enemies. Suppose a powerful and benevolent prince sends them word that he will, for a number of years, (say thirty,) maintain for their safety, along their frontier, ten garrisons, each to contain one hundred well armed men. Or suppose he is actuated by different designs, and moved by other motives, no matter how this is, so that his word is out for the support of a given number of (ten) fortifications containing a thousand soldiers. Suppose the forts are built and remain a few years, when two of them are burned to the ground, and rebuilt without delay, has there been any violation of the sovereign's word? No, there was no material interruption in the continuance of the walls of strength; furthermore, the troops, (the most important part of the safe-guard,) are still there. Again, suppose the monarch send and has two posts of strength demolished, but adjoining the spot where these stood and immediately, he has other two buildings erected more capacious and more desirable, does the promise still stand good? We answer in the affirmative, and we believe no one would differ with us. Finally, suppose in addition to the ten garrisons, it could be shown that for several months during the thirty years, one more had been maintained there; that for one or two years out of the thirty, there had been there eleven instead of ten fortifications, shall we call it a defect or a failure in the original undertaking? Or shall any seeming interruption, such as has been named, destroy the propriety of our calling these the ten garrisons of the frontier? The answer is No, without dispute.

So it is, and so it has been, respecting the ten horns, which were to represent ten kingdoms of Europe, once under the Roman sceptre. They have been there for twelve hundred and sixty (days) years. If several have had their names changed according to the caprice of him

who conquered, this change of name did not destroy existence. If others have had their territorial limits changed, the nation was still there. If others have fallen whilst successors were forming in their room, the ten horns were still there. If during a few years out of a thousand, there were more than ten; if some temporary power reared its head, seeming to claim a place with the rest, and soon disappeared, it has not caused the beast to have less than ten horns.

CHAPTER LXVII.

Means of Rescue. Other instances of inattention noticed.

In prosecuting the all-important inquiry, "Is this Book from heaven?" I was at last compelled to confess that I had been ignorant of the contents of the Bible. I had read it and heard it read all my life, excepting the five or six years of my established infidelity, but of its contents I was darkly ignorant, and I discovered that my unbelieving companions were equally unacquainted with the holy page, and with the literature connected with its words. I discovered that men had read history recorded after it had been acted, that they had read the same history in the Bible, told beforehand, that it would transpire; that one was as plain as the other; whilst the reader noticed it not, he observed it not. Instances like this properly enumerated and explained, would swell volumes; but I shall have space for one example only. Or rather a single case at present must suffice us, for if

one sample will not persuade the reader to look into the Bible, others will fail to win his attention.

Instances of reading and not understanding that which is as plain as simple words ever are.

I had read the history of Egypt and of Syria, whilst the Grecian monarchs sat on those thrones. I knew that Syria was north of Egypt, and of course that a Syrian would call Egypt the kingdom of the south. I had read that Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, had contracted his daughter in marriage to the king of Syria. Her name was Berenice; she was poisoned in the kingdom of the north, (in Syria,) and her father died shortly after her. I had read that one from the same root with herself, (her brother,) had marched an army into Syria, and had prevailed, and had avenged his sister's death. Now when I read in the eleventh chapter of Daniel, 7th verse, "But out of a branch of her root shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them and shall prevail!" I never noticed what the prophet was saying! I passed it by as though there was no meaning, or as though the meaning of a book said to come from heaven, was unimportant. One history of Egypt and Syria, was as plain as the other. Daniel's is brief. It is an epitome. It was written two hundred and fifty years before Berenice lived; but it is as plain as any thing Russell or Rollin ever wrote of ancient history. (At the conclusion of these extracts I will tell why I have commenced as far down as the seventh verse.) I had read that this brother of Berenice, was called evergetes, (or benefactor,) by the Egyptians, for when he returned, he carried with him thou.. sands of idols and captives, images and nobles of Syria, also much of gold which the son of Cyrus had long before

taken away from Egypt. He out-lived the king of Syria, whom he had been fighting several years. What must I have thought when I read in the 8th verse; "He shall also carry captives into Egypt; their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north."

"9. So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land.”

When I read this, I thought nothing or almost nothing of the passage, (a passage where accurate and important history yet to come, was written in few but plain words.) I had partly forgotten, or remembered but dimly the items mentioned so strangely on the wonderful page; and furthermore, we observe, and we understand, and we recollect any thing else with thrice the speed and aptitude with that which we exert toward any thing in the Book of Books. There it is again true, that skilful men surpass themselves in framing objections, building difficulties, or weaving webs of ingenuity to perplex others, or to quiet conscience.

I had read that the sons of the king of Syria being greatly provoked, assembled great forces intending to vanquish the king of the south. That one of them did push the war even to the very border of Egypt, and was like to go into the very land of his adversary. This so aroused the Egyptian monarch, that he collected his ablest forces; went out to fight the king of the north, and did obtain a speedy victory, and most decisive over his enemy, but was not strengthened by it, for instead of pursuing his advantage, he was so elated and so joyful, that he gave himself up to feasting, to drunkenness, and to the most disgusting debaucheries. I read in this same

chapter,

"10. But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces, and one shall certainly come and overflow and pass through; then shall he return and be stirred up even to his fortress.

11. And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north; and he shall set forth a great multitude, but the multitude shall be given into his hand.

12. And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up, and he shall cast down many ten thousands; but he shall not be strengthened by it."

The thirteenth and sixteenth verses inclusive, give us a clear and plain account of the history of Syria and Egypt. Very much is contained in few words. We will first repeat the verses, and then note the remark of

commentators.

"13. For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.

14. And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.

15. So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities; and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.

16. But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him; and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed."