The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-05-28

THE WORKS OF JOSEPHUS, With q life
written by himself. Translated from the
notes and observations by WILLIAM
WINSTON A. NJ, with a com pIete Index.
LEY. MASON q Co.
Within the past twenty-five years,
unuusal activity has been displayed in
Biblical research and criticism, and
no other quarter Of century has
been characterized By the publication
of such a variety and number of
books strictly theological in their
character and design. Numerous
have been the Lives of Christ, in
which that wonderful being has been
considered and discussed from every
possible stand point; varions and
profound have been the Bible Do
tionaries, Commentaries and CycIope-
dias, and m1ltitudinous are the works
Of minor character which have
challenged the attention of the
learned and unlearned alike during
these eventful twenty years. The
Rationalists have pertinaciously and
even eloquently argued their oppose
ton to the faith and doctrines
of Christianity and the followers
Of Christ with equal zeal and
intelligence have defended the orthc-
doz standard of faith. But among
all this immense, number Of publica-
tions relating to the question Of Chris
tianity, there are none, to cur minds.
which convey more solid and salts
factory information than may be
found in the writings of Josephus,
the distinguished Jewish historian.
Josephus was a standard authority In
the Libraries Of Christians Of an ear
lier period in this country, but of late
has been very nearly, if not altogeth-.
er, supplanted bywhat we might corr
rectly term the Sunday school litera-
ture of the day. In fewlibraries'
only, comparatively. or in some out
of-the-way corner. slowed away among
the rubbish accumulated by time,
may be found antiquated copies Of
the old Tauthor. which are more FREE
quently lused for kindling fires than.
improving the minds of those who
chance to discover them. ~
In view of thisfactw we greetwith gem
uine satisfaction and pleasure the new
Library Edition of Josephus. prepared
and published by Oakley, Mason g.
Co., of New York. This edition is.
composed of FIVE volumes, printed On.
heavy tinted paper, elegantly bound
in CLOTH, and of size convenient In
every particular. We can hardly
reconcile this handsome edition with
our boyhood's notions of Josephus,
gathered from hasty inspections Of
the ponderous old volume, which.
seeming to breathe defiance from
cover and conteHts, occupied a prom.
inent position among the other books
that cons tituted the scanty library Of
the old home.
After all. the appearances of books
has much to do with the Enjoyment
of their reading. We dare say that
the attractive type and binding in
which the publishing house have
dressed the old Hebrew scholar and
author have given him access to and
a cordial greeting in hundreds Of
houses from which he would other
wise have been forever excluded.
No christian. anxious to avail him
self of all the knowledge that will
enable him az any and all times to
give a good reason for the hope that
is within him, can DO without copy
of Josephus. Sunday School teach
ers will also find in the Antiquities
of the Jews, clue that will enable
them 10 unraYel and correctly COM
prehend many difficult passages in
the Old Testament Scriptures which
would otherwise be TO them forever a
sealed book.
Letters addressed to the publish
ers, Oakley Mason 4 Co., q Murray
Street, New York, viii always receive
,,roy,,wf a attention