THE ISRAELITES FOUND IN THE ANGLO-SAXONS. THE TEN TRIBES SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN LOST, TO THEIR OCCUPATION OF THE ISLES OF THE SEA: WITH AN EXHIBITION OF THOSE TRAITS OF CHARACTER AND NATIONAL OF THE HEBREW PROPHETS BY WILLIAM CARPENTER, AUTHOR OF SCIENTIA BIBLICA,' SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY,' 9366 "GUIDE TO THE READING OF THE BIBLE, LECTURES ON BIBLICAL CRITICISM AND " ETC., ETC, ETC. London: GEORGE KENNING, 198, FLEET STREET; 1, 2, and 3 PREFACE. THE following pages were written for the Freemason, the organ of the Craft in the United Kingdom, in which periodical they appeared, from week to week. It will be seen by the Introductory chapter that the subject was suggested by a striking peculiarity which pervades the ceremonial rites of the Craft, and which links it closely with the written and traditional history of the Hebrew race. But, although, such was the circumstance that suggested the penning of these pages, there is nothing in the treatment of the subject that should confine its interest to Freemasons. It is a subject that embraces, in its wide interest, the whole Saxon race, and through that race, the world at large. "The sure word of prophecy" depicts a glorious destiny for Israel, as the messengers or missionaries of God's grace and mercy to mankind, through whom Judah is to be regenerated and restored, and the fulness of the Gentiles to be brought in; and if the identity of the Saxon race with the Israelites is shown to be highly probable -which the author has essayed to show in the following pages-many passages of prophecy and of history, hitherto doubtful or perplexing, will become clear, as important incidents in the mysterious but merciful working of divine Providence, and as important lessons of divine teaching 593500 The author has great pleasure in acknowledging his obligations to Mr. Hine, whose pamphlet on "Our Israelitish Origin," first directed his attention to the subject, and to whom he has been indebted for many hints and suggestions; for although his mode of treating the question differs greatly from the mode adopted by Mr. Hine, and some of whose "identifications" appear to the writer of these pages to be far-fetched or fanciful, he has the merit of having placed the subject in a striking light, and of having awakened a wide and lively interest in it. But it is to the late excellent and indefatigable Mr. John Wilson that the world and the churches are indebted for the flood of light that has been thrown upon the Israelite question, and for much of the deep interest which many learned and pious men, lay and clerical, now take in it. It was not until after this book had been nearly printed off that the author had an opportunity of seeing more of Mr. Wilson's writings on Our Israelitish origin than his Lectures on "Ancient Israel," to which he has more than once referred in the following pages. That book, however, forms but a small portion of Mr. Wilson's contributions towards the elucidation of a subject of such momentous import as the one to which the following His pages relate. "Title Deeds of the Holy Land," and his "Mission of Elijah," are both works in which the subject is handled with much skill and in a becoming spirit, and, as well as many carefully written articles in "The Watchmen of Ephraim," they will largely repay a careful perusal. Nor should the author omit to name the Rev. F. R. A. Glover's " England the Remnant of Judah, and the Israel of Ephraim,” in which, by a collection of curious facts, and a process of ingenious and plausible reasoning, he attempts to prove that England has in her Royal family the stem of Jesse, and the fostered remnant of Judah; and that she is, in her origin and descent, the reality of Joseph, in her own position; and the Ephraim of Israel, or the Ephraim of Jacob, in that of her colonies. If the author be found to have added anything to what these laborious writers have contributed towards the elucidation of this question-What has become of the Ten Tribes of Israel ?-he will have his reward. The mode in which he has treated the subject differs considerably from that of his predecessors, and may help to strengthen the conclusions at which they had arrived, if he be not found to have furnished any additional fact in confirmation of them. The historical enquiries involved in the investigation of the subject are of a most interesting description, and if the author's sight, and the time at his disposal had permitted of it, he would gladly have enlarged his plan. As it is, he may perhaps hope that his book will furnish some facts and suggestions that will stimulate further enquiries, and lead to still more convincing results. Assured he is, that on the identification of our race with that of Israel momentous results depend. If we have Abraham for our father, our mission is as important and as imperative as our privileges and blessings are great and glorious. The course of all things around us indicates some |