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KEY

TO THE

REVELATIΟΝ.

IN

THIRTY-SIX LECTURES,

TAKING THE WHOLE BOOK IN COURSE.

66

BY ETHAN SMITH,

AUTHOR OF A DISSERTATION ON THE PROPHECIES, ," "VIEW
OF THE TRINITY," " VIEW OF THE HEBREWS," "KEY
TO FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE," &C.

"Understandest thou what thou readest?"-PHILIP.

"Let him that readeth understand."

"Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this
book; for the time is at hand."-JESUS CHRIST.

NEW-YORK:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY J. & J. HARPER,

NO. 82 CLIFF-STREET,

AND SOLD BY THE PRINCIPAL BOOKSELLERS THROUGHOUT TΗΣ

UNITED STATES.

[Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1833, by J. & J. Harper, in the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New-York.]

1863, Jico27.

Be Gift of

RECOMMENDATIONS.

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1854.)

THE Outlines of this work were, many years ago, submitted to the inspection, and received the approbation, of a number of the first literary divines. Since the Lectures were written, the work has been laid before such ministers, and associations of ministers, as the writer could find it convenient to consult. A journey was made to Andover, the last vacation there, in hopes of consulting the professors of that institution. All were absent but two; and one of these (Professor Stuart) was sick, and could not hear reading upon the subject. In an interview with him, I was happy to find a good general agreement with him in my views of the Revelation; and that he had discovered the same general division in the prophetic part of this book, which I have viewed essential in my exposition of it. He said this general division is palpably clear.

From the Rev. Professor Emerson, of the Theological Seminary, Andover. "From a few specimens which I have been able to hear of Mr. Smith's Key, &c., I am of the opinion it contains original views of some portions of the Revelation, which are of such interest as to command attention, and to warrant its publication. And I trust it will, as a whole, contribute to hasten that glorious reformation of which it treats." RALPH EMERSON.

Andover, May 21, 1833.

(Signed)

From the Rev. Messrs. Emerson and Cleaveland, Salem.

"Having attended to the plan and some of the Lectures in Mr. Smith's Key &c., we are free to say that the work is, in our judgment, the result of laborious research, evincing much ingenuity in arguments and illustrations; and that in view of the important nature of the subjects on which it treats, it is entitled to the consideration of all who desire to understand "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him to show unto his servants things which must shortly ome to pass."

(Signed)

Salem, May 20, 1833.

BROWN EMERSON,
JOHN P. CLEAVELAND.

From the Rev. Mr. Hopkins, Boston.

"I have perused two of Mr. Smith's Lectures in his Key, &c., with interest and profit. I believe Mr. Smith has cast new light upon at least some parts of this interesting but obscure book. The labour he has bestowed upon these Lectures, and his acquaintance with the symbolic language of the prophetic Scriptures, are a sufficient pledge to the public, that his forthcoming book will be peculiarly valuable." A. T. HOPKINS.

Boston, April 9th, 1833.

(Signed)

From the Rev. Reuben Emerson, South Reading. "Having attended to the work above noted, and heard a number of the Lec

tures, I do cordially unite in the recommendations given."

(Signed)

South Reading, May 21, 1833.

REUBEN EMERSON

589.6 SMITH

RECOMMENDATIONS.

From the Association of Salem and its vicinity.

iii

"The Rev. E. Smith, having read in our hearing an outline of his Key to the Revelation, and some Lectures and parts of Lectures of the same (a work which he thinks to give to the public), we are free to say that, in our opinions, the importance of the subject, and the ingenuity with which his exposition is given, entitle the work to the serious consideration of the Christian community."

By order of the Association,

(Signed) DAVID OLIPHANT, Scribe. Danvers, June 12, 1833.

MOSES SAWYER, Mod'r. pro. tem.

From the Rev. Messrs. Nelson of Leicester, Miller and Abbott of Worcester, Gay of Hubardston, Clarke of Rutland, and Conant of Paxton (convened at Paxton).

"Having attended to the plan and contents and a Lecture of Mr. Smith's Key, &c., we do not hesitate to say, that we think its illustrations of the types and prophecies contained in this interesting book (the Revelation) are laboured, ingenious, and to a considerable degree original; and we are desirous of its publication."

Paxton, May 8, 1833.

(Signed)

&c.

From the Rev. Mr. Burr to the Author.

"I have read a considerable portion of the Lectures in your Key, &c. in manuscript, and have attended, more or less, to every Lecture, with much satisfaction. I am well pleased with the plan of the work, and with your exposition of that difficult and highly important part of the prophetic Scripture, so far as I can judge. It appears to me that not a few rays of new light are thrown upon this closing part of the volume of Inspiration. I am highly delighted with the numerous and judicious remarks, doctrinal, experimental, and practical, with which the work is interspersed. This work, it appears to me, will be one of the few books which may live, in many improved editions, through the Millennium. It will be thought, I doubt not, by those who discern the signs of the times, a very seasonable and useful publication at this highly interesting period of the church, and the world. I therefore hope it will soon be given to the public, and be extensively read." JONATHAN BURR

Boston, April 3, 1833.

: (Signed)

From the Rev. Dr. Emmons.

"Rev. and Dear Sir

"When I, nearly seven years ago, heard you read to me some of your Lectures on the Revelation, I thought you treated that deep, difficult, and important subject in a very ingenious and lucid manner. I wish to see this work published; and I have no doubt but it will meet the approbation of good judges, and will subserve the great cause which now agitates the minds and awakens the hopes and zeal of the Christian world. The friends of Zion were never more anxious than at present to learn the signs of the times, and what they may anticipate will be the state of the church and of the world, before the Millennium, during the Millennium, and thence to the end of the world. I know all Christians ought, and I trust they will be disposed to promote the circulation of a volume which may serve to enlighten and animate them and pursue the best means to bring on the universal spread of the gospel, and the latter-day glory of the church." NATHANIEL EMMONS.

Franklin, April 15, 1833.

(Signed)

It was designed to have this work, before it should be given to the public, pass under the eye of a number of the first divines in the city of New-York; but, unhappily, numbers of them are abroad from the city in this sultry season of the summer. The following gentlemen have attended to it, and given their views; which are here subjoined.

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