Thoughts on Several Subjects, by the Author of 'Memoirs of a Working Man'

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1852 Excerpt: ... ration with the Jewish by their respective countrymen; and it is not easy to account for this fact upon the principle that they were in all cases mere pretenders to the character which they had assumed. Is it not more reasonable to conclude, that, wherever such pretensions were made, there either were then, or had been, men who really possessed what was thus openly and fearlessly claimed, on the one hand, and so readily and fully conceded, on the other. Both history and tradition are in favour of such a conclusion as this. Balaam was not of the Jewish nation, but it is, nevertheless, quite certain that he was a genuine prophet, and it is equally certain that he was a true poet. Of this, indeed, no one can doubt who is capable of perceiving the qualities of sublimity or beauty (as these qualities are manifested in poetical compositions). There is no reason for believing that he was a single, or solitary, instance of the prophetic character, not connected with the Jewish nation. On the contrary, there seems to be sufficient grounds for the belief that, in the earlier ages of the world, the instances were comparatively numerous in which the Deity vouchsafed to hold converse with man through this medium. The testimony of tradition is, I think, of much weight in cases of this sort; since it is difficult--if not, indeed, impossible--to account for the tradition, except upon the principle of its having originated in matters of palpable and acknowledged fact. Now, the traditionary history of almost all nations contains references to times in which it was both boldly affirmed, and confidently believed, that men held intercourse with Heaven through the medium of persons who were believed to be inspired. The ancient Oracles give additional evidence upon this pftint. H...