PREFACE. THERE is no book like the Bible. From the study of no human composition can the same benefit be derived as from the study of the Word of God. This all acknowledge who believe the Scriptures to be divine. Yet, often is the Sacred Book carelessly perused,—often it is read with far less interest than a narrative of the passing events of the day. By many it is read as a task,-by some it is read as a duty, there are few, it is to be feared, who regard the reading of it as a pleasure. order to love the Bible we must learn from it,—we must taste its spirit before we can know its excellence. An attempt has been made in the following pages to point out what In may be learned from some passages in Scripture History, It is not an attempt to express all the lessons we are taught by the warlike scenes the Bible paints; but the desire of the writer is to lead the young, and those who assist them in studying the Holy Book, to study it with a purpose,—with regard to every passage of Sacred Writ to ask themselves, What may I learn from this? That any one may be led by perusing these pages to search the Scriptures with more care and attention than formerly, seems a presumptuous hope; but "God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty," and if it please Him, he can make even this little work an instrument of good. The writing of it was undertaken with a desire to glorify Him, and it will accomplish the purpose for which he has permitted it to be written, whatever that purpose may be. NOVEMBER 1851. THE BATTLES OF THE BIBLE. THE PATRIARCH AND THE FIVE KINGS. "I love the sacred Book of God, It points me to the saints' abode, "When midst the throng celestial placed, From which thy sacred page was traced, "But while I'm here, thou shalt supply KELLY. WELL do I remember the cottage where our grandfather lived. It is many years since I saw it, and I would not wish to see it again, for it will be all changed now, and I could not bear to look upon it different from B |