Made in God's Image-Splendor of his Inheritance-Naming of the Animals-

The Germ of Science-The Gift of Speech-Alone in Paradise-Creation of

Woman-Perfection of the First Pair-Their Garden-home-Its Matchless

Beauty and Countless Attractions-The Devil enters this Scene of Bliss-He

selects the Weaker Vessel-Eve Falls, and Adam with her-Every Sense and

Faculty Blighted by Sin-Our First Parents Driven from Paradise-A Gleam

of Hope-The First Promise-The First Sacrifice-The First Death-Increase

of the Race-Culture and Progress-Death of Adam-So all must pass away. 27

II.

NOAH.

THE PREACHER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

The World before the Flood-Long Life and abounding Wickedness-One Man

Faithful-Always a Remnant of Grace-A Respite before the Blow Falls-

The Building of the Ark-Scoffs of the Ungodly-Noah Builds and Preaches

-Vengeance Poured Out-The Race Swept Away-The Little Company

Saved-Lessons of the Life of Noah-The Preaching of the Daily Life-Al

may thus show the Power of Religion.........

III.

ABRAHAM.

THE FRIEND OF GOD.

Venerated alike by Jews, Christians and Mohammedans-The Father of a Na-
tion-Founder of the Oldest Family in the World-Patriarch of the Church
-His Likeness seen in his Descendants-Purity of the Jewish Blood-Preju-
dices against the Hebrew Race-Illustration of this in Paintings of the Old

38

Masters-Oppression of Ages-Beauty of Sarah and of the Jewish Women-

Beauty a Source of Innocent Pleasure-Intellectual Pre-eminence of Abraham's

Race-Great Men Selected for Great Ends-Abraham an Example of this--

Great in Mental and in Moral Endowments-God Works by Means and not

by Miracles-Attacks on the Bible--Theory of Human Progress-Abraham's

Ancestors Idolaters-His Father a Maker of Images-The Sabean Faith-

Worship of the Sun-Legend of Abraham's Conversion-His Courteousness-

Interview with the Angels-His Generosity-Lot's Choice-Rescue of Lot-

Magnanimity of Abraham-His Tenderness of Heart-Intercession for Sodom

-His Faith and Piety-Offering up of Isaac-Equivocation Touching Sarah

-The Friend of God and Father of the Faithful.......

IV.

ELIEZER.

THE PATTERN SERVANT.

Damascus-Its Great Antiquity-Webs of Silk and Weapons of Steel-" Pearl of

the East"-Mohammed-The Cradle of the Race-Nimrod-The Mists of

Four Thousand Years-Damascus the Birthplace of Eliezer-Servants Hon-

ored by the Bible-Called to Adorn the Doctrines of God-Advantages of a

Life of Domestic Service-Eliezer a Slave-One Million Servants in Great

Britain-A Bible Model for this Class-Fidelity-Eliezer's Marriage Em-

bassy-His Prayer-Meets Rebecca at the Well-Woos her for Isaac-His

Diligence-His Piety-Better Masters would make Better Servants-Faults

in both Classes-Victoria's Monument to a Faithful Servant..........

PAGE

42

68

V.

ISAAC.

THE CHILD OF PROMISE.

Few Points of Interest in his Career-Quiet, Retiring Disposition-Pious from In-
fancy-Mocked by Ishmael-The Joy of his Parents-A Damper put upon
their Hopes-God's Command to Slay Isaac-His Patient Submission-
Mount Moriah-The Cup Averted-Isaac's Marriage-Evening Meditation-
Contemplative Habits-Happy, Peaceful Life-But not all Brightness-Death
of Abraham-Isaac and Ishmael Reconciled at the Grave-Birth of Esau and
Jacob-Partiality of the Parents-Deadly Feud of the Twin Brothers-Isaac
Afflicted with Blindness-Deceived by Jacob-Trials Sent in Love..............

VI.

JACOB.

THE WRESTLER WITH GOD.

Jacob's Estimate of his Own Life-Not a Perfect Character-Hence more in Sym-
pathy with Universal Human Nature-Good and Evil Mingled in the Two
Brothers--Esau, the Shaggy Huntsman, Open-hearted and Chivalrous-Jacob,

the Supplanter, Cautious and Conservative-Yet the Impulsive Hunter van.

ishes away-The "Canny" persistent Jacob pushes on to prosperity-Not a

Character to be Scoffed at-Domestic, Affectionate, Ripened by Sorrow-The

Character of each Reproduced in his Posterity-The Turbulent Idumeans-

The Jews of the Middle Ages-Neutrality of the Scripture Narrative-Esau

Painted by the Rabbinical Authors-Lessons of the History-Fickleness and

Weakness Ruin the Noble Esau-Steady Purpose and Self-denying Toil Ele-

vate the Timid and Crafty Jacob-The Night Vision of Bethel-The Memo-

rial Stone-Early Temples-Twenty Years with Laban-The Service of Love

-A Good Shepherd-The Slave becomes a Prince-The Exile returns a

Wealthy Chieftain-Wrestling with God-Israel-Peniel-The Brothers

Meet-Characteristic Generosity of the One and Caution of the Other Tran-

sition from the Pastoral to the Agricultural-City of Shechem-Passionate

Love and Grief of Jacob-Rachel's Pillar-The Descent into Egypt-Death

of the Patriarch-His Burial in Canaan...

PAGE

97

VII.

JOSEPH.

THE SUCCESSFUL MAN.

Matchless Pathos of the Story of Joseph-His Unique Experiences-Wonderful

Vicissitudes-Lofty Morality of the Narrative-Analogies between the His-

tories of Joseph and of Jesus-The Successful Man-The Child of Fortune-

Bold Atheism of the Norseman-Divine Providence-Career of Louis Na-

poleon-John Bunyan-Merchant Princes-From Caresses and Indulgence to

the Blows and Tears and Chains of Slavery-From the Pit and the Prison to

the Post of Prime Minister-The Captive Boy next in Rank to Pharaoh-

This Success due to God-Special Providence-Yet Joseph the Architect

of his own Fortune-Description in Palgrave's Arabia-The Sailor must

have Skill to use the Breeze-Joseph's Piety and Virtue-His Wisdom and

Sagacity-Promptness in seizing Opportunities-Shrewdness in making

Friends of those who might some time Help Him-Mastery over himself-

Decision of Character-Iron Will-Loving Heart-Ready Sympathy--Patient

Endurance Indomitable Energy-Sir Fowell Buxton to his Son .................. 111

VIII.

JOB.

THE EXAMPLE OF PATIENCE.

Conspicuous not only for Patience in Adversity, but for Humility, Wisdom and

Beneficence in Prosperity-An Upright Judge-The Priest of his Household-

The Friend of the Poor-Sad Reverses-Property and Children swept

away-Loathsome Disease-Tempted by his Wife-Deserted by his Friends-

Miserable Comforters-" Job, you must be a very wicked man"-Liars for

God--Christ's Rebuke of such Views-Job's Defence-Denies that he is a

Hypocrite-Admits his Imperfection-Sound Views of God's Providence-

Uniform Resignation and Reliance on God-The Clouds Disperse-Job Re-

stored to Prosperity, and the Censorious Bigots Rebuked.......

..................

130

IX.

MOSES.

THE MAN OF GOD.

The Greatest Character in History-As a Writer-As a Divine-Leader and

Legislator-The Ten Commandments-Civil and Criminal Laws-As a Phil-

osopher-Science and the Bible-Conflagration of the World-Creation-As

a Patriot-His Sympathy with his People-Smiting the Egyptian-Forty years

of Self-sacrifice-Moses at Sinai-" The Recompense of Reward"-Loftiness

of his Aims-Circumstances in which he was Reared-His Piety-" The

Burial of Moses.".... ...

PAGE

139

X.

JOSHUA.

THE COLONIST.

The Glacier-The Pressure of Population-Founding of Colonies-Conquest of

Canaan and Settlement of the Land-No Separation of Families in the

Hebrew Emigration-Religious Interests cared for-Extermination of the

Canaanites-Fall of Jericho Joshua acting under Divine Commission-

British Colonies-Much Land yet to be Possessed by the Church-Canaan

Divided into Twelve Parts for Conquest-So should the World be Divided by

the Christian Sects-Rapid Progress of the Church in the Beginning-Com-

mensurate with the Roman Empire-Call to the Church now...................

XI.

CALEB.

THE SOLDIER.

Moral Causes of Success in War-Education-Religion-France and Prussia-

Cromwell's Troops-Psalm-singing and Fighting-The Waldenses-Proper-

ties of a Good Soldier-Caleb's Fidelity-Sentinel at Pompeii-Dying at his

Post-Caleb and the Spies-His Words of Faith-His Courage-Christian

Bravery-Testimony of a Nobleman.....

XII.

GIDEON.

THE DELIVERER.

The Solitary Valley-Israel Desolated-Gideon's Complaint-The Call to
Repentance-The Threshing-floor-Humility of Gideon-Like Moses in his
Self-distrust-Contrast with the Twelve Apostles-Our Strength lies in our

160

178

Weakness-Gideon's Faith Invigorated-Miracle of the Fleece-The Band of

Three Hundred-Lamps, Pitchers and Trumpets-Panic, Rout and Slaugh-

ter-The Christian's Work-Crowns for Warriors' brows-Faint yet Pur-

suing......

PAGE

188

A Wild Freebooter-His Irregular Birth-War with Ammon-The Gileadites-

Ephraim-Savage Taunt of Jephthah-The Fatal Vow-Grief of the Father

-Heroism of the Daughter-Iphigenia-Antigone-Horror of Hebrew Women

at a Childless Death-The Deed long Commemorated-Poetry-Lord Byron-

Tennyson-Bishop Wordsworth-Immolations of Children now................... 201

The Western Frontier-The Philistines-Dan-The Nazarites-The Age of Vows-——

Birth of Samson-A Total Abstainer-His Seven Sweeping Locks-His jo-

vial Spirit-His Riddles-Practical Jests-Burning the Grain-fields with

Jackals-Massacre of a Thousand Men-His grim Puns-Grotesque Irony-

Closing Scene-Overthrow of the Temple-Milton's Description..

XV.

BOAZ.

THE FARMER.

Man's Oldest Occupation-Grain grown four thousand Years ago-The Labor of

the Mine and the Furnace-Agriculture employs more Men than any other

Calling-Boaz a Pattern-His Diligence in Business-An Idle Man tempts

the Devil-Courteousness of Boaz-Courtesy a great Set-off to Religion-

His Conduct to Inferiors-His Piety-God in all his Thoughts-Ruth-

Marriage-Bethlehem....

207

214

XVI.

SAMUEL.

THE SON OF PRAYER.

The Last Judge-Founder of the Monarchy-His Mother-Dedicated to the
Lord-His Little Coat-His Prophetic Call-Residence at Shiloh-The Assem-
bly at Mispeb-His Piercing Cry-Overthrow of the Philistines-His Circuit