may form some idea of the extent and power of Satan's empire, from the fact, that all the nations of antiquity, except the Israelites, were idolaters by profession, and even the latter were, practically, idolaters, at times. That system of religion was called Polytheism, as acknowledging a plurality of gods, who, according to the poet, were no other than the chiefs of the fallen spirits, that "durst fix Their seats long after, next the seat of God, All these nations worshipped divinities or devils by various representations, called idols. Forsaking the service of the only living and true God, they paid that homage which is due to him to those beings that are infinitely unlike him in character. revelation. 3. A view of the absurd religions which mankind have embraced shows the necessity of a divine revelation-that revelation with which the Evinces the ne- nations are favoured in the Holy Scriptures. This exhibits cessity of a divine to us the true system of religion, and is the umpire to which appeal must ever be made on this subject. "To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." The necessity of a divine revelation is apparent amidst diverse and opposing faiths, since nothing but such a revelation could enable men to know the truth. They would be lost in an endless labyrinth of conjectures. Reason alone could not be appealed to with a view to determine what is right and what is wrong in human belief. But a revelation from God, properly authenticated, as it must be, would prove an unerring guide. It would direct mankind to itself, and throw a clear light over all the field of moral and religious truth. Without such a revelation, so far as man on earth is concerned, it would be to him an endless scene of darkness, doubt, and perplexity. Evinces the ne duce harmony. 4. A knowledge of the opposing religious systems among mankind will evince the necessity not only of a divine revelation, but also of the direct influences of the Supreme Agent, in causing mankind to cessity of direct harmonise in their views. As it is apparent that their divine influence, disagreement, on points so vital, proceeds from depravity of in order to pro- heart, it would seem that light alone is not sufficient to produce union, though it is important as an auxiliary, or means to this result. That wrong state of the heart must be rectified,that depravity must be subdued, and this cannot be done except by the Spirit of God. He only can directly influence the spirit that is in man, and form it to truth and to rectitude. His operations, by removing the grounds of opposition and error, will restore harmony of views, as a natural consequence. Accordingly, divine influences are promised, and have been imparted, in a degree, hitherto to the children of men. Hence is found that measure of agreement, on all essential points, which characterises all evangelical Christians, or those who submit to the Bible, in its plain and simple communications. A view, then, of the various religions of the world will show the necessity of direct divine operations, in producing a uniformity of opinions on the subject of religion. 5. An account of the clashing and absurd religions that have controlled Manifests the such numbers of mankind, will impart an exalted idea of the mercy of God in the promulgation of Christianity. As the only divine mercy in true religion-the great centre of divine communications— the promulgation the point where all the rays of revelation meet, (the Jewish of Christianity. system being only preparatory to it, though very important in that view,) it will manifest God's benevolent desire to guide and influence mankind aright, in respect both to their present and future welfare. When we learn the spirit and the requirements of Christianity; when we become acquainted with its practical tendencies; how it prepares men in the temper of their minds, not only for a better world, but to enjoy greater happiness in this; how it elevates their understanding, and improves their social condition, we cannot but be impressed with a sense of the divine mercy, in the invaluable gift. Indeed, no finite mind can fully conceive the importance of the gospel, as the instrument in God's hand of effecting the salvation of souls. But we might entertain something like an adequate conception of the temporal blessings conferred by this system on a fallen race. There has been, however, even among those who have largely participated in these blessings, a remarkable failure duly to appreciate the benignant influence of Christianity in this world. Very incorrect ideas on this subject are entertained among the mass of mankind in Christian lands. The error, however, is inexcusable. We believe the time is coming, when a very different, and much higher estimate of the gospel will be formed, in its effects not only on the spiritual, but on the temporal and social condition of man. It will be felt how much we are indebted to it for all the real blessings we enjoy in this life. Affords a strong 6. A consideration of the kind we speak of, will furnish Christians with a powerful incentive to unite in diffusing a knowledge of Christianity. Judging from their own experience of its power, they can incentive for unit- but view this religion as the only corrective of a false faith ing to spread and a wicked practice; and such indeed is the fact. It is Christianity. the only religion which, by a moral influence, can displace others. It acknowledges no true religion except its own, and never tolerates any other. Indeed, in its principles, it is hostile to every other religion, and makes a war of extermination against all superstition, idolatry, false worship, unbelief, and vice. In early times, it extinguished the religion of pagan Rome, because it would have no competitor— because it would own no associate. And it has since extended itself only by displacing other religions, through a moral influence. The peaceful exertions of its friends and subjects have been the means of its triumphs hitherto, and will doubtless continue so to be, if those triumphs are continued. Christians reading the sad story of the debasing superstitions and idolatries that still spread over the world, must feel powerfully prompted to unite their energies in the wide and universal dissemination of their religion. And it is a pleasing reflection, constituting the great encouragement of their labours, that the divine light of Christianity will one day dispel all the deep moral darkness which still covers a large portion of the earth. That darkness will vanish, as fast as the Sun of righteousness shall arise upon the world, with healing in his wings. Finally; it is delightful to go forward in our contemplations to the time when there shall be one religion among men, and but one. That There will, at time is destined to arrive. The voice of prophecy has last, be but oue declared it. "In the last days the mountain of the Lord's religion. house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it." And he who founded this religion said, in the days of his humanity, " And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and there shall be one fold and one shepherd." After all the conflicting views of mankind on the subject of religion; after all the diversified forms of error, there shall come a period of blessed unanimity, and of the universal prevalence of the truth. There will be but one religion, and that one the glorious gospel of our salvation. It is not, however, to be inferred that there may not be different evangelical denominations of Christians; since we are by no means permitted to believe that there will ever be sinless perfection on earth. The existence of these denominations, all "holding the head"—the same great distinguishing principles, and exercising a mutual liberality of feeling in respect to the less important parts of the system, is not inconsistent with unanimity in the sense here understood. In this case, one religion may be said to prevail, and only one, throughout the earth, and among all nations. It will be one in its essential peculiar features, and one in the spirit and in the practices which will characterize the human family. In different sections, in different divisions, supposing that all are not to coalesce in one particular denomination, will the church universal move on in her bright career, each harmonizing essentially with the other, and all conspiring to advance the common object of the believer's high calling in Christ Jesus. PART I. HISTORY AND RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES OF THE JEWS. 66 CHAPTER I. HISTORY OF THE JEWS. AN account of the religion of the Jews may, with great propriety, be preceded by a succinct history of that people. A recent interesting historian* has pronounced them, without reference to their religious belief, as among the most remarkable people in the annals of mankind.” Contemplated in connection with their religion, and as a means of underThe history of standing it more fully, their history claims our attention the Jews peculi- more than that of any other nation. It instructs us in a arly instructive. different manner from that of any other, because it brings directly into view the divine dealings with them. Descended from Abraham. The Jews, in the early periods of their history, are known under the more general name of Hebrews or Israelites, who constituted a community of which the Jews, as they were afterwards denominated, Their name. were only a part. The origin of their name, and the circumstances of their separation from the associated tribes, will appear in the course of our narrative. This distinguished race, commonly called the people of God, was derived from Abraham, lineally descended in the tenth generation from Shem, the eldest son of Noah. His calling of God, which took place 1921 years B. C., is a remarkable event in history, and deserves a brief notice. In obedience to the command of God, Abraham, who was a son of Terah, the head of a pastoral family, left Ur in Chaldea, his native country, and dwelt with his father in Haran. Ur was a district to the north-east of that region which lies above the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates, and became afterwards the seat of the great Babylonian monarchy. Haran was a city situated in the north-west part of Mesopotamia. The former place, from the signification of the name, was supposed to be particularly infected with idolatry, and hence the reason of the command, connected with the purpose of God to make Abraham the father of a great and peculiar nation. By the same command, after Terah's death, he went into Into Canaan. the land of Canaan, which God promised to his posterity. Abraham called out of Chaldea. They were to be included within the boundaries of that country. * Rev. H, H. Milman. |