able evidence that it is justly entitled to a place in the sacred canon.

"In addition to the internal evidences of its authenticity which this book presents, we find it quoted by several of the other sacred writers. (See 1 Sam. xii. 9; 2 Sam. xi. 21; Ps. lxviii. 11; Isa. x. 4; x. 26; Acts xiii. 20; Heb. xi. 32.)

In some of its relations, we may trace the origin of mythological fables. In the story of Jephthah's daughter, we see the origin of the sacrificing of Iphigenia, it being usual with the heathens to attribute to their later heroes the glory of the actions of those who lived long before. The Vulpinaria, or feast of the foxes, celebrated among the ancient Romans, in the month of April-the time of the Jewish harvest-in which they let loose foxes with torches fastened to their tails, was derived from the story of Samson, and brought into Italy by the Phoenicians. And in the history of Samson and Delilah, we trace the original of the fable of Nisus and his daughter, who cut off those fatal hairs upon which the victory depended. In addition to which, may be remarked, that the memorials of Gideon's actions, are preserved by Sanchoniathon, a Tyrian writer, who lived soon after Gideon, and whose antiquity as a historian is attested by Porphyry.”— (Allix.)

it

THE BOOK OF RUTH.

"This book, so called from its relating the history of a woman of that name, may be considered as an appendix to the book of Judges, and as an in

troduction to those of Samuel, hence it is placed in our Bibles, between those books. In the Hebrew canon it formed part of the book of Judges, but as it contains a complete narrative of itself, it should not form any part of that book. At the feast of Pentecost this book is publicly read by the Jews, because the circumstances it relates, took place at the time of harvest.

"This book, like the two preceding ones, has been attributed to various authors. Some consider it as the production of Hezekiah; others, as that of Ezra; but the best founded opinion appears to be that which ascribes it to Samuel, and in this the Jews coincide. That it could not have been written before the time of Samuel, is certain from the genealogy recorded in chap. iv. 17-22. The design of the author seems to be to trace the genealogy of David from Judah, from which tribe the Messiah was to spring, according to the prophecy of Jacob.

"The history related in this book, is extremely interesting, and is detailed with the most beautiful simplicity, while it exhibits, in a striking and affecting manner, God's providential care over those who walk in his fear, and sincerely aim at fulfilling his will. It has generally been considered that the Holy Spirit, by recording the adoption of a gentile woman into that family from which the Saviour was to descend, intended to intimate the future admission of the Gentiles into the church, and the comprehensive design of the Christian dispensation."(C. B. Vol. II. p. 279.)

Mr. Paine and other Infidels, have been greatly troubled about the nocturnal interview of Ruth with

Boaz, as though it were a crime of no ordinary magnitude. Not to say, that these gentlemen would not have known any thing about Boaz and Ruth but for the Bible, it is sufficient to observe, from the tenor of their writings, that in all such cases, they judge of others by themselves.

The authenticity of the book of Ruth has never been disputed; and the Evangelists, in their genealogical tables, have followed its history, by placing Ruth among the ancestors of Christ. The several minute and sympathetic circumstances recorded, prove that no forger could have invented it: there is too much of nature to admit any thing of art.

THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL.

"This book contains the political and ecclesiastical history of the Israelites, from the birth of Samuel, during the administration of Eli, to the death of Saul their first king, a period of nearly eighty years, including more particularly, the birth, and call of Samuel to the prophetic office-the mal-administration of Eli's sons-the victory of the Philistines over Israel-capture of the ark-death of Eli, and of his two sons—the punishment of the Philistines for retaining the ark—and their returning it thereupon the consecration of Saul to the kingly office -Samuel's faithful addresses to the people, (chap. 1 to 12,)-Saul's mal-administration and loss of the kingdom-history of David and Jonathan-David's election in the place of Saul-Saul's persecution of David until his final defeat.

"In these books, the author illustrates the char

acters, and describes the events in his history in the most engaging manner. The weak indulgence of Eli is well contrasted with the firm piety of Samuel. The rising virtues of David, and the sad depravity of Saul, are strikingly opposed. The sentiments and instructions scattered throughout are excellent; and the inspired hymn of Hannah, which much resembles that of the blessed Virgin Mary, discloses a grand prophecy of Christ, who is here, for the first time in scripture, spoken of as the Messiah, or anointed of the Lord, whose attributes are proclaimed as those of the exalted sovereign and appointed judge of the earth."-(C. B. Vol. II. p. 323.)

Biblical critics are not agreed as to the author of this and the following book. Father Calmet was of opinion that they were both written by the same person-that they were constructed out of original and authentic documents, and that the compiler has generally used the terms which he found in those memoirs, adding occasionally something of his own by way of illustration. Dr. Clarke says, "The most probable opinion appears to be that which attributes the former part of the first book to the prophet whose name it bears, and the latter part, with the whole of the second book, to the prophets Gad and Nathan. That these three persons committed to writing the transactions of David's reign is certain, from 1 Chron. xxix. 29; where it is said, 'Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer.""

But whoever was the author, it is certain that hea

then writers have borrowed or collected from other sources, many particulars related in these books. (See a case related in the Comprehensive Bible, in the concluding remarks on the first book.) And in addition to this, we have the testimony of the New Testament writers to the truth of the things here recorded. (See Matt. xii. 3,4; Mark ii. 25; Luke vi. 4 ; Acts ii. 29; vii. 46; and xiii. 21-23; Hebrews xi. 32.)

THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL.

"This book carries on the history contained in the first, and brings it down to within about two years of the death of David; including a period of about forty years; and by recording the translation of the kingdom from the tribe of Benjamin to that of Judah, it relates the partial accomplishment of the prediction delivered in Gen. xlix. 10.

"This book contains, more particularly, David's lamentation over Saul and Jonathan-his triumph. over the house of Saul—the conquest of Zion, Jebus, or Jerusalem-the congratulations of Hiram king of Tyre-David's purpose to build a house for the Lord his several victories, sins, domestic and national troubles, chastisements, repentance and restoration to the divine favor-his psalm of thanksgiving, and a catalogue of his mighty men.

"The vicissitudes of events which this book describes; the fall and restoration of David; the effects of his errors, and his return to righteousness, are represented in the most interesting manner, and furnish valuable lessons to mankind. The heinous