Page images
PDF
EPUB

Instances of this kind might be given by the dozen, by the score, by the hundred.

The Bible contains the most instructive history in the world the richest biography. No book delineates character with such accuracy, clearness, brevity, and power. It abounds with the sublimest poetry, the loftiest eloquence, the most overwhelming logic, and, indeed, all the higher beauties of literature; while, at the same time, it lays before us a map of the road that leads to a brighter world. Yet the Bible is not read.

But a short time since, I conversed with a gentleman, who had been assisting the Bible Society to supply every family with a copy of the blessed book. He told me frankly, it was a book he had never read himself.

[ocr errors]

Now, to direct the attention of his young countrymen, in this great and growing republic, to the rich, though neglected treasures contained in God's precious Word, the thrilling interest of Bible themes, the unrivalled beauty of Bible history, the unparalleled grandeur of Bible truth, the unequalled sweetness of Bible religion, the vast and inexhaustible variety of Bible instruction, is the aim and object of

[ocr errors]

ST. CHARLES, MISSOURI, April 10, 1846.

THE AUTHOR.

NOTE.

One word as to the manner of the following work. As my design is to interest the reader in Bible scenes, Bible characters, and Bible truth, I have preferred to use, in the dialogue, the modern rather than the ancient style. This feature of the book is the result of mature deliberation.

Again it is no part of my plan to delineate the character of the fallen angels. Their conversation is used solely as a medium for bringing past events and ancient men before the reader. Should any one object, that the demons are not bad enough, I reply, that this feature of the work, also, was deliberately chosen, as best calculated to answer the design of the Author. This style of presenting Bible subjects was adopted with the hope that many who neglect to read commentaries and sermons, may thus have their attention awakened, and their minds directed to the rich treasures contained in the Holy Oracles.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

CHAPTER XXIX. - David's True Greatness-His Psalms and

-

THE PILGRIMAGE

OF

ADAM AND DAVID.

AN ALLEGORY.

CHAPTER I.

THE CAVERN.

THE sun had gone down behind the distant mountains, and the shadows of a calm and beautiful evening were gathering around. As the daylight faded away, I had been reading the missionary's account of a volcanic eruption in an island of the Pacific Ocean. The narrative excited the highest interest. The trembling of the whole island; the thunders of the convulsed mountain; the immense volumes of ascending smoke, that turned "day into night, and night into darkness; " the volcanic lightning, that now shot up to an inconceivable height, and now, branching out like some gigantic forest tree, glared over the mighty crater; the flood of burning lava, that the mountain vomited forth, which, rolling a river of fire, broad and deep as

« PreviousContinue »