Mountain scenes from the Bible; or, "Social heights in Scriptural geography"

Preface

THE essays herewith presented to the public are the accumulation of eight years of thought on a subject dear to a lover of nature. In spiritual travail was born the idea that runs through the whole. Their appeal is to the religious rather than to the curious. No attempt has been made to add to the findings of scholarship. The single aim has been to combine the liberal interpretations of truth with the spiritual, so that the reader may proceed through the experiences of the Christian life with the consent of an enlightened intelligence, and to the spiritual profit of his soul.

The mountainous setting of some of the greatest experiences of God's heroes is not without an interest and charm. The repeated reference to the mountains in Holy Writ cannot be accidental. But the geography of these mountains is of less significance than the spiritual import of what transpired there. It is the experience that gives them meaning. Hence it is " Soul Heights in Scriptural Geography " rather than merely " Mountain Scenes from the Bible'' which provides the general caption of this volume.

Of necessity some of the mountain scenes have been omitted. Their study would have been profitable, but they would have added little to the sum total of an over-full treatise. The reader is exhorted to do a bit of mountain

8 PREFACE

climbing on his own behalf, and to add his contribution to the following as best he may. May God bless this effort to honour His word.

The reader is requested to peruse the following pages in a prayerful spirit. They will lose much unless this is done. The scriptural reference at the beginning of each chapter should be carefully read that the Biblical setting of the scenes may be grasped. Too much should not be read at one sitting. Each chapter is distinct and should be kept so in the thought of the reader. A deliberate, thoughtful and prayerful study of this book cannot fail to be blessed to the spiritual life of him who reads.

W. R. P.

Massillon, Ohio.

A Mountain of Peace Isaiah 2:2-4 9

CONTENTS

A Mountain of Holiness Isaiah n : 1-9

1 57