farther exertions in this delightful science, seem rather to lead the way and beckon on to new discoveries.

It is worthy of remark, that true science is the friend and the handmaid of revelation. Little wits and smatterers in learning have indeed triumphantly detected supposed fallacies and contradictions in the Holy Book, and have made themselves profanely merry at the credulity of its friends and advocates. But their shallow and frivolous objections have in the end served the cause they were designed to injure; by leading to a more careful and thorough investigation of whatever appeared difficult or confused; from which ordeal the truth and beauty of the sacred scriptures have ever come forth as gold purified by the fire. All the researches and advances of learned men in the languages of scripture; all comparison with ancient history and poetry; and all the remarks of intelligent travellers, on eastern geography, manners, and customs, concur in establishing the truth, and illustrating the propriety, of Scripture sentiments, language, and allusions.

Let our young friends then be encouraged to devote the leisure and the vivacity of youth to this most interesting of all pursuits-a knowledge of the sacred scriptures. Let them endeavour to acquire

a correct and a connected acquaintance with the histories of the Bible; let them take pleasure in tracing and investigating the literal meaning or implied Instruction, of figurative and local allusions and expressions; and we venture to say, that if they once imbibe a taste for scripture lore, it will be needless to caution them against the frivolous and insipid trash, on which so many young persons waste their precious hours, and by which their taste is debased, their minds are enfeebled, and their hearts corrupted.

It is the design of the following pages to assist the youthful student in his pursuit of Scriptural knowledge. It will be the endeavour of the writer to present instruction in a familiar form, that it may prove both attractive and intelligible. May the Holy Spirit of God open the eyes of the reader to discern the beauties of the sacred page, and apply its truths to his heart, so as to make him wise unto salvation!

I.-FROM THE CREATION TO THE FALL OF MAN.

§ 1. Of the Creation in general.-GEN. i.*

BEFORE CHRIST 4004.

IT is one of the first questions that presents itself to the mind of a reasonable creature, 'How came this world and all the race of mankind into existence?" and to this question the very first chapter of the Bible furnishes a satisfactory answer. "In the beginning God created" all. The wisest of heathens, destitute of the light of divine revelation, stumbled

* The first five books of the Bible were written by Moses, and are called the PENTATEUCH, a word of Greek original, which literally signifies the five instruments, or books. This collective name is very ancient, though we are not certain when it was first introduced. The books themselves were written in Hebrew, which is, almost beyond a doubt, the original language. We cannot be certain that it was the language spoken by Adam in Paradise, yet there is every reason to believe that it was the universal language at the dispersion. The words are very short and expressive. The

on the grossest errors and absurdities, in their conJectures on this subject. Some imagined that the world had always existed in its present state; others, that it was composed of a set of atoms which came together by chance; and others framed in their minds a set of fictitious deities, to whom they assigned various departments in the creation and government of the world. Thus they chose different paths of error, but all alike wandered from the truth. The world by wisdom knew not God," 1 Cor. i. 21. But the truth, that was never discovered by the most sagacious speculations of men, it is given to the faith of the humble Christian, who receives the testimony of the Bible, to know and understand;-"that the worlds were framed by the word of God," Heb. xi. 3. We are informed by those skilled in the original languages of the Scriptures, that the word commonly translated GOD has a plural signification, yet is joined to singular verbs; thus early intimating to us that great mystery, afterwards more explicitly revealed, the plurality and unity of the Godhead. In reading the account of the creation, we shall do well to compare

names of places describe their nature, situation, accidental circumstances, &c. and those of brutes express their nature and properties, more significantly and accurately than any other known language in the world. The names also of ancient nations are of Hebrew origin, being derived from the names of the descendants of Noah, as the Assyrians from Ashur, &c.-the names given to the heathen deities farther confirm the antiquity and originality of the Hebrew language; Jove appears to have been derived from Je. hovah, Saturn from Satan, Vulcan from Tubal Cain.

it with other passages of Scripture: for this purpose, a Bible with marginal references is very useful, but not too far to burden the patience of our young readers, we will only refer them to two or three as tending to establish some most important and fundamental articles of the Christian faith. With Gen. i. 1. compare John i. 1-3. Heb. i. 1-10. and with Gen. i. 2—26. ii. 7. compare Prov. viii. 22-31. Psalm civ. 29, 30. Eccles. xii. 7. Ezek. xxxvii. 1-10. Rom. viii. 11.

"God created." To create, is to make out of nothing, and this is the work of God alone. No artificer ever attempted to work without materials to work upon. Man can alter, add, mix, in ten thousand various ways, the substances that surround him, but he cannot create, nor can he destroy, a single atom; every particle of matter at first called into existence by the creating word of God, remains undeminished to the present day. The vastness and

the minuteness of creating power and wisdom are most sublimely described, Isa. xl. 12. where it is said that the great Creator "measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance."

The worlds were made by the power of God; he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. How remarkable is it then that the Sovereign Lord, who by the breath of his mouth called al.