The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1885-06-27
Written for the CHIEF.
THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TES-
TAMENT.

The books of the Old Testament are truly
wonderful and striking, and of such ma
ture as to surpass oil monuments of pro-
fame learning, equally in Importance as an
antiquity. OF all the parts which compose
the sacred canon, mono are moro curious
than Genesis, the first book written by
Moses, because it contains sketch of the
earliest history of mankind. There stand
recorded the creation Of the world and its
inhabitants, tho fall of our first parents
piness, and their Punishment from the
garden of Eden; the repeated and signal
promises of future restorer of the lost
blessings of mankind; the history of the
patriarchs who honored the revelation of
Jehovah; the description Of the general del
uge; tho dispersion Of the progenitors Of
the human race over all the earth: the
adoption of particular family to perpetu-
ate the remembrance and establish the
worship of the true God, and their pros
porous settlement in Egypt. Instances in
deed are mentioned Of EARLY deprayity
and of the violence Of the passions at
tended with suitable punisNments, yet
society appears under its simplest form in
point OF manners, and we discern no traces
of the luxury and false refnements of sub
eequent times.
In the books of the Jews is recorded an
account OF the descendants Of Israel, race
of men selected from all others and favored
with successive revelations of the divine
will. Here arc shown the instances of their
fidelity, perverseness and disobedience,
their glory and triumphs, their disgraces
and their subsection to foreign powers.
Here is seen the superintendent Of di-
vine and especial Providence watching over
innocence, suspending wrath and taking
the most signal vengeance upon unrepented
offences. Here are developed the failings
of the most devout persons and the obdu
rate wlckedness of confirmed sinners.
Here are mixed characters even Of the most
excellent men, the eminent examples of
faith aud piety, Of courage and patience, in
the conduct of Abraham, Lot, job, Joseph.
Moses. David. Hezekiah. Josiah and Dan
iel. And most interesting is it to observe
that the knowledge of one true God was
communicated to this people and preserved
10y them alone; and that the most sublime
ideas OF his nature and attributes; that a
magnificent temple was erected 10 his hon
or; q regular service was instituted: holy
ceremonies were performed; an order of
priesthood Of one family in particular was
consecrated: pure worship was established
by his express command, and regulated by
his particular laws. Thus were the Jews
enlightened by a knowledge of the true OBJ
ject of divine worship. and thus we're the
purity and holiness OF their religious ordi-
nances conducted at a time when all other
nations presented wide scene Of gross SUI
perstition and mental darkness: when the
rest of human race, even the most inteili-
gent and polished nations of Egypt and
Greece, showed the most ahject degrade
ton OF their nature by prostra:ing them
selves before the idols OF their own work
manshp. and abused the evidence Of sense
and the faculty Of .eason b. impnting to
wood aud stone the attributes of divine
power.
We seelikewise succession Of prophets
raised up among the Jews to communicate
the divine Will, TO warn them OF evils and to
announce to them blessings 10 come. These
holy men, ever ohedient to the call Of heav-
Gil. rose superior TO all worldly considera-
lions and with 4 spirit of intrepidity and
Independence, which clearly showed that