' J^^ Chris,, for that he 
 earth and had n r Sv d his °'^"" *"" ""= ™ "" '"^ 
 
 he was only a telZr . T""""" ' "'^'' °" "><= ""'"'y. 
 Whereas his doct^!! h " ,i:::d "J I ""'""'"^ "^ ""^ '--' 
 of tner and fames and'o ef. 'Xr "oT th "Tf"'"'"^' 
 
 ■ind reduced it from". 7- ,^ 1 '""" ''^""^ "^ Christianity, 
 
 which had bentL'nted i thetlLlT TT" "^ "^"^ "" "'""'' 
 lully contradicting thll ^ . '"' '°''™"^' '"= l^eBMs by 
 
 -seif.hr:r,itrx:i:^^^^^^^^ 
 
 iXTn,7orr:trefnf''r^^^^ 
 
 - Lh the^oh/ej^ih r^::. :x ;;^:\;':r-— 
 
 ^uvimcm/, I . ivr,,^,.,,^,-,,,^ ^he apostle's own * • 
 conflict against Judaism i 2 ^ 7 ? conversion and 
 
 the cultivation of true godliness. ' ' °' ^'^ ^"^^^ '"^ 
 
 l^aw-and works-grace and faith. Key thouL'hts • (.\rl 
 blessing and liberty contrasted in the Law rt^t" \'\^^'''''^'' 
 liberty wherewith Chri.f h.e ^ ^^ '^'*"'' ^^'^ '" the 
 
 life and plwe (c) Thou . "T"""' "^'"'^"'^^ ^"^ ^^ Christian 
 
 a son whose servi «?„ love "t rfV; '°"'r^*^"^ ^'^ '^^ ^"^ 
 mnnif...o.i i„ .u--- . "/""^f- ^^^^ hckleness of the Galatians. .. 
 
U6 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 I\r 
 
 ascribed to that race. The only epistle Paul wrote in which he did 
 not give thanks. 
 
 4. Connection icilh other jxtrts of th" Srripturei^. This epistle 
 is one of a set on d. cirinal subjects, which should be read together, 
 viz : those to Romans, Galatians and Hebrews— since they clearly 
 define the relation of Jews cmd Gentiles to the Church of Christ, 
 and form one whole treatise, each alone being incomplete. It also 
 has affinity with those to the Corinthians, as it vindicates the writer 
 against the defamation of Judaizers. 1 his ])Gok and that to the 
 Romans dwell largely on justification by faith. 
 
 EPHESIANS. 
 
 I. Authorship and date. Written by Paul from Rome, A.D. 62. 
 ^^ Character of contents. The renowned city of Ephesus was 
 visited by Paul A". J). 54, and whos ■ earnest proclamation of the 
 truth resulted in the conversion of numbers to the Christian faith, 
 many of the sorcerers burning their books, fear falling on Jew and 
 Greek alike, the name of the Lord Jesus being magnified, and the 
 Word of God mightily growuig and prevailing. A Christian church 
 was formed, the members of which were commended for their faith 
 and love ; and the Apostle addressed this epistle to them from 
 Rome while a prisoner there, A. D. 62. It was not evoked by any 
 relapse or special errors, but was written to confirm and strengthen 
 the believers in the faith and h pe of the gospel, and to give them 
 some most important teaching in the deepest and sublimest truths 
 of the Christian religion. 
 
 Summary, (i) Doctrinal {a) Thanksgiving for their call; (0) 
 enumeration of Christian privileges i, 2. (c) The mystical union 
 between Christ and his church, drawn out first by revelation, and 
 then by prayer. (2) Practical. An exhortation to make their life 
 conformable to their profession. ((() By the unity with which the Spirit 
 of Christ brings them to him, casting out all feelings leading to 
 discord ; (b) By the purity of Christ, whose examjile they must 
 follow : (c) By the example of his obedience, the mutual forbearance 
 of all in their respective relations in life. 
 
 o. Central and collateral truths. Salvation hy , ,<acf. 
 Election — redemption — eternal purpose of (iod— union with Christ 
 — conflict —victory — rest. Key thoughts : (i) Christ the measure 
 of Christian standing ard blessing. (2) " Be filled with the Spirit." 
 (3) "In." Notice how frequently the lioly Spirit is presented in 
 
 
 1 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE .STUDY 
 
 U7 
 
 / 
 
 this epistle. "Sealed with the Holy Spirit of oromise," i 
 
 Ihe Spirit of wi.dom " j-iven, i : 17. ' Access in the Spirit,' 2 : 
 
 h c '• ^"m"^^^ "P ^^ ^^^ ''^P'"^'" ^ = 22- " «'rengihened through 
 the Spirit," 3 : 16. Brought into the " unity of the Spirit,"' 4 : 4. 
 Filled with the Spirit," 5 : 18. •' Equipped with the sword of 
 the Spint." 6 : 17. •' Praying in the Spirit," 6 : 18. A warning. 
 Grieve not the Holy Spirit," 4 : 30. Another prominent and 
 suggestive line of thought in this epistle is represented by the 
 words, "No longer walk as the Gentiles also walk." " Walk as 
 children of the light." ' Walk in love." 
 
 The style of this epistle shows remarkably the state of the 
 apostle's mind at the time of his writing it- a mind transported with 
 the unsearchable riches of God's wisdom and love in the redemption 
 of man, though at the very time his body was restrained by bonds 
 and a prison. Of this his prayer for the Ephesians is a very strik- 
 ing example, yet, with a heart thus fdled with heavenly things, 
 his minute attention to relative and moral duties is very observable 
 as also his resting the motive to every duty on the relation in which 
 we stand to Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is sad to know that, 
 years afterwards, a church honored with such a revelation was re- 
 buked by our Lord, because it had left its first love, Rev. 2 : 1-7, 
 and started that downward course of the professing Christian body,' 
 that is now fast hastening to a shame lul and melancholy end. The 
 candlestick has long been removed out of its place in Ephesus • 
 and the most advanced saint will walk in darkness, unless he keeps' 
 his eye singly and steadily fixed upon the Lord f esus Christ This 
 IS a solemn warning to Christians in every age of the fearful conse- 
 quences of forsaking their first love. 
 
 4. Connection loith other ptirtH of the Scriptures. Read in con- 
 nection with this epistle Acts 19 : 20. Rev. 2 : 1-7. Read and 
 compare with the book of Joshua and the epistles to the Philippians 
 and Golossians. 
 
 5. For ivhom is this hook peculiarly suitable ? For the Christian 
 who hungers and thirsts after the deep things of God. We recom- 
 mend all young converts especially, to study well this book. 
 
 PHILIPPIANS. 
 
 1. AiUhorsklp and date. Written from Rome by Paul about 
 A. D. 62. 
 
 11. 
 
 lil 
 
 3. Character of eonfents. Philippi was a city of Maced 
 
 onia» 
 
U8 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 : 
 
 and the capital city of a Roman colony, and is distinguished as being 
 ihe first place in Europe where Paul preached the gospel, about 
 A. I). 51— Acts 16 : 12. Here Paul and Silas converted Lydia.came 
 into contact with heathen paganism -the worship of evil spirits- 
 were scourged and imprisoned, which led to the jailer's conversion, 
 and the founding of a faithful Christian community. The epistle 
 was written during Paul's first imprisonment at Rome. Acts 28. 
 
 The Philippians were greatly attached to Paul and testified their 
 affection by sending him supplies, even when laboring for other 
 churches ; and when they heard he was under confinement at Rome, 
 they sent Epaphroditus, one of their pastors, to minister to his 
 wants. On the return of Epaphroditus, Paul, by this letter, 
 acknowledges their kindness. His leading object seems to be, while 
 cautioning them against Judaizing teachers, to urge them to higher 
 attainments in holiness and mutual love ; directing them to the 
 wonderful condescension of Christ as their pattern;' his righteousness 
 as their only dependence ; his grace as their strength ; and present- 
 mg his own example to enforce his precepts. It has often been re- 
 marked that this epistle contains less censure and more praise than 
 any other of Paul's letters. It gives us a very high idea of the 
 Christian state of the Philippians, and the liberality which distin- 
 guished them above other churches. The only blemifch recorded 
 as existing in the church at Philippi is, certain of its members were 
 deficient in lowliness of mind, and were thus led into disputes and 
 altercations with their brethren. Two women of considerable note 
 among them— Euodias and Syntche by name -had been especially 
 guilty of this fault ; and their variance was the more to be regretted be- 
 cause they had labored earnestly for the propag ition of the faith. 
 Paul exhorts the church with great solemnity and earnestness to let 
 these disgraceful bickerings cease, and to be all " of one soul am^. 
 
 one mind." 
 
 .3. Central and collateral truths^. Fruits of RiciiiTEOusxEss. 
 Love— service— humility— joy— ti^ust— peace. Key thoughts : (1) 
 Christian experience. (2) Joy in affliction. (3) The work of God 
 in the heart perfected. As in other places, here again, the tender- 
 ness, the dignity, the humility, the disinterestedness of the apostle, 
 are very observable. He wrote this epistle " weeping." 
 
 The following titles of the various chapters have been suggested 
 as appropriately expressing their leading thoughts : Christ the be- 
 liever's li/e, chap, i ; Christ the believer's pattern, chap. 2 ; 
 
 > 
 
HELPS TO IIIBI.K i>,TIJDY. 
 
 149 
 
 U,r..st the believers o^ycc^. cl.np. ^ ; ClMi-, ,hc believer's stra„,t},, 
 chap. 4. But perhaps a better analysis would be ; The gospel, and 
 Christ the theme, chap. , ; Humility, ana Christ ihepatte.n. chap. 
 
 ChHr^h'T' ""u ?'''' ''" "'J^^^' ^'^•^l^- ^ = I'-'^cefuIness, and 
 Christ the strength, chap. 4 
 
 4- Gonnectlou with othrr part, of the Hcr.ptures. Read in 
 connection with this epistle Acts 16 and read and compare with the 
 epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians. 
 
 5. For whom k this hook periUiarhimdtahl,? For the aftiicted • 
 the persecuted for the gospels sake ; for those who „u,rmur and' 
 chafe under trials, poverty, ill treatment, etc. 
 
 COLOSSIANS. 
 L Authorship and date. Written from Rome by Paul 
 
 A. IJ. 02. 
 
 2. Character Of contents. The letter to the Colossians itself 
 gives us distinct information as to the cause which induced Paul to 
 write It Epaphras, the founder of that church. Col. i • 7 was 
 now at Rome and he had communicated to the apostle the unuel'- 
 come tidings that the faith of the Colossians was in danger of being 
 perverted by false .aching. Hence, the object of this epistle was 
 
 praTticT^Th '?".'"' '' "^^'"^^^ ^^^ ^^"^-- - f-^h and 
 
 practice The apostle gives a solemn caution against the philo- 
 sophical speculations and carnal ordinances set forth by the false 
 teachers, who appear to have been speculatists, mere professors of 
 Christianity advocating angel worship, occult science, ,he keeping 
 of feasts and fasts, and a false worldly humility and wisdom, thus 
 
 carnal asceticism with those of pure Christianity. He sets before 
 hem the majesty and all sufficiency of Christ, as the source o aM 
 
 Christ, whose sacrifice completes the typical offerings of Judaism 
 crucifies the old man with his affections and lusts, while the esur- 
 rec ion unfolds a new life in him, elevating the soul above ea thy 
 Ob ects more effectually than mere mortification of the flesh to quench 
 the emotions of the heart, according to a Stoic philosophy. 
 
 th.f t^^r T^^^- -^°'"'' of ''^^^'^-blance between this epistle and 
 that to the Ephesians, written from Rome at about the some time 
 and sent by the hands of the same messenger, Eph. 6 : 21. 22 ; Col.' 
 4 . 7, S. But there are also points of difference that will not escape 
 
I. -so 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLR STUDY. 
 
 
 the attentiuu uf the cmeful reader. The epistle to the Kphcsiaiis 
 tells us that we arc Christ's fulness, Eph. i : 23, the epistle to the 
 C'olossians that he is our fulness, Col. 2 : 10 ; the former that we are 
 in him, i : 3, the latter that he is in us, Col. i : 27 ; the former is 
 largely occupied about the body, the church, and the latter about 
 the head, Christ, 
 
 Conybeare and Howson in their valuable life of St. Paul present 
 two extended tables of resemblances between the epistle.', and add 
 ''n foot note, *• From the first of the above tables, it will be seen, 
 that there is scarcely a single topic in the Ephesian epistle which is 
 not also to be found in the epistle to the Colossians ; but on the 
 other hand, that there is an important section of Colossians, 2 : 8-23, 
 which has no parallel in Ephesians. From the second table it 
 appears, that out of the 155 verses contained in the so called ep-stle 
 to the Ephesians, 78 verses contain expres:)ions identical with those 
 in the epistle tc the Colossians. The kind of resemblance here 
 traced is not ihat which would be found in the work of a fotger, 
 servilely copying the epistle to Colossae. On the contrary, it is just 
 what we might expect to find in the work of a man whose mind was 
 thoroughly imbued with the ideas and expressions of the epistle to 
 the Colossians when he wrote the other epistle." 
 
 3. Central and collateral truths. The Divine Headship of 
 Christ. Creation—redemption— life— glory. Key thoughts: (i) 
 The church's glories and fulness in Christ her head . ( 2) * ' Christ in 
 you." This epistle is full of deep spiritual truths. 
 
 4. Connection vnth other parts of the Scri/tures. Whoever 
 would understand the epistles to th,« Ephesians and Colossians 
 must read them together. 1 he one is, in most places, a commen- 
 tary on the other; the meaning ( f single passages in one epistle, 
 which if considered alone, mie;ht be variously interpreted, being de- 
 termined by the parallel passages in the other epistle. Read this 
 book also in connection with the epistle to the Philippians. 
 
 J. For ivhom Is this book jxculiarly suitable ? For the same 
 class of people mentioned in analysis of the epistle to the Ephesians. 
 
 I THESSALONIANS. 
 
 /. Authorship and date. Written by Paul from Corinth, 
 
 A. D. 52. 
 
 5. Character 0/ contfnts. This is the earliest written epistle. 
 On their second missionary tour Paul and Silas visited Thessalonica 
 
HKI.PS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 151 
 
 vvh.ch was, .:.. ,HI1 is, an important an.l prosperous commercial 
 city and seaport, after having l.een driven from Philippi. (;real 
 success attended the preaching of the word ; "son.c of the lews 
 l.eheve.l. and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the 
 chief women not a few.'" The special ..bject of the epistle was to 
 encourage and strengthen the newly formed church, the apostle 
 having been compelled to leave Thessalonica on account of the per- 
 secutions from the unbelieving Jews Timothy was sent from Athens 
 to establish the believers, and to comfort them under afllirtions 
 and the good tidings brought by him of their faith and love' 
 coupled with the insuperable difficulties in the way of a personal 
 visit, induced Paul to write this letter. It seemed to have been 
 occasioned partly by his wish to express his earnest affection for 
 them, and to encourage them under trials and persecutions, but it 
 was also called for by some errors into which they had fallen 
 Many of the converts were uneasy about the state of their relatives 
 or mends who had died since their conversion. They feared that 
 these departed Christians would lose the happiness of witnessing 
 their Lord s second coming, which they expected soon to behold 
 In this expectation others had given themselves up to a religious 
 excitement, and neglected to work at the business of their calling' 
 but might claim support from the richer members of the church 
 Others, again, yielded to the same temptations which afterwards 
 influenced the Corinthian church, and despised the gift of prophesy- 
 ing in comparison with those other gifts which afforded more on- 
 portunity of display. This and the .econd epistle are appropriately 
 placed in the Bible as the last of the seven epistles to the Gentile 
 churchf „ because they are chiefly filled with '« the last things " or 
 the coming of the Lord. ' 
 
 The royal state of Christ's second advent was one chief topic 
 which was urgently enforced, and deeply impressed on the minds 
 of the Thessalonian converts. This subject tinges the whole 
 atmosphere through which the aspect ot this church is presented to 
 us. It may be said that in each of the primitive churches, which 
 are depicted in the apostolic epistles, ihere is some peculiar feature 
 which gives it an individual character. ... And if we were 
 asked for the distinguishing characteristic of th^ firct ru^;.,:^^^ -r 
 ihessalonica, we should point to their overwhelming sense of the 
 nearness of the secon.l advent, accompanied with melancholy 
 thoughts concerning those who might die before it, and with gloomy 
 
 m 
 
152 
 
 iiRT.rs TO iuhi.f; simtdy. 
 
 und unpraclical views t>f tlie shoitiuss of life, and the vanity u\' [\\k- 
 world. I'-acli cliai)tfr in liic first opislle U> the Thossalonians ends 
 with an allusinn t) this sahjecl, and it was evidently the tdjiic of 
 rrequent conversations, when the y\poslIe was in Macedonia. 
 
 /?. Cfnfrnl 'n\d rnlhittnil. frii/hs. TiiK Si.cond ADVKNf. 
 Kesurrection -translation -eternal ^hny. Key thoii},dits : (i) (."hrisl 
 coming loaudfor the church, ami her el'inal lilessedness. (2)"' 'om- 
 fort one another with these words." We learn also : 'I'iie Apostle's 
 primary success and unllinching coura},'e in preaching; ; not flatter- 
 ing, but warning ; not s. If-asserting, but displaying a blameless 
 example ; entreating, exhorting, rebuking ; his self-support by 
 manual labor. His converts were principally from idolatry, i: 9, 
 Init partly Jewish proselyte women of rank and influence, 
 
 Acts 17:4 
 
 4. Connection inth ollur partx of tlw Scriptures. Ke.ad in con- 
 nection with this epistle Acts 17 : l-io, and portions of I ("or. 15. 
 
 2 THESSALONIaNS. 
 
 1. Aut/iorxhip (inildute. Written by Paul from Corinth, A.l). 
 
 2. Character of contents. Paul found it necessary to write 
 again to the Thessalonians. The excitement which he had 
 endeavored to allay by his lirst epistle had increased, and the fanatical 
 portion of the church, had availed themselves of the impression ])ro- 
 duced by Paul's personal teachings to increay.e it. This epistle w.as 
 probably writtei, after Paul had received an answer to the first, to 
 correct an erroneous impression gained from the vividness of his 
 picture of the resurrection : viz., that it was near at hand, which led 
 to a neglect of practical duties. Those who encouraged this delusion 
 supported it by imeujinary revelations oj the Spirit ; and they had 
 recourse to forgery, and circulated a lelle purporting to be written 
 by Paul in confirmation of their views. To check this evil Paul 
 wroe his second epistle, reminding thom o^ certain sms which 
 must precede the second a "vent. 
 
 .;. Central and collateral truths. Thk Second Advknt, 
 Apostacy -the man of sin— consuming destruction. Key thoughts : 
 (i) Christ coming with his saints. The eternal judgment of sinners. 
 (2) " Comfort one another wit;h 'hese words.'" (3) Antichrist lore- 
 told. The difference between the two epistles may be described in 
 a single word : " Christ coming for his saints " is the subject 
 
HELCa To'^IUBLK HTIDY, 
 
 U9 
 
 of the fiist ; Christ ai>i)«ariny uv7/< his suiiits" i. the proper title of 
 the second. 
 
 The i)redictions of Paul in this ei)islle afford another illustiaticni 
 how the thread of proi)hccy is interwoven with the whole scheme of 
 revelation, and evidently proceeds from the mind of him who 
 alone knows the end from the hejrinning. For the apostle lakes up 
 a subject which Daniel, five hundred years before had introduced, 
 adding various paticulars, but leaving; it to John to perfect all that 
 prophecy ntcnded to communicate. 
 
 4. Ooiinecfioii with othr /mrfs of the, Sti'lpturex. Read in 
 connection with this epistle, Dan. 7 Joel 3, Rev. 13, 17, 19; and 
 contrast and compare chap. 1 with Joel 3 : 916 ; Rev. 19 : 11-21 ; 
 Chap. 2 with I Tim. 4: 1-5. Dan 7: 8, 11, 19-26; 9 : 26, 27; 
 Rev. II : 1-8 ; 17: 11-17. 
 
 PASTORAL EPISJ^LES. 
 
 I TIMOTHY. 
 
 /. Authorship and date Written by Paul from Macedonia, to 
 Timothy at Ephesus, A. D. 64 or 67. 
 
 J. Character of contents. Paul finding that his sad prophecy U> 
 the liphesian elders, Acts 20 : 29-30, was already fulfilled, he left 
 Timothy with this church to strengthen the things that remained. 
 The church at Ephesus was in much confusion when the apostle was 
 led by the Spirit to address his son Timothy. Ceremonialism, fool- 
 ish (luestions, vain jangling, legalism, and even the putting away of 
 faith and a good conscience on the part of some, had taken the 
 place of the sublime doctrines set forth in the epistle they had 
 previously received. This called for the exercise of discipline, and 
 It was administered by one who speaks of himself as the chief of 
 sinners, cjiap. i. He also wrote to guide and encourage Timothy 
 in the duties of his office, laying down rules of church organization 
 for all times, 
 
 Sammary. i. Controversial (i) RecaUing the charge com- 
 mitted to Timothy, and Paul's claim to his allegiance ; contrasting 
 the truth with the false teaching of Judaizers. 2. Practkal, 
 2 : 1-6 : 2. (a) Injunctions as to public worship generally, both 
 a^ to men and women ; (h) (Qualifications of ministers, and demeanor 
 of their wives and families; (c) Special advice to Timothy himself, 4 ; 
 (d) Directions respecting communities of widows, and pr sbyters, 5 '; 
 
,l<i 
 
 154 
 
 HELPH TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 (f) Of servants. 3. Doctriwit, 6 : 3-21. Special cliar^jc to Tim- 
 othy to peace, holiness, self denial, stead t'astness, humility, and to 
 the promotion of almsjjiving. 
 
 •/. Central and collateral trut/m. Minisiekiai, 1'ah'hiulnes!5. 
 Meditation — watchfulness— purity— meekness earnestness — love. 
 Key thoughts : (i) "The doctrine which is according to godliness." 
 (2) Church order according 'o God. 
 
 It is a remarkable fact that the inspired writer turns in his last 
 epistles from addressing churches to individuals, as if in the last 
 days only une here and another there will be found to receive the 
 messages of the Holy (ihost. It is also remarkable that in the 
 epistles to Timothy and Titus, he invokes *' grace, mercy and peace 
 from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord," whereas in the 
 epistles to the seven churches previously addressed, he leaves out 
 the word mercji in his invocation. 
 
 It is a striking fact that the epistle closes with a solemn and 
 tender warning against the " oppositions of science falsely so-called,'' 
 which some professing erred concerning the faith in that day, as 
 they do in this, chap. 6. 
 
 4-. ConuGction with othtr parts of the Scriptures. Read this 
 epistle and compare with the second cpisiie to Timothy, and the 
 epistle to Titus. Also compare 't with those portions of Ezekiel 
 that s})eak of false prophets. 
 
 0. For i/thom ix thin book pecidiarly siiitahle ? For ministers of 
 the Oospel. 
 
 2 TIMOTHY. 
 
 i. Authorship and date. Written by Paul to Timothy during 
 his second imprisonment at Home, A. D. 68. 
 
 J. Character of contents. This epistle is the last written by 
 the beloved Apostle, and it possesses all the interest which gathers 
 about the farewell message of a dying father to his son. He 
 viewed his case as desperate, 4 : 16, and his martyrdom as immi- 
 nent, 4 : 6-8 ; and he entreats Timothy to come to him at once, 
 4 : 9-21, to be with him at his last trial. 
 
 This book obviously reaches on, not only to the latter times, 
 as in the former epistle, but to the last days, when something 
 worse than tae ixoirush apostacy will come ; for apostate Christendom 
 will get back to ancient heathenism, as may be seen by comparing 
 2 Tim. 3 : i-S, with Rom. i : 21-32. Hence the Aoostle seeks to 
 
 o 
 
HKLrn TO BIBLR STUDY. 
 
 IM 
 
 stir up Timothy, who seems to have been alarmed and discouraged 
 by the turning away of all Asia from the servant of the Lord, even 
 then awaiting death, chap. I. 
 
 3. Central and collateral truths. Dying Counskls. Endurance 
 —purity -perilous times— faithfulness— crown of reward. Key 
 thoughts : (i) •' The doctrine that is according to Godliness." (2) 
 Church disorder, and the individual pathway. (3) I>ersonal holi- 
 ness. 
 
 This epistle contains a noble view of the consolation which 
 Christians enjoy in the midst of suffering, and in the prospect of 
 death, i : 9. 18; 2 : 5-13 ; 4 : 6-8, i6-i8. The holiest spiritual 
 affection to God and Christ is not only consistent with human 
 friendships, but i)roductive of them. 1 : 2-5 ; 4 : 9-21. Nowhere 
 are privilege and duty, grace .ind holiness more closely combined, 
 2 : 19. In the approaching corruption of Christianity Paul directs 
 Timothy to the true conservative principle of its purity ; not mira 
 cles nor a fresh revelation, but the doctrine in which Timothy had 
 been instructed, and those Scriptures which make the man ol God 
 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good words, 3: 14-17; 2 
 
 Thess. 2 ; 2 I'et. i 
 
 15-21 ; 3: 1-4. 14-17. How instructive that 
 
 (It 
 
 ill the last writings of both Peter and Paul, nor less in the writ- 
 ings of John Rev. 22, and in the prospect of the heresies that M-ere 
 to prevail in the church, we should be directed lo the study of the 
 Bible, and that we are thus led to expect no additional disclosure of 
 the Divine will. The Cross— our hope, our model, our motive : 
 The Crown— its purity, certainty, blessedness: Thk Word— its 
 promise, precept, doctrine, all complete— are among the last words 
 of the sacred page. Only let these continue to be set forth, and 
 the church need not fear. 
 
 Paul the prisoner, and Timothy aroused, chap. i. Paul the 
 soldier, and Timothy encouraged, chap. 2. Paul the witness, and 
 Timothy warned, chap. 3. Paul the martyr, and Timothy charged, 
 chap. 4. 
 
 4. Connection v/tth other parts oj the Scriptures. Read this 
 -pistle and compare with the first epistle to Timothy and the epistle 
 to Titus. Compare chap. 3 with Rev. 3 : 14-22. 
 
 J. For whom in this hook peni/iarli/ .suilahh' ? Voi ministers 
 of the (Jospel. 
 
156 
 
 H£LP8 TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 u 
 
 
 "41 1\ 
 
 
 TITUS. 
 
 J. Authorship and date. Written by Paul to Titus, from 
 Ephesus, about A. U. 67. 
 
 2. Character of contents. The name of this servant of the 
 Lord is not mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, and all that we 
 know of him is gathered from the inspired epistles. He is referred 
 to, however, in terms of warm commendation in 2 Cor. 2: 13; 7: 6, 
 7> 13-15 ; 8 : 6, 16-23 ; 12 : 18. In another place we learn that he 
 was for a time at least the Apostle's travelling companion, and that, 
 being a Greek, Paul refused to have h.m circumcised, in order that 
 theTreedom of Gentile believers from the law might be vindicated 
 and maintained at all hazards, Gal. 2 : 1-5, 
 
 The commission intrusted to Titus in Crete appears to have 
 been peculiarly difficult. Although nature had endowed this island 
 with all that could tend to make man happy and the inhabitants 
 had formerly been renowned for the wisdom of their constitution and 
 their laws,long before this time the state of law and of moralshad sunk 
 very low. The character of the people was unsteady, insincere and 
 quarrelsome : they were notoriously given to licentiousness and in- 
 temperance. This may in part account for the very severe remarks 
 against the Cretans which occur in this epistle. We know nothing 
 of the first introduction of th-i gospel into Crete, but as there were 
 Jews from that island among Peter's audience on the day of Pente- 
 cost, Acts 2:11, and they were numerous there, it is probable that 
 the Christian faith was carried thither by converts from among 
 them. It appears also, from this epistle, t at Paul had labored 
 there, and with success, but that, by some means, he Iiad been 
 hurried thence, before he could order the state of the churches in a 
 regular manner. Titus was left in Crete, in the same position 
 which Timothy had occupied at Ephesus during Paul's absence, 
 "to set in order the things that are wanting and to ordain elders 
 in every city." 
 
 fimnmarji, (i) Apostolic salutation. (2) Church organization : 
 (a) Qualifications of elders, etc.; (6) Suppression of false teachers 
 I. (c) The Christian character of rt(/e(^ men and yjo\\\e\\, yotmy 
 of both sexes, and servants 2. {3) Personal advice to I'itus 3. 
 
 '?. Central and collateral truths. Ciiusch Ordkr and Dis- 
 ci tun k. Counsels — cautions — otjcdience — doctrines — the church's 
 hope. Key thoughts : (i) Christian ([ualifications for ministry and 
 jjodly conduct. (2) " Shewing all good fidelity ; that they m.iy 
 
 I 
 
V 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 157 
 
 J 
 
 adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." The words 
 ''Saviour" and " good works" are the most prominent expressions 
 m this epistle. This book is remarkable, as compressing into a 
 very short compass a large amount of instruction,embracing doctrine, 
 morals and discipline. It is very observable in this epistle, that 
 those of the humble,st rank are exhorted to adorn the (iospel, 2 : lo, 
 and that while our salvation is ascribed exclusively to grace, 2 : ii, 
 this fact is made the ground of the most urgent exhortations to 
 holiness, 2 : 14 ; ^ : S. 
 
 Jf. Connection until other parts of the Scripture*!. There is a 
 striking resemblance between this epistle and the first to Timothy, 
 both of which should be studied together. 
 
 'k For lohom is this hook peculiarly suitable ? For minis- 
 ters of the Gospel. 
 
 PHILEMON. 
 
 1. Authorship and date. Written by Paul to Philemon, from 
 Rome, A. 1). 62. 
 
 ,.'. Character of rontents. Philemon, lo whom Paul wrote this 
 epistle was an inhabitant of Colosse, and probably owed the means 
 of his conversion to the apostle. His slave, Onesimus, had run 
 away fror.i him to Rome, having, i-erhaps, been guilty of 
 misappropriation of his master's goods, verse 18. Falling into 
 Paul's hands, he was converted to Christianity, reclaimed to his 
 duty and sent back to his master with this letter of reconciliation. 
 It is remarkable for its delicacy, generosity and justice. The apostle 
 maintains civil rights (even of slavery), maintaining that Onesimus, 
 though under the liberty of the (iospel, is still the slave of Philemon, 
 and justly liable to punishment for desertion. The damage caused 
 by his absconding, Paul takes upon himself, playfully using his name 
 "Onesimus" {projitahle both to tiiee and to me) as a means of 
 urging his suit for pardon. As the returning slave was the bearer 
 also of the epistle ^o the Colossians, it was probably written at the 
 same time (A. D. 62), near the close of Paal's first imprisonment at 
 Rome. 
 
 S. Central and collateral truths. Christian Courtksv. 
 Kindness— benevolence— wisdom— confidence. Kev thouixhls ■ {\\ 
 Christian love counting upon love between brother and brother. 
 (2) "Brother." (3) Reconciliati(m. This little epistle is very 
 sweet as il shows ihe interest of the Holy Ghost in a poor slave. It 
 
 
15S 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 fl -I 
 
 4 
 
 I 
 
 
 IS a signiHcant comment upon Paul's preaching, that such a man 
 either desired, or was induced to hear him. Besides the somewhat 
 new point of view in which it presents the apostle's character, the 
 most important truths are implied in this epistle. In the conversion 
 of a runaway slave by one himself in prison are displayed the 
 wonders of God's providence and grace, overruling evil for good ; 
 It also affords great encouragement to us, even when our means are 
 most limited, to attempt to reclaim the wicked. The nature of 
 Christian liberty is also illustrated. While Onesimus, as a Christ- 
 ian, became the apostle's son and Philemon's brother, this in no re- 
 spect interfered with the civil duties he owed to Philemon as his 
 master. Yet those of the highest rank are taught by this epistle to 
 condescend to men of low estate, and especially to those who, how- 
 ever mean their station, are truly the diciple? of Christ. 
 
 4. Connection with other parts of the Scriptures. Read this 
 epistle in connection with Col. 4. Compare on the whole spirit of 
 this epistle, i Tim. 6 : i, 2 ; Jas. 1:9-11; Phil. 2 : 3-8. 
 
 5. For whom in this hook peculiarly suitable ? For servants 
 and masters. 
 
 HEBREWS. 
 
 1. Authorsidp and date. Written from Rome for the Hebrew 
 Christians by Paul about A. D. 62, or early in 63. 
 
 ;.-'. Character of contents. The Gospel according to Moses is 
 explained and the "belter things" of tl>e New Testament Gcsijel 
 added, viz.: The Son better than angels, i : 4. Christ better than 
 Melchizedec, 7 : 7. Better hope, 7 : 19. Better covenant, 8 : 6. 
 Better promises, 8 : 6. Better sacrifice, 9 : 23. Better substance, 
 10: 34. Better country, 11 : 16. Better resurrection, 11 : 35. 
 Better thing for us, 1 1 : 40. The blood of Christ better than that 
 of Abel, 12 : 24. 
 
 This epistle was probably composed by ]*aul when in very 
 strict custody, either at Ciesarea or at Rome, A. D. 62-64, j"st be- 
 fore his martyrdom, 2 Ti. 4 : 6, when denied writing materials, and 
 dictated by him to Luke, who then committed it to writing from 
 memory. It was addressed especially to those Aramaic Christians 
 of [Palestine, who were exposed to severe persecution from their 
 fellow-countrymen, who adhered to the exi)ected return of visible 
 gioiy to Israel. Brought up in fond reminiscence of the glories of 
 the past, they seemed in Christianity to be receding from their 
 peculiar privileges of intercommunion with (Jod, as a favored 
 
^r" 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 159 
 
 people. Angels, INfoses, the High Priest, were superseded by 
 Jesus, the peasant of Nazareth ; the Sabbath by the Lord's Day ; 
 the Old Covenant by the New ; while temple and sacrifices were 
 obsolete. What, they asked, did Christianity give in their place ? 
 And Paul answers, Christ ; /. e. God for their Mediator and Inter- 
 cessor; superior to Angels, because nearer to the Father; to 
 Moses, because a Son, not a servant ; more sympathizing than the 
 High Priest, and more powerful in intercession, because he pleads 
 /m own blood. The Sabbath is but a type of the Rest in heaven, 
 the New Covenant is but the fulfilment of the Old. Christ's atone- 
 ment is perfect and eternal, and Heaven itself the true Jerusalem, 
 of which the Church is the temple, whose worshippers are all ad- 
 vanced into the Holy of Holies. 
 
 Thus the exceptional ministration of angels is superseded by 
 
 the continuous ministration of man. 
 The legislative ministration of Moses is perfected by the Divine 
 
 Lawgiver. 
 The typical sacrifice of the High Priest by a real sacrifice of a 
 
 Priest of a higher order. 
 The indirect communion with God is supplanted by the direct 
 
 union of God and man in Christ, and the communion of the 
 
 Head with his body, the Church. 
 
 S. Central and collateral truths. The Divinity, Humanity 
 AND Priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Sacrifice— media 
 tion— forgiveness— faith— sanctification— rest. Key thoughts : (i) 
 "Better." (2) Book of contrasts. (3) Christ the Apostle, Sacri- 
 fice, Priest and Witness. 
 
 Mark in this epistle the following lessons, as derived from the 
 different chapters : Christ, the divine and eternal Son of God, i. 
 Christ, the captain of our salvation, 2. Christ, the head of his 
 house, 3. Christ, the rest of his people, 4. Christ our great high 
 priest, 5. Christ, our forerunner, 6. Christ, our living interces- 
 sor, 7. Christ, the mediator of ti c new covenant, 8. Christ, our 
 perfect sacrifice, 9. Christ, perfecting forever them that are sancti- 
 fied, ID. Christ, the only object of faith. 11. Christ, the princely 
 leader and pattern of faith, 12. Christ, the great shepherd of his 
 ^i — J,, .J, ^ 
 
 The practical lessons of this epistle are remarkable for the 
 peculiarly appropriate motives to which the inspired writer appeals. 
 Be thankful, steadfast and obedient, for the darkness and terror of 
 
■i 
 
 160 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 U 
 
 m 
 
 M 
 
 ill 
 
 ff 
 
 I 
 
 the ancient law liave ceased, and a kingdom that cannot be moved 
 is revealed, 12: 18-29; i I'e. 2 : 4-10. Be content, though no 
 earthly inheritance is set before you. There slill remain [oshua's 
 promise and the care of Joshua's God, 13 : 5, 6. Note the'beauly, 
 to a Jew especially, of the reason given for exercising liw>pitality. 
 13 : 2. Follow faithful teachers, hold fa^t the unchangeable doc- 
 trme of Christ, discountenance vain traditions and ritual observance, 
 joining Christ without the camp and look for the New Jerusalem,' 
 in return for what is lost, 13 : 7-14. The closing benediction, ver'. 
 20, 21, is beautifully comprehensive and rich in allusions to the 
 chief doctrine of the epistle, the New Covenant, and the dignity 
 and grace of the Mediator. Note the twelve '' lef i,s'- and the 
 seven "once," 9 : 10, in this glorious epistle. 
 
 4. Connection tvU/i other parts of the Scriptures. Read this 
 epistle in connection with the epistle to the Romans, the book of 
 Leviticus, and portions of the books of Exodus and Joshua. This 
 book is a masterly supplement to the epistles to the Romans and 
 Galatians, also a luminous commentary on them, showing that all 
 the h'iial dispensation was originally designed to be superseded by 
 the new and better covenant of the Christian dispensation, in a 
 connected chain of argument, evincing the profoundest knowledge 
 of both. This book is an epitome of the dispensations of God to 
 man, from the foundation of the world to the advent of Christ, It 
 is not only the sum of the Gos2>el but a sum of the Laio. Without 
 this book the law of Moses had never been fully understood, nor 
 God's design in giving it. With lliis, all is clear and plain. The 
 apostle appears to have taken for his text : " Christ is the end of 
 the law for righteousness to them that believe." 
 
 In this book there are over 90 references to the aid Testa- 
 ment, 40 of which are verbal quotations. The majority of them 
 refer the reader to the bocx of Leviticus. 
 
 S. For whom is this hook pec aliarly appropriate ? For con- 
 verted Jews. 
 
 CATHOLIC OR GENERAL EPISTLES. 
 
 JAMES. 
 
 1. Authorship and dat,. Written from Jerusalem by James 
 to the twelve tribes .scattered abroad," A. D. 62. 
 
 ;.•'. Character of contents. The design of this epistle was to 
 encourage the believing Jews under their present and approaching 
 
 i< 
 
HELPS TO BIBLK STtTUY 
 
 161 
 
 .sulfcring.s, iind lo correct several errors into which they had fallen. 
 Amid sins and iniquitii-s, fames the ajjostle and Bishop of Jerusalem, 
 wrote this epistle— ,in epistle of warning to Jerusalem — the last warn- 
 ing it received from the f loly Spirit, Ahjne of the tvventy epistles of 
 the New Testament, this hook begins with no benediction, 
 and ends with no message of mercy. It should be remembered 
 that among these '* twelve tribes " were some who were christians, 
 and some of course who had never advanced beyond the Jewish 
 faith; and if this fact is remembered, eveiy apparent difiRculty can 
 be readily explained. 
 
 '/. Central and collateral truf/ix. Justification hy Works. 
 Patience — purity — wisdom— service— benevolence — prayer. Key 
 thoughts: (i) Christian morality in and out of the church. (2) 
 Religion justified evidentially before men by works. The words 
 " brother " and ** brethren " occur 16 times. " Patience " is also 
 frequent, in the sense of steadfast endurance in piety. The word 
 " perfect" occurs five tim.s in this epistle. The prevailing error 
 which attended the introduction of the gospel— and which Paul was 
 appointed to meet, especially in his epistles- to the Romans and 
 (Jalatians— was, that we are justified in part by works ; as opposed 
 to this, Paul shows that we are justified freely by grace through faith 
 alone. But now, where the gospel had been for some time estah- 
 lished, the tendencies of corrupt nature were, to pervert it by 
 overlooking the importance of works as a necessary evidence of 
 saving faith. Many professing Christians, it appears, were Luilty of 
 partiality to the rich, contempt of the poor, censoriousness, envy, 
 contention, covetonsnes,?, presumptuous disregard of God's provi- 
 dence, oppression and luxury ; and yet, confident of salvation, 
 because they held a speculative belief of the doctrines of the gospel. 
 To show them the unsoundness of such a faith is the object of the 
 apostle's arguments ; and from the very example of Abraham, by 
 which Paul illustrates the doctrine of justification by faith alone, he 
 proves that it is of the very nature of savi7i(/ faith to bring forth 
 good works ; and that if good works are not the result, though a 
 rhan say he have faith, he has none which will profit to his salvation. 
 This epistle may be considered as of the greatest practical import- 
 ance, especially as a test of character to those who have long made 
 a profession of religion. The vigor of Abraham's faith appeared in 
 that, more than twenty years after he was admitted into a state of 
 justification befo»e God, he displayed its continued practical influence 
 
 III 
 
 II 
 
162 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 '4 
 
 U i 
 
 I m 
 
 \ i 
 
 m h.s .^ad.ness to oHer up even his son Isaac at the ccnnnnnd of 
 ^rod. Compareden. 15:6, with chap 22:9-12. This fact again is a 
 lesson to us and is decisive proof that justifying Aiith, once exer- 
 Ciseil, IS to be habitual, it is not so much an nrf, as a sfnfe 
 
 4. Connertion wHh othr parts of the Srnptmrs. Read and 
 comp.are this look with the epistles of I'aul to the Komans and to 
 the (.alatians. A careful study will show that much of this book is 
 
 a striking, commentary upon Christ's sermon on the mount. Compare 
 I as. I ; 2 lii.fU At .. •■^ 
 
 Jas. 
 
 <i 
 
 (. 
 
 « 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 «i 
 
 <( 
 
 K 
 
 ({ 
 «l 
 
 (< 
 <( 
 (< 
 
 I 
 I 
 I 
 
 5 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 2 
 2 
 
 4 
 4 : 
 
 4 : 
 
 5 : 
 5 : 
 5 
 
 2, 
 
 : 4, 
 
 :5> 
 • 15. 
 : 9, 
 ; 20, 
 
 : 13, 
 
 I4ff, 
 
 17, 
 
 4' 
 10, 
 
 *-> 
 
 10, 
 
 12, 
 
 with 
 
 -Matt. 
 
 
 <( 
 
 << 
 
 ( < 
 
 5 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 5 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 7 : 
 6 : 
 
 5 : 
 
 10-12 
 
 :4s 
 
 ;7ft- 
 
 : 3 
 ; 22 
 
 : 7 
 HIS 
 2 Iff 
 
 9 
 
 24 
 
 3, 4 
 iflF 
 
 19 
 12 
 
 Compare this book also with Mark, 13 : 7, 9, 2^ '3^2^ 
 For the very remarkable and close parallels to the Booh of 
 techsuMicm, compare, i =5, 8- 12, 13, 19 23, 25 ; 3 : 5. 6, res- 
 pectively with Eccl. 20 : 15 ; 12 : 22 ; i : 28 ; 15 : „ ; 5 . "„ . 
 20 = 7 ; 12 : II ; 14 : 23 ; 28 : 10, 19 (especially in the Greek).' 
 l<or parallels to the 5oo.to/ Jr^V^om, compare, fas. r • 10 11 ,7 
 20; 2 : 21 ; 4 : 14 ; 5 : 1.6, with Wisdom, 2 : 8 ; 5 : 8 ; 7 '• i7'.2o ' 
 12 : 16 ; 10 : 5 ; 5 : 9.14 ; 2 . ^.^^ y^^ ^ax^\\^\^ to the Booh of 
 Proverhs, compare i : 5, 6. 12. 19, 21 ; 3 : 5 ; 4 : 5 • 5 : 20 res- 
 pecttvely with Prov , ^ S, <^ ^ ZZ ^ M^ , ^ U ^ Eccl.'/: 2 ; Pro: 
 30:12; 16:27; 3:34; 10:12. ^ ' 
 
 3. For rvhom is tlm booh peculiarly suitable '^ For inconsistent, 
 deceived professors of religion. For Antinomians, and loose-living 
 church members, generally. 
 
 /. AnthorMp and date. Written from liabylon by Peter 
 A. D. 65. chap. 5 : n. 
 
HELPS TO BIBLB STUDY. 
 
 163 
 
 2. CharacUt' of contents. I'eter wrote this letter to the 
 Hebrew Christians of the eastern dispersion ; "strangers scattered 
 throughout Pontus, Galatia, Capadocia, A-^ia (minor) and Bythy- 
 ina," to whom he is said to have preached. As this was during the 
 reign of the emperor Nero, it is supposed to have been a lime of 
 violent persecution, hence, the general design is to comfort them 
 under their afliictions, Two of Paul's companions were his intimate 
 associates, and one of them the hearer of this letter. " By Sylvani- 
 U3 (Silas) a faithful brother unto you, as I account him, I have 
 written briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of 
 (iod wherein ye stand," I Pet. 5 : 12. This distinctly Pauline 
 ph-^ase, sums up what has been called the Pauline element, running 
 throughout the whole epistle. The epistle may well be designated 
 a'-. Peter's testimony to the truth of the Gospel taught by Paul. 
 
 3. Central and collateral truths. Strength and Patience 
 Under Trial. Obedience — faith- -example of Christ — hope — trust 
 —glory. Key thoughts : (i) God's righteous government in rela- 
 tion to his saints. (2) "Precious." {3) Hope. The broad subject 
 of Christian trials is the chief burden. The second advent of Christ 
 is frequently referred to. Frequent mention is made of the possi- 
 bility of living down, or "putting to silence the ignorance of foolish 
 men," and winning the same by "good conversation." It also con- 
 tains a remarkable statement of Christ's preaching to the dead. 
 The writer's honorable mention of Paul as his beloved brother— 
 though Paul had publicly exposed him to reproof, and had recorded 
 that reproof in his epistle to the Galatians— exhibits a fine com- 
 ment on his exhortation to others:— "Be clothed with humility," 
 Mark that the incorruptible word is the appointed means of the 
 Christian's growth in holiness, i Pe. 2 : 3 ; Col. i : 5, 6 ; 2 Pe. I : 
 8 ; 3 : 18 ; John 17 : 17 ; Psa. 109. 
 
 4. Connection with other parts of the Scriptures. Read in con- 
 nection with this book, Acts i to4 ; 10 to 12, 15. Thase two epistles 
 seem to be founded on Matt. i6th and 17th chapters. 
 
 5. For whom is this book peculiarly suitable ? For Christians 
 under affliction and trials. 
 
 2. PETER. 
 
 1. Authorship and date. Written by Peter " to them (Gen- 
 tiles) who have obtained like prec'ous faith with us'' (Jews), A. D.66 . 
 
 2. Character of conitntk\ As in the first epistle Peter exhoits 
 to patience under the tyranny of persecution^ %o \n this he exhorts 
 
 !■' 
 
IC4 
 
 MKLPS TO MTULK STHDY. 
 
 lu i<cr.sever;iiu;L' in llic iriillis of the gospel against the deceptions of 
 heretics, and the profanencss of scoffers, describing their character, 
 and the certainty of their destruction, and urges diligence in the 
 improvement of every Christian grace. 
 
 Stimmcmj (i) An exhortation to persevere in faith and good 
 works, by an assurance of the reality of the glorification of Christ 
 as the pattern man, accepted by God, and the Messiah of prophecy 
 1. (2) Warning of the certainty of punishment on impenitent 
 sinners, by reference to past history, c. ij. the Flood, overthrow of 
 Sodom 2 : i-io. (3) Warning against false teachers, by the ex- 
 ample of Balaam 2 : 11-22. (4) Thecertainty of the Second Advent, 
 and its warning {a) to the godly, (6) to the wicked, ^. 
 
 This book like the other second epistles, is largely occupie'' 
 with the last days. 
 
 3. Central and collateral truths. Faithfulness to thb 
 Divine Word. Scoffers— fa'se teachers— prophecy— inspiration- 
 godliness— day of judgment. Key thoughts: (i) God's righteous 
 judgment upon the public Christian profession. (2) "Putting you 
 in remembrance." 
 
 How prone men seem to be to pervert the truth ! The I'hessa- 
 lonians supposed that our Lord's coming was to be immediate ; 
 those of whom Peter writes supposed it to be indefinitely delayed.' 
 Amidst such tendencies nothing less than the divine Spirit could 
 have preserved apostles in a watchful, patient frame, nor could 
 anything less than the energy ot ihe same Spirit have taught poor 
 fishermen to speak as they do of God, of sin and of coming judg- 
 ment. The sublimity, spirituality and harmony of these revela- 
 tions are among the most decisive evidences of a divine inspiration. 
 This epistle like the second of those from Paul to Timothy, was 
 penned when the writer knew himself to be drawing neai to martyr- 
 dom ; and it derives solemn interest from that consideration. It 
 may be remarked, how important holiness appears to him at the 
 moment when he was enjoying the highest anticipation of a glorious 
 immortality ; and with what peculiar earnestness, as in the prospect 
 of Christ's second coming he urges it. Peter, after a life of suffering, 
 and with the immediate prospect of the agonies of crucifixion, re 
 joices in the choice he had mjide of the service of Christ. 
 
 4. Connection with other parts 0/ the Scriptures. Read in 
 connection with this epistle, Matt. 16, 17, 24, Luke 21, Rev. 20, 
 and the epistle of Jude. 
 
HELPS TO niBLK STUDY. 
 
 165 
 
 from Ephesus by the 
 
 6. For whom is thU honk pecaliarhj siiitahle ? For believers 
 who are suffering for the truth's sake. For the wavering and 
 faltering. 
 
 I JOHN. 
 
 i. Authorship and date. Written 
 Apostle John, about A. D. 96. 
 
 ^. Character oj contcnf.i. Most expositors tell us that this 
 epistle was addressed wholly to genuine believers. That the most 
 of it^is we will admit, but not entirely so. There was living in 
 John's day a class of religionists who styled themselves Gnostics, or, 
 those who know everything. 'J'hey were the antipodes of the aJ- 
 nostics of the present day, who claim lo know nothing. These 
 Gnostics claimed that they were a part of Deity, and consequent- 
 ly they not only know everything as God knows everything, but 
 they were also as pure and holy as God, and always had been. 
 Consequently they had no need of the gospel, no ne^d of the cleans- 
 ing blood of Jesus Christ. They claimed to have fellowship with 
 God, and yet their lives, as everybody could see, were full of sin, 
 and they were living in moral darkness and condemnalion. It was 
 evidently one object of this epistle to counteract errors already pre- 
 valent. Some questioned the divine dignity of our Lord and denied 
 him to be the Son ot God. These the apostle calls deceivers 
 and antichrist, 2 : 22 ; 4 : 15 ; 5 : i. Others denied his humanity, 
 thus contradicting the real fellowship of Christ with men, lleb. 2 : 
 16; 4 : 15, and the reality of his death and propitiation. His in- 
 carnation was, as they held, but an appearance, and the story of his 
 life, a myth. This delusion the apostle strongly denounces, 4 : 3, 
 and declares that he had himself felt with his hand the body of" his 
 Lord, 1:1. A third party seems to have held that it was enough 
 to worship God with the spirit, and that the body might iiave all 
 possible indulgence. This immoral creed the apostle refutes by 
 showing that every sin is real transgression, 3:4; that fellowship 
 with God purifies the Christian, and that by this purity only can we 
 be recognized as his, 3 : 8-10 ; 2 : 5 ; 4 : 13 ; 5 : h. 
 
 But the special object of this epistle was to confirm believers 
 in the doctrines of Christianity, nnd to promote brotherly love, and 
 is addressed to Christi^ms everywhere. While the gospel of Tohn 
 is about the Son of God, this beautiful epistle is largely occupied 
 about the sons of God. 
 
 3, Central and collateral truths. Light and Love. Pro- 
 
160 
 
 HKLPS TO BIHI.K STDDY. 
 
 
 LOVE. 
 
 lie that lovttli lif \ uAhcr,ahUtt:th 
 in the. lii/ld, and ihtrt; is none occasion 
 of stiinihling in liini, 3 : lo. 
 
 If \vc love one another God dwel- 
 leth in us, and his love is perfected in 
 us, 4 : 12. 
 
 lOvery one that ioveth in born of 
 God and hnoit'i-t/i God, 4 : 7. 
 
 He that ahidnh in love ahidi'th 
 in God and God abidetii in him, 4 : 16. 
 
 pitialion—sonship— obedience— fellowship— victory. Key thoughts : 
 (1) Chiist the eternal life and i ower of communion with God. (2) 
 " These words have I written unto you, that ye may KNOW that ye 
 have eternal life." v3) Christ our Advoc . flic word "know" as 
 an expression of Christian assurance is vci;> rrtqu. ut in this epistle. 
 The truth most largely insisted upon in this epistle, is the necessity 
 of hoiincaH, as the evidence and fruit of faith. Note the contrast 
 drawn between hatred an 1 love. 
 
 HATRED. 
 
 He that saith he is in the li^ht, 
 and hateth his brother, is in (Jarkni'iiH 
 even until now, 2 : 9. 
 
 But he that hateth his bi other, is 
 in darkness, and walki'th in darltnrsx, 
 and i<noweth not whither lie r.'~"'ih, 
 because that darkness hath blinded his 
 eyes, 2 : 9. 
 
 Whosoever doeth not righteous- 
 ness J« not of God, neither he that 
 Ioveth not his brother, 3 : jo. 
 
 He that Ioveth not his brother 
 abideth in death, 3 : 14. 
 
 Whosoever hateth his broi .er in n 
 murderer, 3 : 15. 
 
 He that Ioveth not kmnrcth not 
 God, 4 : 8. 
 
 If a man say I love God and hateth 
 his brother, he in a liar, 2 : 20. 
 
 The epistle is throughout especially useful, as ii presents many 
 tests by which to try the sincerity of our Christian profession. 
 
 The writer of this book was noted for a peculiarly affectionate 
 disposition. So that he obtained the title of " the loving disciple/' 
 yet none has spoken of false dtiCtrine more sharply. The gentlest 
 (/hristian may be a son of thunder-— Luke 3 : 13-19 — when Christ's 
 honor is at stake, and charity may be exercised in denouncing sin, 
 as well .as in loving the brethren. 
 
 4-' Connection with other pai-ts of th", Scripturef^. Study this 
 book in connection with the gospel, and the two followin;: epistles 
 by the same writer. 
 
 5. For whom is this hooJc p>ecuUarly suitable ? For Unitarians, 
 Socinians, and for believers generally. 
 
 2 JOHN. 
 
 i. Authorship and date. Wrii ten from Ephesus, by the apostle 
 John, A. D. 96. 
 
 S. Character of contents. The object of this letter- addressed 
 
HKLPS ro BIBLK STUDY. 
 
 167 
 
 to he ek-ct lady, or the elect lO,ria and her children-was to con- 
 
 fontin''' ;i "'' T ''' ^'"'^ '' ^" ^^•'^'^^'"' '^"h-^-'-S l.er to 
 continue .n the truth and in love, caution.o. hera^ainst the deceiver 
 
 3.C^nb UandcollatrmUruth.^. Family Rklkwon. Truth- 
 
 ove ohodience-stcadfastness Key thoughts : (,) Ch.istnnd the 
 
 truth the safeouard against heresy. (2) -Truth." The word 
 
 truth nngs out five times- the Jewish nu,nber-i„ this little 
 
 epistle. An apostolic episile so addressed, shows with what vigilant 
 
 affection th.- mmist.rs of the gospel ought to cherish the piety of 
 
 those whon. they have gained, and it shows no less the irnportanre, 
 
 ^n the .jkt of Oo^l, of the station of a Ckrl^tlan rn.^her the earn- 
 
 estness with which she should interest herself in the religious wel.ue 
 
 of her children, and I.e encouragement which by so doing, she will 
 
 give to Christian mothers and to the progress of truth. 
 
 4. Connection with other parts of the. Scriptures. Should be 
 
 Tnn t/" '';;'^^°" ^'^'' ^he ^^^•'^'^ epistles and the gosj.el by this 
 apo tie. Also with rtain portions of the book of Proverbs which 
 treat on the government of children. 
 
 5. For whom is this hook peculiarly snitnhle? For Christian 
 mothers. «-nrisnan 
 
 3 JOHN. 
 
 John' A^a' 9^ "'' ""'"'^ ''"''• ^^^""'" ^'"" ''^'^'''''^ ^'y '^' ^P'^-^^J- 
 
 eoistf: T7f" 1 T'"''- ''""■''' "f Corinth, o whom this 
 epistle IS addressed, and who is probably the pers.. mentioned 
 
 Ll ':i-\- '"^'.Tl '^ '' '3' ^"' "" "'""^^"^ Christian, particu- 
 
 larly distinguished for his hospitality to those who went about 
 preaching the gosp The apostle expresses his affectionate joy 
 at his and other eviaences f his piety, -autions him against one 
 Diatrephes noted for his ambition and turbulence, and strongly 
 recommends Demetrius to his friendship; deferring other things to 
 a personal conversation. ^ 
 
 This brief epistle, reaching on to the very last days, is also 
 addressed to an individual, and seven times-the church nn:nh.r .i 
 compieteness-does the word truth sound fort!,. T'.ie first epis'tle' 
 
 from the world; but the second aid third ep...des. like the second 
 
 l\ 
 
168 
 
 HELPS TO HinLK HTITDV. 
 
 i 'I: 
 
 I 
 
 of Peter, seek to confirm them ayainst far greater trials arisinjj from 
 within the church. 
 
 3. Central and collateral trvtha. Christian Hospitality. 
 Soul prosperity — brotherly love- truth helping — sincere friendshii- . 
 Key thoughts : (i) Christian hospitality to the samts, especially to 
 laborers. (2) "Truth." 
 
 Peter— says one — wrote about hope, " when the chief Shepherd 
 shall appear ;" Tiie key note of Paul's writing appeared to be of 
 faith, and of John's love. Faith, Hope and Charity ; these were 
 the three characteristics of three men —the key note to the whole of 
 their teachings. 
 
 As in the second epistle of Peter knoioledye is mentioned seven 
 times, so in the third epistle of John, brief as it is, tridh is men- 
 tioned seven times, showing to what manifold and dangerous errors 
 and lies believers will be exposed in the la^t days As the second 
 epistle of John tells us whom to reject, the third epistle tells us 
 whom to receive, not merely as an act of charity, not simply as an 
 expression of Christian courtesy, but "that we might be fellow-help- 
 ers to the truth " It is most significant that in this last of the inspired 
 epistles, touching the condition of things in the last days, s > much 
 is made of the truth, and that the church is mentioned three times, 
 though existing amid surrounding ruins. But the dear old apostle 
 could lift up his eyes above earth's gloom to look for the " Bright 
 and Morning Star," and in the expectation of soon beholding its 
 golden light he could say, "I trust I shall shortly [immediately] 
 see thee, and we shall speak face to face." There will not be many 
 left, however, and hence he closes with the sweet and solemn 
 words, " Creet the friends by name." 
 
 4. Miscellaneous notes. This epistle should be studied with the 
 other writings of the apostle John, and is suitable for all Christians 
 to profit by. The word Antichrist occurs only in these epistles. 
 It means either one who claims to be Christ, or one opposed to 
 him ; and such are all who deny that Jesus is Messiah (or Christ), 
 or that the Messiah has come in the flesh. When the word is 
 applied to the great apostacy, 2 Thess. 2 : 3-10, as it is in modern 
 discussions, it means that that apostacy is supremely opposed to our 
 Lord in his teaching and office. 
 
HKLPa TO niBLK ST! DY. 
 
 169 
 
 JUDE. 
 
 /. Authorship and dale. Written by Jude-c»llc(l Lebbeus 
 and Thaddeus— A. D. 67. 
 
 2. Character of content>i. The design of this epistle is clearly 
 to Ruard the Christian church against those false teachers who re- 
 solved all religion into speculative belief and outward profession, 
 and sought to allure the disciples into insubordination and licen- 
 tiousness. Apart from the fact that both Peter and Jude wrote un- 
 der the direction of the Holy Ohost,any attentive reader can readily 
 perceive that IVter wrote in his second epistle of sin, while Jude 
 advances the thought of apostacy. A comparison of 2 Peter 2 : 4, 
 with Jude 6, will illustrate the difference. 
 
 3. Central and collateral truths. EvjLs OF Apostacy. Un- 
 godliness— lasciviousness— denial of Christ— lawlessness— judgment 
 —darkness forever. Key thoughts : (i) Apostacy traced down to 
 the last days, (2) " Ungodly." 
 
 One of the perverse things which these corrupt teachers spoke, 
 for the purpose of alluring the wicked, was that God was so good 
 that he would not punish men for indulging those natural appetites 
 which he has himself implanted in them, nor be displeased with 
 them for committing a few sins, which can do him no harm, but 
 which are necessary to their present happiness. Wherefore, to show 
 the impiety and falsehood of that doctrine, and to secure the dis- 
 ciples from being seduced by it the apostle, by facts recorded in 
 Scripture, proved that, as God already punished '.he angels who 
 sin. ed, notwithstanding their diynit)/, and the antedeluvians, not- 
 withstanding their number, so will he at length most assuredly pun- 
 ish all obstinate sinners in the severest manner. 
 
 4. Connection with other parts of the Scriptures. Read in con- 
 nection with this epistle i Tim. 4 ; 2 Tim. 3, and compare with 2 
 Peter, generally. 
 
 5. For whom is this book peculiarly suitable ? For the careless 
 professor and trifler with sin. It however, contains suitable warn 
 ings for the most advanced saint. 
 
 i\ 
 
 REVELATION. 
 
 1. Authorship and date. Written by the apostle John when 
 "in the isle that is called Patmos." A. D. 97. 
 
 2. Character oj contents. John was banished by Domitian to 
 Patmos, after a vain attempt to martyr him ; but on the Emperor's 
 
j! 
 
 i n 
 
 f*'!.' 
 11 = 
 
 t. 
 
 •■n\ 
 
 
 170 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 death he returned, under a general amnesty to Ephesus, and re- 
 sumed the jpervision of that church. While in exile he saw and 
 recorded these visions. The book consists of matters partly his- 
 torical, but chiefly proph3lical, revealed to the apostle by the Lord 
 Jesus : and the special object of it is to make known the thin};s that 
 are, and the thinj^s which shall be hereafter, and in this way to 
 exhibit the prophetic history of the church of Christ down to the end 
 of the age ; at the same tira», to comfort the early church under im- 
 pending persecutions. 
 
 The things ^ Introductory. |- Chap. I. 
 
 which are. ( Epistles to tlie churches. |- Chaps. 2, 3, 
 
 / Vision of hervcnly glory. }■ Chaps. 4, 5. 
 I The seals with heir two / ^,1 . 
 
 i episodes. 5 ^^"^P^- ^' 7- 
 
 I The trumpets with their epi- ) ... -, 
 
 The things I sodes. j Chaps. 8- u. 
 
 which shall be< The foes of the church wag- ) r^, 
 hereafter. line war. ^^ Chaps. 12-14. 
 
 ing war. \ 
 
 The vials. [ C aps, 15,16. 
 
 The foes of the church over- ) ^, 
 
 thrown and destroyed. *<^haTp?i. 17-20. 
 
 The new Jerusalem. [^ Chaps. 21, 22. 
 
 The Messages to the Seven Churches, 2, 3 viz : (i) EriiKsus : 
 reproof for forsaking its first love and first works. (2) Smyrna: 
 commendation of works, ])overty, endurance of persecution. (3) 
 Pergamos . reproof for false doctrine, immoral conduct, idolatrous 
 pollution. (4) Thyatira : reproof to one party for similar corrup- 
 tions; comaiendation to the other for their fidelity. (5) Sardis : 
 reproof for spiritual deadncss with mere nominal life. (6) I'lllLA- 
 DELPiiiA : approval of its steadfastness and patience. (7) Lao- 
 DIC(EA : rebuke for lukewarmness. These pred'clions Lave long 
 been fulfilled, but the remainder of the book is still a mystery, 
 though generally regarded as prophetic of the history of the church 
 from the close of the first century to the end of time. By some the 
 major part is considered to ha\ 2 had its fulfillment in the early ages of 
 the church ; by others lo have been gradually realized by successive 
 religious revivals and persecutions ; by others it is regarded as a 
 picture of the historical epochs of the world and the church. 
 
 The account of these seven churches, may be read morally or 
 historically ; of course the former is the more important of the two. 
 If regard<;d historically, summarise them thus : — 
 
 Ephesus, desire, the ecclesiastical period. 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 171 
 
 Smyrna, tnyrrh^ the sufftr'mrj period. 
 
 Perganios, lofty, the worldly period. 
 
 Thyatira, dinujlull or cetispool the papal period. 
 
 Sardis, the escaped or delirerpd th,- proteatant period. 
 
 Philadelphia, brotherly love, the remnant period. 
 
 Laodict-a, justice /or the /;eople the Chrldless period. The ad- 
 dresses to these churches had also a local application ; but the 
 local references to these Asiatic asseiriblies only served as a basis 
 on which the church in general is addressed through its represen. 
 tatives (the angels) by the Spirit of God. 
 
 3. The, interpretation of this book. The Apocalypse had its 
 immediate origin in two events which happened at this period of 
 the life of St. John. One was the Neronian persecution. The 
 other was the outljrcak of the Jewish war. It was not until these 
 events were over, it was not until their divine teaching had done its 
 work, that a third and more gradual event — the development of 
 Gnostic I -aching in the form of new Christologies — called forth in 
 its turn th ^ ^[ospel and the epistles of St, John as the final utterance of 
 Christian revelation. Unless we study these events, there is no 
 chance of our utiderstanding tho writings of John. 
 
 It is true that our want of faiDiiiirity with Apocalyptic symbols 
 which were familiar to the Jewish Christians of that epoch, seems 
 at first to give to many of the apostle's thoughts an unwonted ob- 
 scurity. But on the other hi'nd, the obscurity does not affect those 
 elements of the book which we at once feel to be of the most eternal 
 import ; and on the other, we are only left in the dark, about minor 
 details which have found no distinct record in h'story. Let any 
 student compare the symbols of the Apocalypse with those of Joel, 
 Isaiah, Ezekicl, Zechariah and Daniel ; let him then see how those 
 symbols are applied by the almost contemporary writers of such 
 Jewish Apocalypses as the Book of Enoch, the fourth book of 
 Esdras, and the vision of Baruch ; let him meditate on the con- 
 ditions of the age in the particulars which wc have just been 
 passing in review ; lastly, let him bear in mind the luminous principle 
 that the Apocalypse is a stormy comment on the great discourse of 
 our Lord on Olivet, as it was being interpreted by the signs of the 
 times, and he will read the vision of the apostle with a freshness 
 of interest, and a clearness of apprehension such as he may never 
 previously have enjoyed. 
 
 It is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ -not of St. John the 
 
172 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 •I. 
 
 n .: 
 
 t Hi! 
 
 13 
 
 Divine, as the uninspired title falsely as.erts—which God gave unto 
 him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to 
 pass." As he gave it, therefore, to show his servants what is 
 certainly coming to pass, it can not be his will to have them turn 
 from its solemn testimony in utter unconcern. 
 
 The plea that is constantly urged as an excuse for indifference 
 to this portion of the inspired 'vord is our inability to understand it. 
 But, as if God foresaw the excuse, and determined to sweep it out 
 of the way of obedience to his command, he says, "Blessed is 
 he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and 
 keep those things which are written therein." It will be observed 
 that nothing is said about understanding it, hut there is a blessing 
 for him that readeth, and lor them that hear. Any child of God 
 can get this blessing, and every one should desire it. '* He that 
 readeth " implies that it should be read personally, and •* they that 
 hear " indicates that the people should have an opportunity of list- 
 ening to it. Even if they can n<jt read, it is blessed to hear and to 
 keep the words of this prophecy. 
 
 To those who would trifle with the prophetic parts of this book 
 because of their mystery, the following considerations may not be 
 without value : No prophecies in the Revelation can be more 
 clouded with obscurity than that a child should be born of a pure 
 virgin— that a mortal should not see corruption — that a person de- 
 spised and numbered among malefactors should be established for 
 ever on the throne of David. Yet still the pious Jew preserved his 
 faith entire, amidst all these wonderful, and, in appearance, con- 
 tradictory intimations. He looked into the holy books in which 
 they were contained with reverence, and, with an eye of patient 
 expectation, " waited for the consolation of Israel. We in the same 
 manner look up to these prophecies of the Apocalypse for the full 
 consumation of the great scheme of the gospel, when Christianity 
 shall finally prevail over all the corruptions of the world and be 
 universally established in its utmost purity. 
 
 4. Central and collateral truths. The Advent of our Lord 
 IN Glory. Antichrist -warfare— destruction— resurrection— judg- 
 ment— victory. Key thoughts: (i) Christ assuming the govern- 
 ment of the world. (2) Things to come. (3) '• Overcome." The 
 word '-' overcome," is used 22 times by John, 16 in Revelation; and 
 
 Oiiiy J uy a;: uinci rv CW 1 CSlcUIlCill WrUCTS. 
 
 Among the prophetic visions of the Apocalypse, there is one 
 
 /^ 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE 8TUBY. 
 
 173 
 
 11 
 
 which appears peculiarly prominent, 17, 18 ; and which acquires 
 the greater importance, as well as clearness, from other prophetic 
 intimations evidently referring to the same subject, 2 Thess. 2 : 3- 
 12; I Tim. 4 : 1-5. There is a., unusual agreement among the 
 greater number of the best expositors, in explaining these combined 
 prophecies : although some consider them to refer to events still 
 future They are regarded as predicting the rise and temporary 
 ascendancy of a great apostate power, in the midst of the Christian 
 church, which should be distinguished by the following characteris- 
 tics, (i) Eminent corruption of religion, which corruption, by fraud 
 as well as force, it spreads and maintains throughout the world, 2 
 Thess. 2 : 3, 8-10 ; l Tim. 4 : i, 2 ; Rev. 17 : 2-5 ; 18 : 3-5 ; 19 : 
 2. (2) Gross immorality and licentiousness, combined with hypo- 
 ciitical and self-righteous asceticism, i Tim. 4 : 2, 3. (3) Ar- 
 rogant and blasphemous pretensions, usurpation of divine preroga- 
 tives, op! osition against God, and persecution of his people, 2 
 Thess, 2:4, 5; Rev. 17 : 6-14; 18 : 6-20; 19 : 2. (4) Great 
 wealth, magnificence and luxury. Rev. 17 : 4; 18 : 7, 8, ^.x-i^, 
 (5) Reliance upon the support and aid of worldly powers v/is ^e 
 tyranny it sanctions and upholds, Rev. 17 : i, 2, 15, 17; 18 : 3, 9. 
 
 5. Connection with other parts of the Scriptures. Read in 
 connection with this book, Dan. 7, 8, 11, 12 ; Isa. 10, Matt 24 ; 
 2 Thess. 2. Compare Rev. 19 with Eze. 39, Jcjel 3, Zech. 14. 
 Compare the pouring out of the vials with the description of the 
 plagues inflicted on Egypt. Eze. is almost repeated in various parts 
 of Revelation. There is this difference between Daniel and Revel- 
 ation that what the former is told to shut up and seal to the time 
 of the end, the last is told to reveal. Revelation has 250 allusions 
 to the Old Testament, as if to sum up all before it. The reader will 
 notice many contrasts between this last book and Genesis, the first 
 -—paradise— tree of life, etc. 
 
 €. For ivhom is this book peculiarly suitable ? For the diligent, 
 prayerful student of the word of God. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS HELPS. 
 
 1 he bcvea liibies of mankind are : The Bible, the Vedas or 
 the Brahmins, the Tripitaka of the Buddhists, the Zend Avesta of 
 
174 
 
 % 
 
 
 HKLP3 TO BnLE STUDY. 
 
 the Parsees or Persians, the Chinese Sacred Books of Confucius, the 
 Chinese Sacred Book of Laonstsze, and the Mohammedan Koran. 
 
 —So sacred was the name of Deity, regarded by the ancient 
 Hebrews, that it was never uttered unless absolutely necessary. Its 
 unnecessary utterance was a penal crime. 
 
 —To make the truth taught in these examples (Scripture) com- 
 plete, we must trace the evidence of their weakness. They failed 
 in the very parts of their character which w. re strongest. Abraham 
 through fear, Gen. 20 : 2 ; Job through impatience, Job 3 : I ; 
 Moses through irratability and presumption, Deut. 32 : 51. 
 
 — It is the opinion of some eminent commentators that the ser- 
 mons OH the mount anu on the plain were one and the same. 
 
 Rejoicing of the faithful. The word •' rejoice " occurs 150 
 times in the Bible. Various words of gladness 1,000 times. 
 
 r-E\Tii UDEs. 260 texts in the Bible beginning with "Blessed." 
 
 Land. 1,300 times in old Testament, 55 in New. 
 
 Anger used 200 times in Old Testament, and chiefly of God, 
 only 10 in N w, and equivalents a few times more. 
 
 Almighty (God) applied to God 48 times in Old Testament, 10 
 in New, chiefly in Revelation. 
 
 —Three fourths of the references to faith in the Bible are by f't. 
 Paul, 34 of these in Romans. He uses the words "beseech" and 
 "peace" more frequently than any other apostle. " Immortality " is 
 used only by Paul. The word "covenant "occurs eleven times in He- 
 brews. The word " overcoming ", frequent in the writings of John. 
 He uses " love " more than any other Bible writer. 100 references to 
 God as a " Father " in writings of John— two-thirds of all in the 
 Bible. The word "belief" is used 100 times by John, chiefly in 
 his gospel. The words " crown " and " throne " are very frequent 
 in Revelation— the latter occurring 34 times. 
 
 —The importance of the Old Tt Jtament is seen in the number of 
 times— proximately~in which that portion of th , Bible is quoted 
 from, or palpably alluded to in the New Testament Books. 
 
 Matthew 100 times 
 
 Mark 34 " 
 
 Luke 58 '• 
 
 John 40 
 
 Acts 57 
 
 Romans 74 
 
 1 -_'.-i limnaUs •4^ 
 
 2 Corinthians 13 
 
 > < 
 
 Galatians ... 16 times 
 
 Ephesians . . ii " 
 
 Pnilippians .3 
 
 Colossians 3 
 
 2 Thess 2 
 
 1 Thess 2 
 
 i Timothy 6 
 
 2 Timothy 2 
 
 
 < 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 175 
 
 I John 6 times 
 
 Revelation 245 •* 
 
 Hebrews 86 times 
 
 James 16 '* 
 
 1 Teter 20 " 
 
 2 Ptter lo '« Total 855 
 
 Prjbably there is no New Testament quotation from Obadiah, 
 Nahum. Zephaniah, or Esther. Only one from the Song of Solo- 
 mon. Rev. 3 : 20 ; Can. 5 : 2. 
 
 liagster gives S89, including both allusions and quotations. 
 
 Thus we see how absurd it is to attempt to believe the New 
 Testament, and not the Old. Not mere phrases, but sometimes a 
 whole block from the Old Testament is placed in the New. 
 
 Passages in the New Testament from the Prophets, etc., but 
 not found in words in the Old Testament. 
 
 Matt. 2 : 23, He shall be called a Nazarene. Nazarene 
 was a name of contempt. See John i : 6 ; Is. 53 : 3. 
 
 John 7 : 38. Out of his belly . . . living waters. For 
 the tenor of this Scriptures, see Pro. 18 : 4 ; Is. 12 : 3 ; 44 : 3. 
 
 Ep. 5 : 14. Awake thou that sleepest, Is. 60 : I 
 
 Jas. 4 : 5. Spirit . . in us lusteth to envy. 
 
 Nearest passage conveying same truth, Gen. 6 : 5. 
 
 — Most of the apostles seemed to have sealed their testimony 
 with their blood, and each nobly endured the trial. The following 
 traditions are taken chiefly from ecclesiastical .listory. They are 
 not all, however, equally authenticated : 
 
 Matthew suffered martyrdom by the sword in Ethionia. Mark 
 died at Alexandra, after being dragged through the streets ot that 
 city. Luke was hanged on an olive tree in Greece. John was put 
 into a cauldron of boiling oil, but escaped death, and was banished 
 to Patmos. Peter was crucified at Rome with his head downwards. 
 James was beheaded ai Jerusalem. James the less was thrown from 
 a pinnacle of the temple, and beaten to death below. Phillip was 
 hanged against a pillar in Phrygia. Bartholomew was flayed alive. 
 Andrew was bound to a cro^r- whence he preached to his persecu- 
 tors till he died. Thorn - w v run through the body at Coromandle 
 in India. Jude was shot to icath with arrows, Matthias was first 
 stoned and then beheaded. Barnabas was stoned to death by Jews 
 at Holomica. Paul, " in deaths ofl,' was beheaded at Rome by 
 Neio. 
 
 — The different r 'dances of the truth of Scripture, may be 
 arranged as follows : 
 
176 
 
 External 
 
 HKLPS ToJbIBLE STUDY. 
 
 EXTERNAL Evidence : Appealing to our senses. 
 
 / I. Direct : As in the miracles of our Lord. 
 John 3:2; 5:36; 10:37; 14:11. Works by 
 Bishop Douglas, ( amphell, West, Sherl ck, LeBas 
 
 2. Retrospective; As in the connection of 
 Christ with the miracles and prophecies of the Old 
 Testament. Luke 24 : 26, 27, John 5 : 47. Leslie, 
 Still.ngflcet, Faber, Kidder, Bn.wn, Simpson. 
 
 3. Prospective: As in the fulfillment of pro- 
 phecy since the days of our Lord. John 14 : 29. 
 
 '^Davison, Newton, Keith. 
 
 2. INTERNAL : Which is either 
 
 / (a) Moral : Appealing to our conscience ; con- 
 sisting of the 
 
 1. Moral precepts of the Eible. Jenyns, 
 Gregory. 
 
 2. Character of our Lord and of the inspired 
 writers. Newcome, Lyttelton. 
 
 3. Character and Lives of the early 
 Christians and the general influence of truth. 
 Chalmers, Harburton, Ryan, Pliny. 
 
 (b) or Spiritual : Appealing to our intellectual 
 
 Moral. 
 
 Spirit- 
 ual. 
 
 jDcrceptions, and to our new nature generally, 
 includes 
 
 It 
 
 I. The Scriptural or Literary: Or the 
 wisdom and harmony of revealed truth : 
 
 In its different dispensations— Alexander. 
 
 In the various parts of the record. Graves on 
 
 the Pentateuch ; Paley's Horoe Pauline, Blunt, 
 
 Birkij. 
 
 With nature— Butler's analogy ; Chalmers. 
 
 2. The Experimental. The gospel felt to be 
 adapted to our wants. Pascal, Fuller, Erskine, 
 
 f Sunner, J. J. Gurney. 
 
 3. The Spiritual properly so called. The 
 Bible consistent with the character and purpose of 
 
 VGod. Gilb, Wardlaw, Aldis, Philosophy of salvation. 
 Further evidence th.J the Bible is from God. (i) Ji has lo^g 
 b<^en accepted as divine by the churca-both Jewish and Christian 
 
 ^ 
 
HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 177 
 
 'y 
 
 I. 
 
 1 : 20, 21 ; Rom 
 
 : 13- 
 
 2 ; Prov. 30 
 
 (2) It has STOOD the most searching tests of friends and foes for 
 centuries. (3) Exposed by various translations and by sectarian 
 interests to the liability of interpolation and change it remains es- 
 sentially THE same. Its "various readings" do not effect the 
 great doctrines which it contains. (4) Its internal character, 
 unity, purity, marvellous moral standards, fidelity to human nature, 
 etc., etc., prove its divinity. (5) Its adaptation to human 
 NREDS and its eftects upon the race wherever permitted to exert its 
 energies, abundantly demonstrate that it is not a human production. 
 (6) It is in striking hahmony with true science. The facts of 
 nature, and of human nature, and of human history, sustain the 
 claims of the book. (7) To the personal experience of all who 
 have tested and trusted it we may safely appeal. The Bible is the 
 missing keystone in individual and in social life. Once inserted it 
 proves that he who made man and put him into this world, also 
 made the Bible as his safe-guard and stay. 
 
 Its Inspiration. 2 Tim. 3 : 16, 17 ; 2 Pet, 
 15 : 4 ; I Cor. 10 : ii ; Eph. 6 : 17 ; i Thess. 2 
 
 Its Sufficiency. Luke 16 : 31 ; Deut. 4 ; 
 6; Rev. 22 : 17-19. 
 
 Its Power. John 15 : 3 ; 17 : 17 ; Eph. 5 
 Heb. 4 : 12 ; Psalm 19 : 7-1 1. 
 
 Our Need of It. Psalm 119 : 18 ; Luke 24 : 45 ; John 
 63 ; 2 Cor. 3 : 5, 6. 
 
 Its Uce, and Our Duty towards It. Neh. 8 : 8, and 
 9 : 2, 3 ; 2 Chron. 17:9;! Pet. 4:11; Acts iS : 28, and 17 : 11, 
 12 ; 2 Cor. 2 : 17 ; Deut. 6:6, 7, and 29 : 29 ; Joshua 1:8; 
 Psalm I : 2 ; I Peter 2 : i, 2 ; Col. 3 : i6; Psalm 119 : i, 2, 9, 
 II, etc. 
 
 INFIDELITY vs. CHRISTIANITY. 
 
 "Prove all things, hold fast that which Is good." i Thess. 
 5 : II. 
 
 Let us prove or test infidelity and Christianity a little. 
 
 1. What is infidelity ? It is frequently unbelief in the existence 
 of God ; and always a rejection of the divine origin of the Bible. 
 Denying the divine origin of Chrisiianity, it may, like Paine, admit 
 the immortality of the soul, but it denies future accountability. It 
 is thus unbelief in all the leading doctrines of the Bible. 
 
 ■2. Wftat can injtdeiiiy do ? Can it reform depraved men, save 
 them;;|_^and make them happy? Can it make bad governments 
 
 26 ; Jer. 23 
 
 5, 
 29; 
 
 6 : 
 
178 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 liv 
 
 5)1 
 
 M 
 
 m 
 
 good? Can it make men honest, sober, benevolent and self-deny- 
 
 Zfnl ? A '' '^'"/"u "' '" ^'''^' ""^ ^''' "^ '^°P^ ^-"^P-^tinS the 
 uture ? As proof that it cannot, we refer to facts of history, and 
 
 by Rev. W. Whitmore, m the London (England) Christian. 
 
 fi. What has it done ? h has made men miserable in life, and 
 ormented them in death. It has given license to lust and iniquity, 
 and enkmdled vice. The influence of infidel lives has been of a 
 most demoralizing character. After their death their writings have 
 exercised a pernicious influence upon the minds of young and un- 
 stable persons. They have made the end of many, dark, wretched, 
 hopeless, yes awful. Gambetta, the late president of the French 
 .epublu:, was an atheist. He i. reported to have said just before 
 
 T V \ T '' ^' '' "'"^"'^ '° ""^"^Pt '« ^^'^"^^'al it. But 
 1 have SMfTered so much it will be a deliverance " 
 
 of m;^if"''T'' '"'; -7^"' " °"' ^'^"S that mars all the pleasure 
 of my hfe. I am afrazd the Bible is true. If J could know for a 
 certamty that death is an eternal sleep, I should be happy But 
 here IS what pierces my soul, if the Bible is true I am lost forever '' 
 The terrible fate of a blaspheming infidel is described in a brief 
 dispatch from Toronto. It states that on December 24th, 1884, a 
 Frenchman named Paquet, a professional infidel, while denying 
 the doctn,.e of eternal punishment in a discussion with his fellow 
 boarders was stricken with paralysis, the whole of one side, from 
 head to foot, including the tongue, losing vitality. He was taken 
 to the hospital, where he died on December 27th 
 
 Thus infidelity will , ot stand examination. ' What then about 
 the rehg,on of the Bible? Is it true? Is it divine ? We emphati- 
 cally say. 1 es, and that for the following reasons : 
 
 1. Christianity is the only religion that is confirmed by prophe- 
 cies that have undeniably been fulfilled ; and that are now in 
 progress of fulfillment. Read " Keith on Prophecy." 
 
 2. Christianity is the only religion whose writings prove to 
 every unprejudiced mind, the mighty hand of God, as clearly as 'the 
 works o» nature declare his wisdom and power. 
 
 3. Christianity is the only religion that has survived the attacks 
 of open foes and pretended friends for eighteen hundred and eighty- 
 five years and is at the present day more powerful than ever. 
 Voltaire s house is now used by the Geneva Bible Society as a re- 
 
 J ""- v^v,w,.ya. JJIUIC OOt 
 
 pository house in Earl Street ; Blacl^- friar's stands wh« 
 
 
 ■ ife 
 
HELPS TO BIBLK STUDY. 
 
 170 
 
 the Council forbade Wyclifte circulating portions of Holy Scrip- 
 tures, and where he uttered the words, "The truth shall prevail ;" 
 and the Religious Tract Society's premises are where Bibles were 
 publicly burned. Voltaire said that it took twelve Gallilean fisher- 
 men to build up Christ's kingdom, but he would show them that 
 one French infidel could tear it down. Yet the very press on which 
 his book was printed is now used to print the Bible. The Bible 
 Society now prints 500 Bibles for every working hour of the day. 
 
 4. Christianity is the only religion that affords the believer 
 the witness of its truth ; so that persecution, and the approach of 
 the most horrifying death, cannot shake his faith in it. Unlike the 
 votaries of infidelity, no one has ever been known to renounce 
 Christianity upon his dying bed. 
 
 5. Christianity is the only religion that fully satisfies the crav- 
 ings of the human heart, and saves the sinner from the stings A 
 a guilty conscience. 
 
 6. Christianity is the only religion that truly reforms man, 
 makes him honest, unselfish, truthful, loving and pure. 
 
 7. Christianity is the only religion that properly exalts the 
 character of Jehovah, and gives us just views of his attributes and 
 perfections. 
 
 8. Christianity is the only religion that duly humbles and yet 
 exalts the creature — man. 
 
 9. Christianity is the only religion that gives solid peace in the 
 hour of death, and victory over the grave. 
 
 10. Christianity is the only religion that reveals an eterni:y of 
 bliss founded on a holy character. 
 
 11. Christianity is the only religion that is an effective, yes, 
 infallible cure for all the moral complaints of man, irrespective of 
 color, class, or age, and is suited to every climate in the world. 
 
 The Koran for example, places the utmost importance on the 
 offering ol prayer at sunrise and sunset : a rule which proves that the 
 religion of the false prophet was never designed for Greenland or 
 Labrador, where for several months the sun never sets. 
 
 12. Christianity is the only religion that will stand the fires o^ 
 the Judgment Day. 
 
 •• But godliness is profitable unto all thinjvs, having promise of 
 the liff that now is, and of that which is to come." i Timothy 4 ; S. 
 
i 
 
 
 • I 
 
 ' r 
 
 180 
 
 A.D. 
 1324. 
 
 1415. 
 
 1483. 
 1484. 
 
 1487. 
 1490. 
 1492. 
 1494. 
 
 1496. 
 
 1497. 
 1498. 
 
 I50I. 
 1502. 
 
 1508. 
 1509. 
 1510. 
 
 1511- 
 1513- 
 1517. 
 
 1518. 
 
 1519. 
 1520. 
 1521. 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 TABLE OF SOME OCCURRENCES. 1324 1605. 
 
 Wyclide born ; he published the f.rst entire translation of 
 
 the Bible into English : died, 1384. 
 John Huss and Jerome of I'rague burnt, for heresy, in Bq. 
 
 hernia. Ashes of both thrown into the Rhine 
 (Nov. 10.) MARTIN LUTHER born. 
 Ulrich Zwingle born, in Switzerland. 
 The pope helps a crusade against the Waldenses: 
 A German translation of the Vulgate. 
 The profligate Cardinal Borgia made pope. 
 Charles VI 11. of h ranee h.vades Naples. Thus began those 
 wars on account of Italy, which continued with fe v 
 intervals of peace till 1559; and which had indirectly a 
 most miportant influence on the progress of the Reform- 
 ation. Columbus discovers America. 
 The University of Aberdeen founded. 
 Melancihorn born. 
 
 Jerome Savonarola buri.t for heresy, at Florence. 
 Martin Luther enters the University of Erfurt. 
 University of Wittenberg founded. 
 Luther enters the monastery at Erfurt. 
 Luther appointed Professor of Philosophy. 
 Accession of Henry VIII. in England, 
 Calvin born, in France. Luther visits Rome. 
 The pope convokes the Lateran Council at Rome. 
 John de Medici elected pope— Leo X. 
 Leo X. publishes his ' Indulgences.' Tetzel sells. Luther 
 
 publishes his Theses against them. 
 Mdanethon, Greek Professor at Wittenberg. Luther appears' 
 
 before Cardinal Cajetan at Augsburg. 
 Conference of Luther with Miltitz. Disputation at Leipsic 
 
 between Luther and Eccius. 
 Various publications by Luther. He begins to attack the 
 
 papal system, not certain doctrines only. 
 Luther before the Diet of Worms. Begins his translation of 
 the Bible into Germau. in the Castle of Wartburg. Eras- 
 mus pleases neither Leo nor Luther. Principles of 
 Reformation spread in France. University of Geneva 
 founded. 
 
HELPS To BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 181 
 
 1522. 
 
 1523- 
 
 152 • 
 1525. 
 
 1526. 
 
 1527. 
 1528. 
 
 1529. 
 
 1530. 
 
 1531. 
 1532. 
 
 1533- 
 1534- 
 
 1535- 
 1536. 
 
 '540. 
 
 1545. 
 1546. 
 
 Adn'nn elected pope on the death of Leo X. Luther's New 
 1 estament published at Wittenberg, 
 efurmation introduced int Sweden. A Dutch translation 
 of the Bible published. Clement VIL succeeds Pope 
 x^drian. 
 
 Thedoc.rinesof Luth. u^jiound in Prussia. Are intro- 
 duccd into Scotland. Diet »f Nurembuig. 
 . Death of Frerl. ick, elector of Saxony, Luther's first pro- 
 tector. Al n of Brandenburg embraces Lutheraniim. 
 Marriage of Luther with Catherine de Bora. 
 Tyndal's iCnglish New Testament. 
 Writings of :he Reformers circulated in Italy. 
 Patrick Hamilton burnt in tland for heresy. 
 Diet of Spires ; opposes the Reformation. The Reforming 
 prmces protest : hence their name of Pr vrESTANTS. 
 Violent persecutions in the Neiherlands and France. 
 The Lutheran Princes form the Smalcaldic League. Diet 
 of Augsburg. 
 
 Religious war in Switzerland. Zwingle slain. 
 
 Calvin, beginning to make himself known in Paris by his 
 
 religious opinions, is obliged to flee. 
 Cranmer made Archbishop of Canterbury. In Scotland, the 
 
 Reformers violently persecuted. 
 Papal supremacy in England abolished by Parliament. 
 Paul III. elected pope. Luther's translation of the Bible] 
 3 vols, fol., published. Several Protestants burnt at 
 Pans. Ignai ais Loyola at Paris. 
 Reformation at Geneva. Calvinism established there and 
 m Denmark. Olivetan translates the Bible into French 
 for the French Protestants. Coverdales English Bible. ' 
 First Helvetic Confession published. Calvin settles at Gen> 
 eva. A Bible ordered to be set up in churches, to be read 
 by the people, and dissolution of monasteries in England 
 Death of Erasmus. 
 The Jesuits formally established by Paullll. 
 The Council of Trent formally opened. 
 Struggle in Scotland ; the Crown and Clergy against, Nobles 
 and people for, the Reformation. Dkath of MARTIN 
 LUTHER. ^iwiiN 
 

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 (716) 872 4503 
 
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 fiELP8 TO BIBLE STUDY. 
 
 '555- Queen Mary attempts to restore Popery, and persecutes the 
 Protestants. 
 
 1560. Presbyterian worship established in Scotland. 
 
 1572. Massacre of St. Bartholomew. John Knox died in Edin- 
 burgh. 
 
 1587. Mary Queen of Scots beheaded. 
 
 1603. Union of the crowns of England and Scotland. 
 
 1605. Gunpowder Plot. 
 
 HISTORIC TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL ERRORS OF 
 THE CHURCH OF ROME. 
 
 By the Rev. W. Darby, M. A. 
 
 1. Worship 0/ Images ; tirst decreed by the 2nd Council or 
 Nice, A. D. 787. 
 
 2. Celibacy of the, Clergy, 2nd Council of Lateran, A. D. 
 I 139. ' 
 
 3. Private Confession to a Priest ; first introduced by Pope 
 Innocent, III., A. D. 121 1; ; not decreed by Council until Council 
 of Trent, XIV. Session A. D. 1551. 
 
 4. Prohibition of the Scriptitres to the people ; the provincial 
 Council of Tholouse, A. D. 1229 ; and the Council of Trent, A. D. 
 1546, Sess. IV, 
 
 5. Withdrawing the Cup from the Laity ; Council of Constance, 
 A. D. 1418, Sess. XIII. 
 
 6. Purgatory, and Prayers for the Dead ; Council of Florence, 
 A. D. 1439. 
 
 7. Theory of Development ; Council of Florence, A. D. 1439. 
 
 8. The Canon of Holy Scripture Corrupted ; the Apocryphal 
 Books introduced ; Council of Trent, A. D. 1546, IV. Sess. 
 
 9. Tradition decreed equal to Holy Scripture ; Council of Trent, 
 IV. Sess. 
 
 ID. The Right to Interpret Holy Scripture claimed by the 
 Church of Rome ; ibid. 
 
 11. Jtistification by f^For^'s and not by faith in Christ; Trent, 
 VL Sess. A. D. 1457. 
 
 12. Seven Sacraments, first mentioned by Peter Lombard, XII. 
 century ; decreed by Council of Trent, A. D. 1457, VII. Sess. 
 
 13. The Doctrine of Intention ; Treui, VII. Sess., Canon XI. 
 
 14. Transubscantiation, first broached by Paschasius Rhadber- 
 
HELPS TO BIBLB STUDY. 
 
 183 
 
 tus, IX. century ; first taught as a ]3octiine by Innocent III., A.D. 
 1215 ; first decreed in Council, Trent, Sess. XIII. A. D. 1551. 
 
 15. The Sacnfice of the Mass; Trent, Sess. XXII.. A D 
 1563. ' ' 
 
 16. An External, Sacrificing Christian Priesthood; Trent 
 Sess. XXIII., A. D. 1563. 
 
 17. Sacramental Salvation ) Trent, Sess. VII, 
 
 18. Latin Services ; Trent, A. D. 1562. 
 
 19. The Invocation of Saints, Relics, d-c; Trent, Sess. XXV 
 A. D. 1563. * 
 
 20. The Roman Church, the Mother Church ; Trent, Sess IV 
 A. D. 1546. ' ' '' 
 
 21. The Supremacy of the Pope; Trent, Sess. XIV, A D 
 
 22. The PerscMtion of Heretics (Protestants), first enjoin- 
 ed IVtIi Council of Lateran, A. D. 1215 : confirmed by Council of 
 Trent, Sess. XXV. 
 
 23. Cursing adopted as Roman Logic ; Tjent, A. D. 1454. 
 1563.— (Note, the Decrees of the Council of Trent are enforced by 
 one hundred and twenty-six Anathemas.) 
 
 24. The Greed of Pope Pius IV., 9th December, A.D. 1564 
 consisting of XII. New Articles of Faith, added to the Ancient 
 Nicene Creed ; this Creed is now the Rule of Faith of Roman Cath- 
 olics, and the official Oath of all Roman Ecclesiastics. 
 
 25. The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin, 8th De- 
 cember, A.D. 1854; enjoined by the authority of Pope Pius IX. 
 against the Scriptures, the Fathers, the Councils, the Roman Church 
 of XVIII. centuries, and against the Creed of Pope Pius the IVth 
 
 26. Dogma of the Infallihility of the Pope, adopted on July 
 18, 1870, in Rome, by the CEcumenical Council, opened by Pope 
 Pius IX. 
 
 CHIEF DOCTRINES TAUGHT BY LUTHER. 
 
 He taught that Jesus Christ, the Saviour, receiveth all penitent 
 sinners who come to Him in prayer and faith, and that no priestly 
 intermediary is needed. 
 
 He taught that Christ is the one and only Mediator between 
 God and man. 
 
 He taught (and this was the very keystone of the Lutheran 
 
 Reformation) the doctrine of TUSTIFICATION BY FATTR . 
 
 » 
 
184 
 
 HELPS TO BIBLE 8TTTDT. 
 
 that is, that we are accounted righteous before God, only for the 
 merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Chiist, by faith, and not for our 
 own works or merits. 
 
 He taught that they who are justified by faith do abound in good 
 works, not in order to be saved, but because they are saved through 
 the righteousness of Christ. 
 
 He taught that by Hl, one sacrifice on the cross, Christ made a 
 full, perfect, and sufficient atonement for the sins of the world, and 
 that therefore the pre:.ended sacrifice of the mass is a dishonor to 
 the atoning work of Christ. 
 
 He taught that the Word of God is the only source ot 
 Divine truth, and he translated the Scriptures into the language of 
 the people, that they might search and know the truth, through the 
 teaching of the Holy Spirit, promised to believers. ' 
 
 He taught that all the Pope's statutes and ordinances are false 
 and void when opposed to God's laws and Wore. 
 
 V 
 
ADVEBTISBMBNTS. 
 
 185 
 
 It 
 
 SALVATION BOOKS & TRACTS. 
 
 I. Marks of a Justified State. -Where a low standard of 
 lustification is believed and practised, this is the tract to circulate. 
 25 cents per 100. 
 
 2 The Church Walking Withthe World. -A strikingpoem. 
 and calculated to awaken worldly church members to a sense of th^ir 
 awful condition. 25 cente per 100. 
 
 3. The Evils of Tobacco, with an Infallible Cure for the 
 
 Same,-Full of startling facts and figures, pointed and Scriptural 
 suitable either for sinners or professors of religion. 25 cents per 100. 
 
 4- Can a Christian Smoke or Chew Tobacco to the Glory 
 of God?-Just the tract for tobacco using professors of religion. 
 25 cents per 100. 
 
 5- The Nature and Necessity of Repentance. -This tract 
 IS especially suited for the unconverted, and for "Plymouth Brethren " 
 25 cents per 100. 
 
 6. Bible Teaching on Dress.-This tract contains Scriptural 
 views on this subject. To which is added some convincing state- 
 ments of good men, with excuses tor pride answered. 25 cents 
 per 100. 
 
 7. The Uncleanness of Tobacco Habits.-The disgusting 
 habits of smoking and chewing are here exposed m all their repulsive 
 aspects. 25 cents per 100. 
 
 8. Tobacco-Using Parents Injure their Off-spring-The 
 
 arguments in this tract are weighty. Parents who use tobacco 
 should by all means read it through carefully. 25 cents per 100. 
 
 9. Secret Societies.— Giving arguments from Scripture, and 
 from many eminent authorities, against s«cret societies. 25 cents 
 per 100. 
 
 10. Bible Arguments for Total Abstinence and Pro- 
 
 hioition.— This tract should be put mto the hands of moderatedrink 
 
■■Hill 
 
 166 
 
 ADYERTISEMEMTS. 
 
 ers, drunkards, saloon keepers, brewers, distillers, half-hearted 
 temperance people, and Christians generally. It is specially in- 
 tended to advance the glorious temperance reformation. 25 cents 
 per 100. 
 
 This two-page messenger is full of sound argument and healthy statement, 
 and will be of excellent use in stirring up the reader to activity in promoting the 
 prohibition of strong crinks as beverages.— ifey. J. 'Travis. 
 
 11. The Evils of Dancing. —Very pointed and strong. 25 
 cents per loo. 
 
 12. Modern Church Entertainments. Are they Right?— 
 
 We think the arguments used in this tract are sufficient to convince 
 every candid enquirer. 25 cents per 100. 
 
 13. Marks of a Backslidden State.— This tract shows how 
 
 L professing Christian may ascertain from the Word of God whether 
 
 he is still in a justified state, or has fallen from grace. Just the 
 
 tract needed among ihe thousands of back-slid*^rs, formalists, and 
 
 worldlings in the land. 25 cents per 100. 
 
 "I am well pleasf^d with this tract. I wish I had more of them." — A, F. 
 Norton. "There are in it a iiumljer of things indicative of a state of back- 
 sliding, well and pointedly put." — ]'n'>nitive Met/ioiUst, London, Eng. "It 
 kills and it cures." — S. W. S. Pointed and good for general circulation. — 
 Banner of Z ion. 
 
 14. A Plain Guide to Entire Holiness. —Giving Scriptural 
 answers for every honest enquirer ; with a brief exposure of Zini:en- 
 dorfian and mere growth theuries. 25 cents per 100 
 
 " It is " Beaten Oil." We have seen nothing in print that is more suitable 
 to send or hand to one whose attention you wish to awaken to this subject. 
 " Multum in parvo," we said, as we laid it down. Clear, connected and concise, 
 it does not Ijalk a partially interested mind, but stimulates thought, invites dis- 
 covery, and forces the conscience with invincible truth. — Vanguard. 
 
 15. The Common Use of Tobacco Condemned by 
 Physicians, Experience, Common Sense, and the Bible ; with 
 an Infallible Cure for the Lame. — This pamphlet not only gives 
 the teatimonies of many eminent physicians against tobacco, but it 
 gives sixty powerful objections against its use. It shows by inter- 
 esting letters, facts and figures, the progress of this reform against 
 tobacco. It answers the questions : Is it right to sell tobacco? Is 
 it right to support tobacco-using preachers? Lastly, it gives an in- 
 faiiibie cure fur the habit of tobacco using. 
 
 to 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 187 
 
 ^ 
 
 " It is an able and interesting pamphlet It deals vigoro^is strokes against 
 the life of an appalling evil." — Richmond Star. 50 cents per doz., $3.50 per 100. 
 
 Salvation Hymns.- This is a collection of the very best, con- 
 vincing, soul-saving hymns we could find. No trash, no Anti- 
 nomiar '.sm, but deep, solid, blessed songs. 
 
 " The hymn-book is the most complete of anything we have yet seen of its 
 size. It contains a very choice selection of the best hymns and songs that can 
 readily be found." — " TT nited Brethren in Christ." In paper covers, 10 cents 
 each ; $1 per doz.; $6 per 100; in cloth covers, 15 cents each ; $1.60 per doz.; 
 $9 per 100. Postage extra. 
 
 Salvation Tract Envelopes.— Six kinds : i, "Eternity," 2, 
 "Holiness Unto the Lord," 3, "Are you a Bible Christian?" 4, 
 •* Found Wanting." 5, "Soul's Saved by Tracts," 6, "A Peculiar 
 Church." Assorted 40 cents per 100. Send 25 cents for an 
 assorted package of tracts and envelopes. 
 
 JlS" In ordering tracts all that is necessary is to give the number. 
 Always rei;ister money letters or send by money order. Drafts on 
 American BankS; or Express Companies, not acceptable. American 
 Postage Stamps or bills taken, but American silver we cannot take 
 except at a discount of 20 per cent. Send all orders for Books and 
 Tracts to REV. A. SIMS, Uxbridge, Ont. 
 
 Opinions of the Press. — These Tracts are " orthodox," forcibly and 
 attractively written. Lovers of holiness and purity, get some of these " leaves '• 
 and scatter thsm. — Herald of Purity. They are very cheap, and should be 
 widely circulated. The following is a specimen * * We hope every 
 
 boy who reads his paper, will sign an anti-tobacco pledge. — Pleasant Hours, 
 Toronto, Ont. The ones we have had time to read are sound to the core, and we 
 cordially recommend the whole series. — Olive Branch, Polo, 111. They are excel- 
 lent in matter. — Christian Cynosure, Chicago, 111. So far as we have been able 
 to examine them, we pronounce them excellent. He treats his subjects in a sensi- 
 ble style. One has already been benefitted by reading them. If you will send 
 this brother 25c., you will get a supply of his reform literature that will be of much 
 benefit to you personally, and will enable you to do good to othe.^s. — Christian 
 Radical, Polo, 111. The subject is ably treated, Bro. Sims is supported by 
 strong witnesses in the case. — Highicay of Holiness, Chambersburg, Pa. He 
 handles the subject of tobacco-using from various standpoints — financial, hygienic, 
 and moral. God is owning these tracts in the emancipation of many of those in 
 bondage to the weed, and every Christian should help to scatter them far and 
 w'xAe.—Tevi'perance Bugle, St. Joseph, Mo. Rev. A. Sims' tracts against tobacco 
 using are good.— Banner of Holiness. Excellent and convincing. — Earnest 
 Christian, Rochester, N. Y. So far as we have had time to examine them, we 
 think they are just what is needed to awaken in the minds of sensible men an 
 abUorence to the vile and noxious weed. We think the time is fast approaching. 
 
188 
 
 ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 I 
 
 when whisky and tobacco— twin demons— will be a thing of the past.— P«r« 
 Religion, vSMellsburg, Iowa. Very effective anti-tobacco tracts.— Montreal Wit- 
 ness, Montreal, Que. They can be widely circulated to great advantage.— ^cw 
 York Witness. Mr. Sims is doing a similar work to that of the late Mr. Trask, 
 of Fitchburg, Mass. We wish him abundant success in his praiseworthy under- 
 taking, and trust that the Lord will put it into the hearts of many of His people 
 to circulate these tract?, and aid Mr. Sims by their means, as it takes money to 
 print them One of these tracts :— " Smoking and Chewing Tobacco, Unclean 
 Habits," will be found in this week's Signs, and others will be used in like man- 
 ner.— Signs of the Times, Oakland, California. 
 
 WANTED.— 500,000 earnest, deeply devoted agents, who 
 will co-operate with us in the distribution of our salvation, 
 anti-tobacco and reform books and tracts. If you want to 
 save souls, glorify God and lay up treasure in heaven, we in- 
 vite your co-operation. Time is short. Let there be no de- 
 lay. Write at once. 
 
 Bible Salvation and Popular Religion Contrasted. 
 
 Second Edition. Revised and Enlarged,. Table of contents. Part 
 1. Popular Peligion. Chap. i. State of the Church. Chap. 2. 
 Spurious Conversions. Chap. 3. Spurious Holiness. Chap. 4. 
 Compromising Preachers. Chap 5. -Decay of Conscience. Chap. 
 6. Backsliders. Chap. 7. Modern Church Entertainments. Chap. 
 8. Pride in the Church. Chap. 9. Rented Pews. Chap. lo. 
 Sabbath Desecration. Chap. 11. Secret Societies. Chap. X2. 
 Fashionable Suicides. Chap. 13. Covetousness. Chap. 14. War. 
 Chap. 15. Dancing. Chap. 16. The Church Walking with the 
 V/orld. Chap. 17. Unbelief. Part 2. Bible Salvation. Chap. 
 I. The Nature and Necessity of R.pentance. Chap. 2. Marks of 
 a Justified State. Chap. 3. The Nature of Entive Holiness. Chap. 
 4. Does Holiness apply to the Body ? Chap. 5. Passages which 
 Seem to Teach that We Cannot Live Without Sin. Chap. 6. Can 
 We be made entirely Holy in this Life ? Chap. 7. How to Obtain 
 Holiness. Chap. 8. Entire Holiness not received at Conversion. 
 Chap. 9. Results of entire Holiness. Chap. 10. Heart Searching 
 Questions. Chap. 11. Faith Healing. Chap 12. The Laws of 
 Health. Chap. 13. Bible Teaching on Dress. Chap. 14. Bible 
 
 ^1 
 
 'i 
 
II 
 
 J 
 
 ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 189 
 
 '<4' 
 
 Arguments for Total Abstinence and Prohibition. Chap. 15. Plea 
 for Universal Peace. Chap. 16. How to Save Souls. 
 
 PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. 
 
 Our one object in sending forth this little book, is to promote 
 the cause of " pure and undeRled religion." We are profoundly 
 convinced that the present is an age of shams and superficiality. 
 The great arch deceiver has coined imitations of Christianity, which 
 in some respects, so closdy resemlle the pattern of Jesus Christ, 
 that "he would deceive, if possible, the very elect." Everywhere 
 we see men blinded by " the god of this world." So far as experi- 
 mental godliness is concerned, the great mass of the people are 
 practically heathens. Hence, the great need of publishing, far and 
 wide, the pure, illuminating, radical truths respecting salvation from 
 sin. 
 
 A few sections scattered throughout the book, are choice selec. 
 lions from able writers on important themes. Most of the matter, 
 however, was originally written for the RadicaL Christian ; but it 
 has been considerably revised and enlarged, specially for publica* 
 tion in the present form. 
 
 To all lovers of pure religion, we earnestly appeal to aid us in 
 the circulation of this book. By the agony and bloody sweat of 
 God's dear Son ; by the streaming blood from his pierced side ; by 
 the awfulness of an endless hell ; by the vastness of an approaching 
 eternity ; and by the priceless value of immortal souls ; O help us 
 in this effort to spread salvation truth throughout the land. Will 
 j'ou Ae^i? .? Will You ? WILL YOU ? 
 
 We do most fervently hope that this humble treatise will shed 
 holy light on many a benighted soul ; and humbly aid in bringing 
 around a wide-spread revival of primitive life and power. With 
 this prayer, we send it forth to the world, on its mission of truth and 
 of love. 
 
 The Author. 
 
 The author of this little work will be recognized as, a contributor to the 
 Cynomre, and the book does not differ from his articles, but shows a uniform, 
 clear and honest conception of the Christian life, an'' is fearless in applying the 
 
IdO 
 
 ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 principles of that life to the practices of many who call themselves reliRious. The 
 lodge, tobacco, fashion, Sabbath desecration, dancing, etc., are among the dan, 
 gers noted as to be feared by the church. Disciples of Clirist would do well to aid 
 in circulating this little volume after reading it themselves.— C/irj«<ia7i Cynosure- 
 It IS a series of articles or chapters on the whole range of Christian theology, so 
 far as it relates to the salvation of the soul and the means for retaining the life of 
 God in the heart. It is a good hook.— The Crusader. This excellent little book 
 is in two nearly equal parts, the first of which is devoted to living, honest, 
 hearty dealing with " popular religion ;" the second to like faithful and living 
 handling of the subject " Bible Salvation." We most heartily commend the 
 book to our people to read, to lend, to sell, to give away.— Free Methodist. 
 We have received a copy of A. Sims' recent work entitled " Bible Salvation." 
 It is radical, plain and thorough, and cannot fail to benefit its readers— just the 
 book needed to waken up a formal professor of religion and enable him to see 
 his condition before God.— Mich. Holinets Record. A good book. Doctrinal 
 enough for general purposes, but strongly ethical and practical. The title 
 indicates its general scope. Some of the brief chapters are selections of value. 
 Let the book have a good circulation.— //rtn;es<er. This is an excellent little 
 book. In the first part it speaks out clearly and strongly on empty profession, 
 spurious conversions, spurious holiness, compromising preachers, pride in the 
 church, church entertainments and so on. In part second it treats of repentance, 
 conversion, salvation from sin, saved to the uttermost, consecration, dress and 
 kindred topics. It is a book that may be read with profit by a\\.— Earnest 
 Christian. A recent work containing "strictures on popular church sins, 
 backsliding, separation, repentance, justification, sanctification, practical duties, 
 moral obligations, etc. etc." We doubt not this book will be found to 
 fully justify its title, and its professions. And its reading will be much 
 more profitable to professors of Christ's religion than many books that are 
 more^ complimentary than this honest production. — Pnnner of Holiness. 
 This is a book that I would like every professing Christian to read and digest. 
 It would do a blessed work among the churches. Order it.— Pacific Herald 
 of Holiness. The most important of his works however, and Reserving of the 
 most honorable mention here and hereafter, always, is Mr. Si.ns' book, entitled 
 y Bible Salvation and Popular Religion Contrasted," and is well worthy a place 
 in the library of every Bible student, yes, on the centre table of every professing 
 Christian, and only costs 35 cents. If we had written a work on the same sub- 
 ject, which we have long intended to do, we would have used many of the same 
 arguments and much of the same language, and would try to treat the subject in 
 the same spirit we there find it treated. May God bless Rev. A. Sims in his 
 endeavors to teach the true way without fear or favor, boldly. — Vindicator 
 and Voiceless. 
 
 Printed on excellent paper, and bound in strong cloth covers. 
 Price 35c. Agents wanted. Write at once for Terms. 
 
ADVBRTISBMENTS. 
 
 191 
 
 \ 
 
 WORKS BY H. L HASTINGS, 
 
 47 OOKNHILL. 
 BOSTON, MASS., U. S. A. 
 
 Pebbles from the Path of a Pilgrim.- - Personal Remin- 
 iscences of Answers to Prayers and Providential Guidance and 
 Interposition, and Mission Work among the Freedmen of the South, 
 after the close of the Civil War. By Mrs. H. L. Hastings. Hixth 
 Thousand. Crown 8vo. cloth, 319 pp. $1.25. 
 
 "The volume before us is made up of a series of episodes of personal ex- 
 perience of a girl left at a tender age fatherless, and who, under the care of a 
 guardian, is cruelly treated. Then the chapters run on under suggestive title?, 
 until the heroine engages in 'Southern Mission Work' in South Carolina and 
 elsewhere. The book ends with an account of a mission to the far Northwest. 
 The style is plain and straight-forward, with no effort at rhetorical display." — 
 Methodist Protestant. (Baltimore.) "The incidents are told in i^simple, sin- 
 cere style, without offensive parade or apologetic timidity. The book is exceed- 
 ingly well printed, and presents a good outward appearance." — Central BaptUt. 
 (St. Louis, Mo.) 
 
 Tales of Trust. 
 
 ance and Deliverance. 
 382 pp. $1.25. 
 
 -Authentic Accounts of Providential Assist- 
 Recorded by H. L. Hastings. Crown 8vo. 
 
 " We would commend this work, replete with testimonies to God's faithful- 
 ness, to all who have faith to believe that God hears and answers prayer ; for in 
 its perusal their belief will be strengthened, and their hearts lifted up in adoring 
 gratitude to God, who is the same now and forever." — Christian Jiepoiitory- 
 (St. Louis.) " A help and comfort."— CAn'sitan Progress. (London.) Enter- 
 taining and helpful."— iV. O. Christian Advocate. "Adapted to encourage 
 faith." — Chicago Advance. 
 
 Ebenezers. — Or, Records of Prevailing Prayer ; including 
 Prayers for rescue, relief, and blessing ; the healing of bodily 
 diseases ; and the conversion of the impenitent, by H. L. Hastings. 
 Crown 8vo. 382 pp. $1.25. 
 
 "Very interesting reading." — Presbyterian Journal. "A record o 
 answered prayer which is enough to put to shame the veriest infidel or scoffer, and 
 to strengthen the faith of those who ' know in whom they have believed.' " — 
 Ridgway Blade. " It cannot fail to do good to read these incidents of successful 
 prayer. The faith of the church greatly needs strengthening on this subject. 
 Didactic teaching and theological discussion will not do it, however ; records of 
 real life are wanted ; here we have them." — The Watchman. 
 
102 
 
 advbrti8imi:nts. 
 
 The Guiding Hanc. Providontial Direction, illustrated by 
 Authentic Instances. Collecied l.y H. L. Hastings. Crown 8vo. 
 382 pp. $1.25. 
 
 ,. .''J^." collection Is a valuable one, .ind fitted to encourage the faith of the 
 timul believer, and strengthen those who, through long experience of the Lord's 
 goodness have had similar, though perhaps less instructive, evidences of his 
 interposition ..nd Kuidance."-/.',vVnd«- Jieview. "A very interesting volume."- 
 J^rovidence Pnm. "Accepiable an.! attractive."-finY/.A Friend. "A hand- 
 some volume of nearly 400 pages, nik-d with remarkable instances, which, it is 
 Claimed by the compiler, prove the special providence of God ; and that they 
 who ,n the spirit of prayer call upon Him for guidance and protection, h.ive their 
 
 prayers answered through the agency of the Holy Spirit The book under 
 
 notice IS of remarkable interest, and certainly cannot fail of strengthening a faith 
 in an overruling Providence. "-J5o«<on IKme Journal. 
 
 Critical Greek and English Concordance of the New 
 Testament. I'repared by Charles F. Hudson, B. A., under the 
 direction of II. L. Hastings, editor of The Christian. Revised and 
 completed by Ezra Abbot, D. D., LL. D., Professor of New 
 Testament Criticism in the Divinity School of Harvard University 
 Crown 8 vo. pp. 532. $2.50. 
 
 It CONTAINS IN A POCKET VOLUME:-!. References to all places where 
 every Greek «ord in the New Testament may be found.-four or five constantly 
 recurring particles excepted. 2. All the English words and phr.-ises by which 
 these Greek words are rendered, both in the text and in the rnarffih of the 
 Authorized Version. 3. The various readings of Greisbach, Lachmann and 
 yegelles, and the recently discovered but ancient Sinaitic Manuscript. 4. An 
 index of English words, by which persons entirely unacquainted with Greek can 
 hnd the original term for any English word in the New Testament. 5. Green- 
 field's Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament. 
 
 Opinions op the revisers :-" Of special value for the work of revision." 
 -Dr. Philip Schaff. " Of the g.eatest use to the revisers."- Dr. J. B. 
 Lightfoot. " An invaluable help in our revision."— JQr. B. F. Westcott. I know 
 nothing of the kind so complete. "-i)r. Jos. Angus. "An invaluable help to 
 every critical student of the New Testament. "-Dr. H. B. Rackett. "Worthy 
 of high cummendation."-Dr. Timothxj Dwight. " The completest and most 
 u&tful work q{ the kind."— Dr. Samuel Newth. 
 
 ' Opinions of the press.-" Has advantages over the Englishman's Greek ' 
 Concordance. "-ATa^onai Baptist. " For those i...veling about, its value is very 
 Sreat."-Chri8tian Worker. "Very valuable for the reader who only under- 
 stands English. "-CAns<mn Banner. "A tho.oughly prepared assistance."- 
 Boston Recorder. " Of rare accuracy."— TAe Nation. 
 
 The Reign of Christ on Earth. - 
 Church in all Ages, concerning the 
 
 - Or, the Voice of the 
 Coming and Kingdom 
 
 . 
 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 lit 
 
 of the Redeemer, with biographical notices, and extracts from 
 the writings of more than five hundred of the most eminent 
 preachers and . writers of the Christian Church. By Daniel T.- 
 Taylor ; edited, with an elaborate Preface, by H. L. Hastings. 
 Crown 8 vo. 600 pp. Eleventh rhouaand. $1.25. 
 
 " I like it and think it fitte<l to be useful."—// Donar. "Eminently fitted 
 to disarm prejudice."-JoAn Cummini/H, I). /)., (London.) " We know nothing 
 like it tor fulness, accuracy and power of argument in favor of the pre-mlllonnlal 
 appearing of our f.ord from heaven."— iS^rtt/.^iai BaptiHt. "Whatever comes 
 from the consecrated heart and mind of this Christian editor (Mr. Hastings), we 
 think entitled to careful attention."— Con<ri6u<or. "A most valuable and 
 interesting book, we strongly recommend it."— CAmd'an Herald. " Nothing 
 
 could be better A perfect thesaurus. ... .We know of nothing so com- 
 
 pleteonthls imponant subject."— 77jfl Watchman. "We see no reason vhy 
 this should not take the position of an authority on this view of the second 
 coming."— r. if. C. A. Watchman. 
 
 THE EARNEST CHRISTIAN 
 
 -AND- 
 
 GOIvDKN RULE. 
 
 , 
 
 A monthly magazine, devoted to the promotion of 
 experimental and practical piety. Thoroughly sound, 
 radical and aggressive. Full of healthy food for the 
 soul. If you want to learn to live a life of entire holi- 
 ness, this magazine will be very helpful. 
 
 Edited and published by Rev. B. T. Roberts, A.M., 
 North Chili, Monroe Co., N. Y. $1.00 par annum. 
 Postage, 10 cants. 
 
 
 BE SURE AND SEND FOR SPEC.viEN COPY. 
 
m 
 
 ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 —THE 
 
 
 jli 
 
 IIH 1 
 
 (FORMERLY CHILI SEMINARY.) 
 
 A THOROUGHLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 
 
 The school continues under the management of Benson H. 
 Roberts, A.M., and Mrs. Emma Sellew Roberts, A.M., 
 assisted by Miss A. P. Carpenter, and Miss H. Belle Watson. 
 
 Every care is tak^n to insure thorough scholarship and to aid in 
 the formation of upright chararter. Especial effort is made to aid 
 each scholar in securing a posUive and definite Christian faith, and 
 in "growing in grace and in the Itnowledge of Christ." The 
 scholars reside with the Principals and the care and government 
 of a Christian household are extended over all. 
 
 THREE COURSES OF STUDY. 
 
 Cc^LEGE Preparatory, 
 
 Academic Course, 
 
 Christian Workers' Course. 
 
 EXPENSES, $150.00 PER Y^AR. 
 
 Aid furnished to a limited number of needy and deserving young men 
 and women. Send for circulars, with full information, to 
 
 Benson H. Roberts 
 
 NORTH CHILI. 
 
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ADVERT1SKMENT3, 
 
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 To Sunday Schools, per quarter, 3 cts ; per year, 12 cts 
 
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 If you wish any publication send to us for it. 
 
 LIGHTS LIFE LESSON LEAF 
 
 A new Lesson Leaf with two lartje pages thoroughly filled with 
 able and evangelical aids to the lesson. 
 
 I. Common version of the lesson text arranged for responsive read- 
 ing ; memory verses in brackets. 2. Revised version of the text 
 3. Golden Text ; Central Truth ; Topic ; and Outline arranged as 
 a responsive exercise. 4. Home Readings. 5. Introductory^ in- 
 eluding review questions ; connecting links and opening remarks. 
 6. Lesson Dictionary, containing the time, places, persons and con- 
 temporaries of the lesson, with the proper pronounciation of the 
 names and places. 7. Notes and explanations. 8. Questions. 
 9. Review Exercises for the whole school in concert. 10. Next 
 Sunday's Lesson, including reference to memory verses. Golden 
 Text. Conveniently arranged and tastily printed. 
 
 Be sure and see this leaf before you order for next quarter. 
 
 Price, $7.25 per hundred copies per year. 
 
 LESSON QUARTERLY 
 
 Contains the same matter as the Light and Life Lesson Leaf, b«>und 
 in a quarterly form, with maps and other helps. It also contains 
 many suggestions and instructions concerning the management of 
 the Sunday school. Price, per quarter, 3 cents. 
 
 T. B. ARNOLD, Publisher 
 
 106 Franklin Street, Ohioago, III. 
 
196 
 
 ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 " Notes for Bible Study." 
 
 32-PAGE MONTHLY. FIFTH YEAR OF PUBLICATION. 
 
 Commended in the strongest terms by C. H. Spurgeon, Rev. 
 Dr. Pentecost, Major Whittle, Rev. Dr. Brookes, the late 
 Rev. Dr. MacKay, and hundreds of others. 
 
 SINGLE SUBSCRIPTION, 36 CENTS. 
 
 CI'T/B RA.TES: " 
 
 To one address (if to separate address, add 3 cents per copy), 
 6 to 10" copies, each, 30 cents ; over 10 to 50 copies, each, 25 cents; 
 over 50 copies, each 20 cents. 
 
 Address, 
 
 S. R. BRIGGS, 
 
 Toronto, Ontario, Canada- 
 
 CAMP MEETING 
 
 TBnt^ and TabErnaclB^ ! 
 
 Do you wish to purchase a new or second hand tent for Camp Meet- 
 ings ? You can get one of good quality, water proof and 
 mildew proof, on very reasonable terms, at 
 
 MURRAY & BAKER'S 
 
 TENT IVLAKERS, 
 
 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. 
 
 Catalogues of Sizes and Prices, etc., will be sent 
 on application to f:he above firm.