Chapters of Bible Study A Popular Introduction to the Study of the Sacred Scriptures   By: Herman J. Heuser

OR

A POPULAR INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF THE SACRED SCRIPTURES

BY

THE REV. HERMAN J. HEUSER

PROF. OF SCRIPTURAL INTRODUCTION AND EXEGESIS, ST. CHARLES SEMINARY, OVERBROOK, PA.

THE CATHEDRAL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

123 E. 50th Street

New York

1895

Nihil Obstat: D. J. McMAHON, Censor Librorum .

Imprimatur: MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York .

COPYRIGHT BY JOSEPH H. MCMAHON, 1895.

PREFACE.

The following pages are printed from notes used in a series of lectures before the "Catholic Summer School of America" at Pittsburgh. They are neither an exhaustive nor a scientific exposition, but are meant as a suggestive introduction, in popular form, to the intelligent reading of the Bible. Some of the answers to questions proposed by members of the "School" during the course have been inserted where it seemed most suitable.

I take occasion here to express my deep appreciation of the courtesy shown to its visitors by the Directors of the "Catholic Summer School." Their self sacrificing spirit has secured to the organization the earnest co operation of many gifted men and women animated by that refined Catholic feeling which constitutes the highest type of a truly cultured society. Nothing could have placed the institution on a firmer basis, or could better have given it that guarantee of success to which the last session has borne witness.

H. J. H.

CONTENTS.

I. The Ancient Scroll II. Strange Witnesses III. The Testimony of a Confession IV. The Stones Cry Out V. Heavenly Wisdom VI. The Vicious Circle VII. The Sacred Pen VIII. The Melody and Harmony of the "Vox Coelestis" IX. The Voice from the Rock X. A Source of Culture XI. The Creation of New Letters XII. English Style XIII. Friends of God XIV. The Art of Prospecting XV. Using the Kodak XVI. The Interpretation of the Image XVII. "Deus Illuminatio Mea" XVIII. Bush Lights XIX. The Use and the Abuse of the Bible XX. The Vulgate and the "Revised Version" XXI. The Position of the Church XXII. Mysterious Characters XXIII. Conclusion XXIV. Appendix

CHAPTERS OF BIBLE STUDY.

I.

THE ANCIENT SCROLL.

If a mysteriously written document were brought to you, and its bearer assured you that it contained a secret putting you in possession of a great inheritance by establishing your relationship to an ancient race of kings, of which you had no previous knowledge, how would you regard such a document?

You would examine its age, the character of the manuscript, the quality of the paper or parchment; you would ask how it had come to you, and by whom it had been transmitted through successive generations before it reached you. And when, after careful inquiry, you had established the age and authenticity of the document, then you would study its contents, examine the nature of its provisions, and, having clearly understood its meaning, ask yourself: How can I carry out the conditions laid down in this testament, in order that I may obtain the full benefit of the generous bequest left by my noble ancestor?

It is on similar lines that I propose to treat our subject. We shall take up the Bible just as we would take up any other written work, requiring, for the time being, simply so much faith no more, but also no less than we would exact in the fair examination of any other work, whether of fact or of fiction.