The literary intention of this volume is sufficiently declared in the opening paragraph, and need not be foreshadowed in a preface; but as the author's deeper motive may be called in question, he takes the liberty to say a word or two in more particular explanation. The thought has occurred to him on reading over what he has written, as a casual reader might, that, in his solicitude to make his positions perfectly clear, and to state his points concisely, he may have laid himself open to the cha

The original purpose of this little volume was to indicate the place of the New Testament in the literature of the Hebrew people, to show in fact how it is comprehended in the scope of that literature. The plan has been widened to satisfy the demands of a larger class of readers, and to record more fully the work of its leading idea. Still the consideration of the New Testament literature is of primary importance. The writer submits that the New Testament is to be received as a natural product o

The period of the captivity in Babylon, which is commonly regarded as a period of sadness and desolation, a blank space of interruption in the nation's life, was, in reality, a period of intense mental activity; probably the highest spiritual moment in the history of the people. Dispossessed of their own territory, relieved of the burden and freed from the distraction of politics, their disintegrating tribal feuds terminated by foreign conquest, living, as unoppressed exiles, in one of the world

The popular aspect of the Messianic hope was political, not religious or moral. The name "Messiah," was synonymous with "King of the Jews;" it suggested political designs and aspirations. The assumption of that character by any individual drew on him the vigilance of the police. In this condition of affairs the public sentiment was divided between the Conservatives and the Radicals. The first party comprised the wealthy, settled, permanent, cautious people whose patriotism was tinged with pruden

The earliest writings of the New Testament, the genuine letters of Paul, written not far from the year 60, thirty years more or less after the received date of the crucifixion of Jesus, take up and continue the line of Jewish tradition. No traces exist of literature produced between the opening of the century and the epistolary activity of the apostle of the Gentiles. The times were unfavorable to the production and the preservation of literary work. The earliest gospels, even granting their gen

The death of the Messiah did not discourage his followers, as it might have done had he presented the coarser type of the anticipation illustrated by Judas of Galilee whose insurrection had been extinguished in blood some years before, yet the movement of Judas did not cease at his death, but troubled the state for sixty years. His two sons, James and John, raised the Messianic standard fifteen years or thereabouts after the crucifixion of Jesus, and were themselves crucified. Their younger brot

There is reason to think, as we have said, that the first Messianic impulse would have spent itself ineffectually in a few years, had not a fresh impulse been given by a new conception of the Messiah. The Christ outlined in the earliest literature of the New Testament would hardly have founded a permanent church, or given his name to a distinct religion. A new conception came, in due time, from an unexpected quarter, through a man who was both Jew and Greek; Jew by parentage, nurture, training a

The author of the fourth Gospel is unknown, but it is incredible that this wonderful book, wonderful for finish of literary execution as well as for vigor of intellectual conception, was written by a Galilean fisherman; a man of brooding and morbid disposition, whose intemperate zeal earned for him the title "son of thunder;" who, according to Luke, proposed to call down fire from heaven to consume certain Samaritans that declined to receive the master; who, according to the same authority, rebu

Our story is not yet told. As regards the New Testament books, though the genius that produced them was Eastern, the judgment that brought them together in a single collection was Western. No list of the New Testament books pretending to carry weight was made until the year 360. For two centuries and a half there was no Christian bible. The canon, as it now stands, was fixed by Pope Innocent I., A. D. 405, by a special decree. Why precisely these books were selected from the mass of literature t

It will be remarked that in the foregoing chapters no account is given of Jesus, and no account made of him. His name has not been written except where the common usage of speech made it necessary. The writer has carefully avoided occasion for expressing an opinion in regard to his character, his performance, or his claim; has carefully avoided so doing; the omission has been intentional. The purpose of his essay is to give the history of an idea, not the history of a person, to trace the develo

To meet the wishes of such as may desire to know on what grounds his opinions are founded, or to pursue them further, the author gives the titles of a few books that may be profitably consulted. It were easy to make a long list of erudite works; much easier than to make a short list of accessible and suggestive volumes. In an essay prepared for the intelligent and thoughtful, not for the learned or scholarly class, reference to stores of erudition would be out of place. For this reason, the page

"The delight of childhood, the chivalric companion of refined womanhood, the solace of life at every period, his writings are an imperishable legacy of grace and beauty to his countrymen." The following editions of Irving are now issued. I.—The Knickerbocker Edition. Large 12mo, on superfine laid paper, with Illustrations, elegantly printed and bound in extra cloth, gilt top. II.—The Riverside Edition. 16mo, on fine white paper; green crape cloth, gilt top, beveled edges. The same "Belles Lettre

DODGE. The Plains Of the Great West, and their Inhabitants. A vivid and picturesque description of the Western plains of the American Continent, including accounts of the game, a careful topographical record, notes of emigration, &c., &c., and an exhaustive account of the life and habits of the Indians (both the "reserved" and the "unreserved"), their customs in fighting, hunting, marriage, death, clothing, religious beliefs and rites, &c., &c., with some suggesti

By JOHN BASCOM , President of the University of Wisconsin . I. The Principles of Psychology. 12mo, Cloth, $1.75. "To the few who think and investigate, this book will be a rare delight."— San Francisco Bulletin. II. Science, Philosophy, and Religion. "Vigorous, thoughtful, sometimes brilliant, and uncommonly refreshing reading."— Boston Commonwealth. III. The Philosophy of Religion. Large 12mo, Cloth, $2.00. IV. The Philosophy of English Literature. 12mo, Cloth, 1.75. "A knowledge of forces as w

I. Tent Life in Siberia. Adventures Among the Koraks and other Tribes in Kamchatka and Northern Asia. Fifth Edition. 12mo, cloth extra $2 00 "We strongly recommend this book as one of the most entertaining volumes of travel that have appeared for some years."—London Athenæum. II. Travels in Portugal. By John Latouche . With Photographic Illustrations. Octavo, cloth extra 3 50 "A delightfully written book, at fair as it is pleasant. * * * Entertaining, fresh, and as full of wit as of valuable inf

THE RELIGION OF HUMANITY. An Essay. Third Edition—Revised. Price, $1.50. "Nobody can peruse this book without respect for the learning, mental honesty and skill in the statement of his convictions, possessed by the author, and for the essential integrity and philanthropic tendency of his spirit."— Springfield Republican. "A profoundly sincere book, the work of one who has read largely, studied thoroughly, reflected patiently. * * * It is a model of scholarly culture and of finished and vigorous