type was obvious, and the relation between natural and spiritual objects was evident, we have readily given ourselves a scope in the elucidation, and have tried to make our readers feel the same degree of pleasure with ourselves. Yet we have studiously avoided all appearance of mysticism, and that obscure mode of expression which tends to excite curiosity without gratifying it, and which renders plain truths confused and perplexing, instead of being familiar and edifying. The numerous HISTORICAL and LANDSCAPE ILLUSTRATIONS of the Sacred volume, introduced into this work, will meet, the editor trusts, with the approbation of all whose good opinion is to be appreciated. The mother who guards with fond anxiety the infant years of her children, seeks with an increasing eagerness for every clear medium through which the great events of Scripture may be impressed, and lastingly, on their tender minds. And the longer she contemplates, the more firm becomes her conviction, that the graphic art, if properly applied, is a powerful engine in working on the heart of man, to wean him from VICE, and win him to VIRTUE. The History of the Creation, Fall, Deluge, Dispersion of Mankind, Calling of Abraham, &c. &c., have been selected as the most useful, grateful, and noble objects for pictorial representation; and to this inexhaustible source of historic Scriptural subjects, are added the Ministry and Sufferings of the MESSIAH. The experience of every parent convinces him how attractive these pictured forms of history are for the generation growing up under his eye: the experience of every individual recalls the interest with which his infancy pored over these spells of thought; the eagerness with which he sought the explanatory details of passages that otherwise might never have caught his attention; and the depth and clearness of the impression thus fixed indelibly on the memory. Stamped with mystic awe upon our infantine reverence, they still rise holiest in the heart, whatever its subsequent wanderings; still, through after-life, preserve in the bosom the better half of our religion-its earliest, purest, and untainted sense; and, amidst the sorrows and sadness of the world, come back upon us, bright in the innocence of former days-an oil upon the troubled waves, a note of music amidst tempest, breathing peace through all the devastation around us. It was to BIBLE PRINTS that the infant DODDRIDGE was indebted for the rudiments of that knowledge which is developed in his works. Speaking of his early religious impressions, JOB ORTON, in his life of this eminent divine, observes: "I have heard him (Dr. D.) relate that his mother taught him the history of the Old and New Testaments before he could read, by the assistance of some Dutch titles in the chimney of the room where they commonly sat; and her wise and pious reflections upon the stories they represented, were the means of making some good impressions upon his heart, which never wore out: and therefore this method of instruction he frequently recommended to parents." There can be little doubt that the grateful satisfaction which this exemplary parent felt while thus discharging a mother's first and sweetest task, was heightened by the gladdening hopes which awakened interest excited, as, bending in tenderest affections over the precious charge, she -"answered all its questions, and asked others In delineating the SCRIPTURE CHARACTERS, we had YOUNG PERSONS chiefly in our view, and have therefore endeavored to render the whole pleasing and instructive to them. The seeds of piety cannot be sown too early, and nothing will so much recommend religion as an agreeable form. HISTORY and BIOGRAPHY are very attractive to young minds, (especially when accompanied with correct and suitable engravings, illustrative of the facts and scenes recorded in the Sacred Volume,) and if we can recommend the essential principles of religion, by means of this species of composition, an important service will be rendered to the rising generation. This method is also well calculated for family instruction on Sabbath evenings, as nothing will excite attention or produce reflection so much as an entertaining and interesting narrative. Most of the articles in this volume are of such length as to be easily read through in one sitting; a few only are considerably longer, and these may be divided into two or three portions, as shall appear most convenient. May HE from "whom cometh every good and perfect gift," give His blessing to this work, the design of which is to promote the knowledge of HIS HOLY WORD, in this age of infidelity and licentiousness! TO HIM, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST, Three Persons in one undivided essence, be all honor and glory. AMEN! Death of Cain.-Rubens...................................................................... Initial Letter T.............. 25 The mode of Anointing an Egyptian King, drawn 85 26 ENOCH. Jew Worshipping.... 32 Pillar in the Wilderness.-From Laborde...... 28 Halt of Orientals on a Journey; composed from La- Laban searching for his Idols.-De la Hire......... 34 Persian bowing before the King....... 35 Booths, or Sheds; from 'L'Egypte-Etat Moderne'. 98 99 86 88 90 91 92 93 95 97 98 The Dove and Ark... 38 Jacob at Bethel..... Noah offering Sacrifices.-N. Poussin.......... 39 40 40 42 Embalming. ..... 103 Egyptian and Persian Sceptres................... 105 43 Mourning Women of Egypt.... ..... 101 Rachel's Sepulchre.-From Buckingham.......... 101 Camels-A Caravan of Merchants passing the Great Desert..... Palestine Grapes.-Natural Size................ The Dove.................................................... ABRAHAM. Urfah, (Ur of the Chaldees,) from Buckingham..... 44 45 Nineveh, or the present Monsul................... 45 An Oriental Migration.................................................................. Form of Egyptian Cakes................................................................. Bedouin Encampment.............................................................. Hagar and Ishmael sent away.-Le Sueur.... .... 107 Pharaoh's Palaco. From 'L'Egypte-Antiquités'.. 108 JOSEPH. Initial Letter D....... 109 47 Joseph relating his Dreams to his Brethren.-Raf- 111 49 Rending Clothes, Modern Syrian Costume... .A 113 Bedouins and Travellers bargaining for a Slave; adapted from Laborde.... 114 55 Egyptian Stewards; from 'L'Egypte' and Rossellini 115 Modern Egyptian Lady.... 116 60 Egyptian King on his Throne; from 'L'Egypte' and 117 Mount Moriah.......................................................................... 62 Triumph of Joseph, composed from do............. 118 62 Ears of Corn.. 119 63 Funeral Procession, Modern Egyptian, composed from Lane, &c..... Interior of a Modern Egyptian House of the first 65 Egyptian Ring Money.-From Rossellini's Monu menti del Egitto..... 66 ISAAC. Well, with Camels, at Cana in Galilee.-From Cas Asses with Modern Saddles, from 'L'Egypte-Etat Tables, Modern Oriental. From Lane......................... 121 121 123 ... 123 Turkish Arabah drawn by Oxen, from Sketches of 126 |