An Illustrated History of the Holy Bible

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HISTORIC AND LITERARY INTRODUCTION

Authorship of the Bible. The several books. Their divisions. Hebrew manuscripts. The Hebrew language. Integrity of the text. Various readings. Ancient versions. Schism between the Jews and Samaritans. The Septuagint. The Septuagint and Vulgate. Modern foreign versions. English versions. The Apocrypha.

HISTORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

CHAPTER I

The Creation. The Bible account consistent with Geology. Opinions of distinguished writers. The Firmament. Order of Creation. Adam. Eve. The Seventh Day. Site of the Garden of Eden. The Temptation The Fall. Expulsion from Eden.

CHAPTER II

Birth of Cain and Abel. Their Sacrifices. Murder of Abel. Genealogy of Cain. Birth of Seth. His Posterity. Great depravity of the race. Noah ordered to build the ark. Description of it. The Deluge. Mount Ararat. Noah's intoxication. Canaan's curse.

CHAPTER III

The Tower of Babel. Description of Babylon. Genealogy of Noah's sons. Different dialects. Genealogy of Noah’s sons. Countries possessed by their descendants. Description of Nineveh. Modern discoveries of its ruins by Botta and Layard. They confirm the prophecies. Important results to Biblical history The posterity of Shem. Terah, the father of Abraham. His removal from Ur to Haran, in Mesopotamia. His death.

CHAPTER IV

The call of Abram. Description of Ur. Abram removes with Lot and Sarai, to the land of Canaan. Description of Canaan. Famine. Abram's removal to Egypt. He calls his wife his sister. Abram 's return to Canaan. Friendly separation of Abram and Lot. Lot chooses the plain of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Jordan. Abram settles in the plain of Mamre. He rescues Lot. Melchisedec. God's promise to Abram of numerous posterity. Hagar. Ishmael. Change of name to Abraham. Promise of son to Sarah. Circumcision.

CHAPTER V

Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham warned of their destruction. His petitions for their salvation. Lot warned to flee. Lot's wife. Description of the Dead Sea. Destruction of the cities of the plain. Wickedness of Lot's daughters. Abraham's removal to Gerar. His second equivocation in regard to his wife. The Talmudical story of it. Primitive longevity and vigor. Birth of Isaac. Hagar and Ishmael banished. Analogy of Hebrew and Druidical worship. Abraham commanded to sacrifice Isaac. His rescue. Death of Sarah. Her burial in the cave of Machpelah. Marriage of Isaac and Rebecca. Eastern customs. Death of Abraham. Account of the Ishmaelites,

CHAPTER VI

Birth of Esau and Jacob. Esau sells his birthright. Explanation of the birthright. Isaac removes from Beersheba to Gerar. His prosperity. Enmity of the Philistines. Wells. Isaac returns to Beersheba He calls his wife his sister. Description of Beersheba. Stratagem of Rebecca to obtain the parental benediction for Jacob. The Edomites. Jacob's departure to find a wife. His dream. Bethel. He meets Rachel at the wall. He marries Leah and Rachel. Leah's sons. Birth of Joseph. Jacob's prosperity. His flight from Laban. Laban's pursuit. Treaty of alliance. Images. List of idols mentioned to Scripture. Meeting of Esau and Jacob. Tents. Dinah's disgrace. The revenge of her brothers. Slaughter of the Shechemites. Jacob's return to Bethel. Birth of Benjamin, and death of Rachel. Jacob visits his father at Mamre. Death of Isaac.

CHAPTER VII

Joseph. His parti-colored coat. Eastern fabrics. Jealousy of Joseph’s brethren. His two dreams. He is sent to Shechem. Description of Dothan. Ishmaelites. Midianites. Caravans. Account of commerce of Eastern nations. Joseph sold to the Ishmaelites. The plot to deceive his father. Joseph sold to Potiphar. He is made chief manager of his master’s affairs. His temptation and triumph. His false accusation and imprisonment. His interpretation of the dreams of the cup-bearer and baker. Pharaoh’s dreams. Joseph's s interpretation, and his wise advice. His deliverance from prison. He is appointed chief deputy of the king. The Nile. Famine. Visit of Joseph's brethren to Egypt. Jacob’s dying words. His death. He is buried in the cave of Machpelah. Joseph's death. His character.

CHAPTER VIII

Oppression of the Hebrews. Pharaoh’s order to drown all their male children. Birth of Moses. He is hidden in the ark of rushes. Found, adopted, and educated by the King's daughter. He avenges his brethren. He flees to Midian—helps the women at the well—is invited to the house of  Jethro—marries his daughter, and becomes his shepherd. The Lord appears to him in the burning bush. Commissions him to deliver his people. Aaron accompanies him to Pharaoh. Pharaoh refuses to let the people go. Moses performs a miracle before Pharaoh. The ten plagues. The borrowed jewels. The departure from Egypt. The column of fire and cloud. Pursuit of the Egyptians. The Israelites pass the Red Sea. The Egyptians overwhelmed. The song of triumph. Egypt—its learning. Language, religion, and idolatry.

CHAPTER IX

Journey of the Israelites. They are miraculously supplied with quails and manna. The palm-tree. Smiting of the rock. Defeat of the Amalekites. Mount Sinai. Giving of the Decalogue. Description of the Tabernacle. The golden calf. Punishment of the idolaters. Table of Hebrew months and sacred festivals. The sacrifices explained. Aaron constituted High Priest.

CHAPTER X

Census of the people. Plan of the Israelitish encampment. Mode of marching. Murmurings of the people. Jealousy of Aaron and Miriam against Moses. Miriam punished with leprosy. God pardons and heals her upon the prayer of Moses. Spies are sent to Canaan. The people desire to return to Egypt. Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. They are swallowed up by a miraculous opening of the earth. Death of Aaron. Eleazer, his son, succeeds him in the priesthood.

CHAPTER XI

Mount Hor. Murmurings of the people. Punishment by fiery serpents. The brazen serpent. Victories over the Ammonites. Balaam is called to curse Israel. He is met in the way by an angel. His ass speaks to him in reproof. Balaam pronounces a blessing instead of a curse. Israel’s idolatry and punishment. Successful expedition against the Midianites. Slaughter of five kings. Balaam is slain. The Israelites draw near to Canaan. The tribes of Reuben and Gad settle upon the east of Jordan, with the half tribe of Manasseh. Moses appoints the division of Canaan by lot. Cities of refuge. Farewell address of Moses to the tribes. Urim and Thummim. Death of Moses. Mount Pisgah.

CHAPTER XII

The Conquest. Joshua succeeds Moses. Spies sent to Jericho. Rahab conceals them. Crossing of the Jordan. Joshua is informed in a vision how to take Jericho. The walls of the city fall down. Description of Jericho. Achan’s theft. Its consequences. Achan stoned. Capture of Ai. Sacrifices and reading of the law upon Mount Ebal. Treaty with the Gibeonites. Joshua routs and slays the confederate kings. The sun stands still. The whole country subdued. Death of Joshua and Eleazar. Burial of the bones of Joseph at Shechem.

CHAPTER XIII

The Hebrews become corrupted by their idolatrous neighbors. Idolatry prevails. They are subdued and become tributary to the king of Mesopotamia. Othniel delivers them. Again subdued by the Moabites. Ehud is their deliverer. Eighty years of rest, B.C. 1426. Story of Ruth. War with the Canaanites. The great victory of Deborah and Barak over Sisera. Sisera slain by Jael, the wife of Heber. Song of Deborah. Incursions of the Midianites. Gideon, the deliverer. His great victory with three hundred men. The Israelites offer to make him king. He refuses. His death.

CHAPTER XIV

Abimelech, spurious son of Gideon, murders all his brothers except Jotham. He takes the government. He oppresses the people. They expel him. He is killed by a woman. Tola and Jair govern Israel. Jephtha defeats the Ammonites. Jephtha’s vow. He judges Israel six years, 1247 B.C. Idolatry and subjection of the Israelites. Birth of Samson. His strength. His capture by the Philistines. He carries off the gates of Gaza. He pulls down the temple, and kills great numbers of his enemies, with himself, 1222 B.C.

CHAPTER XV

Eli. His neglect of family government. Punishment denounced upon him. The Israelites defeated by the Philistines. The Ark taken. Death of Eli. Samuel judges Israel. Israel renounces idolatry. Great victory over the Philistines. Wickedness of Samuel’s sons. The people demand a king. Jahn’s estimate of the causes that led the nation to this demand. Samuel endeavors to dissuade them. Saul the first king. Chosen by lot, 1110 B.C. Jahn’s account of the times and the office of the judges.

CHAPTER XVI

Saul’s reign. His victory over the Ammonites at Jabesh Gilead. He conquers the Amalekites. His sinful neglect to destroy King Agag and the booty. The prophet Samuel’s rebuke of Saul. Samuel anoints David to be king. Saul’s mental malady. He is soothed by David’s harp. War with the Philistines. Story of David and Goliath. Glory of David. Jealousy of Saul. His efforts to kill David. Friendship of David and Jonathan. Death of Samuel. Saul’s continued hostility. David’s generous forbearance. Saul consults the witch of Endor, and hears his doom. Israel is overcome by the Philistines. Death of Saul’s three sons. Saul’s suicide.

CHAPTER XVII

David reigns at Hebron. His lamentation over the death of Saul. Wars between the houses of David and Saul. Description of Hebron. Death of Abner. The inauguration of David. He takes possession of Mount Zion. He prepares to build a temple to Jehovah. His victories over Eastern nations. His fall, and his murder of Uriah. The reproof of Nathan, the prophet. The rebellion of Absalom. Battle in the forest of Ephraim. Absalom slain. Absalom’s sepulchre. The famine. Revolt of Adonijah. The anointing of Solomon. David’s last counsel to Solomon. Death of David. His burial on Mount Zion.

CHAPTER XVIII

Solomon comes to the throne, 1030 B.C. His great wealth and power. Plot of Adonijah to gain the kingdom. Adonijah and Joab are put to death. Solomon marries the daughter of Pharaoh. Building of the Temple on Mount Moriah. Description of it. Solomon’s pools. His splendid palaces. Account of the commerce and revenues of his kingdom. Solomon reigns forty years. His death.

CHAPTER XIX

Rehoboam succeeds Solomon. Revolt of the ten tribes under Jeroboam. Judah and Benjamin adhere to Rehoboam. Jeroboam establishes other places of worship besides Jerusalem, and a new priesthood. Jeroboam’s death, 968 B.C. He is followed by Nadab, Baasha, Zimri, and Omri. Omri builds Samaria. He dies, 931 B.C. Description of Samaria.

Judah, from B.C. 990 to B.C. 929

Rehoboam soon falls into idolatry. He is conquered, and Jerusalem plundered by Shishak, king of Egypt. Rehoboam dies, 973 B.C. Abijah succeeds him. Asa follows, a pious and prosperous king.

Israel, from B.C. 931 to B.C. 895.

Ahab succeeds Omri. Evil influence of Jezebel. Idolatry becomes prevalent. Elijah announces famine. He confounds the prophets of Baal, whom the people slay, and acknowledge Jehovah. Great victory of Israel over Ben Hadad. Doom of Ahab pronounced by Elijah. Ahab slain, 909 B.C. Ahaziah. Jehoram. Elisha raises the Shunammite son. Story of Naaman. Famine. Panic and flight of the Syrian host. John anointed king by Elisha. Jehoram, Ahaziah, and jezebel slain. Destruction of the family of Ahab. Jehu destroys the temple of Baal, and roots out idolatry.

CHAPTER XX

Judah, from B.C. 929 to B.C. 725

Jehoshaphat begins to reign, 929 B.C.—one of the best of the Hebrew kings. He continues to root out idolatry. One million one hundred and sixty thousand men enrolled to bear arms. Judges are placed in all the principal cities. Jehoshaphat’s admirable charge to them. Death of Jehoshaphat. Jehoram comes to the throne, 904 B.C. His wife was Athaliah, daughter of Jezebel. Jehoram murders his six brothers. Idolatry again established. Judgments denounced by Elisha. Death and disgrace of the king. Ahaziah succeeds to the throne. A bad man. Reigns one year. Athaliah slays all her grandsons except Joash. Joash hidden in the temple. The people rise and slay Athaliah, and make Joash king. Jehoiada, the chief priest, is regent. Joash repairs the temple. His apostasy and murder. Amaziah reigns. Victory over the Edomites. He is killed by conspirators, B.C. 809. Uzziah succeeds. He is struck with leprosy. Jotham, his son, administers the government. Death of Uzziah. Death of Jotham. Ahaz on the throne. A corrupt, idolatrous monarch. Dies, 725 B.C. He is not allowed a place in the sepulchre of the kings.

CHAPTER XXI

Israel, from B.C. 895 to B.C. 719

Jehu comes to the throne, B.C. 895. The country east of the Jordan seized by Hazael, king of Syria. Death of Jehu. Death of Elisha. Jonah’s mission. Conquest of Samaria and the whole country by Shalmaneser, king of Assyria. The principal inhabitants carried away captive.

Judah, from B.C. 725 to B.C. 586.

Hezekiah, a pious prince. Description of the sepulchre of the kings. Hezekiah restores the true worship. The passover revived. Hezekiah subject, for a time, to Sennacherib, the Assyrian king. Destruction of the Assyrian host by a “blast” from the Lord. Sickness of Hezekiah. His life prolonged in answer to prayer. His death. Manasseh succeeds, at twelve years of age. He becomes corrupt. Defeated by Esarhaddon, taken captive, and sent to Babylon. He repents and is released. Josiah, a good king. He overturns idolatry. Killed in battle against Necho, king of Egypt. Jehoiakim. Warning by Jeremiah. His imprisonment by Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim subdued by Nebuchadnezzar. Forty thousand of the people sent into captivity. Zedekiah made king. He revolts. Nebuchadnezzar burns the temple and city, demolishes the walls, carries off all the sacred vessels and treasure. Zedekiah is taken, and carried in fetters to Babylon. The country depopulated.

CHAPTER XXII

The seventy years’ captivity. Discussion of the causes of the downfall of the Hebrew nation. The divine intention in its establishment not frustrated. Media the scene of the captivity. The captivity a colonization rather than a slavery. Tobit. Daniel and his three friends. Their Chaldean names. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the image. Daniel’s interpretation. Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God. Daniel and his friends promoted. They refuse to worship the image. The fiery furnace. Other dreams. Their interpretation and accomplishment. Nebuchadnezzar again honors Jehovah. He dies, 561 B.C. Succeeded by Evil Merodach, who is slain in battle with Cyrus. Belshazzar comes to the throne. He profanes the sacred vessels. The handwriting upon the wall. Daniel’s interpretation. Belshazzar’s death, 553 B.C. Darius takes the kingdom. Daniel exalted. Jealousy. He is throne to lions for praying to the Almighty. His deliverance. Jehovah honored. Death of Darius, 551 B.C. Cyrus succeeds. Defection of Nabonadius. Babylon taken by Cyrus. Prophecy of Isaiah. Cyrus acknowledges the supremacy of Jehovah. He allows the captives to return to the Holy Land.

CHAPTER XXIII

The Restoration. The honor of Jehovah maintained and extended by the Captivity. Why was Judah allowed to return, and not Israel? Remarks of Professor Jahn. What became of the Ten Tribes? Remarks of Rabbi Benjamin—of Major Rawlinson. Zerubbabel and Joshua, with fifty thousand of the people, return to Palestine. Daniel remains at the Court of Cyrus. Zerubbabel is appointed Governor of Judea. He receives from Cyrus the sacred vessels of the Temple. Feast of Tabernacles celebrated at Jerusalem. An altar is built on the ruins of the Temple. The people assemble to rebuild the Temple. Death of Cyrus. Darius Hystaspes elected King. The Temple completed, 516 B.C. The dedication. The temple service re-established. Battle of Marathon, B.C. 490. Darius dies, 485 B.C. Succeeded by Xerxes, the Ahasuerus of Ezra. Artaxerxes. The rebuilding of Jerusalem stopped. Queen Vashti deposed. Esther promoted. Ezra commissioned to go to Jerusalem and beatify the Temple. The plot of Haman. The Jews saved by Esther. Nehemiah gains permission to rebuild the walls. Jeremiah appointed Governor of Judea. Collection and revisal of the sacred books of the Old Testament. The Chaldee dialect displaces the old Hebrew. A temple built on Mount Gerizim. End of the Old Testament Canon.

CHAPTER XXIV

(From B.C. 420 to B.C. 163.)

Inspired History is discontinued from 420 B.C. to His birth. Hebrew history derived from Josephus and others. Artaxerxes succeeded by Xerxes on the Persian throne. Wars of the Persians with the Egyptians. The Jews faithful to the Persians. Destruction of Sidon. Overthrow of Egypt by the Persian King, 350 B.C. Invasion of Persia by Alexander, 334 B.C. Fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah. Alexander invades Syria. He is met in his march against Jerusalem by a procession of priests. He is shown the prophecy of Daniel. Offers sacrifices. Grants the Jews free enjoyment of their national laws. Exemption from tribute every seventh year. Alexander dies at Babylon. Ptolemy. He favors the Jews. Depopulation of Babylon. The High Priest, Simon, repairs the temple and city of Jerusalem. He completes the Canon of the Old Testament. Simon dies, 291 B.C. Ptolemy Philadelphus executes the translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek, called the Septuagint, B.C. 278. Influence of the Greeks. Origin of the Sadducees. Persecution of the Jews by Ptolemy Philopater. Destruction of the temple by Appolinius, 167 B.C. Idolatry established. Judas Maccabeus desires to maintain the true worship. He gains the mastery of Judea. Attempts to rebuild the temple. Wars of the Maccabees.

CHAPTER XXV

Death of Judas Maccabeus. Jonathan succeeds him. His treaty with the Syrian king. Siege of the citadel of Jerusalem. Jonathan taken and murdered. Simon, his brother, succeeds him as leader of the Maccabees. Simon gains possession of the country. Alliance with the Romans. Cleopatra becomes mistress of Syria. Pompey enters Syria, 65 B.C. The country becomes a Roman province. The temple taken and complete establishment of the Roman power, B.C. 63. Cicero and Antonius, Roman Consuls. The Jews obliged to pay large tribute. Hyrcanus appointed High Priest

CHAPTER XXVI

Antipater, governor of Judea. The Sanhedrim suppressed. The government changed to an aristocracy. Hyrcanus and the Jewish government restored, B.C. 44, by Julius Cæsar. The temple plundered by Crassus. Liberty given to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Herod made king, 40 B.C. His cruelty. He builds cities and splendid palaces. He builds heathen temples. He also rebuilds the temple of Jehovah at Jerusalem, B.C. 17. Birth of John the Baptist, B.C. 5. Birth of Jesus Christ. Slaughter of the infants of Bethlehem. Account of Herod’s ten wives. His death. Archelaus, his son, succeeds him. Account of the Herods.

CHAPTER XXVII

Prophecies concerning Christ, and the Christian religion. The time of His appearance. The place of His birth. The family from which He was to come. His life and character. His sufferings and death. The nature of His doctrine. The extent of His Kingdom. The value of the Bible.

NEW TESTAMENT

CHAPTER I

The New Testament the best commentary on the Old. The promise of the Angel Gabriel to Zacharias an Elizabeth. The announcement by Gabriel to the Virgin Mary. Birth of John. Bethlehem. Birth of Christ. The joy of the aged Simeon and Anna. The wise men. The Star. Herod’s bloody purpose. Flight of Joseph to Egypt. Death of Herod. Return of Joseph and Mary. Nazareth. John the Baptist. Baptism of Christ. His fast of forty days. His temptation. Testimony of John. Christ’s miracle at Cana. Description of Cana. Cleansing the Temple. Nicodemus. Death of John. Christ in Galilee. Attempt of the people to kill him. Call of Simon and Andrew, James and John. The great draught of fishes. Healing of the demoniac, and of Peter’s wife’s mother. Sermon on the Mount. Miracles. Pool of Bethesda. The man with the withered hand. The twelve Apostles. Their commission.

CHAPTER II

Raising the widow’s son at Nain. Christ is anointed from the alabaster box of precious ointment. Description of Tiberias. The stilling of the tempest. Casting out of devils. Raising of the daughter of Jairus. Feeding of the multitude. The storm upon the lake. Peter’s attempt to walk upon the water. Second miraculous supply of food to the multitude. Christ’s transfiguration. Healing of the lunatic. Paying tribute. Teaching in the Temple. Discussions with the Scriptures. Jericho. The Holy Land in the time of Christ, with map. Parable of the Prodigal. The rich man and Lazarus. Restoring sight to the blind. Christ blesses little children. Mary and Martha. Raising of Lazarus.

CHAPTER III

The Passover at Jerusalem. Description of Jerusalem, with a plan. Plan of the Temple. Blind Bartimeus. Bethany. The anointing by Mary. Triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Expulsion of the money-changers from the Temple. Treachery of Judas. The Last Supper. Gethsemane. The olive-trees. Peter’s zeal. The agony. Peter’s fall. His repentance. Remorse of Judas. His suicide.

CHAPTER IV

Jesus at the bar of Pilate. His condemnation. Mocking. Scourging. Crowning with thorns. Crucifixion. The two thieves. Description of the cross, and the mode of execution. Christ’s filial affection. The darkness. Rending of the veil of the Temple. Rending of the rocks. Opening of the graves. Piercing of the body. Christ’s burial by Joseph. Closing the tomb. The guard. The constancy of the women. The Resurrection. Absurd false-hood of the chief priests. Christ’s appearance to Mary—to Thomas—to the two disciples at the way to Emmaus—to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. His final instructions to the Apostles. His ascension from the Mount of Olives. The character of Christ. The Christian religion. Contrast with heathenism. List of Christ’s Miracles, Parables, and Discourses.

CHAPTER V

From the Ascension to the full establishment of Christianity. Choice of Matthias as successor to Judas. Pentecost. The gift of tongues. Preaching of Peter. Conversion of three thousand people. Healing of the cripple at the beautiful gate. Peter and John thrown into prison. Peter’s address to the Council. They are released. The gift of the Holy Ghost. Charity of the believers. Ananias and Sapphira. Cures wrought by the Apostles. They are again cast into prison. Miraculous deliverance. They are scourged. Choice of seven deacons to care for the poor. Stephen. His arrest. His address to the Council. His martyrdom. Dispersion of the Christians from Jerusalem.

CHAPTER VI

Philip flees from Jerusalem. His successful preaching in Samaria. Philip and the Eunuch. Saul’s persecution of Christians. His miraculous conversion. Cesarea. Damascus. His powerful preaching. Description of Joppa. Peter raises Tabitha. His vision and commission to the Gentiles. Cornelius. Peter’s discourse. Descent of the Holy Ghost. Conversion and baptism of many.

CHAPTER VII

Persecutions under Herod Agrippa. He kills James. Peter imprisoned. He is delivered by an angel in answer to prayer. Death of Herod. Barnabas and Saul journey to Cyprus, Paphos, Perga, and Antioch, preaching. Paul’s discourse in the synagogue in Pisidia. He is invited to preach again. He proclaims the doctrine the salvation is for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. He is driven out of the city. He heals the cripple at Lystra. The people wish to offer sacrifice to him and Barnabas. They forbid it. Paul stoned.

CHAPTER VIII

Paul and Silas make an extensive tour to preach. The cure of the demoniac. Paul and Silas are taken before the magistrates. Imprisoned, with their feet in the stocks. They pray and sing. The prison doors opened by an earthquake. Conversion and baptism of the jailer and his family. Paul at Athens. Idolatry of the city. Paul brought before the Areopagus. His discourse to the judges. Conversion of some persons of rank. Paul at Corinth. Description of the city. Paul writes his second letter to the Thessalonians. Paul’s success at Ephesus. Geographical notices.

CHAPTER IX

Description of Ephesus. Disorderly conduct of some Christians at Corinth. Paul writes them a letter. He also writes to the Galatians. Jealousy of Demetrius, the silversmith. Paul’s deliverance from the fury of the people. He leaves Timothy in care of the Church at Ephesus. He travels through Macedonia and Achaia. He preaches at Troas. The death of Eutychus. Paul restores him to life. Geographical notices. Paul’s farewell discourse to the Ephesian Christians. He visits Tyre. Here he is advised not to go to Jerusalem. Paul at Jerusalem. He is falsely accused and dragged from the Temple. He is allowed by the Roman commander to speak. He gives a detailed account of his conversion. They dare not scourge him, because he is a Roman citizen. The plot to kill him. It is frustrated. He is sent under guard to Cesarea to Felix, the Roman governor.

CHAPTER X

Paul brought before Felix. Tertullus speaks against him. Paul’s defence. Paul speaks again before Felix and his wife, Drusilla, upon the doctrines of Christianity. Paul is kept in prison two years. He is brought before the new governor, Festus. Paul’s defence and appeal to Cæsar. His speech before Agrippa. He is sent to Rome. The shipwreck. Paul’s vision. He foretells the safety of all. They land on the island of Malta. Account of Malta. Paul heals the governor’s father. Performs many other cures. They remain three months on the island. Arrival at Rome. Paul assembles the rulers and explains the doctrines of the Gospel. He preaches two years at Rome. Description of the city. Colossæ. Paul writes his letter to Philemon—also an epistle to the Ephesians—also to the Colossians. James writes his epistle. Martyrdom of James. His character.

CHAPTER XI

After two years Paul is set at liberty. He writes his epistle to the Hebrews. He with Timothy, travels to Spain. Visits Sicily and Greece. Peter also set at liberty. He visits Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Britain, preaching the Christian faith. He returns to Rome. Nero orders the persecution of the Jews. Burning of Rome by Nero. Paul returns to Rome. Paul and Peter instruct the Jews in the synagogues. They are thrown into prison. Here Peter writes his second epistle, and Paul his second letter to Timothy. They are condemned to death. Peter is crucified. Paul beheaded. Sketch of their characters.

CHAPTER XII

St. Andrew. He was crucified. He taught the people while hanging upon the cross. St. James the Great. Beheaded. St. John the Evangelist. Thrown into a caldron of boiling oil. Miraculously saved. Banished to Patmos, where he wrote the Revelation. Account of Patmos. St. John, the only Apostle who escaped a violent death. St. Philip, crucified. St. Bartholomew, beaten and crucified. St. Matthew. Thought to have been slain with a halberd. St. Thomas. Pierced with a lance. St. Simon the Zealot. Crucified. St. Jude. Cruelly put to death. St. Matthias. Stoned. St. Mark. Bound and dragged through rough places till he died. St. Luke. Hung on an olive-tree. St. Barnabas. Stoned. Timothy. Beaten to death. Titus—died a natural death. John Mark—died at Ephesus. Clement—death unkown.

CHAPTER XIII

The seven churches of Asia. Ephesus. Smyrna. Pergamos. Thyatira. Sardis. Philadelphia. Laodicea.

CHAPTER XIV

Account of the final destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, A.D. 70, as foretold by our Savior. Josephus an eye-witness. Prophecies in regard to it. Their agreement with facts. Prodigies that preceded the destruction of the city. Revolt under Eleazar. Massacre of Jews at Cesarea. Siege of Jerusalem by Cestius. His repulse. Vespasian assumes command of the Roman army. Great slaughter of the Jews. Siege of Jotapata. Its reduction. Capture of Joseph, the Jewish general. He foretells the elevation of Vespasian to the Empire. Death of Nero. Civil war at Rome. Vespasian proclaimed Emperor by the army. He sets Joseph at liberty. He commits the war against eh Jews to his son Titus. Titus lays siege to Jerusalem. Joseph in vain entreats the Jews to surrender. Famine in the city. Plunder and burning of the temple. Conquest of the city, and its complete destruction.