Drs. H. & §.1. Shattuck,
Boston,

Transferred, Dec. 1910 to

ANDOVER ARVARD

THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY

CAMBRIDGE, Mase

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by

SAMUEL W. BAILEY,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

PREFACE.

THE

book is a growth of years. Unique in the English tongue, much smaller books of the kind have long been highly prized, at home and at school, by those speaking in another. Avowedly a book of books, it aims to make the chief things of the "Book of books" more widely, pleasingly, and thoroughly known.

In these chapters are arranged passages amounting to about one-fourth part of all the language of the Bible, and many of the choicest gems from about three hundred and fifty of the poets of Christendom. Those things in the sacred volume which are most read and valued have been marshalled, chiefly in the order of time, thus showing its unity and scope. Partly with this end in view, and in part for the sake of variety, the selections from the book of Job immediately follow those from Genesis, though it is most likely that patriarch lived between the dispersion from Babel and the call of Abraham. Some freedom, justifiable it is believed, has been exercised in arranging the selected Psalms and Proverbs. To show the relations between the Old Testament and the New, several of the acknowledged Messianic prophecies, belonging to a period of more than three thousand years, have been gathered in chapters to signalize the transition from the one to the other. The life and works of the Saviour have been set forth sometimes in the language of one evangelist, and

sometimes in that of another. In arranging, the best Harmonies have been followed. Though the numerous and varied selections from the Old Testament have left less room than was desirable for those of the New, it is believed that all of the essential truths of the latter and its chief things are here embraced.

As, in culling the poetry, the chief quest has been for what was fitting and forceful, passages quaint and rugged have sometimes been preferred to such as were more elegant, but feeble and diffuse. Such selections have been mostly made from poets contemporaneous, or nearly so, with King James's revisers of the Bible. And some, perhaps, will be surprised to find how many drafts have been made on the great English dramatist. No thoughtful student of Shakespeare, however, has failed to mark his familiarity with the Scriptures, as evinced by his allusions and reasonings. Three or four poetical passages appear twice, wholly or in part, in different chapters.

At the end of the volume is an index of all the chapters, showing whence the sacred text has been taken, also the authorship of the poetry, so far as it was known, if not lost in revising. In a separate catalogue the names of most of the poets are given, with the dates of their births and deaths, when ascertained. The spelling of the poetry has been conformed to that of the Bible, with few exceptions, and with an obvious intent. Last of all, to show the variations of the English language, a single brief specimen of the Holy Scriptures has been printed, as found in six historic versions.

It was deemed fit that a volume designed for general use should bear, in one word, a significant title. As our language failed, one has been derived from the Hebrew. It was found that, nabi, the common word for prophet, also means poet, and is applied to one who freely utters impassioned language. By adding a Greek termination,

we have nabion; and by inserting a single letter, to secure a right pronunciation, we have NAHBION.

Many books have been made, binding the reader to advance by the calendar. There may be advantages in such arrangements; but they do not seem to be thoroughly in keeping with that manly freedom vouchsafed by God under the economy of Nature or of Grace. Rules are good for the ordering of one's life, -the rule being a means, a good life the end, yet it is wiser for him to be ever doing the right thing, which is mostly determined by circumstances that are changeable. As we are enjoined by God, however, to keep every seventh day holy, there may be a routine in its public religious services without any felt bondage. While it is believed that this book is of the best kind for Daily Reading, every one can choose whether he will read one chapter, or several, or only a part of one at a time.

In conclusion, the compiler would frankly avow that, in arranging these precious and beautiful verities, it has been his fondly cherished hope that they might beget tastes so refined and elevated, that the inanities of the popular literature shall be less relished and prized than now and heretofore. And he has ventured to believe, notwithstanding the prevailing passion for duodecimos, and for still more diminutive volumes decked with bright colours and gilt, that this stately octavo will be a cherished and life-long companion, and that it will escape the speedy doom of those butterflies of literature, which, after adorning the table or shelf a few weeks or months, are banished to some dingy and obscure lodgement in garret or crypt, that there may be room for the new-comers in glittering array. Such as it is, this work is sent forth on its mission, the compiler being more hopeful that it will be approved by the matured judgments of the considerate and wise, than heedful of the decisions of hasty criticism. It goes

forth, not as a lately turned literary kaleidoscope presenting commonplace thoughts in new relations; but it meets the eye like the nightly dome, all aglow with the priceless gems of inspired truth and poetic genius, whose beauties, fresh and fadeless as the stars, will never weary the thoughtful reader.