grand picture of the will of God, and is made up of ten thousand pictures, more or less obvious or minute. In looking at a picture on canvass, or a landscape in nature, a child first discovers the hills, the trees, the houses, the village spires, &c. These he examines long before he attends to the hue of the sky, or the tint of the foliage." My design in the following Compilation, is to do exactly something of the same kind—to fill the young mind with the clear outlines of Bible pictures, which, like so many posts of observation or landmarks, discover and unite Scripture narrative, precept and doctrine, together, in a pleasing and profitable manner. In executing this, I have confined myself to the Scripture text, esteeming it preferable to anything that could have been put in its place. I have endeavoured to connect and set down events chronologically in the order of time in which they were transacted, interspersing the whole with many valuable practical notes from the best Bible Commentators. In the "Biographical Sketches of Eminent Scripture Characters," I have made copious extracts from the justly popular works of the Rev. Messrs Watts, Blair, Krummacher, Gilfillan, W. B. M'Kenzie, Headley, and others, to all of whom I am much indebted. In order that the reader may not be ignorant of what became of the "Seed of Abraham," from the period in which their history closes in the Old Testament until it re-opens in the New, I have added a chapter containing a connecting link between the two. If, for the use of Schools and Families, abridgments of the Histories of Greece, Rome, England and Scotland, have been found necessary and useful, it may not be too much most respectfully to solicit a share of public patronage for this Summary of Sacred History," containing a connected account of the wonderful works of God, in Creation, Providence, and Grace, chronologically arranged, from the Creation of the World to the Return of the Jews from the Captivity of Babylon, and the settling of the affairs of Church and State under Nehemiah. This Volume will be found not merely historical but biogra phical, forming a PICTURE GALLERY OF BIBLE WORTHIES, who, when viewed either as Patriarchs, Historians, Heroes, Judges, Kings, Statesmen, Poets, Priests, Prophets, or Saints, have never been equalled, and far less surpassed. No Book of the same size can be more replete with "examples for our encouragement of those who, in every variety of circumstances-on the throne, and in the dungeon-in health, and in sickness among friends or foes-in a land of ordinances, or among idolaters-in youth, or in old age-in times of outward peace, or at the risk of their lives-lived by faith in the living God, and were not put to shame! It abounds also in examples for our warning, of men who, in the same circumstances, disobeyed God, and were punished by His righteous judgments." It is hoped that the utility of this Compendium of Sacred History will not be confined to Private Families, or Public Day-Schools, but be useful to all, especially to Sabbath-School Teachers, by causing a portion of which to be studied from Sabbath to Sabbath, their Pupils cannot fail to obtain, with ease and accuracy, a valuable stock of Bible knowledge. As to past and important events, WHEN, WHERE, and How they took place. As to eminent Bible characters, WHEN, WHERE, and How they lived, WHAт they DID, and How they DID IT. That the perusal of this Volume, whether in the Family or in the Class-Room, may be blessed of God in alluring the Young to grow familiar with His Word, leading them with increased delight and interest to the study of the WHOLE BIBLE, as the only fountain of that truth and wisdom which alone can make wise unto salvation, is the sincere desire of Their Humble Servant, BLAIRNROAR, MUTHILL, August, 1860. THE EDITOR. CONTENTS. FROM THE CREATION OF THE WORLD TO THE FLOOD. Introduction-A Particular Account of the several days' Work of Creation-The First Sabbath-Our First Parents in their State of Innocence-Their Fall-The Birth of Cain and Abel-The Murder of Abel-The Genealogy of FROM THE FLOOD TO THE CALL OF ABRAM. The Great Charter of the New Kingdom of Nature-The Posterity of Japheth and Ham-An Attempt to Build & Page FROM THE CALL OF ABRAHAM TO THE BIRTH OF ESAU AND JACOB. Abraham Leaves his Native Country-Goes into Egypt- Returns to where he had his Tent at the beginning- Complains for Want of an Heir-Receives a Gracious Promise-Hagar Bears Ishmael-Abraham Intercedes with God for the Inhabitants of the Cities of the Plain— FROM THE BIRTH OF ESAU AND JACOB TO THE DEATH OF JACOB. Birth of Esau and Jacob-Jacob Buys Esau's Birthright- Tricks him out of his Father's Blessing-Sent out of Harm's Way to his Uncle-Serves him for Wives and Cattle Twenty Years-Leaves him Secretly-Meets Esau, and finds favour-Settles in Canaan-Joseph is Hated, and Sold into Egypt by his Brothers-Advanced to be Governor over all the Land of Egypt-His Brethren go Page The Israelites Increase, and are Oppressed in Egypt-The Birth of Moses-His Flight to Midian-The Bush Burn- ing and not Consumed-Moses Sent by God to Deliver Israel-The Ten Plagues-The Israelites leave Egypt- Pass through the Red Sea-Pharaoh and his Host are Drowned-The Israelites Murmur, &c., FROM THE GIVING OF THE LAW AT SINAI TO THE DEATH OF Moses Forty Days in Mount Sinai-The Israelites Make and Worship a Golden Calf-Moses Breaks the Two Tables of the Law-They are Renewed-The Israelites Remove from Sinai-Murmur for Want of Flesh, and are Punished -Report of the Spies-Rebellion of Korah and his Com- FROM THE DEATH OF MOSES TO THE DEATH OF JOSHUA. Joshua Appointed by God to be the Leader of Israel-The Spies and Rahab-Israel Pass through Jordan on Dry Ground-Jericho and Ai Taken and Destroyed-The Gibeonites Deceive Joshua-He Conquers the King of Jerusalem and his Four Allies-The Sun and Moon Stand 50 FROM THE BEGINNING OF SAUL'S REIGN TO THE ACCESSION OF Saul Chosen First King of Israel-In the Beginning of his Reign Rules Well-Disobeys God, and is Rejected from FROM SAUL'S DEATH TO THE END OF DAVID'S REIGN. David's Parentage-Sent for by Saul-Kills Goliath-Is Envied and Hunted by Saul-Spares his Life Twice- David Anointed King by the Men of Judah-Anointed by all Israel-Desires to Build a House for the Ark of FROM THE DEATH OF DAVID TO THE DEATH OF SOLOMON. The Lord Appearing to Solomon in a Dream-Solomon's Request God's Answer-The Extent of his Vast Domi- nions-The Pomp of his Establishment-His Friendly Relations with Hiram, King of Tyre-The Number of his Masons-The Variety of his Gifts and Accomplishments -The Richness and Diversified Character of his Writings -His Going Astray-His Punishment-His Death and |