The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-03-01

fIcuoN IN THE BmLE.---The oldest novel in
existence is probably the Book of Job. We
presume there may be some men left who still
read the book OF job as yeritabie hist nv,
cut those who are capable OF judging will simply
place 1T at the head OF the realm OF fiction.
That l. s divInely inspired we do not dlspnte.
Indeed the establishment of its divine insoira-
ten az tact, rather than the acceptance Of Il
as matter OF faith, would only strengthen
the position we have always held. VIZ. that the
highest fiction is that which the most compe-
tenty carries the most valuable burden of
truth. The writer OF the Book OF JOB was a
man who, IN the dawn, as it we're, OF hnman
history, revolved IN catholic cultured and
reverent mind the unequal dealings OF God
with men. Why did the good man have
trouble! job was an excellent man, ''perfect
and upright" stripped of every coed. and tAe
AIT by which the writer presents hlrn as, one
after another, his possessions are taken rom
him, aud hls friends discuss with hun the
great probleni that vexes him, with ali the
machinery OF dialogues between the Almighty
and Satan, and the Almighty and job hIuself,
surpasses all the art OF later times. such
imagnations aud such descriptions, such con-
yersatons and arguments, such marvellous
characterizahons as are to lie found IN this
great book can be found nowhere else IN the
whole range OF literature. Il is book that
has commanded the admiration az well as tho
profound reverence OF the greatest men who
have ever lived, aud 1t is novel in all lts es-
sential features, even though we call 1t a poem.
The Book Of Revelation Is novel, 30 tar as
it Is an attempt to convey truth through tvp.cal
forms and scenes and events. 1t is no record
of facts, but a panoramic representation OF
conceptions born in, and addressed TO- the
imagination. in short 1t is creation OF art.
whatever may be its origin, whether divine or
human-by which certain great, shadowv
thoughts and ideas are attempted 10 be re,re-
sented TO the mental apprehensions or the
faith OF men. There are many devout Delev-
ers IN the inspiration Of the ancient Scriptures
who regard the story C.: the creation aud the
fall OF Adam rehearsed in the Book OF Genesis
as anything but literal representation Of his
foric facts. The essential truth ls in tie mar
rative, but it ls represented in such a way that
the simplest mind can apprehend and make
use OF 1t. The Song Of Solomon is very ex-
quisite essay in the art OF fiction. II the books
OF Esther and Ruth are historical, they are
certainly nothing to us but stories with morals,
and very strongsnd beautiful stories they are.
Tho names OF Ahasuerus and MoTdecai, and
Hamau and Esther are nothing but names to
the present reading world, which mean no
more than those OK Daniel Deronda and Ralph
Nickelby aud Ciarssa Harowo. Boa1 and
Ruth might be AbeIard and Helciso, or any
| other lovers. The two stories sro 20 Us simply
/ stories, having no significance particularly as
history, aud no uss, save az in an exquisite
/ form OF art they convey to us the moral les
sons with winch they are oharged.--Flom DR..
/ Holland. m scribnor for March.