region of Sacred History. He purposes to direct the attention of the intelligent and devout reader to the wonderful works and ways of God among men; he desires to exhibit, in a statement that shall attempt to combine comprehensiveness with succinctness, the DIVINE PLAN OF SALVATION-its first manifestation in history, its progressive movements, its glorious execution, and its ultimate triumph. He modestly expresses his wish that his book may aid in unfolding the treasures of saving truth, according to the measure of the gift bestowed upon him, and incite the reader to engage personally and zealously in the work of searching the Scriptures. In the prefaces to the later editions, he acknowledges with devout gratitude to God, the favorable reception which large numbers of believers have given to his work. This fact is, itself, a favorable indication of the religious feeling of those among whom it has circulated, and furnishes another cheering proof that faithful efforts to glorify the name of our divine Redeemer, receive the promised blessing, and are crowned with success. It was also the desire of the author to adapt the book to a course of religious instruction, or to lectures on the general subject of Sacred History. It has, accordingly, been introduced into many of the higher educational institutions of Germany, as a text-book designed both to aid the student's memory, and to serve as the foundation of the fuller oral explanations of the instructor. The Author has prepared another work, on the same plan, designed for young pupils, which would be a truly valuable addition to every Sunday School Library, and which may, hereafter, be also furnished in an English translation. He is now engaged in preparing a large work, entitled, The History of the Old Covenant, of which the first volume has already appeared in a second edition, and which is designed to be a commentary on the present work. It furnishes the authorities by which the writer's statements are confirmed, (which accounts for the absence of references in the present volume,) and abounds in theological and historical materials of unusual value; several years must, however, elapse, before the author can complete the whole work. The narrative or Sacred History before us, begins, strictly speaking, with ? 9. The INTRODUCTION prefixed to the History, contains the first eight sections of the whole, referring, in part, to subjects that are abstract in their nature, and designed, in part, to give a view of the author's specific purpose, and of the character of the materials which he employs. The whole Introduction could, perhaps, have been omitted, without materially impairing the value of the work; it embraces, however, topics which are in the highest degree suggestive, and so important, that the translator did not feel at liberty to withhold it from the reflecting reader. The OBSERVATIONS appended to almost every section throughout the volume, contain the ripe fruits of the author's extensive reading and profound meditation. His other works, such as The History of the Old Covenant, The Bible and Astronomy, &c., exhibit, in many cases, the facts and arguments which have furnished the rich results presented in these Observations. Of the adaptation of the volume, as a text-book, to the purpose of conveying a knowledge of historical truth in its most important department, to those who are completing their studies, a brief examination will furnish the evidence. Prof. J. Addison Alexander, D.D., of Princeton, whose eminent position in the theological world, and whose profound acquaintance with the merits of German writers, have won the highest authority for his opinions, has long been familiar with this "Sacred History," and is accustomed to use it at certain stages in his course of lectures in the Seminary, as far as it is possible to do so without an English version. The translator, who had completed a large portion of the work which he had undertaken, before he became acquainted with this circumstance, could scarcely furnish Evangelical Christians with higher evidence of the suitableness of the book as an aid in the work of conveying biblical instruction. It cannot, indeed, be supposed that the reader will at once adopt all the views of the Author; they refer to the loftiest subjects which can occupy the human mind, on some of which great diversity of opinions has always existed among the wise and the good. A few passages occur in the concluding portions of the volume, which express views that deviate from those of several branches of the church of Christ; as they are, however, very brief, and the suppression of them would have violated the integrity of the translation, they have been retained. The Author himself remarks in the Preface to the second edition, that an instructor is always at liberty to omit portions that may not be deemed essential to the narrative; he is, further, always in a position to modify or amend any sentiment with which he may not concur. The only unerring rule of faith and practice, is, in the Author's own view, the inspired Word of God. The CHURCH HISTORY published by Prof. Kurtz has attracted universal attention, on account of its singular excellence, fidelity, and tasteful and graphic style of narration. It seems to be generally regarded as the best Church History, within moderate limits, which we now possess in any language. The Author himself designed it, in one of the several editions through which it has passed, to be a companion or sequel to the present work. Arrangements have already been made for translating and publishing it at an early period, as a very important addition to the religious and theological literature of our country. The translator of the present work has endeavored to present simply a faithful version of the original, without any additions or omissions. He has not added any notes of consequence, as these were not required by the general design of the book; nor has he made extracts from the larger work of the author, the History of the Old Covenant, as it may itself be hereafter submitted to the public in a translation. The insertion of a word or phrase, occurring a few times in the volume, and either designed to complete the sense, or required by the structure of the English language, is usually indicated by brackets ([]), which mark the terms for which the author is not responsible. The translator trusts that the work in its English garb may be deemed acceptable, and humbly prays that the same divine blessing may attend it, which has made the work in the original language profitable to large numbers both of the old and the young among those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. THE TRANSLAtor. EASTON, Pa., December 1854. |