AND ANTIQUITIES, MENTIONED IN THE SACRED SCRIPTURES. WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS. HARTFORD: INTRODUCTION: In order to a correct understanding of various parts of Scripture, information is needed as to many Eastern Arts and Antiquities. A knowledge of these sheds much light on the sacred pagé, which would otherwise be lost to the reader. It unfolds to him the beauty of the numerous figures drawn from the various works of Eastern Art; and it removes many difficulties, which ever and anon rise before him, when he does not understand Oriental usages. We may illustrate this subject, by a reference to a transaction recorded Luke v. 19. It is there said, of the friends of the man suffering under the grievous affliction of palsy, that anxious to obtain for him a cure at the hands of our Lord"When they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch in the midst before Jesus." Now, a person unacquainted with the Oriental mode of building is at a loss to know how this could have been effected. Skeptics, indeed, acquainted. only with European architecture, have adduced this statement as unworthy of credit. But if the reader will turn to the article on the "Habitations of the Jews," he will there discover that this statement, in the sacred narrative, is not only perfectly consistent with truth, but that at the present day (for oriental usages remain unchanged) such an event might occur; and his mind will be thereby fortified against the assaults of the artful and designing, of those who would turn him aside from the paths of holiness and peace. To the youthful portion of our readers, we would more especially recommend a diligent attention to the many interesting subjects which will be found in the following pages. For them the work has been chiefly prepared, and to these important ends that their knowledge of Scripture may be enlarged that their faith in its truth may be confirmed and that it may be said of each of them, as the apostle Paul said of Timothy, "From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus," 2 Tim. iii. 15. |