duction, presenting a summary view of the contents of the whole book, like the introductory sketches to a series of historical paintings, designed to present in a connected view the great outlines of the plan, the particular scenes of which are afterwards presented in detail? This may or may not be the true exposition; but we think it far preferable to the one which passes current with commentators. Let our readers, in order to satisfy themselves, open to this chapter, and read the first eight verses. Here are four horses, of divers colors, each color having a symbolic import. To ascertain this import, we may inquire, whether either of these horses appears again on the stage, so as to give us a clew to the symbol. In chap. xix. 11-16, the question is answered, and the symbol explained. He that sits on the white horse, is the reigning, conquering Savior, and the color of the horse is a striking emblem of his pure and holy religion. What then can be meant by the red horse, but a religion of cruelty and blood, a religion propagated by the sword? And what is the black horse, but a religion of darkness,—a religion which puts out the light,-which produces a famine of the word of God, the religion which prevailed in the dark ages? And what is the pale horse, but a religion of death,-one which promises death, and death only, to its votaries;-a religion which is attended and followed by carnage and death among the people that embrace it;—a religion which closes the gate to eternal life, and writes over the grave-yards a sentence which makes every reader pale and aghast,-DEATH IS AN ETERNAL SLEEP? This is, substantially, the interpretation given by Keith. We merely propose it, as a resting-point for the mind, whilst throwing off a scheme so long current, and which appears to have been adopted merely for want of a better. Those who love to think for themselves, will, at least, be pleased to investigate the chapter, unshackled by that rigid regard to chronology, which destroys all the force and sublimity of the figures here employed.

Our author's views of the approaching contest between the people of God and the combined hosts of popery, infidelity and licentiousness, are judiciously expressed, and sustained by arguments of great weight. That there is to be such a contest, is now generally admitted. That it will be brought on, in the way described by Mr. Smith, seems highly probable. That it is now rapidly approaching, every intelligent observer of the times seems ready to admit. But what that contest will be,-whether it shall come with "the con

fused noise of the warrior, and with garments rolled in blood," or whether it will be the contest of mind with mind, in fierce discussion, and ardent efforts for a moral and political ascendency, amidst the heavings of a great moral earthquake, may admit of a question. If, as he maintains, the slaying of the witnesses is an event yet to come, then undoubtedly bloody and destructive wars are yet to sweep over the whole face of Christendom, the days of persecution are yet to return upon us, in all the relentless fury of the dark ages; and we must prepare our minds to see, for a time, the religion of Jesus crushed to the earth, and trampled in the dust, before the coming of the latter-day glory. But with our present views, we cannot give our assent to this theory; though we confess, the arguments adduced by our author have sometimes almost staggered our belief in the sentiment, that the event just alluded to preceded the Reformation. We cannot now, however, enter upon the subject. It is worthy of a separate and labored investigation by the most gifted minds in the church; for it is a question more deeply interesting, in the present crisis, than almost any other portion of the prophetic records.

A passing notice of one other work, named at the head of this article, is all that our limits will permit. "Keith's Evidence of Prophecy" has met with a universally favorable reception, and has given its author a standing among the benefactors of the age. His "Signs of the Times" has acquired less notoriety, and is generally commended with some degree of allowance, even by those who have been deeply interested in its perusal.

It has been asserted, that the work under notice is chiefly extracted, or at least, the ideas borrowed from the work of Bishop Newton. However this may be it is of no consequence to our present object, which is, to induce every lover of prophecy to give the work an attentive and thorough examination. We know of no book within the reach of ordinary readers, so well fitted to awaken an interest in the study of prophecy,-none which presents such a rich variety of interesting and striking illustrations of the sacred text, or which appears to us so well fitted to lead the mind to a just apprehension of the true principles of prophetic interpretation.

Of course we do not commit ourselves to defend every interpretation which he has given; nor subscribe to every point of his illustrations. We think that in some cases he has been misled by an accidental coincidence of phrases in the prophecy, as compared with history, and in some cases, he VOL. IX.

48

confines the interpretation to minute events, when the prophecy was evidently intended to cover a considerable space; but, as a whole, we know of no work on this portion of the prophetic scriptures, which appears to be so well sustained by appeals to historical facts, or so well fitted to make a vivid impression and awaken a lively interest in the study of prophecy, in the minds of the mass of readers. The use which he makes of the infidel Gibbon, in demolishing the whole fabric of infidelity, is admirable, and worthy of imitation by every preacher, who would successfully combat the secret inroads of that system among his own people. His descriptions of popery also, taken verbatim from the sacred text, and the pen of history, and often without a word of comment,—are adapted to carry conviction to every mind, not intrenched in the system, that Rome is indeed the mystic Babylon, the mother of harlots, who has drank the blood of the saints, and who shall have blood to drink in great measure. We give a single extract, taken at random, as a specimen of his manner of treating the sacred text, and the interest he throws around it:

'Second seal. And there went out another horse that was red. Rev. vi. 4. If one horse represent the christian religion, another horse must, in like manner, if there be perfect harmony in the vision, represent another religion. And each religion must have its author or head; as each horse had its rider. The question here is not of time, but of a new, or another religion. Another religion of a different and opposite nature from the christian, was thus to arise, and the founder of another faith to appear, who instead of proclaiming peace from heaven, would take peace from the earth,-whose religion would be propagated by slaughter, and to whom a great sword was given. Could Mahomet and Mahometanism, be more strikingly portrayed?' Keith, p. 184, 5, vol. 1.

Then follows a quotation from Gibbon,-a writer who avowed his object to be, to account for the spread of christianity, without the admission of its divine origin:

'The martial apostle fought in person, in nine battles or sieges, and fifty enterprises of war were achieved in ten years by himself or his lieutenants. "The sword," says Mahomet, "is the key to heaven and hell." p. 186.

The following is on the same topic :

But another word here, marks another feature of its own fate,they shall KILL ONE ANOTHER. When the caliphate fell from its high estate, history records, that the African and Turkish guards drew their

SWORDS AGAINST EACH OTHER, and that the sultans of Persia silenced the factions of Bagdad by their irresistible ARMS. Gibbon, vol. 10. p. 84.'-p. 189.

But we must bring our article to a close. The work cannot fail to interest every lover of the prophecies; and if it does not create a burning desire for the study in the breasts of those who read it, it will at least remove every feeling of contempt towards those who engage in the search after those mysteries of revelation. That many should consider the views of our author fanciful and extravagant, is no matter of surprise. He has left the beaten track, and explored a way for himself,aided, it may be, by the light of a single gifted mind, whose works are more praised than read. He breaks up all our former associations, and bids us look to events, which we never imagined could be the subject of prophecy. Besides, he deals little in abstract argument, or in confident assertion. He gives the naked text, and then presents a passage of history for the comment; thus making the reader interpret for himself. The process is so easy and simple, that it is hard to believe we have actually found the right interpretation. This, we are persuaded, is one great reason why many reject the book, as an unsafe guide. It is so simple and intelligible, that it cannot be correct. Let all such persons read it again, endeavoring at the same time, to determine for themselves the true meaning of the prophecy, and they will soon dismiss the idea, that Mr. Keith is fanciful and visionary. The more attentively he is studied, the more of sober sense will be discovered in his writings. Faults, he undoubtedly has, both in sentiment and in style, he may even have been guilty of plagiarism, but he has produced a book which embraces more information as to the prophecies of Daniel, and of the Apocalypse, and one which may be more safely used as a help to the study of those books, than any single work within the reach of the mass of American christians; and till a better is furnished, we recommend it to all who desire an acquaintance with this long neglected branch of theology.

ART. III.

RELATIONS OF LAW AND A REVERENTIAL SPIRIT TO INDIVIDUAL AND NATIONAL PROSPERITY.

A WELL organized and prosperous state, presents to the philosophic mind no mean problem for solution. We behold in it great energy and industry busily at work in a thousand distinct yet harmonious spheres, to the great benefit and glory of the commonwealth. The toiling husbandman, the busy artisan, the intrepid and adventurous seaman, each in his own department, are gathering the riches of nature and art, to contribute to their own comforts and luxuries. Here, the artist in his study, is chiseling the marble into life and loveliness, or making the canvass move and glow as he transfers to it the shapings of his imagination. There, the poet, the thoughtful observer of all the goings-on of life, is bringing into a clearer light, and encircling with a brighter glory, the thoughts and feelings of the heart of man; expressing them in a language derived from the shapes and voices of the outward world, and in words which move to music. The philosopher is unlocking the secrets of nature; the scholar is interpreting the records of the past; the legislator is embodying law in institutions and ordinances, which the executive and judicial departments of government make effectual to the conservation and advancement of the public interests. It is such a spectacle as Milton, though occupied with another theme, thus divinely described: "Behold now this vast city: a city of refuge, the mansion-house of liberty, encompassed and surrounded with his protection; the shop of war hath not there more anvils and hammers waking to fashion out the plates and instruments of armed justice, in defence of beleaguered truth, than there be pens and heads there, sitting by their studious lamps, musing, searching, revolving new notions and ideas others as fast reading, trying all things, assenting to the force of reason and convincement." That which is most admirable in such a state, is the mutual dependence each upon the other, of its numerous and diverse classes. No one remains isolated, but there is a mutual interchange of offices, and a common participation in benefits. We everywhere observe a regard to other than individual interests, manifesting itself in labors and sacrifices. Behold man at his beginning: how ignorant, and frail, and helpless! Behold him again, a model of noble beauty, with his stately and symmetrical form, his piercing eye, his capacious forehead, and his well-compact