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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 86

The Hebrews, their Literature and Religion B. C., with an introduction to the 'New Testament books'

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The Hebrews

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George Booth & Co., Printers. Sydney: 1893. 25 Oxford Street

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"The Hebrews,"

The Jews were an exclusive as well as a peculiar people, by reason of their geographic position and forced contact with those two powerful nations, with either of whom they were in constant strife and subjection, being in almost continuous vassalage from the period of the Hebrew disruption.

From their first appearance in Western Asia, about 2.200 B.C., this branch of the Semitic family occupied the whole of the shore land from the Lebanon slopes to the Nile. During the reign of Usertasen a family of 37 Shemites from Ashba arrived with their asses and goods, and craved permission to settle on the banks of the Nile. We may still see them with their black hair and hooked noses, their little ones carrying toy spears, and their garments of divers colours, like Joseph's. These were the forerunners of numerous hordes who succeeded in conquering the country that gave them hospitality. About the 18th century they seized the Egyptian throne, ousting the reigning Pharoah, thence for about live centuries ruled at Memphis as the Hyksos dynasty, when, by a united and determined effort they were expelled. For ages afterwards the Egyptians felt the humiliation so keenly that they obliterated all records and monuments set up by the shepherd rulers, abhorring even mention of the name. Tradition, as well as the account given by Manetho, quoted by Josephus, corroborate the Exodus version, with this difference, that the position is reversed. The Hyksos, whom we cannot separate from the Hebrews, and whom we are wont to believe were an inoffensive and defenceless host, found a refuge amongst their kinsmen—the Canaanites, protected by natural fences, and who afterwards are distinguished as incessant fighters and raiders, until broken up by superior force. This was a great factor in their national development, from being a colony of perhaps not too peaceful shepherds, filling them with distrust and animus against all outsiders, a feeling requited by the numerous tribes on their borders. The only difference betwixt the Hebrews and the Canaanites whom they dispossessed being, the former were reclaimed and trained to arms, by reason of their long contact with a highly civilised people, whilst the latter were rude nomads and uncult. And although the rites practised by the Semitic race comprised many features in common, yet the Hebrew branch differed in being intensely monotheistic. Let it be remembered, at the period corresponding with the alleged visit of Abraham 2000 B. C., we have abundant proof the Egyptians possessed a religious refinement never since attained, whose central supreme divinity was one God—"He who created all, but is Himself uncreated "—and again "I am that I am," are from the original text—tlie oldest existing record in the world 2,150 B. C. Neither is it unreasonable to believe that those two peoples so closely related, would eventually become blended, the more civilised assuming the protectorate and dominant power, as against all comers.

In the absence of evidence to the contrary, and warranted by numerous facts affirming, the people were illiterate, and clung to their orally treasured traditions with a tenacious fervour unparalleled in the world's history—looking up to their Priesthood with a reverential simplicity and faith—who in return kept them as well as royalty in complete subservience, with a rigour unknown in Assyria or Egypt. By the influx of Assyrians and their captives to replace the deported Israelites, the residue became totally and for all time denationalized. The exiled Hebrews who were transplanted and formed into colonies in Babylonia and Media, although their language, habits, and religion succumbed through contact with other races, who, like themselves, were also exiles, yet they never forfeited their devotion to their page break country or connection, and contrary to the expectation and experience of their conquerors, refused to assimilate with the inhabitants. The Hebrew colonies existed us a standing menace to the Babylonians, for when the Median hosts crossed the frontier, the Jews were the first to welcome and assist the invader by immediate revolt—a service rewarded by liberal concessions. Whatever else may be subscribed to, their literary reputation previous to the captivity cannot be sustained, yet there can be no reasonable doubt copies of Babylonian literature, including the creation legends and other scraps of Arcadian records, were copied and carried to Jerusalem by their Priests and embodied amongst their sacred books. Nearly all Old Testament history has been recast from characters and localities situated within the scope of the Tigris and Euphrates, and their other literature comprised in the Mishna and Talmud, when compared with the Persian sacred books, settle the matter of origin. The Canaanites and Hebrews of the 10th century worshipped the Sun-god—tlie return exiles introduced in Josiah's time the Babylonian ritual, which was succeeded by a third innovation introduced by the Magi or Persian missionaries. Great endeavours have been made by commentators to fix the date of the Avesta books to a period comparatively modern, but the discovery and translation of the Behistan rock inscriptions, cut by order of Darius-Hystaspes 516 B.C. upsets any such theory. Scholars are agreed that their antiquity reaches to a much earlier date than the Jewish monarchy. The doctrine of the Trinity, Incarnation, and Atonement, as well as future rewards and punishment, were innovations introduced after their contact with the Persians, which faith, in the 6th century, dominated all over the Orient. Dean Millman (Hist. Jews) says, "This was the doctrine from the Ganges and the Yellow Sea to the Illissus, the fundamental principle of Indian religion and philosophy—the Platonic Judaism of the Alexandrian school." Bouda and Crishna both suffer violent deaths—and connected with crosses. India is studded with magnificent Temple-ruins, hoary with age, depicting with unmistakable minuteness the cardinal doctrines of Christian faith, which is simply amazing, and if reproduced six centuries later on, Eusebius 325 A. D. our only dependent authority on early Christian history, admits "That christianity was neither new nor strange." When those astonishing stone records were last discovered by missionaries, much secrecy was observed, and attempts were made to deface them before antiquarian scholars could copy. It is certain that the prophetic writings were edited by individuals, who, in every case, were special pleaders drawn from the priesthood, who are continually denouncing in scathing language the conduct of their countrymen, but whose own identity or credibility has not been established. Certain it is, successive revision and additions have so completely altered the original text, that it is hopeless now to ascertain the extent or importance of such alterations, Daniel, one of the latest additions, and Isaiah, one of our oldest prophetic books, and certainly the keystone of Christianity, are undoubted instances of alteration before the Christian period. Professor Sayce, of Oxford, asserts "That very much of our existing Hebrew version has been mis-translated, and other readings introduced at variance with the original text."

The religious poetry contained in Hebrew literature, very many of which are the identical counterpart of the Chaldean "Penitential Psalms" sang in Babylonian temples ages before the Hebrews were located in Canaan, and although called the Psalms of David it is agreed on all sides, many of them cannot be classed earlier than the 3rd century B.C., some as late as the Maccabean period.

The Jews of Palestine after the captivity and destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, lost their native tongue. Assyrians and their captives who had supplanted the deported Jews, intermixing with those who remained, who were of the poorer class. The returned captives born in Babylonia could not have retained their ancestral tongue, and the conquest by the Syrians later on would have completely extinguished the Hebrew, had any remained. (The name Hebrew is derived from "Heber" the grandson of Shem, and the language first so named after the return). We know for a certainty in the 1st and 2nd centuries B.C. the people spoke Arameac, the old Hebrew being retained in the synagogues on the same principle as we preserve Greek and Latin, and the more venerated in consequence. It was customary for one of the Scribes to road daily in the temple and synagogues portions of the "Law and the Prophets" to the intermittant stream of worshippers. The interpreter who stood by the side of the Doctor or Rabbi spoke aloud translating his words in whatever dialect the congregation were familiar, certain portions being left untranslated. The Jews held that there was an oral law to explain the written, which was transmitted to Moses orally, and from him to Joshua, the elders and prophets, page break which practice was supposed to puss by regular succession through the priesthood, who jealously guarded their privileges from the common people. Very much of Jewish theology was hidden and unwritten, the secret meaning passing by word of mouth. The published works of the Jews, after the dispersion, evidence this. The priesthood held a tight grip on the Hebrew rulers; it was they who were believed 10 hold communion with Jehovah concerning battles and marauding expeditions and who were the Privy Council who advised, anointed, and deposed royalty. Josiah was a child of eight years when he was placed on the throne—early moulded by their influences, he grow up a religious and zealous reformer, towards whom they acted as crown regents. In the 18th year of his reign a priest finds the Book (not previously mentioned). sends a message to the King pointing out a text which so alarmed him. that he straightway nominated the High Priest and four others to investigate the discovery, who refer the matter to a wise woman, to know whether the Book was inspired. The answer was a quotation which was found in the Book, a satisfactory guarantee, if all the surroundings were above suspicion. But we cannot overlook the fact, that the wise woman was the wife of a priest, and a relative of the person who was interested in the finding. The King issued an order to have all the nigh places, groves, and other idolatrous worship, which David and Solomon and all the race of Hebrew kings had used for centuries previously, to be destroyed, and the Levitical code with all its innovations, introduced under coercion. It is quite evident the result was only partly successful, for during Zedekiah's reign which followed, idolatry was in full swing. Jeremiah during this period was the leading spirit, political and religious, his preaching was unpopular: he had to hide himself from the fury of the crestfallen citizens, taking refuge in the king's court, eventually fleeing with Zedekiah's family to Egypt, where he wrote his last work from, and where he died. Although residing at or near Jerusalem. many years before and after the discovery, he is silent on the matter. All ancient and modern authorities are agreed, he was the compiler of several of the O. T. books.

The second Book of Esdras (Ezra Apochryphal) is certified by all the early Christians and Jew's as authentic undisputed Scripture. Ezra came from Babylon 450 B.C. as a missionary (his father was a captive priest). He says: "he returned with the Book of the Law, that the original was burnt, that in answer to his prayer for its recovery his memory was strengthened. and he was enabled to remember what he once knew by heart." In this way Ezra is supposed, in a tradition of the Jews of that age, to have reproduced the identical words of the original Pentateuch. If the Book of the Law was found by Hilkiah by accident, then it could not have been restored by Ezra, by having his memory refreshed by the assistance of the Holy Ghost. One account must be wrong, and neither corroborated. All the early traditions favour the supposition that Ezra restored the Pentateuch, and made a collection of the Sacred Books, and more than probable, compiled them at Babylon.

Frequent allusion is made to other books which we must infer were originals. Certain it is paper material could not have been in use in Palestine earlier than the 5th century, the graving tool or stylus still being employed in the 6th century. There exist no example of Hebrew language previous to the 2nd century B.C., only one or two inscription scraps during this century, the undated Siloam one excepted.

During the last quarter of a century, great exertions have been made to bring to the surface fresh material in connection with the early history of the Jews. Every square yard of Palestine has been surveyed and mapped out by a skilled staff of engineers, and every locality where the archaelogist thought likely examined, yet not even a trace of anything which could be taken in corroboration of anything mentioned in the Pentateuch, or indeed any other later period. Every temple, tomb, and obelisk in Egypt, Assyria, and the Orient, has its object lesson; every stone and brick utters its mute yet eloquent testimony of three or four thousand years, giving us the most interesting particulars concerning their social and religious life—but Palestine refuses to tell a single word. The British officers who conducted the excavations at Jerusalem found at a depth of 100ft. amongst the debris, close to the sanctuary walls, numerous specimens of pottery and glassware, adorned with figures representing a winged disc (emblems of the sun-god), as well as numerous representations of across corresponding with the heathen symbol. "A camel's tooth, a long iron nail, some unintelligible marks, numerous remains of lamps with heathen emblems, niches cut in the rock—receptacles for vases which once contained oil, are the only relics of the history of a nation, which, through all time, has touched the world with such mighty influences."

It is certain that the Phoenicians at thin period (10th century B.C.) spoke the page break same language as the Hebrews, and ui t he absence of even a scrap of evidence to corroborate the existence or practice of the Levitical code, this cirumstance points strongly to Hie conclusion, that the inhabitants of Jerusalem were familiar with the idolatrous rites of the surrounding nations, if, indeed, they themselves were not also co-religionists.

The discovery and translation of the "Moabite Stone" (closely allied to Hebrew) is almost of itself decisive on this point, viz., that the Hebrews and the Moabites on their border 75 years after Solomon's time, spoke the .same language worshipped the same deity, and sacrificed the first-born.

These discoveries do not warrant the inference that the Hebrews previous to the Captivity observed the name religious ritual as their descendants the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes of the 1st and 2nd centuries B. C. It points strongly to the conclusion that there was a marked difference betwixt the religious ideas of the 10th century as compared with those five centuries later on. The "Temple Foun dations," as well as the "Moabite Stone" coincidence, places the mutter beyond all reasonable doubt. Independent of this, we must not forget the internal evidence that both David and Solomon were not at any definite period patrons of, or knew anything about, the "Levitical Code," introduced centuries later. Must we forget how they lived and died? Must we subscribe to their pious memory, morality, or humanity? That portion of the Old Testament, viz., Deuteronomy, 1st and 2nd Kings (greater part), and the Chronicles, which record with such marvellous minuteness and reverence the religious ordinances delivered to Moses, were not the contemporaneous memorials of the history they pourtray, but written centuries later on by priestly historians, who themselves had associated with, and become blended with the religious ideas of their Assyrian captors, from whom all the old-world legends of antiquity were transmitted and edited by Ezra, who has the indisputable credit of compiling the greater part of the O. T. canon.

There is no mention of the Ceremonial law or Ten Commandment?, from Joshua's time to Josiah's—a period of eight centuries—nor a single allusion to Moses several centuries before, and three centuries after David's lime, the history of the previous five centuries being shut down.

Must we subscribe to the belief that by direct order from Jehovah tens of thousands of Midianites—thousands of women and children were butchered in cold blood—thousands of young women were taken as slaves—and Jehovah's tribute of 32 virgins for the priests, as described in Numbers? Yet, as Bishop Colenso points out, "Is it possible that not one of these 80,000 Canaanite soldiers struck a single death blow, for all he held near and dear?" Or to David's inhuman cruelties, which rival anything recorded in Pagan history; and this, too, under cover of Jehovah's direction. Tempted by Satan, he orders a census of the fighting population, against God's wish (numbering upwards of a million and a quarter), who to avenge the act, smote 70,000 innocent people, sparing the culprit; Japtha kill of their brethren 42,000; Benjamin kill of their brethren 40,000; and the Israelites of the Benjaminites 43,000. all men of valour. Again, the Philistines slew of Israel 30,000 footmen; David slew of the Syrians 40,000 horsemen; Pekah, King of Israel, slew of Judah one day 120,000 sons of valour, and carried captive 200,000 women, sons, and daughters. Again, in the Jewish Civil war, Abijah with 40,000, against Jeraboam, with 800,000, the latter losing 500,000 chosen men. This terrible slaughter amongst the Jews themselves! At the Battle of Waterloo Wellington's combined forces amounted to 67,000. the loss of the allies being only 4,000 men, and this, too, with much more destructive weapons. Again, how Moab, Ammon, and Edom came down against Jehoshaphat, who had a standing army of 1,116,000, and so soon as the Levites began to sing the enemy fell against each other, so completely did they destroy each other that none escaped. No commentator has yet been found to deal with the above statistics.

The last act of David was to order to execution several old men; and the first act of Solomon was to murder his brother to make sure of the throne—killed Joab and depose the High Priest to fulfil the word of Jehovah. The memories of Henry, Cromwell, and Buonaparte we teach our children to detest, whilst we shock their sensibilities in the attempt to mix pious poetry with cruelty and profligacy. Neither can we overlook that David and Solomon, whose numerous wives were idolatrous princesses, their many marriages with the surrounding nations, their harems contained over one thousand concubines, for whom they built high places, burned incense, sacrificed to strange gods, taking part in the same. It was customary during the Judges and during David's time to have private altars, and priests page break maintained to minister thereto, in which were enshrined idols meant as images to Yahveh. That human sacrifices were offered, fire and serpent worship, as well as the sun and moon (Sabean) worship, were practised until a very late period, by both houses of Israel and Judah—certainly as late as Jeremiah's time, who, from Egypt shows conclusively, that the Hight Places were frequented down to the latest days of Judah. "The entire ancient world practised human sacrifice, yet none adhered to the terrible custom so temciously as the Cannanite, not excluding the ceremonial Hehrew. Not only during the historic period, but down to a date so absolutely recent as the 1st century of our own era, the sacrifice of the first-born was practised as the most precious offering within human power to estow. This obligation we find formally and unconditionally recognised by the Hebrews, the only Semitie people whose laws are before us in their entirely. The notable passage in Exodus xxii. 29 is an important point, but which afterwards became modified to more reasonable limits. Human sacrifices, especially of children, were a standing institution among other Semithc, as well as the Canaanite races, when the Jews make their appearance on the historic stage. And however far modified, the fact remains, that during a occasions of national peril, and actuated by religious frenzy, human sacrifice was frequently resorted to, previous to, and during the Hebrew monarchy, up to a late period. In mannasseh, Amos, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah's time, the Jews had so thoroughly adopted the custom, that outside the walls of Jerusalem the sacrificial pyres were constantly alight—and frequently fed with child victims. Bishop Eusebius, A.D. 325, mentions a Pharnician preiest, who lived 1000 B.C., who relates a legend, "That the Supreme God, in a time of trouble, offered up His Son to Heaven."

It is extremely startling to find so many Biblical incidents illustrative of this practice, more particularly that one related in Genesis xxii. Judges xi., and II Kings iii., this is confirmed in a remarkable manner by the Moabite Stone" inscription. This execrable custom was at last stopped at Carthage by the Pro-Consul Tiberius, a contemporary of Christ.

Major Conder, R. E. (Palestine Exploration) Exploration) alluding to human sacrifices practised in Palestine, remarks. "The memory of such deeds yet lingers in the minds of the peasantry, when they ignorantly accuse the Jews of annually playing a Christian child at the Passover—a calumny that has been handed down even to our own day." "Other instances of various peoples might be quoted, tending to show how increasing culture taught a new, and nobler, and purer faith, the certainty that the giver of life and human affections could not delight in wanton slaughter, and the tramping out the very feelings it inspired, as the holiest and sweetest in nature."

Solomon's temple was without doubt copied from Phoenician and Assyrian models. The cherubim was a mythical figure; a triad, human head, body of a best, wings of an eagle, the dimensions tallying with Assyrian and Egyptian sculptures; the brazen pillars and the 12 bulls supporting the great laver, all belong to the worship of the Sun-god, and his high places at Mount Olives for Moluch ami Chemosh, Chinum and Askeroth, the Moon-goddess, and his taking part therein. David's obscene dance around the Ark was not proscribed by, nor had any reference to the "Mosaic Code." but certainly was connected with the Sun-god.

Major Conder declares" he was amazed to witness at Jerusalem an idolatrous ceremony connected with this worship."

Bishop Browne (Ed. Com. Book Genesis) "The work of the Episcopal Bench of England," speaking of the similarity of Mosaic Laws with Egyptian, says, "If these customs were delivered to Moses by Jehovah, it is amazing that they were copied from Egyptian idolatries." Recent discoveries at Babylon make it certain the returned Jews brought with them new customs, ritual, and dialect, to find the whole land inundated with a hybrid race, permanently located, Jerusalem became the centre of an infuriated, maddened community, in their struggles with invaders, internal strife, and religious frenzy, incited and led to conflict by priests find prophets, who, whilst wearing the ephol brandished the scimitar, which never ceased until their destruction by Vespasian in the first, and final dispersion by Hadrian the 2nd century. Such a terrible record of bloodshed and cruelty no country or people has ever presented. Nor can we wonder that they accepted the doctrine a Messiah, under conditions more in touch with constitutional grievances. For 2000 years continuously, Jerusalem and its environs has been a human slaughter yard. Never, within a given area, has the earth been so saturated with blood violently shed. If this fact claims solemn recognition, then of a surety this page break land, above all others, is assuredly "Holy." whilst its people, as is asserted, were "God's own." From the 10th century B.C. until the 11th A.D. Jerusalem was invested by regular siege 22 separate occasions, and eight times laid level, Its present streets, in places, are 40 feet above the ancient pavements; nor can a single building be identified as belonging to the Herodian period, excepting two or three tombs, battered almost beyond recognition. The secret of its greatness consisted in its hidden water supply, as well as the natural impregnable security it offered its possessors, who preyed on every tribe and province within measure of their aggressive stroke, which only, the matchless prowess of the Assyrians could repel, who also derived their national existence by wholesale freebooting.

Palestine proper measures 40 miles by 120—not quite so large as Wales—and but for its legendary and historic association offers no inducement for settlement, nor could support an average European population, without seaports, commercial organisation or natural products to form the basis of exchange, yet we find the fortress of Jerusalem always stored with precious metals and art treasures, and the Egytians, Assyrians, Moabites and Romans, make mention of rich trophies carried from thence on occasions when they were overpowered by superior force. Need the question be asked : how came they by them With the dispersion, also went their newly acquired dialect. Arameac, the language of Syria and Arabia (still called Hebrew), and like the original has a traditional reading. Our present knowledge is in a great measure guesswork, depending principally upon the definition and honesty of half-educated scribes, whose credibility we are forced to accept.

It Is a remarkable fact that all the prophets and historians from the Josiah period were cither schooled at or under Babylonish influence, on whom alone we are absolutely dependent for the wonderful mysteries of God's will, whose gifts and inspirations are yet a mere hypothesis, of which the possessors tell us no single word, who frequently charge each other with prophecying falsely, as well as with falsifying the text.

Our version of the Isaiah book represents a period covering three centuries, its composition shows that at least three editors have taken part in its construction, baffling all attempts of Churchmen to reconcile—and who ingeniously gloss over the fatal inferences with which it teems, by classing the Book as the earlier, and and the later Isaiah (23 chapters), whilst no attempt has been made to show whether the Greek. Samaritan or Hebrew versions (each differing in many important particulars) represent the original text. Neither do Church scholars attempt to explain the difficulty of identifying anonymous individuals, claiming supernatural powers—the-lesser lights are left to shuffle through the inexplicable as best they can. This fact stands out prominent by reason of its momentous issue, which suggest some questions which must be faced by those who have to do with the Church of the future, viz., Are those prophecies God's own word by the mouth and pen of Isaiah, or were they indicted by the Persian Magi who introduced the the Messiah doctrine, whoso Government ruled over Palestine? There being two editors, which one is fictitious? There are three versions not earlier known than 280 B.C., which one contains the original text? Lastly, upon whose authority besides Jewish priests are we relying for the authenticity and inspiration of Isaiah?

Previous and up to the time the Hebrew sacred books were compiled, their unwritten law was transmitted orally, the vowels were omitted from the alphabet, the language being expressed by consonants only, the former being supplied by the reader's knowledge—a monopoly retained by "the priesthood. When the vowel points were substituted by the Jewish doctors of the 7th century, a period when the language for several centuries had ceased to be spoken, its sense being read traditionally, and through this cause the original text had become perverted and its reading doubtful. This omission in the first instance, must have been the result of design, which reduced the language to a skeleton, inaccessible except to those who were educated within the sacred pale. The Kabbala, a species of secret or cipher writing, had mystical meanings known only to the initiated, the key which is believed to have been handed to Moses and passed on by him. Many portions of Jewish literature are held to have secret meanings, specimens aw identified in Jeremiah's work. Jerome, in the 4th century, alludes to it, and Capt. Conder, R.E., states he was assured by the highest Palestinian Jewish Rabbins that a similar practice still exists, however little known, amongst Jews generally. The Mazorets introduced the points, as well as other means, to check further decay and fix its permanence, Hebrew was first studied in Europe about the 16th century, page break and but for the early Greek and Latin versions would have proven a complex study. No MSS. of Hebrew have been preserved earlier than the 11th century, which places modern scholars at a disadvantage. Professor Sayce, amongst others, has shown that many passages in our Authorised Version have been translated at random, as well as other readings introduced at variance with the original text, caused by the many centuries of blank ignorance that pervaded all Chrisendom.

Summarised, the position stands thus: The Semitic family became the missionaries, colonisers, and almost the conquerors, of the old world, principally by diplomacy and enterprise—none so remarkably conspicuous as the Phœnicians—the Hebrews running a good second. We see them about the period of the alleged visit of Abraham dropping family after family amidst the rich alluvial plains of the Delta, accepting the hospitality of the unsuspicious Egyptians, biding their time, they suddenly become masters of an empire, at once the most fertile, as well as possessing the most refined civilisation the world has ever seen up to the present century—"Spoiling them for live centuries."

The Hebrews stand pre-eminent amongst their race as assailants, and but for the superior military skill and resources of their kinsmen the Assyrians (who crushed them for ever) would have accomplished by force of arms, what the Phœnicians had done by cleverness and enterprise. Both lacked originality, but were gifted with great powers of copying and improving on their models. Within the past few years, through the spirited enterprise of the Trustees of the British Museum, important discoveries have been made, several libraries containing Babylonian literature, numbered and classed, have been exhumed from beneath the ruins of fortress-palaces of the old world, where they have lain for 2500 years, free from the touch of monkish improvers, and their accidental deciphering is throwing a new and interesting light upon the history of the Semitic race.

We now possess the veritable originals from which the principal part of our Hebrew literature were drawn, and which existed ages before the appearance; of the "Sons of Canaan over the Lebanon range."

It is to Assyria and Egypt we must look for the early history of the O.T. Here existed the cradle of our common humanity. Nearly all the Genesis book, names and incidents are woven from those originals, which possess the priceless advantage of being preserved intact from revisers. The historical books are not so distinguished, reverses are frequently omitted, sometimes reversed—the general style of the narrator, tending to magnify.

The more we investigate Jewish history, the more we become assured that their ritual was a jumble, cleverly adopted from surrounding nationalities, boldly asserting it to be the special conception and ordering of the Great Creator Himself, for His chosen people. Certain it is, their religious, political, and national life was constantly undergoing changes, the result of internal strife and foreign collusion, and by the complete absence of national memorials, resolve nothing but vacant conjecture; but their relations with other nations, possessing the skill and courage of handing down to posterity something more than a legendary history supplies us with that, which they in their wisdom refuse to supply.

Whatever else may be said against the Jews as being aggressive, exclusive, or want of originality, since the final compilation and classification of their sacred literature, none can challenge their honesty, tenaciously clinging to, and jealously guarding their sacred books, from being interfered with by zealots and forgers, and who frequently accuse the Christians with falsifying the prophecies. Through all their chequered fortunes they did their best to keep their Scriptures intact. To this vigilance is certainly due so lew interferences with the Greek version. Since the 3rd century A.D. the Hebrew with all its drawbacks, regulating revision, and checking pious fraud. The Mazorets of the 7th century adopted an ingenious method of notation, which stopped future interference. Josephus is credited with being a truthful as well as an accurate historian; he frequently asserts that his compilation was drawn from Hebrew originals, and that he consulted other Hebrew literature besides the sacred books, between the works handed down to us as the product of his pen and the Hebrew Bible, there are such vast discrepancies, which leave no doubt one or other must have suffered severely through improvers, during an age when a fanatical craze for pious literature permeated every religious centre (viz. 150 to 250 A.D.). It is noticeable that in nearly every case the quotations of Christ are taken from the Septuagint. Josephus admits that he was not a Greek scholar previous to the destruction; and although Paul was fluent in his native tongue, yet he addressed the multitude from the page break Citadel in Hebrew. Jewish coins of this century are stamped with Hebrew emblems. The "Mishna" forbids any Jew to learn Greek whilst the" Gamera" cites the proverb. "Cursed be he who teaches his son the Greek wisdom." Ami yet there are those who well knowing; this, for reasons, persist in advocating Greek the language of Palestine in the 1st century. Mad the early Christians acted equally honest with the primary Gospels, much of the heresies and schisms which tore assunder the first Christian schools, would have been avoided. :Most people are not aware that our present New Testament was not known 150 years after Christ. Here exists the missing link—where it should be the strongest, there is none!

The most accomplished New Testament scholar of this or any preceding age, Dr. Westcott (late Professor. Oxford). Bishop of Durham, states?. "The first period of the Christian Church ending with 170 A.D. cannot he too often repeated, is truly the dark age of the Christian Church. The evidence is fragmentary both in character and substance. The evidence of Christian writers before this period comprise a few consoling letters- two or three apologies to heathens, a controversy with a Jew, a vision, and a scanty gleaming of fragments of lost works—comprise all the Christian literature up to the middle of the 2nd century." The four oldest MSS. of Christian literature we possess (the Muratori excepted) are not classed earlier than live centuries after Christ, and there are good reasons for believing that (excepting the Vatican Codex) the others are copies by a modern hand from an early style to enhance their value. All are more or less erased and interpolated by successive revisers. Concerning the "Muratori," Professor Westcott declares "that it is a mass of errors, erasions, and additions; that the 2nd century original, from which it was copied, was similarly constructed." Neither do we possess a single MS. exempt from this practice. It has recently been discovered that of one collection of MSS., numbering 200, preserved in an Edinburgh library, one only is what it professes to be and many others treasured as sacred relies, have given way under the lens of the scientist. Neither have the British Museum experts been proof against similar subtle impositions. The practice is a lamentable blot, not only as against the Christians of the Roman period, but we can trace it right down, until stopped by the printing-press. Whilst this being the case, it is also well known there exist in the many famous European libraries, numbers of ancient MSS. scholars arc not permitted access to, which, if allowed to see light, would cause such sensational unrest as might produce an entire change in many of our religious conceptions. We must presume, those who control those relics of early religious literature have weighty reasons for suppressing them. The Old Testament being extant in three separate languages, although differing in many important particulars, was better able to withstand the 2nd century rage for spurious literature. Several writers, who are honoured with the term "Christian Fathers," writing at this period, inform us "that oral testimony was considered more reliable than written records." and when first introduced in the latter hall of the 2nd century, were supported only in proportion as their contents were in harmony with the Prophetic Books. With those facts before us, corroborated by historic data, it remains, that the Scripture version now placed in our hands. has been so often reconstructed by monks as well as by leaders of the numerous opposing schools of theology, in an age when books were rare, when blank ignorance and bitter acrimony were the distinguishing qualities ever met with amongst the adherents of the new faith, each sect altering their copies to suit their own views, The numerous Gospels current in the 2nd century (in all about 30), dealing with the life of Jesus, Mary, &c., Written by anonymous persons, in countries far distant from Palestine, a century-and-a-half from Herod's time, who had no means of testing the accuracy of heresay statements, yet were read and accepted as authentic Scripture, many copies and extracts are still preserved—some of them existed previous to the publication of our New Testament, which was compiled upon similar lines, differing by the admission that they were imitations of some previous alleged writers. These evidences attest the fact that the composition of the former were widely different from the latter. first identified as one Gospel resembling Luke's, and ten Epistles by Paul brought to Rome by Marcion 180 D. D., and called the "Sacred Canon." We have handed down to us MSS. of the New Testament five centuries after

Christ, but it is the intervening period which has up to the present been the mysterious gap where the great mischief has been wrought. The quotations by all previous writers make it certain extensive alterations were made in the 3rd century editions Many years elapsed before the N.T. Canon was founded, Church and State combined being unable to persuade the numerous sects to accept page break the selected books as inspired, finally welding all into one church, known thence- forward as the "Roman Catholic." Nor was it until the close of the 7th century—a period when the whole world was enveloped in profound darkness, that the N.T. was accorded an authentic position—several books being disputed ever since, Luther declaring "that some of them deserved tossing into the Elbe."

The work of reconstruction was continuous, simple but effective; all old copies were destroyed, each successive reviser improving on his predecessor. Pagans joined issue with Christians in this deplorable practice from different motives, and later on the Catholic Church, who have been the custodians, translators, and copyists of those Books for at least twelve centuries—the most antique and valued specimen of which, now preserved at the Vatican, is a lamentable proof of revision-tinkering. Bushels of relies have been handed down from the Herodian period, well and truly vouched for as being authentic, but not a vestige of documentary or inscribed evidence earlier than the 5th century, excepting the "Muratori fragment," previously alluded to. This great interval at the start is most unsatisfactory, which foree sus to fall back on tradition, which was considered in the 2nd century the more reliable medium. Books were rare, expensive to copy, their editors looked upon with suspicion, useless except to a few, who, with a smattering of philosophy, aspired to become religious leaders (sometimes called Bishops) forming sects bearing their name, numbering upwards of 50 separate schools about the middle of the 3rd century, all using gospels suited to their own particular doctrine. This bred social conflict with Judaism amongst the Christians themselves, as well as with Paganism: the former protesting that their quotations were not found in the Jewish books, the latter that most of their innovations were copied from pagan originals. This new departure drew the attention of the civil power who looked upon those sects as dangerous demoniacs—which was the direct canse of the cruel persecutions.

The first Christians are repeatedly spoken of as not remarkable for intelligence or social position, their simple simple theology being traditional, orally communicated. The Romans describe the prisoners brought from Jernasalem after the Destruction as being a refractory lot, much addicted to sorcery and divination. The office of Exorcist (the gift of the Holy Ghost) amongst the Christians of the 2nd and 3rd centuries being considered of great importance, which eventually merged into the dominant Church, and when taken in connection with the above circumstance has a specific significance. Miracles were mighty as they were continuous, many of them as well attested as those mentioned of the 1st emtury—notably the vision which appeared to Constantine vouched for Bishop Eusebius, our mainstay authority on Ecclesiastic history.

The position summarised stands thus—the disciples were illiterate and spoke a peculiar idium of Hebrew yet our Gospels were written in classic Greek. There is not a particle of evidence to show when or where they were written, none to show that their alleged writers ever lived or wrote, or that our copies are identical transcripts of their work. There does exist undoubted testimony that they do not now represent the text of the Gospels at the commencement of the 3rd century.

"Christian Evidence Lecturers" always make sure of a good start by repeating the assertion "That the whole Christian world believe in New Testament revelation," steering clear of the historic evidence upon which this belief rests—the issue dependent is fraught with awful importance, and above all others should be clearly established. All God's works will stand investigation, and why not the most important proposition ever placed before the human mind?

In temporal matters before we build a mansion or purchase the site, we investigate the validity of the title deeds; if we are not competent we consult an expert, but we take care not to employ any who may he interested in the conveyance. In spiritual affairs we have taken too much on trust, the title deeds of our eternal mansion should not be left wholly to those who cater for our souls. Biblical expositors dealing with this subject are often inexplicible—here and there facts are picked out, spiced with unsupported tradition, dished and served with satisfactory relish to the apathetic multitude, whilst the main facts arc suppressed. "Nothing" writes Jerome to his colleague Augustine, "pleases the masses better than verbiage—the less they know, they more they admire." 'The subtle satirist saint of the 4th century was a mere novice compared with his more accomplished successors of the who preach universal liberty and charity, yet stoutly defend the principles of the immortal pillar of Romanism.

Thousands of Church-scholars have observed this gulf to be bridged over, and page break shared in the abortive attempt to bolster up alleged facts. to stifle and distort history, refusing to give expression to honest conviction, the result of impartial critical investigation. Such is the force of a hoary-honoured custom whose foundations are surrounded by the halo of Ecclesiastic usage, those daring to let in new light upon old established beliefs, would subject themselves to the execration of united Chriseudom.

It is fortunate for the peace of all concerned that few laymen are competent to deal with the new science aptly termed the "Higher Criticism." by reason of the very special qualification required. Nor are the clergy alive to the necessity of becoming Biblical experts for this very reason—those of whom are so distinguished rise to positions of influence and prolit. an essential as well as a mighty factor in smoothing conscientious scruples, and when occasions do arise requiring the application of scientific investigation, it is painful observe the guarded expedient to temper analysis with doctrinal exegesis, as well as popular sentiment. And it is also worthy of notice that all our literature dealing with this subject is edited by those who follow it as a profession, and who. for a measurable period of 6000 years, have, by magic terrorism and sophistry, exercised a tremendous, influence ever mankind—always the same watchword and altar-cry—Givel Give!

Myriads of people come into the world, pass from the cradle to the without ever troubling to analyse the origin or bed-rock upon which their hopes and fears in eternity rest upon, reposing with implicit confidence on the vouchers I given by our Priests and Commentators. Such it was ever!

The present endeavour is an honest one, to get at the primary source of our sacred literature at any cost, Let there be no beating about the bush. If the matter brought to the surface are truths, which challenge refutation, why should men join in the pack-cry of infidelity, first raised by priests and monks, floated down the stream of time to our own day. when the swadling swathes of ignorance and credulity are being rift asunder by advanced deliberation and scientific research?

Apdnx.—The Hieroglyphics on the title page represent an inscription engraved on one of the pillars of the magnificent Temple of Karnak, describing the plundering of Jerusalem, and caputre of Rehoboam, as mentioned in II Chron. xii. and I Kings xiv. The Cuneiform is a proclamation by Senacherib ordering the destruction of Lachist (Is. xxxvi.), and says further "Hezekiah I shut up like a bird in a cage."

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