cates, it is evident tnat all the sciences named above, and perhaps others, have a right to be heard in the discussion. Other illustrations of the principle here contended for might be adduced. The author is deeply sensible of the imperfections of his work. As the reader sees these imperfections, he is asked to call to mind that the field traversed in the argument is very wide, and that one mind, unless it be of uncommon grasp, could not be expected to be equally familiar with every part of it, and do equal justice to all the points that are discussed. The author does not profess to have done justice to any point, but hopes, imperfect as it is, his work will be found of some value as a part of the literature of the subject under discussion, and especially in the presentation of the facts upon which a correct decision must be based. With these remarks, and with great diffidence, the work is submitted to the judgment of the candid public. NOTE BY THE EDITOR. The excellent author of this work was called to his rest before he had completed its preparation for the press. It was a work which had occupied his attention more or less for many years, and believing it called for by the growing skepticism of the times, - a belief confirmed by the opinions of many scholars and divines whom he had made acquainted with his plan, — he ardently desired that it might be given to the world, as the last labor of a life which had long been devoted to the service of divine truth. It was in accordance with this desire that the manuscripts were placed in the hands of another for revision and publication. • It was not the expectation of the author to offer the fruits of his own independent investigation, except, perhaps, when discussing the literature and religion of India, where he had spent many years of missionary service. He aimed only to gather up the results which had been reached by the best authorities on the various branches of the subject, and present them in a popular form for the benefit of those who have not time nor opportunity to study it for themselves. His book, therefore, is a book for the people, rather than for savants. We believe it will be very valuable to clergymen, teachers, and others, for that purpose. 11 The work was left by the author in its original form, comprising Twelve Lectures, with copious materials de signed to be placed in an Appendix. So great, however, are the inconveniences of that form for the discussion of such a subject, compelling a reduction of the most important topics within the single hour of the lecture, and involving repetitions and recapitulations not needed in a written work, that, with the approval of his family, the lecture form has been dropped, and the subdivisions arranged in chapters, as is customary. Many of the materials which had been designed for the Appendix have been brought forward and incorporated into the body of the work. This has, of course, necessitated some rearrangement and some revision of the language of the lectures. In some instances ampler citations from authorities have been given, and in a very few cases, a fuller elaboration of the positions taken has been ventured on, to give more completeness or clearness to the discussion ; but in no case has anything been advanced differing from the author's well-known views. For those views, of course, he would hold himself alone responsible. The editor regrets that he has not in all instances been able to verify the quotations introduced into the work. They are from a very wide range of reading, and many of the books referred to are not within present reach. He has done what he could to secure entire accuracy, both in form and language ; but it is possible that some errors exist which have been overlooked. W. Page The Subject recently come into Notice, Former general Assent to the Bible Chronology, . . Origin of recent Doubts on the Subject, Modern Geological Discoveries, . . Ethnology and Comparative Philology, Call for a new Consideration of the Subject, . VIEW OF THE SCRIPTURE CHRONOLOGY, . The three Versions of the Pentateuch, .. Period I. From the Creation to the Flood, . . . Period II. From the Flood to the Birth of Abraham, . Period III. From the Birth of Abraham to the Exodus, Period IV. From the Exodus to the Foundation of the Period'v. From the Foundation of the Temple to its Period VI. From the Destruction of the Temple to the Birth of Christ, . Dates according to various Authors, Testimony of Megasthenes, . . . . . CHAPTER II. THE ARGUMENT FROM HISTORY. Sources of our Knowledge of Egyptian Antiquities, 1. The Temples and Monuments, . 1. Testimonies relating to Pre-historic Times, 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Practical Value of this Testimony, The Accounts not to be taken literally, . The Accounts inconsistent with each other, Months reckoned as Years, . . . The Zodiac of Denderah, . . . . . II. Testimonies relating to Historic Times, Egyptian Chronology without Dates, . MANETHO, his History and Writings, 2. Their present Form corrupt, 3. Internal Evidence against them, . CHAPTER III. THE ARGUMENT FROM HISTORY. Identity of Origin between the Greeks and Romans, . i Practical Character of the Greeks, Date of the Founding of Rome uncertain, i . CHAPTER IV. THE ARGUMENT FROM HISTORY. Extravagant Claims of the Chaldeans, . . . . . 91 BEROSUS, his History and Writings, . . . . . 92 His Annals of an Antediluvian Kingdom, . |