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AMERICAN

BIBLICAL REPOSITORY.

NO. XXV.

JANUARY, 1837.

ARTICLE I.

INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS.

By the Editor.

THE first number of the Biblical Repository was published in January, 1830. Its object, as its name imports, was biblical -to collect and embody matters of permanent value, relating particularly to the literature of the Scriptures, and to questions growing out of that literature. Articles, to some extent, were also inserted, pertaining to sacred rhetoric and historical theology. Those subjects, philological, geographical, exegetical, historical, etc. were brought forward, which were thought to be best adapted to promote the interests of sound biblical and theological learning.

In July, 1833, the American Quarterly Observer was commenced, with the intention of occupying the ground which is common to the various religious denominations. It was devoted to the discussion of those principles in politics, morals and religion, which are recognized by the mass of Christians. With the promised cooperation of a number of competent writers, in various portions of the country, it was proposed to make the attempt to discuss the subjects of politics, political economy, mental philosophy, morals, etc., on the most enlarged grounds, as connected with the developments of divine providence, and the well-being of the whole human race. A somewhat extended VOL. IX. No. 25.

1

[JAN. examination was also made of the more important works which issued from the American press, in connection with a condensed view of literary and religious intelligence and of political affairs.

In January, 1835, the two publications were united with the intention of maintaining the distinctive character in the plan of both. This arrangement was entered into, not because either of the separate works was unappreciated by the community, but for the purpose of concentrating talent and patronage in one publication; and thus augmenting the power and usefulness of the periodical press. It has been the aim of the editor and of his principal contributors to produce a work which should meet the wants of the mass of the intelligent and of the educated, and, at the same time, sustain a high rank in the estimation of

the learned and christian scholar.

As the publication will be, in future, conducted on substantially the same general principles, though with enlargement and modifications, and as the sphere of its usefulness, it is hoped, will be considerably extended, it has been deemed important, that there should be, in a preliminary article, a few general observations on those principles, with some survey of the field to be cultivated. A few introductory paragraphs of explanatory statement will not be deemed out of place by those individuals, to the publication. Our remarks will be necessarily of a miscelat least, who may now, for the first time, extend their patronage

laneous character.

1. Biblical Literature.

In its most appropriate meaning,

this branch of knowledge is of recent origin. In the creation

and advancement of its interests,

our country, even in the view

Ever

of some of the more enlightened portions of highly civilized and jealous Europe, has attained an honorable rank. since the revival of learning a few scholars, it is true, have devoted themselves to this sacred study, in its various departments, with equal credit to themselves and usefulness to the church. The names of the Buxtorfs, of Grotius, Pococke, Selden, Salmasius, and a few others, will be held in grateful admiration. But it is only a short period, comparatively, since it assumed a scientific form, developed general laws, and enlarged

its points of interest in all directions,

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exhibiting itself in a

striking attitude, no less by the multiplicity of its ramifications, The fundamental importance of this branch of study, and its

red from considerations like those which follow:

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