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 A. Schultze 
 
 Books of the Bible 
 Briefly Analyzed 
 

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 BOOKS OF THE BIBLE 
 
 BRIEFLY ANALYZED. 
 
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 BOOKS OF THE BIBLE 
 
 BRIEFLY ANALYZED, 
 
 FOR USE IK 
 
 BiBLE Instruction and for Bible 
 Students in General. 
 
 President Moravian Theological Seminary. 
 
 THIRD EDITION. 
 REVISED AND CORRECTED. 
 
 easton, pa.: 
 h, t. frueauff. 
 
 1890. 
 
Copyright, 1889, by A. Schultze. 
 All rights reserved. 
 
PRKKACK. 
 
 THIS publication has been prepared for the 
 purpose of furnishing the Bible Student with 
 a comprehensive view of the contents of the 
 various books contained in the Holy Scriptures, 
 and of facilitating- the study of the Word of God. 
 May it stimulate the reader to search the Book of 
 hooks, which is able to make wise unto salvation, 
 through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
 
 A. SCHULTZE. 
 Bethlehem, Pa. 
 
THE BIBLE 
 
 is divided into two principal parts, the Old and 
 the New Testaments, the former comprising the 
 books that were written before the birth of our 
 Saviour, the latter embracing the writings that 
 were composed after that event. The Old Testa- 
 ment contains thirty-nine books and the New 
 twenty-seven, making sixty-six in all. The books 
 of the Old Testament were formerly divided, for 
 the convenience of reading, into sections called 
 Parshioth or Haphtaroth, and those of the New 
 Testament into Lectionaries or church-lessons. 
 Since the thirteenth century of the Christian era 
 the present division into chapters has come into 
 general use, 
 
 A.— tHe oLd testament. 
 
 The Jewish church divided the books of the Old 
 Testament into three classes, viz. : theTorah or the 
 Law, the Nebiim or the Prophets and the Ketu- 
 bim or the Holy Writings. TheTorah contained 
 the Pentateuch, that is tlie first five books of the 
 Bible; the Ketubim comprised the Psalms, Pro- 
 verbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Solomon, 
 Ruth, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther,Lamen- 
 tations and Daniel; the Nebiim included the re- 
 maining books. The Christian church divides 
 the 39 books of the Old Testament into 17 
 historical, 17 prophetical and 5 poetical or 
 doctrinal books. 
 
I.-HISTORICAL BOOKS. 
 
 The historical books of the Old Testament con- 
 tain the history of the "ancient covenant" between 
 God and mankind, particularly of the covenant 
 between God and the people of Isrrel, and date 
 from the creation of Adam to the reformation of 
 Nehemiah, that is from about 4000-400 B. C. 
 
 1.— Genesis. 
 
 The book called Genesis (orig-in of historical 
 events) includes the history from Adam till the 
 death of Joseph, the date of the latter event being 
 variously fixed between the years 1850 and 1600 
 B. C. The earlier portion of the book, to the end 
 of the eleventh chapter, is a religious history of 
 the ancient world, and the latter portion, a history 
 of the fathers of the Hebrew race. Genesis has 50 
 chapters which, for the sake of symmetry, may 
 be arranged in four groups, each containing 12 
 chapters, with the last two chapters as an 
 appendix ; viz. : 
 
 Chapters 1-12, the world* s history from Adam to 
 Abraham; 1-6, from Adam to 
 Noah and to the deluge; 7-12, from 
 Noah to Abraham. 
 " 13-24, the history of Abraham (and Isaac). 
 " 25-36, the history of Jacob. 
 " 37-48, the history of Joseph. 
 Chapters 49 and 50 add the " blessing " of Jacob 
 and his death, and the death of Joseph. 
 
 2.— Exodus. 
 
 The book of Exodus (/. <?., Departure) describes 
 the bondage of the children of Israel in Egypt, 
 their deliverance and their migration from Egypt 
 
to Mount Sinai; it also contains the promulgation 
 of the law from Mount Sinai and the erection of 
 the tabernacle. The date of the Exodus is uncer- 
 tain, but is placed by many writers at 1492 B. C. 
 The book has 40 chapters which are divided into 
 two very nearly equal parts, the first historical, 
 the second legislative, viz. : 
 
 Chapters 1-19, the historical part, which may be 
 subdivided; 1-6, Israel's bondage 
 and the calling of Moses ; 7-12, the 
 ten plagues and the exodus; 13-19, 
 the migration from Egypt to Sinai. 
 ** 20-40, the legislative part; 20-24, the first 
 promulgation of the law; 25-31, 
 the plan of the tabernacle, and 
 order of worship; 32-34, the sin of 
 the people and the renewal of the 
 covenant; 35-40, the building of 
 the tabernacle. 
 
 3.— Leviticus. 
 
 The book called Leviticus, i.e., levitical precepts, 
 contains a fuller account of the Mosaic Law, 
 mainly of the ceremonial law and of ordinances 
 relating to the Levites and priests. The order 
 followed, while not strictly systematical, shows a 
 certain plan, which may be outlined by grouping 
 the 27 chapters of the book in three divisions of 
 about 9 chapters each ; viz. : 
 
 Chapters i-io, the laws relating' to sacrifices and 
 the priesthood. 1-7, the sacrifices; 
 8-10 the priesthood. 
 ** 11-20, the laws concerning purity and 
 impurity; 11-16, clean and un- 
 clean ; 17-20 Israel separated from 
 the heathen. 
 " 21-27, the laws concerning holy orders 
 and holy seasons. 
 
8 
 
 4.— Numbers. 
 
 This book takes its name from the double num- 
 bering or census of the people, the first of which 
 is given in chapters 1-4, and the second in chap- 
 ter 26. It embraces the history of the march of 
 the Israelites through the desert, from the time 
 of their leaving Sinai until their arrival at the 
 borders of the promised land, together with the 
 special laws given during this period. If the 
 date of the exodus as given before is correct, the 
 period here comprised would be 1490-1450 B. C. 
 Numbers is divided into 36 chapters, which 
 may be arranged in three groups, viz : 
 Chapters 1-9, the host of Israel, or preparations 
 
 for the departure ; especially levit- 
 
 ical appointments, 
 *• 10-19, the journey to Kadesh and the 
 
 wanderifigs in the wilderness, 10- 
 
 14, from Sinai to Kadesh ; 15-19, 
 
 the wanderings. 
 " 20-36, the journey /r^w Kadesh to the 
 
 east side of the Jordan ; 20-25, 
 
 from Kadesh to the plains of 
 
 Moab ; 26-30, special legislation ; 
 
 31-36, on the east side of Jordan ; 
 
 additional laws. 
 
 5. — DeultTonomy. 
 
 Deuteronomy signities a "repetition of the 
 law." This title. expresses the general scope of 
 the book, which is a review of the forty years in 
 the wilderness, including the laws which had 
 been given. It consists of three discourses de- 
 livered by Moses, shortly before his departure, 
 and closes with the story- of his death. Hence 
 the 34 chapters of Deuteronomy arrange them- 
 selves, as follows : 
 
First discourse, chapters 1-4, recapitulation of the 
 
 history of the forty 
 years. 
 Second " " 5-26, recapitulation of tiie 
 
 Sinai tic law. 
 Third " " 27-33,the solemn charge, or 
 
 blessings and ciirses 
 Chapter 34 contains an account ot the death of 
 Moses. The second discourse, which recapitu- 
 lates the enactments of the law, may be subdi- 
 vided into four groups, viz : 
 Chapters 5-1 1, the moral law. 
 
 " 12-16, the ceremonial law. 
 
 " 17-21, the laws relating to government. 
 
 " 22-26, the laws relating to social life. 
 
 6.— Joshua. 
 
 The book of Joshua sets forth the acts of Joshua, 
 in connection with the conquest and the division 
 of the land of Canaan, comprising a period of 
 about 30 years, possibly 1450-1420 B. C. It has 24 
 chapters which divide themselves, naturally, into 
 two equal parts, viz : 
 
 Chapters 1-1-2, the conquest of Canaan ; 1-5, prep- 
 arations for, and the passage of 
 the Jordan ; 6-10, the conquest of 
 the South; 11-12, the conquest of 
 the North. 
 •* 13-24, the division of Canaan, and 
 Joshua's farewell ; 13-22, assign- 
 ing of territories ; 23-24, the last 
 days of Joshua. 
 
 7.— Judges. 
 
 In this book are recorded the achievements of 
 a number of leaders, who arose in the Hebrew 
 republic to deliver their countrymen from the 
 
oppressions of neighboring- nations. The period 
 comprised in this book includes the time 'froni 
 the death of Joshua to the death of Samson, 
 that is from about 1400-1100 B. C. It has 21 
 chapters, divided as follows : 
 
 Chapters \-\6,the history of this period ; i-5,from 
 Joshua till Deborah ; 6-9, Gideon 
 and his family ; 10-12, Jephthah ; 
 13-16, Samson. 
 " 17-21, an appendix containing two epi- 
 sodes from the times of the Judges 
 
 8. -Ruth. 
 
 The book of Ruth was, originally, a part of the 
 book of Judges, and is a supplement to that book, 
 while at the same time, it serves as an introduc- 
 tion to the history of David. Its four chapters 
 narrate the history of faithful Ruth, the ances- 
 tress of King David. 
 
 Chapters 1-2, Ruth coming to Bethlehem. 
 " 3-4, her marriage with Boaz. 
 
 9.— Samuel. 
 
 The two books of Samuel, in the original 
 Hebrew Canon, formed but one book. They take 
 their name from Samuel, the last judge and the 
 founder of the schools of the prophets, wtio played 
 a prominent part during the first portion of that 
 period. 
 
 I Samuel records the history of the lives and 
 times of the prophet Samuel and of King Saul, 
 about 1 100-1050 B. C. The 31 chapters of this 
 book may be divided as follows : 
 Chapters 1-8, the high priest Eli and the prophet 
 Samuel; 1-4, Eli ; 5-8, Samuel. 
 " 9-15, King Saul chosen and rejected; 9-12. 
 Saul's election ; 13-15, his wars. 
 
" 16-31, SauTs reign, and his en>nity against 
 David; 16-26, David at Saul's court 
 and persecuted by him ; 27-31, 
 David sojourning with the Philis- 
 tines. 
 
 10. -II Samuel. 
 
 The second book of Samuel contains the his- 
 tory of King David, after tlfe death of Saul, that 
 is the period from about 1050 to 1000 B. C. It is 
 divided into 24 chapters which may be arranged 
 in three groups, as follows : 
 
 Chapters i-\o, David's glorious reign at Hebron 
 and in Jerusalem ; 1-4, at Hebron ; 
 5-10, at Jerusalem. 
 " 11-20, David's sin and the rebellion of 
 Absalom; 11-14, David's sin and 
 its punishment ; 15-20, the rebel- 
 lion. 
 " '2\-'i\, the last years of David's reign. 
 
 ll.-I Kings. 
 
 The first and second books of Kings, like the 
 two books of Samuel, were originally only one 
 book in the Biblical Canon. The historical events 
 range from David's death and Solomon's acces- 
 sion to the throne to the destruction of the king- 
 dom of Judah. a period of al)Out 400 years. 
 
 I Kings commences Math the anointing of 
 King Solomon and carries the history down to 
 the death of King Jehoshaphat, 1000 to 900 B. C. 
 Its 22 chapters may be divided into two equal 
 parts, viz.: 
 Chapters i-ii, the reign of Solo?non. 
 
 " 12-22, from the division of the kingdom 
 
 to the death of Jehoshaphat. 
 (Chapters 17-22, principally the story of King 
 
 Ahab and the prophet Elijah.) 
 
12. -II Kings. 
 
 The second book continues the contemporary 
 history of the two kingdoms of Judah and Israel 
 to the downfall of both of them, comprising- the 
 period from 900 to 600 B. C. There are 25 chap- 
 ters in this book, divided as follows, viz.: 
 Chapters 1-17, the contemporary history ^ of Judah 
 a7id Israel ; 1-8, principally the 
 ministry and the miracles of the 
 prophet Elisha; 9-17, from the re- 
 volt of Jehu to the downfall of the 
 kingdom of Israel, 
 " 18-25, the history of Judah alone, to the 
 destruction of Jerusalem by Nebu- 
 chadnezzar. 
 
 13. -I Chronicles. 
 
 The two books of Chronicles contain a genea- 
 loQ-ical abstract of the whole of the sacred history 
 down to the death of King Saul, and the reign of 
 the sul)sequent kings of Judah to the Babylonish 
 Captivity. While the books of Kings are written 
 from the prophetical standpoint and give promi- 
 nence to the kingdom of Israel, where Elijah and 
 Elisha labored, the Chronicles are written from 
 the levitical standpoint and the history of Judah 
 only is given. In our English Bible the first book 
 of Chronicles is divided into 29 chapters, (30 in 
 the German). 
 
 Chapters 1-9, mainly genealogies, from Adam to 
 the time of Ezra, after the Baby- 
 lonish Captivity. 
 •* 10-29, the reign of King David ; 10-20, 
 from the death of Saul to the com- 
 pletion of the victories of David ; 
 21-29, David's political and reli- 
 gious administration. 
 
13 
 14.-II Chronicles. 
 
 The second book contains the history of the 
 kings of Judah, beginning with the reign of Solo- 
 mon and ending with the edict of King Cyrus of 
 Persia, at the close of the Babylonish Captivity. 
 It covers the period from about 1000-536 B. C. 
 The 36 chapters of II Chronicles, may be arranged 
 in four groups of nine chapters each, viz,: 
 Chapters 1-9, the reign of King Solomon. 
 
 10-18, from Rehoboam to Jehoshaphat. 
 " \Q)-i'],ivovi\ Jehoshaphat \o Ahaz. 
 
 28-36, from Ahaz to Zedekiah. 
 
 15.— Ezra. 
 
 This book is a direct continuation of the second 
 
 book of Chronicles and begins with a repetition of 
 
 the last two verses of II Chronicles. It describes 
 
 the return of the first colony with Zerubbabel, 
 
 under King Cyrus, and of a second colony with 
 
 Ezra, the scribe, under the reign of King 
 
 Artaxerxes; a period of about 80 years, from 
 
 536-458 B. C. The rebuilding of the temple, and 
 
 the purification of the people constitute the main 
 
 topics of the book. Its 10 chapters, naturally, 
 
 divide themselves into two parts, viz. : 
 
 Chapters 1-6, the rebuilding of the temple, under 
 
 Zerubbabel. 
 
 " 7-10, ^Q purification of ihe people, under 
 
 Ezra. 
 
 16.— Nehcmiah. 
 
 A narrative of the commencement, progress 
 and completion of the patriotic undertaking of 
 Nehemiah to restore the city of Jerusalem, 
 during the years from 445-433 B. C. The book 
 has 13 chapters. 
 
Chapters 1-7, the rebuilding of the walls and a 
 
 list of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 
 
 " 8-13, the restoration of the Theocracyecixdi 
 
 the re-dedication of the people to 
 
 the service of Jehovah. 
 
 17.- Esther. 
 
 The writer of this book narrates, how a great 
 danger which threatened the Hebrews living in 
 the Persian empire was averted through the 
 watchful care of Mordecai and of Queen Esthf^r. 
 If King Ahasuerus is the same person with 
 Xerxes, the son of Darius Hystaspes, the time of 
 this event may be fixed at 480 B. C. The 10 
 chapters of this book form two groups of equal 
 length, viz.: 
 Chapters 1-5, the danger. 
 
 " 6-10, the averting oi the danger. 
 
 n.— POETICAL BOOKS. 
 
 Under this head are comprehended Job, the 
 Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of 
 Solomon, They are termed poetical, because 
 they are generally composed of measured 
 sentences and possess the characteristics of 
 Hebrew poetry. 
 
 1. Job. 
 
 The object of this poem is to discuss the ques- 
 tion: Why does God permit the righteous man 
 to suffer? It solves this question by teaching 
 men that realizing their own imperfection and 
 ignorance, as well as the infinite wisdom and 
 goodness of God, they must reject all confidence 
 in their own "merits, and with an humble faith 
 submit to the divine decree. The book of Job 
 has 42 chapters, and consists of five parts, viz.: 
 
15 
 
 Chapters i and 2, the historical infroducfion. 
 
 " 3-3^> the (^/i-6-z^j-j'/<?;z between Job and his 
 
 three frietids, EHphas, Bildad and 
 
 Zophar; 3-14, the first discussion; 
 
 15-21, thesecond discussion; 22-31, 
 
 the third discussion. 
 " 32-37, the speech of a fourth friend, 
 
 EHhu. 
 " 38-41, the address of Jehovah. 
 " 42, the historical conclusion. 
 
 2.— Psalms. 
 
 The collection of sacred hymns, composed by 
 David and other men of God down to the time of 
 the return from the Babylonish Captivity, contains 
 ^50 Psalms. Ancient tradition and internal evi- 
 dence concur in separating them into five great 
 divisions or books. These books seem to have 
 been formed at different periods and differ in 
 their use of the divine names Jehovah (Lord) 
 and Elohim (God). 
 
 I. Psalms 1-41, composed by David, Jehovah 
 psalms. 
 II. " 42-72, composed by Z?a'z;/rt!' and Al9r«^, 
 Elohim. 
 
 III. " 73-89, composed by Asaph, first part 
 
 Elohim, later Jehovah. 
 
 IV. " 90-106, one psalm of Moses, one of 
 
 David, the rest anonymous; all 
 Jehovah psalms. 
 V. " 107-150, all ationyfnous and using the 
 name of Jehovah ; later com- 
 positions. 
 
 3.— Proverbs. 
 
 The book of Proverbs consists of short 
 discourses on various topics of religion and 
 morality, together with many pointed sayings 
 or maxims, expressing in few words lessons 
 
i6 
 
 of practical wisdom. It has 31 chapters. The 
 following- three divisions are distinctively 
 marked: 
 
 Chapters 1-9, short continuous discourses on 
 M^hat constitutes true wisdom. 
 " 10-24, the proverbs of Solofnon, mostly 
 
 unconnected sayings. 
 ■ ** 25-31, proverbs collected hy Hezekiah 
 and later additions. 
 
 4.— Ecclesiastes. 
 
 Ecclesiastes signifies the preacher who 
 addresses an assembly. It is the confession 
 of a man of wide experience as to what the 
 experiences of life have taught him. The 12 
 chapters which this book contains may be 
 grouped, as follows: 
 Chapters 1-2, a personal confession. 
 
 " 3-5, the search after >^<^///«^j J. 
 
 " 6-8, the search after wisdom. 
 
 " g-i2,thefaihire of dotk and the lesson 
 
 to be learned: "to fear God and 
 keep His commandments." 
 
 6. -The ^ong of Solomon (Canlicles). 
 
 This book, the plan and purpose of which are 
 difficult to understand, seems to be a pastoral 
 drama representing the victory of true love over 
 temptations and trials. It is regarded as a sym- 
 bol or allegory of the love which exists between 
 Jehovah and His people. Its 8 chapters are vari- 
 ously divided into different acts or scenes, e.g.: 
 Chapters 1:2-2:7, the first meeting of Solomon 
 and Sulamith. 
 ** 2:8-3:5, Sulamith's separation from her 
 
 beloved. 
 •*' 3:6-5:1, the bringing of the bride to 
 Jerusalem. 
 
17 
 
 " 5-2-8:4, Sulamith longing- for her home. 
 " 8:5-8:14, Sulamith returns ; the victory 
 of true love, 
 
 III.— PROPHETICAL BOOKS. 
 
 The prophets were inspired men sent or 
 appointed to make known the will of God both 
 with regard to their own time and with regard 
 to the future. Hence their writings are partly 
 doctrinal and partly predictive. Their personal 
 experiences also served as a testimony of God 
 to the people. There are 17 prophetical books 
 in th.e Old Testament. 
 
 I. - Isaiah. 
 
 The prophet Isaiah preached and prophesied 
 principally during the reign of the Kings Ahaz 
 and Hezekiah of Judah, from about 750 to 700 B.C. 
 The book of Isaiah consists of two distinct 
 parts, viz., chapters i to 35 and chapters 40 to 66. 
 These two main parts are connected with each 
 other by four historical chapters, 36 to 39, 
 the contents of which, in a manner, seal the 
 discourses and prophecies of the first part and 
 introduce the prophetic panorama contained in 
 the second part. 
 
 Chapters 1-35, discourses and prophecies connec- 
 ted with contemporaneous events. 
 These may be subdivided into 
 three nearly equal groups, viz. : 
 1-12, discourses addressed to the 
 • people of Israel in general ; 13-23, 
 "burdens" or prophecies ad- 
 dressed to the surrounding na- 
 tions ; 24-35, discourses referring 
 to the reign of Hezekiah. 
 36-39, historical J the invasion of the 
 
i8 
 
 Assyrians and the embassy from 
 Babylon. 
 40-66, a prophetic pcutoraina of the fttture. 
 These 27 chapters are arranged in 
 three groups of 9 chapters each. 
 40-48, the two contrasts, Jehovah 
 and the idols, Israel and the 
 heathen; 49-57, the present suffer- 
 ings and the future glory of the 
 servant of Jehovah ; 58-66, the 
 nominal and -the true church of 
 
 c;od. 
 
 2. -Jeremiah. 
 
 Jeremiah, the tender-hearted and sorrowful 
 prophet, who predicted and shared in the suffer- 
 ings of the downfall of Judah and Jerusalem, 
 bore witness by his own experiences as well as 
 by his prophecies. His ministry, from about 630 
 to 590 B. C, became one long martyrdom. The 
 book of Jeremiah, which contains alternately dis- 
 courses and historical notes of the life of the 
 prophet, does not appear to be arranged accord- 
 ing to a regular plan or order. We may divide 
 its 52 chapters, as follows : 
 
 Chapters 1-2 1, the earlier ministry of the prophet 
 under Josiah and Jehoiakim. 
 22-31, additional prophecies relating to 
 
 th e CO ming jndgnien t. 
 32-45, the history of the capture of 
 
 Jerusalem. 
 46-52, \n'o\)\\iiQA^^'Ci'g'ai\\'^iforeign nations. 
 
 3. — Lanientations. 
 
 Laments of the proj^het Jeremiah over the exile 
 of the people, the desolation of the land and the 
 destruction of the temple. The five chapters of 
 this book contain ti\'e elegies. Four of these 
 have 22 verses eacl), according to the number of 
 
19 
 
 letters in the Hebrew alphabet; in the first, 
 second and fourth each verse, in the Hebrew, 
 Ijegins with the corresponding- letter ; in the 
 third each letter begins three verses in succes- 
 sion, making- the total number of verses 66. 
 
 4.— Ezekiel. 
 
 Ezekiel, a prophet from the tribe of Levi, was 
 carried to Babylon in the captivity of King 
 Jeconiah of Judah and livfed among the Jewish 
 exiles in the land of the Chaldaeans, by whom he 
 was held in high esteem. His call to the pro- 
 phetic office took place in the 5th year of Jeco- 
 niah's captivity, 595 B. C. The book of Ezekiel 
 contains 48 chapters and is divided into two equal 
 parts, of which the destruction of Jerusalem is 
 the turning point. The 24 chapters of the second 
 part are again subdivided into two groups, one 
 of 8, the other of 16 chapters. 
 
 Chapters 1-24, denunciations against Judah and 
 Jerusalem, mingled with promises 
 of mercy. 
 " 25-32, prophecies against seven heathen 
 
 jiatiotis. 
 " 33-48, promise of deliverance and of 
 future glory for Israel; 33-39, ^^e 
 victory over Gog ; 40 -48, the 
 vision of the new temple. 
 
 6.— Daniel. 
 
 Daniel, the fourth of " the greater prophets," n 
 younger contemporary of Ezekiel and a fellow 
 captive, but who was raised to a high political 
 office, represented the cause of true religion at 
 tiie court of the Babylonian and Medo-Persian 
 kings. He seems to have prophesied between 
 
20 
 
 the years 590 and 535 B. C. The book of Daniel 
 is divided into two equal parts, viz.: 
 Chapters 1-6, historical events. 
 
 " j-12, apocalyptic J the future of the 
 people of God and its relation to 
 the powers of the world. 
 6.— Hosea. 
 ea heads the list of the "lesser prophets," 
 although, as regards the chronological order, he 
 probably holds the third place. His prophetic 
 career extended from 785-725 B. C. He dM^elt in 
 the northern kingdom, that of Israel or Ephraim, 
 and his prophecies principally regard that king- 
 dom, then fast verging towards its ruin. His 
 style of writing is abrupt and often obscure, but 
 full of life and power. In the 14 chapters of the 
 book, it is easy to recognize two great divisions, 
 but the subdivison is difficult. 
 Chapters 1-3, the prophet's marriage with an 
 unfaithful woman, a symbol of 
 Israel's unfaithfulness over 
 against Jehovah. 
 " 4-14, 5everaldiscourses;]^\vo\2^\>\&didi^ 
 with Israel, his beloved but un- 
 faithful spouse. 
 
 7.— Joel. 
 
 This prophet is supposed to have been the 
 contemporary of Hosea. His commission was 
 to Judah what that of Hosea was to the ten 
 tribes ; his style is the very opposite of that of 
 Hosea, very fluent and lucid. A public calamity 
 of a twofold character: drought and a plague of 
 locusts, forms the basis of the prophet's call to 
 repentance. The three chapters of the book of 
 Joel may be subdivided into two nearly equal 
 parts, viz.: 
 
21 
 
 Chapters 1:1-2:17, the call to repe7itance. 
 
 " 2 :iS-3:2i, the promise oi renewed mani- 
 festations of the divine favor. 
 
 8.— Amos, 
 
 Amos, originally a shepherd, was called by- 
 God's spirit to be a prophet, although not trained 
 in a prophetic school. He traveled from Judah 
 into the northern kingdom and there exercised 
 his ministry, apparently not for any length of 
 time. His date may be fixed at 800 B. C. The 
 kingdom of Israel was then, under Jeroboam II, 
 at the height of power and luxury ; the prophet 
 was sent as a herald of the coming judgment. 
 The book of Amos contains 9 chapters, which 
 may be arranged as follows: 
 
 Chapters 1-3, \he judgment impending upon the 
 nations generally. 
 " 4-6, ihejudgment upon the nor t/iern king- 
 dom, in particular. 
 " 7-9, sy7nbolieal visions, 
 
 9. -Obadiah. 
 
 It is probable that Obadiah was a contemporary 
 with Jeremiah, living about 600 B. C. The inser- 
 tion of his prophecy between those of Amos and 
 Jonah is explained on the ground of its being an 
 amplification of the last five verses of Amos. 
 The book of Obadiah which contains but one 
 chapter denounces judgments on the Edomites 
 and promises restoration and future prosperity 
 to Israel. 
 
 10. -Jonah, 
 
 The general opinion is that Jonah was the first 
 of the prophets whose writings have been pre- 
 served and that his time dates between 850 and 
 
22 
 
 8oo B, C. The book of Jonah is chiefly historical. 
 It contains an account of the prophet's mission 
 to the city of Nineveh, in four chapters. 
 Chapters i and 2, Jonah's flight and return. 
 
 " 3 and 4, Jonah's preaching- and the re- 
 mission of the judgment. 
 
 ll.-Micah. 
 
 Micah exercised die prophetical office during 
 the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings 
 of Judah, that is between the years 750 and 
 700 B. C. He was, therefore, the contemporary 
 of the prophet Isaiah and resembles him in the 
 clear, concise and poetical style of his writings. 
 The 7 chapters of the book of Micah are divided 
 into three parts, each commencing with "Hear 
 ye." 
 
 Chapters i and 2, addressed to all the people, de- 
 scribe the coming judgment. 
 " 3-5, the judgment upon ///^/^rtiTii'e'^-j- of the 
 people, and the coming of Messiah. 
 ** 6 and 7, Jehovah's argument w'xih. Israel. 
 
 12.— Nahum. 
 
 The date of Nahum can not be accurately 
 determined, but it is probable that he flourished 
 in the latter half of the reign of Hezekiah, and 
 wrote his prophecy soon after the destruction of 
 Samaria by the Assyrians, about 720 B. C. The 
 subject of the prophecy is simply "the burden 
 of Nineveh," a continuation or supplement to 
 Jonah. The book of Nahum has three chapters. 
 Chapter i, the judgment is coming. 
 
 " 2, the judgment is accomplished. 
 
 " 3, the judgment is reviewed. 
 
23 
 
 13.-Habakkiik. 
 
 The position of this prophecy in the Old 
 Testament canon, as M^ell as internal evidence, 
 lead us to the conclusion, that Habakkuk was a 
 contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah, 625 B. C. 
 As Nahum had declared the coming judgment 
 upon the Assyrians, so Habakkuk was com- 
 missioned to denounce the judgment against 
 the Chaldeans. His style is peculiarly grand 
 and sublime. The three chapters of Habakkuk 
 may be analyzed as follows: 
 
 Chapter i, the Chaldeans are instruments of God 
 in bringing judgment. 
 
 " 2, they are in iuvn J udged themselves. 
 
 " 3, the prayer of the prophet. 
 
 14.— Zephaniah, 
 
 Zephaniah, according to the inscription of his 
 book, was another contemporary of Jeremiah, 
 and prophesied under th 2 reign of King Josiah, 
 625 B. C. His writings are characterized chiefly 
 by the harmony of the composition and the 
 gracefulness of the style. The three chapters of 
 Zephaniah, like those of Nahum and Habakkuk, 
 contain a declaration of judgment over Judah 
 and Jerusalem, mingled with promises of a 
 future restoration. 
 Cha])ter i, the judgment a^^ainst Judah. 
 
 " 2, the judgment against J tidah' s enemies. 
 
 " 3> Jerusalem,, though now under disci- 
 pline, shall be restored. 
 
 15.— Hagg-ai. 
 
 The remaining three of the minor prophets, 
 viz.: Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi, flourished 
 after the return from the Babylonish Captivity. 
 Haggai was raised up by the Lord, about 520 B. C, 
 
24 
 
 for the purpose of stimulating Zerubbabel and 
 the people to resume the building of the temple 
 which had been interrupted. The two chapters 
 of the book of Haggai seem to be but an outline 
 or summary of the discourses of this prophet. 
 Chapter i, the discourse delivered in the sixth 
 
 month. 
 " 2, discourses delivered in the seventh 
 
 and ninth months. 
 
 16.— Zechariali. 
 
 Zechariah was the younger contemporary of 
 Haggai (about 500 B. C), and was called to the 
 prophetic office for the same purpose, viz.: the 
 rebuilding of the temple. Like Jeremiah and 
 Ezekiel before him, he was priest as well as 
 prophet. The book of Zechariah contains 14 
 chapters, and, like the book of Isaiah, it is 
 divided into two main parts, of six chapters each, 
 with a practical discourse in two chapters, as a 
 connecting link between the first and second 
 part. 
 
 Chapters 1-6, a series of visions, descriptive of 
 those hopes of which the building 
 of the temple was the foundation. 
 (i, the rider in the valley of 
 myrtles ; 2, the four horns ; 3, the 
 high priest Joshua ; 4, the candle- 
 stick ; 5, the flying roll ; 6, the 
 four chariots.) 
 7-8, a discourse on true religion and a 
 promise of the restoration of 
 Israel. 
 9-14, a prophetic panorama including 
 the times of the Messiah, and the 
 restoration of Israel and Jeru- 
 salem subdivided into two bur- 
 dens ; 9-1 1, the coming of the 
 
25 
 
 Messiah arid His rejection; 12-14, 
 the repentance of Israel and its 
 final glory. 
 
 17.— Malachi, 
 
 Malachi, the last of the prophets, completed 
 the canon of the Old Testament Scriptures after 
 the second ■ return of Nehemiah from Persia, 
 about 420 B. C. He occupied the same position 
 with regard to the reformation under Nehemiah, 
 which Isaiah held in the time of Hezekiah. 
 
 The four chapters of Malachi may be grouped 
 as follows: 
 
 Chapters i and 2, reproof of the sins of the 
 people. 
 " 3 and 4, the Lord's coming, to bring 
 
 judgment and salvation. 
 
 B.— tHe New testaiv|E|\It. 
 
 The New Testament contains 27 books, 5 of 
 which are historical, 2 1 doctrinal and i prophetical. 
 
 I.-HISTORICAL BOOKS. 
 
 The historical books of the New Testament 
 comprise the four Gospels, {i.e., a fourfold 
 account of the earthly life and work of our 
 Saviour,) and the book of Acts, the latter being 
 a brief record of the Christian Church, from its 
 founding to the imprisonment of St. Paul in 
 Rome, A. D. 63. 
 
 The first three Gospels are termed the synoptical 
 Gospels, because, as regards their contents and 
 general character, they proceed upon a common 
 outline. The narration of events, with the 
 exception of the last journey to Jerusalem, is 
 
26 
 
 confined to Christ's working" in Galilee, and is a 
 simple statement of facts, while St, John's Gospel 
 refers more fully to Christ's working in Judea, 
 with an occasional comment by the writer. The 
 synoptical Gospels refer mainly to Christ's work, 
 and to the establishment of His kingdom on 
 earth, that of John refers rather to \ki^ person of 
 Christ and the eternal decrees of God. Matthew, 
 Mark and Luke represent Christ principally as 
 the Son of man, the Messiah and the Saviour, 
 the fourth Gospel represents Him, first of all, 
 as the eternal Son of God, the only mediator 
 between God and men. 
 
 :|.— Matthew, 
 
 The first Gospel was written by Matthew, 
 surnamed Levi, one of the twelve apostles, but 
 formerly a publican or tax-gatherer. It was 
 intended primarily for the Hebrews and for 
 Jewish-Christian converts. Hence the frequent 
 quotations from the Old Testament, the tracing 
 of Christ's genealogy to Abraham, etc. The 
 writer represents Christ as the Messiah of Israel, 
 the new lawgiver, the true prophet, priest and 
 king. The Gospel according to Matthew contains 
 28 chapters, which may be arranged in four 
 groups of seven chapters each: 
 
 Chapters 1-7, the beginning of Christ's ministry, 
 
 including the "Sermon on the 
 
 Mount." 
 " 8-14, His glorious work in Galilee. 
 " 15-21, the steadily increasing opposition 
 
 of His enemies. 
 " 22-28, His last discourses, death and 
 
 resurrection. 
 
27 
 
 2.— Mark, 
 
 The second Gospel, composed by Mark, the 
 assistant of the apostle Peter, seems to have 
 been written principally for the Romans. It 
 records the deeds rather than the words of 
 Christ, and represents Him as the powerful 
 worker of miracles. The narrative Seems to 
 follow the strict chronological order of events. 
 The i6 chapters of this Gospel are divided into 
 two nearly equal parts, viz.: 
 Chapters 1-19, Christ's ministry in Galilee. 
 
 " 10-16, His ministry in Peraea and Judea., 
 including His death and resur- 
 rection. 
 
 3. -Luke. 
 
 Luke, the companion of St. Paul, the apostle 
 of the Gentiles, and himself of Gentile birth, 
 wrote his Gospel especially for the Greeks. 
 Christ is to him, above all, the ideal man, the 
 i^aviour of all men, the friend of sinners and the 
 kedeemer of the world. Luke wrote after a 
 careful examination of the existing records and 
 sburces of the Gospel narrative, and arranged 
 his story according to a systematic plan. The 
 24 chapters of Luke's Gospel may be arranged 
 in four groups, of 3, 6, 9 and again 6 chapters, 
 respectively. 
 
 Chapters 1-3, the preparation for Christ's min- 
 istry. 
 
 " 4-9, discourses and acts of our Lord, 
 
 belonging to Capernaum and 
 neighborhood, retorded also by 
 Matthew and Mark. 
 
 ** ia-i8, a collection of accounts, referring 
 to "Christ's journey," mostly 
 peculiar to Luke. 
 
28 
 
 •• 19-24. the story of Christ's sufferings and 
 
 triwnph. 
 
 4.- John. 
 
 The apostle John, doubtless, wrote his Gospel 
 narrative some time after the other three Gospels 
 had been written, perhaps about A. D. 75, and 
 principally for Christian readers. It supplements 
 the other gospels in that it contains some 
 important events and especially discourses, not 
 recorded in them; but it has its own scope, 
 character and purpose. The apostle after stating- 
 dogmatically that Jesus Christ was the incarnate 
 Word, the son of God, proves this statement by 
 the words and works of Christ which convinced 
 even the doubting Thomas. St. John relates but 
 nine of the miracles of Christ. His Gospel, like 
 that of Mark, is arranged chronologically. It 
 contains 21 chapters. 
 Chapter i:i-i8, the dogmatical statement. 
 
 " 1:19-20:29, the historical proof; 1:19-11: 
 57, Christ's ministry; 12:1-20:29, 
 His sufferings and triumph. 
 
 " i\\\-i^, the conclusion. 
 
 5. -The Acts. 
 
 The Acts of the Apostles, a second treatise by 
 the author of the third Gospel, may have been 
 written about A. D. 65; at least the period com- 
 prised in its pages terminates in the year 63 A. D. 
 The book contains principally the acts of Peter 
 and Paul, the former being the central figure of 
 the first group and the latter of the second 
 group. We divide the 28 chapters of the Acts 
 into 4 parts of 7 chapters each: 
 Chapters 1-7, the Church in Jerusalem, A. D. 
 31-37. 
 
29 
 
 ** 8-14, the spread of the Gospel : Paul's 
 first missionary journey through 
 Asia Minor, A. D. 37-50. 
 " 15-21, the second and third Missionary 
 
 journey of Paul, A. D. 50-58. 
 " 22-28, Paul a prisoner and his journey to 
 Rome, A. D. 58-63. 
 
 II.— THE EPISTLES. 
 
 Of the 21 Epistles contained in the New 
 Testament two-thirds, viz.: 13 or 14 are St. 
 Paul's, the remaining third is from the pen of 
 other apostles or of men having apostolic 
 authority. St. Paul's epistles are not arranged 
 chronologically, but according to their contents. 
 In the order of the time of writing the two 
 epistles to the Thessalonians come first ; a 
 second group comprises Romans, Corinthians 
 and Galatians; a third group Ephesians, Colos- 
 sians, Philippians and Philemon; and the fourth 
 group the epistles to Timothy and Titus. 
 
 1. — Romans. 
 
 The epistle to the Romans was written at 
 Corinth, during the third missionary journey of 
 Paul, A. D, 58. The church at Rome was not 
 founded by an apostle, but by Christian converts 
 from the East; it included Jewish Christians and 
 Gentile Christians. This epistle stands first in 
 the order of Paul's epistles because of the 
 importance of the church addressed, and the 
 importance of its contents. The subject is : 
 "The Gospel of Jesus Christ the salvation both 
 of the Jews and of the Gentiles." The 16 
 chapters into which the epistle is divided, group 
 themselves as follows: 
 
30 
 
 Chapters i-ii, \\\^ doctrinal part. 
 
 " a. i-Z, iheGospel of Christ is the salvaiiofi 
 of individual men. 1-4, on whi.1 
 the Gospel is founded, viz.: the 
 general need of a Saviour (i: 18- 
 3:20), and the divine promises 
 (3:21-4 end); 5-8, what the Gospel 
 does for the believer, viz.: it justi- 
 fies (5), sanctifies (6 and 7), and it 
 glorifies (8). 
 
 ** d. 9-1 1, theGospel of Christ is the salvation 
 of Jews and Gentiles as a whole; 9, 
 the mystery of Israel's rejection; 
 10, the explanation; 11, the final 
 solution. 
 
 " 12-16, the practical part; lessons derived 
 from the doctrinal part; 12 and 13, 
 Individual Christian conduct ; 14 
 and 15, Christian fellowship and 
 social relations; 16, greetings and 
 commendations. 
 
 2.— I Corinthians. 
 
 The first epistle to the Corinthians was written 
 during the apostle's three years' sojourn in the 
 city of Ephesus, about A. D. 57, one year before 
 he wrote to the Romans. The letter was called 
 forth by the information which Paul had received 
 of divisions that existed in the Corinthian church, 
 of sins having occurred among Christian con- 
 verts and of questions that had arisen concerning 
 matters of Christian practice. The general sub- 
 ject of the epistle is : ' 'The Christian Congregation, 
 its doctrine and ritual," but the contents are ex- 
 tremely varied. We may group the 16 chapters 
 as follows: 
 Chapters 1-4, their dissensions contrasted with 
 
 the spirit of Christ and of His 
 
 apostles. 
 
•* 5-^o, social relations (Christian disci- 
 
 pline, going- to law, marriag-e, 
 giving and taking offense). 
 
 ** 11-14, public worship and spiritual 
 gifts. 
 
 *• 15 and 16, the resurrection of the dead 
 and miscellaneous matters. 
 
 3.— II Corinthians. 
 
 The second epistle was sent a few months 
 subsequent to the first (A. D. 58) from Macedonia. 
 It was occasioned by the information which the 
 apostle had received with regard to the effect of 
 the first letter. The majority of the members of 
 the church had heeded Paul's admonitions, a 
 minority opposed him and doubted his authority. 
 Hence this second epistle relates mainly to the 
 person and work of the apostle Paul. It has 13 
 chapters. 
 
 Chapters 1-7, the position and work of Paul and 
 his relation to his converts. 
 " 8-9, directions about collections for the 
 
 church in Jerusalem, 
 ** 10-13, defense of the apostolic character 
 of Paul. 
 
 4. — Galatiatt$4. 
 
 The date of this epistle is earlier than either 
 Romans or Corinthians, perhaps A. D. 55. It 
 was addressed to the churches of the Asiatic 
 province of Galatia, which had been founded 
 by the apostle during his second Missionary 
 journey, A. D. 51. The letter appears to have 
 been called forth hy the information that certain 
 Jewish Christians urged the necessity of observ- 
 ing the Mosaic law, circumcision, etc. The 
 theme is: The law and the Gospel. 
 
32 
 
 Chapters i and 2, apologetic; a vindication of Paul 
 
 and his doctrine. 
 •* "^dLiid. \, polemical J a series of proofs 
 
 drawn from the Old Testament, 
 
 that the law was fulfilled in 
 
 Christ. 
 *' 5 and 6, practical J inferences from the 
 
 foregoing discussion. 
 
 5.— Ephesians. 
 
 This letter was written by Paul, while he was 
 a prisoner at Rome, presumably immediately 
 after he had written the epistle to theColossians, 
 perhaps in the early part of A. D. 62. It was 
 addressed to the church at Ephesus, where he 
 abode so long, and from the elders of which 
 he parted with such an affectionate farewell. 
 Ephesus was the city in which stood the famous 
 temple of Diana. Probably with reference to 
 that temple the apostle, in this epistle, treats of 
 the spiritual temple of the Church of Christ. 
 
 The six chapters of the epistle naturally divide 
 themselves into two portions: 
 Chapters 1-3, doctrinal; the spiritual foundation, 
 the glory and the aim of the Church 
 of Christ. 
 ** 4-6, hortatory ixxid practical; ^NYi-aX^'^iv'xl 
 must pervade the Church and its 
 members, individually and collec- 
 tively. 
 
 6.— Philippians. 
 
 The Christian community at Philippi distin- 
 guished itself by its liberality. They contributed 
 readily to the collection made for the relief of 
 the poor in Jerusalem; they entertained the 
 apostle on his several visits to the city with an 
 affectionate cordiality, and after Paul's arrival in 
 
33 
 
 Rome, they sent Epaphroditus to him with 
 supplies and to render him service. Hence the 
 epistle addressed to the Philippians. which was 
 written from Rome about A. D. 63, is particularly 
 full of brotherly affection and good wishes. It 
 is altogether a practical epistle. The contents 
 of the four chapters may be classified as follows: 
 Chapter i, information respecting himself. 
 
 " 2 and 3, good advice to his Christian con- 
 verts. 
 
 " 4, acknowledgment of their kindness. 
 
 7.— Coloissians. 
 
 This epistle, chronologically considered, seems 
 to have preceded those to the Ephesians and 
 Philippians. Its date of writing is the early 
 portion of Paul's captivity at Rome, A. D. 61 or 
 62. It was called forth by information received 
 from Epaphras and Onesimus, and designed to 
 warn the Christians at Colossae, against certain 
 false teachers, whose teaching tended to obscure 
 the eternal glory and dignity of Christ. The 
 epistle contains four chapters and is divided 
 into two equal parts: 
 
 Chapters i and 2, doctrinal part : i, Christ the 
 only mediator of salvation ; 2, 
 warning against false philoso- 
 phy and ceremonial legalism. 
 " 3 and 4, practical part: Christian duties. 
 
 8.— I ThessaloDians. 
 
 The two epistles addressed to the Thessalonians 
 are the earliest of Paul's epistles. They were 
 written from Corinth, not long after the apostle 
 had founded the church at Thessalonica, probably 
 A. D. 52. One of their special features is the 
 instruction which the apostle imparts, concerning 
 
34 
 
 the second coming of the Lord. I Thessalonians 
 is divided into five chapters, which may be 
 arranged in two parts, each closing with a prayer. 
 Chapters 1-3, narrative portion; their conversion, 
 
 Paul's ministry among them, and 
 
 his concern for them. 
 •• 4-5, hortatory portion; Christian conduct 
 
 and the coming of the Lord. 
 
 9.— II Thessalonians. 
 
 The contents of this epistle show it to have 
 been written very soon after the former one and 
 at the same place. Its leading motive appears 
 to be the desire of correcting certain* errors and 
 misrepresentations, especially with regard to 
 the second advent of Christ. The subject and 
 general character are the same as in the first 
 epistle; also the division into two parts, each 
 closing with a prayer. 
 
 Chapters i and 2, doctrinal part; encouragement 
 under persecutions, and in- 
 struction concerning the Anti- 
 christ. 
 " 3, practical part; exhortation to 
 
 prayer and reproof of the dis- 
 orderly. 
 
 10.- I Timothy. 
 
 The date of the two epistles to Timothy and 
 of the epistle to Titus has been a subject of 
 much controversy, some assigning them to the 
 years A. D. 56-58, and others to the last years of 
 the life of the apostle, after his release from the 
 first imprisonment at Rome. According to the 
 latter view they were written after A. D, 63. 
 They differ, in character, from the preceding 
 epistles, in that they are not addressed to con- 
 gregations, but to ministers of the Church, and 
 
35 
 
 speak particularly of the qualifications and duties 
 of the Christian ministry. 
 
 The first epistle to Timothy is divided into 6 
 chapters. These may be grouped in two equal 
 parts, although it is hardly possible to discern 
 any regular order or connection of thought. 
 Chapters 1-3, the principles, with regard to Chris- 
 tian doctrine (i), religious worship 
 (2) and holy orders (3). 
 " 4-6, the application of the principles ; 
 Timothy's personal conduct (4), 
 his pastoral duties (5) and his mm- 
 isterial work in general (6). 
 
 11. -II Timothy. 
 
 The second epistle is perhaps the last letter of 
 the apostle Paul that has been preserved. It 
 consists of 4 chapters, the contents of which 
 may be arranged as follows: 
 
 Chapters i and 2, ih.e present duties of Timothy; 
 to develop his gifts, to be 
 courageous and firm. 
 *' 3 and 4, the outlook into the future; 
 what Timothy must prepare for 
 and what Paul has in expec- 
 tation. 
 
 12. -Titus. 
 
 Titus, a gentile Christian, converted through 
 Paul's instrumentality and afterwards his fellow 
 worker, was left by the apostle on the island 
 of Crete to organize the churches there by 
 appointing presbyters in every city, The epistle 
 is supposed to have been written after the first 
 epistle to Timothy. It contains directions how 
 to discharge the duties of one who is set over 
 the churches. The tone is more official, while 
 in the epistles to Timothy it is confidential. The 
 
56 
 
 three chapters into which the epistle is divided 
 may be analyzed thus: 
 Chapter i, church government. 
 
 " 2, doctrine and pastoral work. 
 3, discipline. 
 
 13.— Philemon. 
 
 This is a letter of recommendation, addressed 
 to a member of the church at Colossae, in behalf 
 of a slave, Onesimus by name, who having fled 
 from his master's service to the city of Rome, 
 was converted under Paul's ministry to the 
 Christian faith, and then sent back to his master. 
 It was, probably, written and delivered at the 
 same time with the epistle to the Colossians. 
 The tenderness and delicacy of this epistle, 
 together with the skill of its composition, have 
 always been greatly admired. 
 14,— Hebrews. 
 Whether this epistle was written by the apostle 
 Paul or some one else, is a question which can 
 not be fully decided. If written by Paul, it is 
 supposed to date from the end of his first captivity 
 in Rome about A. D, 63. It was, probably, 
 addressed to the Jews in Jerusalem and Palestine. 
 Its general theme is: "Christ and the new cove- 
 nant superior to the old dispensation." It is 
 divided into 13 chapters which group themselves 
 in three parts of 4 chapters each, with the 13th 
 chapter as a conclusion. 
 
 Chapters 1-4, Christ the best Mediator of revela- 
 tion; I and 2, superior to prophets 
 and angels; 3 and 4, superior to 
 Moses, Joshua and Aaron. 
 5-8, Christ the great priest-king, like 
 Melchizedek; 5 and 6, appointed 
 
of God and before whom every 
 knee must bow; 7 and 8, a true 
 highpriest. 
 *' 9-12, the new covenant superior to the 
 old ; 9 and 10, it brinijs us into 
 true communion with God; 11 and 
 12, patterns of holy Uving, in the 
 faithful men of old, must be 
 imitated. 
 
 15. — James. 
 
 The writer of the epistle was probably James, 
 surnamed the Just, the first " bishop" of the 
 Church in Jerusalem, who is identified with the 
 apostle James, the less, or with the " brother of 
 the Lord." The time of writing is not known. 
 It is addressed to Jewish Christians and its object 
 appears not to be to teach doctrine, but to exhort 
 his readers to patience under manifold trials, and 
 to warn them against a form of religion which 
 is devoid of the true spirit. 
 
 Chapter i teaches the Christian conduct under 
 trials. 
 " i-^ivarn against various sins to which 
 
 Jewish Christians were most liable. 
 " 5 exhorts them to be honest, patient and 
 prayerful. 
 
 16-1 Peter. 
 
 This epistle appears to have been written 
 at Babylon, where the Christian religion was 
 established at an early date and where the 
 apostle Peter appears to have resided for some 
 time. It was addressed to the churches in Asia 
 Minor and is supposed to have been written, 
 after the apostle had seen and studied some of 
 the writings of St. Paul, probably not before 
 A. D. 63. It is mainly a practical epistle intended 
 
38 
 
 to strengthen the believers and to exhort them 
 to walk worthily of their profession. While 
 St. Paul dwells especially upon saving faith-, 
 St. Peter's special theme is the glorious hope of 
 the Christian. The 5 chapters of this first epistle 
 may be arranged, as follows: 
 Chapter i, what Christians have received. 
 
 " 2 and 3, how, accordingly, they should 
 
 live. 
 ** 4 and 5, what they shall strive after, 
 especially in view of the future 
 nianifestation of Christ. 
 
 17.-II Peter. 
 
 The second epistle of Peter was addressed to 
 the same persons as the former one, and must 
 have been written shortly before the martyrdom 
 of the apostle. It includes a passage which bears 
 a strong resemblance to the epistle of Jude, whioh 
 Refer may have read. The three chapters, into 
 which this Epistle is divided, may be said to refer, 
 respectively, to the past, present and future. 
 Chapter i, the .past, the sure foundation. 
 
 " 2, the present, the dange'rs Which beset 
 
 their path. 
 •• 3, the future, the coming of the Lord. 
 
 18.— I John. 
 
 From the patriarchal tone of this epistle it is 
 inferred that it was written, when the apostle 
 John was advanced in age, about A. D. 90, and 
 perhaps from EphesuS, where the apostle 
 ordinarily resided. In the introduction St. John 
 states, as the purpose of the epistle : to declare 
 the Word of life, in order that he and his readers 
 may have true communion with God ib Christ, and 
 with each other. St. John is the apostle of love^ 
 
39 
 
 but this love springs from faith and produces 
 obedience. The five chapters of this first epistle 
 may be arranged under the following heads : 
 Chapters i and 2, God is light; we must come to 
 
 the light, confess our sins, be 
 
 cleansed from sin and living in 
 
 communion with God, must 
 
 walk in the light, 
 ** 3 and 4, God is love; the children of God 
 
 love and obey their father, and 
 
 love the brethren. 
 " 5, the faith, love and obedience of 
 
 the children of God overcome 
 
 the world. 
 
 19.— II John. 
 
 This short epistle is addressed to a Christian 
 lady, whom the apostle desires to warn against 
 the preachers of a doctrine, which is not in 
 accordance with the love of Christ. 
 20.-III John. 
 
 In this epistle the apostle commends to a cer- 
 tain Cajus, some brethren, perhaps evangelists, 
 who were strangers in the place where he lived. 
 A certain Diotrephes had used his influence 
 against receiving such missionary brethren. 
 21.— Jude. 
 
 From early times this epistle has been 
 attributed to Jude, "the bishop of Jerus.alem." 
 Its object is to warn Christian readers against 
 ungodly men, "who turn the grace of our GcTd 
 into lasciviousness." The writer describes, 
 forcibly, the character and the punishment of 
 &uch men. 
 
 III.-PROPHETICAL BOOKS. 
 
 The New Testament contains but one prophet- 
 ical book, properly so called, although there are 
 
40 
 
 many prophetical passages in the discourses of 
 our Lord and in the Epistles. 
 
 22.— Revelation. 
 
 The book of Revelation was probably the last 
 book which the apostle John wrote ; according- 
 to the church-father Irenseus "towards the close 
 of the reign of the Emperor Domitian," that ib- 
 about A. D. 95-97. Tradition says, that in the 
 persecution under Domitian, John was banished 
 to the island of Patmos. The 22 chapters into 
 which the book of Revelation is divided, natur- 
 ally, group themselves in two equal parts. 
 
 Chapters i-ii, the world's history, from the tune 
 of the apostle to the etidj 1-3, first 
 vision : the Son of man and the 
 church, or the seven epistles to 
 the seven churches ; 4-7, second 
 vision, the Lamb and the seven 
 seals, or the riddles of the world's 
 history solved by Christ; 8-1 1 
 third vision, the seven trumpets 
 and seven thunders, or the di- 
 vine judgments and the victo- 
 rious establishment of Christ's 
 kingdom. 
 
 Chapters 12-22, the assaults of the devil and b's 
 agents upon the Church, andt...ir 
 filial destruction J 12-14, the war 
 between Christ and the Anti- 
 christ ; the child and the dragon 
 (12), the church and the beast 
 (i3),Zion and Babylon (14) ; 15-19, 
 the judgments upon Babylon 
 and the beast ; the seven vials of 
 of wrath (15 and 16), Babylon and 
 the beast destroyed (17-19); 20-22, 
 the end of the world and the new 
 Jerusalem. 
 
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