A Companion to the Holy Bible; the Subject SACRED GEOGRAPHY; being a Geographical and Historical Account of Places mentioned in Holy Scripture,-augmented by Geographical Excursions, in which the Geography of Scripture is confirmed by Evidence entirely new in its Application, &c. By the Editor of Calmet's Dictionary of the Holy Bible: with Maps and Plates. 2to. in Six Parts, 5s. each. Taylor, London, 1808. Ir must be confessed, that of all books entitled to general consideration, the Bible has in many instances fared the worst. Attention to the spirituality of its contents has swallowed up almost every other sentiment, as the rod of Aaron swallowed up the rods of his opponents. There have been some in the Christian world, who' decried the advantages of human knowledge in interpreting the sa cred books; and depended for a more than common facility in understanding them, not on external assistance, but on internal communications. If these communications had enabled them to state matters of fact accurately, much benefit might have been derived from them; for the work before us regrets that the best geographers of our days, with all the advantages they possess, and all the diligence they have exerted, cannot so much as tell the true form or situation of the southern extremity of the Dead Sea, or agree on the existence and dimensions of the gulf of Eloth. It is, nevertheless, true, that the Dead Sea is at this day an undeniable witness to the truth of Holy Scripture. Had Scripture been totally silent on a subject of natural history and geography so remarkable, or had it attributed qualities contrary to those which accurate examinations, by the chemical tests of modern science, discover, unbe. lief might have availed itself of such a violation of truth, with propriety, as it certainly would have caught at the plea with eagerness. Happily, Providence has preserved abundant evidence of the correctness of the Scriptures; nor can any doubt be started, as to their derivation from that region which they claim as their origin. The eastern ideas they present, demonstrate, beyond controversy, that they are not forgeries manufactured in the west. They are attached to one specific country in the east; and every attempt to refer their origin to any other part of Asia (to India, or to China, for instance) would be utterly repugnant to their general character and peculiarities. Those who have travelled into Syria and Palestine have mentioned, usually without design, a thousand particulars which coincide with others presented in Scripture. They have contributed to il lustrate words, phrases, and incidents, that without such assistance might have remained in the deepest obscurity, and might have puzzled, from generation to generation, our countrymen who endeavour to read their Bibles with an understanding heart, as well as with a willing mind. This volume is the close of an effort which has been many years in a course of publication, to illustrate Scripture by means of the testimony of travellers who have visited the Holy Land. The first division of this undertaking was, an attempt to elucidate the customs and manners, the dresses and domestic arrangements, &c. of the east, in the form of short discussions called FRAGMENTS, annexed to CALMET'S Dictionary of the Holy Bible. The second division treated principally of the Natural History of Scripture; the third and last is the Sacred Geography before us. The writer has availed himself of Dr. Well's Manual of Sacred Geography, which preserves the order of the books. The second division of this work consists of original dissertations on various subjects connected with sacred geography; such as-the most probable settlements of the nations after the flood: the migration of Abraham: the builders of the Pyramids of Egypt: the city of Egypt: the travels of Israel in the desert: the deportation of the Israelites: the probable extent of scripture geography: the early spread of Christianity, &c. But, the most considerable division, in point of labour, is a geographical index to Scripture, in which we observe with pleasure, that many of the appellations of places are traced to significations much more probable than those heretofore current among expositors; and that much additional information has been obtained from modern sources, foreign and English. If the general principles adopted by the author be correct, we have long favoured errors of no small magnitude and inconvenience, in determining the original country of the Abrahamic family. It has always been supposed, that on the - other side of the Euphrates, was far enough eastward to place the native land of that eminent patriarch; but this work carries our ideas far beyond the Euphrates, and supposes the Jihoon was the river, from the further banks of which the father of the faithful migrated. Indeed, a desire to connect Judea with India seems to run through the whole of the geographical discussions. If this hypothesis be correct, the intercourse between the east and west must have been in early times much more facile than we have ever supposed. It is true, that our want of information on the subject of the caravans which in all ages have traversed in Asia, is no evidence that such migrations might not have taken place; but the difficulties of so long a journey for numerous flocks and herds, appear to us to extremely have been great, if not insuperable. The writer does not diminish this difficulty by affirming, that ALL the western nations were originally from the head of the Indus (the ancient India.) In proof of this, he supposes that they preserved memorials of their original country, in their religious institutions, and objects of worship. Their coins too, he thinks, contain allusions to this fact; and several medallic types, which have hitherto baf fled the learned, he explains by the help of this principle. It is certain, that suudry of the Grecian images and idols correspond in figure to those still extant in Hindoostan; and the evidence collected in this work contributes unexpected support to the hypothesis of the late learned Jacob Bryant. This is not the first time that India has been considered as the original seat of mankind. Sir Walter Raleigh, in his History of the World, derived all nations from the same country; and since his time, others have been of the same opinion. But, we believe that this is the first instance, in which the proposition has been supported by arguments of the same kind (for what d'Ancarville and others have done in the history of art, is hardly applicable to the present subject), and the species of evidence directed to bear on sit, is in great measure new, in reference to Biblical inquiries. We know that Cardinal Noris, Hardouin, and others, have illustrated particular events by the testimony of medals; and Vaillant, &c. has composed the history of kingdoms and states from similar documents : yet the application of the principles of the writer before us, is far more extensive than any that has come under our notice; and the least that can be said of it, is that it opens a very extensive field for researches, to Biblical, as well as to general students. It concerns nations and tribes of 'men, as well as cities, and colonies. The number of plates attached to this volume is forty-four: the maps are distinguished in a very ingenious manner, and will be thought valuable and useful, The other plates are mostly filled with medallic memorials, such as those we have been describing. From among the explanations of these we select one, which is not only recommended by its novelty, but by its effect in reconciling the assertion of a Christian evangelist with that of a Christian father, hitherto abandoned as irreconcileable, in a manner perfectly honourable to the characters of both. It is under the article ANTIOCH. By far the most interesting medal to us, as Christians, is No. 13, where we read of the Antiocheans under Saturninus: "this Saturninus was governor of Syria, at the time of our Saviour's birth; as is admitted by the learned, on the authority of Josephus, and Tertullian, Contr. Marc. lib. iv. cap. 19, goes so far as to say that the enrolment or taxing, Luke ii. 1. was made by him. No Hence has arisen a very great difficulty, how to reconcile this fact with the character given to Cyrenius, by the evangelist, who describes him as governor of Syria," at the time of the taxing or enrolment. body has hitherto suggested that both were governors of Syria, in the same sense, with equal power, and at the same time: but some have proposed, instead of "Cyrenius," to read "Saturninus," in the text of Luke, so strongly have they felt this testimony of sephus for an enrolment by this same CyreTertullian, in conjunction with that of Jonius, at a later period. On our medal appear the letters OrOAO, which, I presume, are the first letters of orоAO, Volumnideed, Josephus, Ant. lib. xxi. cap. 9, 10, us, the colleague of Saturninus: and inspeaking of these persons, stiles them Presi dents, or Governors, in the plural; though Saturninus was properly President, and Vo lumnius was Procurator, i. e. chief of the emperor's revenue, in this province. There are then two things extremely remarkable in our medal: first, that only on medals of Antioch are any names inscribed of those consular Romans, who were sent by the early emperors to govern the province of Syria: secondly, that the name of Volumnius, an inferior officer, should appear on the same coin with that of Saturninus, the proper governor. There must have been some reason for this; and I conceive it was the follow ing Antioch, the capital of Syria, where, no doubt, Saturninus kept his court, was the head of a very extensive province, and was ill situated for being the seat of government, being too far north. It may be presumed too, that Damascus, a city of no small pretensions, was included in this province; and thus it might be proper, that, although one was the primary, yet in fact, for the purposes of government, there were two presidents of Syria, both appointed by the empe ror, [though Tertullian hints at the appointment of Cyrenius, by the Senate.] It remains now that we examine the date | on our medal; EA, 35, which, I presune, is from the Julian Era of Rome 705, and brings us to the year 740, for the time when this coin was struck. If Herod died in the year 750 or 751, and Quintilius Varus had succeeded Saturninus only about a year, at that time, then Saturninus must have held this station eight or nine years, supposing this medal to have been struck immediately on his appointment to the government. Volumnius, possibly, might die, or might quit his appointment, in, or before, the year 746 or 747, and be succeeded by Cyrenius. This nobleman was consul of Rome 742, was sent against the Homonadenses perhaps about 746, being then either the ordinary proconsul of Cilicia, or an extra officer in that province. Having terminated this commission, he was appointed to the adjoining province of Syria, suppose on the death of Volumuius; and in this character he superintended the execution of that enrolment, which was appointed by the decree of Augustus Cæsar. This statement allows for the opinion of those who think that Christ was born in 747, and Herod died about the Passover 750.] Thus, by means of our medal, we have vindicated Josephus, who describes Saturninus and Volumnius as governors of Syria: we have justified both St. Luke and Tertullian, though in a seeming contradiction: one affirming Cyreníus, the other affirining Saturninus, to have executed the enrolment and we have justified the words of the Evangelist, which may be thus understood: "This enrolment was the first effected by Cyrenius; meaning, while he was the first time governor of Syria, of the same rank as Volumnius: of which province he was afterwards governor, of the same rank as Saturninus: in which capacity he enforced another enrolment, from which this should be carefully distinguished." Or: "This was the first enrolment of Cyrenius, he being then governor of Syria associated with Saturninus: and should be distinguished from that he made eleven years afterwards, when he was the chief, the precedential, go vernor of the same province." But where he has not equal authority, the writer's conjectures manifest considerThe derivations, to able shrewdness. which he has recourse for the explana- AROER. This word seems to import re peated liftings up, or risings; and it might be the character of the city Aroer, as well as of a region, to consist of small hills, or risings, or what we term knolls, or huughs. This seems more probable than the idea of bustle, or stir, occasioned by crowds of pe ple; for though this agrees sufficiently with the city Aroer, yet it does not well describe a region. As the city Aroer was divided by the stream on which it stood, I would query, whether the duplicate form of the word does not denote two passages; which agrees well enough with the radical idea of bustle : "THE FERRIES." Vide AR, and REHOBOTH Cir, or Ar.But, A further thought has struck me on considering this name and its derivation: we have not, that I know of, in the Hebrew, any word which certainly denotes a bridge, or construction, whether of arches, or otherwise, for passing over rivers: yet, undoubtedly, this convenience must have been known, since the very laying a plank across a strean would lead to it, and to a proper name for it, by way of distinction. But, if the root Ar, or Oir, import lifting up, or rising, then it well expresses the elevated nature of a bridge; which, being laid from bank to bank of a river, is certainly lifted up over the stream. Whether, when plural, it imports any thing like arches, may be left undetermined"; that form of construction appearing in no truly ancient Egyptian structure, with which we are acquainted. By way of corroborating this idea we may examine a few instances of the application of the name Ar, or Oir. 1. AR, the city of the Moabites, was properly called Rabba, or Rabbath, and, if this name imports great town, Megalopolis, yet the name Ar might allude to its bridge. This is perfectly agreeable to what we read Numb. 18. xxi. 15. The stream of the brooks (plu-, after the days of Solomon, and so far as vesral) which go down to the termination (or sels from, or to, Egion-gaber might furnish point of land diminishing into nothing by the intelligence of southern Africa, we may fairunion of these streams) of Ar,"-so that Arly suppose these channels of information stood on a such a point of land. Deut, ii. "Thou art to pass over the river) through Ar, the termination, or bound, of Moab: "-now it is impossible to suppose that the termination of the territory of the Moabites was immediately at this their capital city; but, the point of land on which this city stood might terminate there. 5. In like manner, Aroer is described, Deut. ii. 36, as being "by the brink of the river of Arnon, even in the city which is in the torrent; "-" in the middle of the torrent," Josh, xii. 2. "Aloer that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, even the city that is in the midst of the river." Josh. xiii. 9, and still more particularly, 2 Sam. xxiv. "Aroer, the city which lieth in the midst of the river of Gad." From these places it is clear that Aroer was surrounded by water: i. e. it stood on the point of land formed by the junction of two streams: so that, to enter it, one bridge must be passed, over one of the streams; hence its distinction Ar, "Bridge-town:" but after a bridge was built over each stream, it would naturally receive this distinction in a duplicate form: Ar Ar, Qir Oir; " Bridges-town." This acceptation of the word Oir, as signifying a bridge, is of further use in that very perplexing question, why it is appended to Rehoboth, Gen. x. 11? Rehoboth Oir. Under its proper article the reader will see how this addition has embarrassed the learned: but if we take it as a mark of distinction" Bridge Rehoboth," all becomes easy; and matter of fact agrees with it, as the situation to which we have assigned it, Altun-Kicupri," the bridge of gold," is thus distinguished to this day. These specimens are transcribed from the Index of names and places. What are termed Excursions assume much more the air of disquisition; and some of them must have cost considerable pains, in the inquiries necessary to determine the wri ter's judgment. We confess that the geography of Scripture appears to be much more extensive, than we had formerly thought: even China, it seems, was included in it, nor were the British islands wholly unknown. This, however, was not wonderful, if the Phenicians really traded to Britain for tin; as, Judea might easily obtain report, if not correct information, from theTyrians. We are sure that the knowledge possessed by the prophets of the southern parts of the globe extended deeply into Africa. So far as the connection of Egypt with Ethiopia, so far s the intercourse of Abyssinia with Judea, would be encouraged and improved. The prophet Isaiah appears to have had a very competent knowledge of Ethiopia, its manners, and productions. The prophet Ezekiel appears to have had an accurate knowledge of northern countries. Being settled during the captivity, for a time, if not altogether, on the northern border of the Assyrian empire, he seems to have heard described, whether by natives of them, or by travell rs into them, those countries which now form the middle provinces of the Russian empire. I should think his knowledge hardly extended further north than Moscow; nor have we any reason to conclude that he had himself visited these regions. It only remains, that we inquire how far westward the geography of Scripture extends. This is rendered some what difficult, by the ambiguity attending the word istands, which appears to me to be used in Scripture in three senses, 1. as denoting a plantation, or settlement, or as we might say, a colony. 2. The islands of the Archipelago, they being the islands best known to the Hebrews; but as these could not well be described as very far off, Lincline to think that, 3. A much more distant groupe of islands is intended; and sometimes even, possibly, the British islands. For instance, Isaiah, Ixvi, 19. "I will set a signto the islands afar off that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles." As the prophet had already mentioned Greece (Javan) and Tarshish, he seems now to extend his views to countries more remote. It is possible he might include Spain; but it is extremely probable, that the British Isles were his Ultima Thulé: the most western habitations that he knew of. The isles in the Archipelago are excluded by the mention of Javan; and if Tarshish was Tartessus in Spain, then Spain could not be these still further distant islands; which are described as not having heard of Jehovah, Other passages may support this conjecture; perhaps Isaiah, chap. xliii. 5, 6. lix. 18, 19, and Jer. xxxi. 10, but, întending this only as a conjecture, I leave it to the judgment of the judicious; not without hope of its being favourably received. We consider this volume as a valuable accession to the stores of Biblical learning; especially, during the present troubled state of nations, which has prevented the laudable exertions of a society formed for the purpose of procuring accurate information on the present condition and remaining antiquities of the Holy Land. " were executed, and one pressed to death, all of whom asserted their innocence. This part of the history of our coutnry furnishes an affecting proof of the imbecillity of the human mind, and of the potent in fluence of the passions. The culture of sound knowledge, have a happy tendency to rephilosophy, and the dissemination of useful press chimerical theories, with their delusive and miserable effects. The æra of English learning had scarcely commenced. Laws then existed in England against witches; and the authority of Sir Matthew Hale, who was revered in New England, not only for his knowledge in the law, but for his gravity and piety, had doubtless great influence. The trial of the witches in Suffolk in England was published in 1684: and there was England dæmons and the New, that, it can hardly be doubted, the arts of the designing were borrowed, and the credulity of the populace augmented, from the parent country. The gloomy state of New England probably facilitated the delusion; for " stition flourishes in times of danger and dismay." The distress of the colonist, at this time, was great. The inland frontiers east and Indians. were continually harrassed by the French The abortive expedition to Canada had exposed the country to the re so exact a resemblance between the Old American Annals. By Abiel Holmes, D.D. 2 vols. 8vo. 18s. Reprinted for C. Taylor, London. 1808. (Continued from p. 267.) THE second volume of this work, as it approaches nearer to our own times, encreases in interest, if it diminishes somewhat in curiosity. We are no longer presented with the view of a people, struggling amid the hardships of want, and disease; or alternately courting and conquering savage tribes. We behold them settled, acquiring property and importance, and cherished by the mother country with the most parental attention. We see her defending them against their enemies: engaging in war with powerful nations on their account; and, at length, a separation ensuing between the parent state and her offspring, which, however it might be lamented at the time, has proved of the greatest advantage to Britain; while her rival, who fomented the disturbance, and widened the breach to the utmost of her power, has fallen a victim to the natural consequences of the principles she encouraged, and has sunk under the recoil of efforts made to over whelm a dreaded antagonist. Never was a lesson so severe taught to self-sufficient statesmen! never was Gallic finesse so completely counteracted, by the very success of its own favourite but fallaciously political devices. As we have already brought our readers acquainted with Dr. Holmes's labours, we shall do little more, in the present article, than transcribe some of those pieces of information of which these volumes comprize many. The following is proper to be had in everlasting remembrance, lest the same credulity, which is pot wholly extinct among our rustics, should revive, and perhaps, with accumulated horrors. A. D. 1692. A strange infatuation had already begun to produce misery in private families, and disorder, throughout the community. The imputation of witchcraft was accompanied with a prevalent belief of its reality; and the lives of a considerable number of innocent people were sacrificed to blind zeal, and superstitious credulity. The mischief began at Salem, in February; but it soon extended into various parts of the colony. The contagion however was principally within the county of Essex. Before the close of September, nineteen persons super sentment of France, the effects of which were perpetually dreaded, and, at the same time, had incurred a heavy debt. The old charter was gone; and what evils would be intr duced by the new, which was very reluctantreceived by many, time only could de.ermine, but fear might forbode. How far these causes, operating in a wilderhave contributed toward the infatuation, it is ness, that was scarcely cleared up, might difficult to determine. It were injurious Coll. Hist. Soc. v. 76. Hutchinson, ii. 59. Calef, part v. Giles Cory, refusing to plead, had judgment of peine fort, et dure for standing mute, and was pressed to death; the only instance of this barbarous punishland. More than a hundred women, many ment, that ever has occurred in New Eng of them of fair characters and of the most reputable families, in the towns of Salem, Beverly, Andover, Billerica, and other towns, were apprehended, examined, and generally committed to prison. Ibid. No person was safe. What Montesquieu says of the Greeks, in the time of the Emperor Theodorus Lascaris, might be applied here " A person ought to have been a magician to be able to clear himself of the imputation of magic. Such was the excess of their stupidity, that, to the most dubious crime in the world, they joined the most uncertain proofs." Spirit of. Laws, book xii. chap. v. |