both Authorized Version 11ml Hebrew text, nlluded to in the omissions involved in the ore nn cxnC"t rountcrpnrt of those found in following of the name of Seth upon that GPn. xxni. 40-•rn. except that Ali&h here of Adam. The genenlogies of this cbnpter, 1so Alian, ver. 40) sto.nds for Alvah in with their pnrnllels iu Genesis, n.re uotnble Genesis. In the Septuo.gint we have also for stnnding unique in nil the world's Gola.de., Elibe.me.s, nnd Be.bsar hero, for Gola, writing, and far over nil the world's mytho- Olibemas, and Mazar there. Thus this first logy, for retracing the pedigreo of the wide ~hapter contains those genealogicnl tables family of men, and especially of the nmv which concern the patriarchs from Adam up scnttcred family of the Jew, to its origino.l. to Israel, spo.nning a stretch of some two From tho time of the close of our Chronicle thousand three hundred years, and embracing genenlogies, supplemented by the earliest of also tables of Edom and certain of the de- the New Testament, no similarly compre- scendants of Edom up to the period of kings. hensive but useful, o.mhitions but deliber- The chapter contains not a single instance ately designed and successfully executed of a remark that could be described as of a enterprise has been attempted. And as morn!, religious, or didactic kind. Yet not Matthew Hemy has well said, since Christ a lit.tie is to be lenrnt sometimes, not a cnme, the Jews have Jost oil their genea- little sug-gcstcd, from omission and solemn logies, even the most sacred of them, "the silence as well as from spee~h; no more build in~ is reared, the scaffold is removed; notable instance of which could perhaps be the Seed is come, the line thnt led to him is g-i1·en, when we take into account time, broken off." pbce, and circumstances, than that already
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. On tl:e who7e book-Chronicles. It has pleased God that a large part of Ol<l Testa- ment Scripture should take the form of history. The sacred books of the Hebrews consist largely of a record cf the national life. Here we read of the birth and growth of the chosen people, thei; prosperity, their conquests, their defeats and captivities, their lawgivers, p1iests, prophets, kings, and patriots. This Book of Chronicles contains the genealogies of Hebrew tribes and families, and the annals of the nation during the long and gloiious reign of David. There lllust be reasons why the volume which contains the revelation of the Divine character and will should, in so many parts, assume the historical form. I. There is A GEJs'ERAL BELIGIOL'S PURPOSE answered by history. Man is social, and is appointed by Providence to live in families, tribe8, and nations. Religion not only summons the individual to live a life of allegiance and submission to the unseen power of righteousness and grace, but requi~es men in their political relations to abide beneath the guiding eye of the Eternal. 1. Historical records promote national life. 2. They encourage a sense of national unity and respo1rnibility, "Not only," says a great writer, "does the nobleness of a nation depend on the presence of this national consciousness, but also the nobleness of each individnal citizen." 'l'he same writer adduces the Jews as an illustr:..tion of this principle, 3, They furnish us with practical political lessons. Bossuet has admirably shown of what service history must needs be to princes and rulers. 4. They represent good and evii principles in living irrntanccs. 5. To the devout mind they are full of indications of the presence and the energy of God, the moral Ruler and Lord of all. ll. There is a SPECIAL RELIGIOUS uSE in Jewish history. 1. It is the history of a. very remarkable and favoured-we should say chosen-people. 2. It records direct interpositions of the hand of God. In the obligation to obedience antl service, in t;1e chastisement of lawlessness and rebellion, the Christian can trace a Divine power, whatever race or nation he reviews in the pages of history or contemplates with an observant eye. The peculiarity of the Israelitish chronicles lies here-the Diviue power is acknowled"ed from paae to paae. 3, The history of the Jews is an epitome of the history of m;nkind. Within th;t little territory of Palestine there lived a microcosm of humanity. The parallel is ever presenting itself to our vision. 4. The record of Israel is the story of the preparation for the advent of Christianity. 'l'he Old 'l'esta- rneut points on to the New. This Book of Chronicles, in its biography of David, leads tl1e mi1,d on to him who was David's Son and David's Lord. An'LICA'l'lOX. 1. This Louk s':ould Le read ,vith interest as presenting nn especially OJI, I, 1-54.] 'l'l-IE FIRST IlOOK OF 1l'HE CHRONICLES. 7