вх 9921 •T43 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1940, by THOMAS WHITTE MORE, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. CAMBRIDGE: STEREOTYPED BY FOLSOM, WELLS, AND THURSTON. 2510 25-3 V. The Catholic Epistles and their Authors VII. Agriculture, &c., of the Jews XI. Forms of Salutation. - Hospitality THE BIBLE CLASS ASSISTANT. CHAPTER I. Books and Authors of the Old Testament. 1. MOSES, according to the scriptural account, was raised up by God as a deliverer for his people, who were bond-slaves in Egypt. In consequence of a singular providence, he was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter, and brought up and educated in the palace, and instructed "in all the wisdom of the Egyptians." God appeared to Moses after he had been at the court of Egypt about 40 years, and announced to him his mission, giving him the power to work miracles, in proof of the divine authority thereof. He proceeded to his work, which he faithfully performed, after toiling and suffering some 40 years in the wilderness be tween Egypt and Canaan. Though Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land, he had a view of it from Pisgah, a neighboring mountain. He died at the age of 120, "and his eye was not dim, nor his natural strength abated." Deut. xxxiv. 7. He was remarkable for his benevolence, patience, and meekness, though, like all mortals, he sometimes erred. The history of Moses be came famous among all nations, and the Orientals, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, all borrowed from it, in the accounts of their gods and heroes. 2. The Books of Moses. The first five books of the Old Testament are called the Pentateuch, from a Greek word, signifying five instruments, or volumes; and the Books of Moses, because written by him. The first is called GENESIS, which signifies creation, because it gives an account of the creation of the earth, man, &c. It embraces a period of 2369 years, from the creation of the world to the death of Joseph, and contains the most wonderful history that has ever been given to the human race. The most important event, beside the creation, of which record is made, is the Deluge. The second book is called Exodus, which means Departure, because it gives an account of the departure of the Israelites from Egypt. It is the history of 145 years, and brings the record down to A. M. 2514. The most remarkable events noted, are the oppression of the Israelites, the raising up of Moses,-the plagues of Egypt, the deliverance of Israel, the passage of the Red Sea,—and the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. The third book is called LEVITICUS, because it treats principally of the laws and institutions of the Levites, and priests generally. The transactions seem to have been included within the space of eight, or at most thirty days. The most important, particulars, are the |