fesses to account, for the introduction of natural and moral evil into the world, and for the consequent present situation of mankind. To this book we are also indebted, for all our knowledge of the progenitors of our race, and of the early ages of the world;-for our acquaintance with the manners and customs of those ages;-for the origin and explanation of many remarkable traditions, which have extensively prevailed, and for almost every thing which is known, of many once flourishing nations; especially of the Jews, the most singular and interesting people, perhaps, that ever existed. It is the Bible alone, which, by informing us of the deluge, enables us to account, satisfactorily, for many surprising appearances in the internal structure of the earth, as well as for the existence of marine exuviæ on the summits of mountains, and in other places far distant from the sea. By the same volume we are assisted in accounting for the multiplicity of languages, which exist in the world; for the degraded condition of the Africans; for the origin and universal prevalence of sacrifices; and many other facts, of an equally interesting nature. We shall only add, that while the scriptures throw light on the facts here alluded to, the existence of these facts powerfully tends, on the other hand, to establish the truth and authenticity of the scriptures.

In addition to these intrinsic excellencies of the Bible, which give it, considered merely as a human production, powerful claims to the attention of persons of taste and learning, there are various circum

stances, of an adventitious nature, which render it peculiarly interesting to a reflecting mind. Among these circumstances we may, perhaps, not improperly, mention its great antiquity. Whatever may be said of its inspiration, some of the books, which compose it, are unquestionably the most ancient literary compositions extant, and, perhaps, the most ancient that ever were written; nor is it very improbable, that letters were first employed in recording some parts of them, and that they were written in the language, first spoken by man. It is also not only the most ancient book, but the most ancient monument of human exertion, the eldest offspring of human intellect, now in existence. Unlike the other works of man, it inherits not his frailty. All the cotemporaries of its infancy have long since perished and are forgotten. Yet this wonderful volume still survives. Like the fabled pillars of Seth, which are said to have bid defiance to the deluge, it has stood, for ages, unmoved in the midst of that flood, which sweeps away men, with their labors, into oblivion. That these circumstances render it an interesting object of contemplation, it is needless to remark. Were there now in existence a tree which was planted; an edifice which was erected; or any monument of human ingenuity which was formed, at that early period, in which some parts of the Bible were written, would it not be contemplated with the keenest interest; carefully preserved as a precious relic; and considered as something, little less than sacred? With what

emotions then will a thoughtful mind often open the Bible; and what a train of interesting reflections, is it, in this view, calculated to excite? While we contemplate its antiquity, exceeding that of every object around us, except the works of God, and view it, in anticipation, as continuing to exist unaltered until the end of time, must we not feel almost irresistibly impelled to venerate it, as proceeding originally from him, who is yesterday, to-day, and forever the same; and whose works, like his years, fail not.

The interest, which this volume excites by its antiquity, will be greatly increased, if we consider the violent and persevering opposition it has encountered; and the almost innumerable enemies it has resisted and overcome. We contemplate, with no ordinary degree of interest, a rock, which has braved for centuries the ocean's rage, practically saying, "hitherto shalt thou come, but no farther; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed." With still greater interest, though of a somewhat different kind, should we contemplate a fortress, which, during thousands of years, had been constantly assaulted by successive generations of enemies;-around whose walls millions had perished;-and to overthrow which, the utmost efforts of human force and ingenuity had been exerted in vain. Such a rock, such a fortress, we contemplate in the Bible. For thousands of years, this volume has withstood, not only the iron tooth of time, which devours men, and their works together, but all the physical and

intellectual strength of man.

In

Pretended friends have endeavored to corrupt and betray it; kings and princes have perseveringly sought to banish it from the world; the civil and military powers of the greatest empires have been leagued for its destruction; the fires of persecution have often been lighted to consume it, and its friends together; and, at many seasons, death, in some horrid form, has been the almost certain consequence of affording it an asylum from the fury of its enemies. It has also been almost incessantly assailed by weapons of a different kind, which, to any other book, would be far more dangerous than fire or sword. these assaults, wit and ridicule have wasted all their shafts; misguided reason has been compelled, though reluctantly, to lend her aid, and, after repeated defeats, has again been dragged to the field; the arsenals of learning have been emptied to arm her for the contest; and, in search of means to prosecute it with success, recourse has been had, not only to remote ages, and distant lands, but even to the bowels of the earth, and the region of the stars. Yet still the object of all these attacks remains uninjured; while one army of its assailants after another has melted away. Though it has been ridiculed more bitterly, misrepresented more grossly, opposed more rancorously, and burnt more frequently, than any other book, and, perhaps, than all other books united; it is so far from sinking under the efforts of its enemies, that the probability of its surviving until the final consum

mation of all things, is now, evidently, much greater than ever. The rain has descended; the floods have come; the storm has arisen, and beat upon it; but it falls not, for it is founded upon a rock. Like the burning bush, it has ever been in the flames, yet is still unconsumed; a sufficient proof, were there no other, that he who dwelt in the bush, preserves the Bible.

If the opposition which this volume has successfully encountered, renders it an interesting object of contemplation, the veneration which has been paid to it; the use which has been made of it, and the benefits which have been derived from it by the wise and good, in all ages, make it still more so. Who would not esteem it a most delightful privilege, to see and converse with a man, who had lived through as many centuries as the Bible has existed; who had conversed with all the successive generations of men, and been intimately acquainted with their motives, characters, and conduct; who had been the chosen friend and companion of the wise and good, in every age-the venerated monitor, to whose example and instructions, the wise had ascribed their wisdom, and the virtuous their virtues? What could be more interesting than the sight, what more pleasing and instructive than the society of such a man? Yet such society we may in effect enjoy, whenever we choose to open the Bible. In this volume, we see the chosen companion, the most intimate friend of the prophets, the apostles, the martyrs, and their pious cotemporaries: the