In relation to the period when the art of writing was communicated to other nations, as might be well supposed, different views have been expressed by different men. It is obvious that the Hebrews had no opportunity of communicating with other nations either during their forty years in the Desert, or the time of Joshua's conquests or government. The period between the death of Joshua and the government of Samuel, as characterized by the reign of the Judges, was marked by great corruption and degeneracy. Milman, in his history of the Jews, well describes it as "the heroic age of Jewish history, abounding in wild adventure and desperate feats of individual valour." During this rude and unsettled period, a period of above four hundred years, they were scarcely fitted to receive, or extend instruction of any kind. Under the government of Samuel, the literature of the nation may be said to have taken its rise. He founded a school of the Prophets; he was the author of the earlier part of the life of David; and he wrote a treatise on civil government, which was called “the manner of the kingdom," for the instruction of Saul, the first king. David was a Prince of highly cultivated mind, and greatly elevated the nation in arts and in arms. It was not, however, until the distinguished reign of Soloman, that the Hebrew state attracted the attention of the surrounding nations, and became as remarkable for its wisdom, as for its wealth and splendour. The reign of this Prince was the

zenith of Israel's glory. It was to the Hebrew nation, what the present century has been to Germany; what the reign of Anne was to Britain ; the reign of Louis XIV. to France; the Pontificate of Leo X. to Italy; the reign of Augustus Cæsar to Rome; and the influence of Pericles to Greece. Solomon's court was the most splendid and enlightened court in the world. The whole country of Palestine was then classic ground. It was a time of profound peace; and the people were no longer the sport of the sword and the pestilence. Agriculture and commerce, lucrative occupation of every kind, and unobstructed international intercourse had rendered their land and their metropolis "the beauty of perfection, and the joy of the whole earth." Never had the nation so favorable an opportunity of forming and executing the noblest and most useful designs, and of extending its influence for the melioration of our race. It is most probable that it was not until about this period that the knowledge of letters passed from the Hebrews to the Pagan world, and especially to the Phoenicians, the Egyptians, and the Chaldeans; each of which had peculiar facilities for becoming acquainted with the Hebrew language.*

The researches of able Chronologists give weight to this opinion. David and Solomon were contemporaneous with Hiram in Phoenicia; with Ha

*See Winder.

dadezer in Assyria; and according to Sir Isaac Newton, with Sesostris in Egypt, and Cadmus in Greece. Not far from this period, we find that letters were introduced into different Pagan nations; and they gradually became the habitation of genius and learning as they were more or less remote from the Holy land.

May we not then regard Judea as the birth place of letters? Her language was a sort of universal language; her central position had been reserved by the God of nations in his division of the earth, for the express purpose of making her the depository of knowledge; and her prophets, her historians, and her poets were eagerly sought after. She was the most powerful and the most accomplished nation; and the active, imposing character of her inhabi tants ensured to her a commanding influence. Her priests were learned men, and their cities were like so many Universities. Nor is it unreasonable to believe, that to her belonged the distinction of serving as a model to her more barbarous neighbours.

The apostle once said, "I am a debtor to the Jew." And so is the whole literary world. If the press is the palladium of civilized society; if letters are the great hope of its advancement, and the only effectual security against its return to barbarity and wretchedness; what do we not owe to this now scattered, but once concentrated and enlightened people? Whatever may be the benefits of this great art upon the intellectual and

social character, and upon individual and public prosperity, may we not say, the honour of it belongs to the Hebrews-to Moses their great Lawgiver to the Bible? Not until this treasury of knowledge was unlocked, were the riches of thought diffused through the nations. It is not undeserved homage to this sacred Book to say, that philosophers and great men of other times lighted their torch in Zion, and the altars of learning caught their first spark from the flame that glowed within her Temple.

The tongue of man is the glory of his frame; and the use of it was taught him by his Maker. These mysterious letters, too, are from him. When we take up a profitable book, we should recollect whose hand first inscribed the living characters. Every time we take our pen too, to inscribe these characters on the page of business, or of friendship, we should recollect with gratitude that we owe the wonderful art to him from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift.

LECTURE II.

THE LITERARY MERIT OF THE SCRIPTURES.

We do not claim for the Scriptures simply the honour of having given the world its letters. This they might have done, and have left the field of literature barren, and with all the difficulties of cultivating it to be overcome by the tedious toil of successive generations. But they open before you a "goodly land," everywhere fruitful and luxuriant, and ripened already to a full harvest. Mountain, and meadow, and pure streams diversify and adorn its surface; and at each step a mine is disclosed, yielding as it is explored, new and exhaustless treasures. Who would not be a wayfarer amid such scenes?

If the Bible is of human origin, it must certainly be regarded as the most wonderful effort of created intelligence. That there should be so perfect a book in so early a state of the world; that no volume, either ancient, or modern, and written in the most advanced and cultivated condition of human society, should comnare with this ancient