“106. MOSES AND THE JUDGES”

Moses and the Judges

Volume 2

Preface

In this Second Volume of the “Daily Bible Illustrations,” the same plan has been followed which is described in the Preface to the First, with no other variation than arises from the different character of the subjects, and from the circumstance that all the subjects of that volume were drawn from one book of Scripture, but in this are selected from six of the sacred books.

While retaining his freedom of dealing as should seem to him best with the subjects under consideration, the Author has been insensibly led to maintain generally the same arrangement which prevailed in the former volume, and from which, he apprehended, that the larger historical space to be covered might constrain him to swerve. It has thus been found generally possible to trace, although very cursorily, the historical connection of the subjects selected for particular consideration; so that while, on the one hand, the daily papers are relieved from the fragmentary character they must otherwise have exhibited, they have, on the other hand, no claim to be regarded as separate chapters of an historical narrative. It will be found, on close inspection, that almost every Daily Reading is complete in itself, and has a distinct central subject of its own, which is usually indicated in its title; and it will then, moreover, be seen, that the subjects selected for consideration are not always those of the most historical importance—are often such as history would pass over or indicate very briefly; but simply such as, without regard to their absolute importance as historical facts or incidents, it was supposed might be acceptably explained or illustrated as portions of the Sacred Volume. Much attention has here, by preference, been given to matters which the writers of Bible histories, and even the readers of the Bible itself—too little mindful of the special character of sacred history—do not pause to examine.

The work before the reader is, thus, not a history—not a commentary—not a book of critical or antiquarian research—not one of popular illustration—nor of practical reflection—but is something of all these; it is whatever the Author has been able, in his plain way, to make it—whatever it has grown to in his hands, under the influence of his earnest and prevailing wish to produce a work which might promote an intelligent apprehension of the Sacred Book, and contribute to encourage a habit not merely of reading, but of thinking over its contents. These objects could only be achieved by presenting, in a readably familiar form, suited for general use, some of the results, most available for this purpose, of a life’s labor in sacred literature.

The warm favor with which the first volume has been received, and the extensive circulation which it has already attained, fills the Author with thankfulness, and greatly encourages him to hope for a blessing upon his labors in the direction which has now been given to them.

London, April, 1850

Autor: JOHN KITTO