The history of Christ, according to inspiration; chronologically arranged in one consecutive narrative

Preface

Some twenty-five years ago, the compiler had the charge of a large and intelligent Bible-class. After having studied the contents of several question books, he proposed a critical and thorough examination of the '-'sayings and doings 7 ' of Christ. In doing this, he was desirous of proceeding, as nearly as possible, in the order in which the events transpired. He then felt the need of a work similar to the one before us. He obtained aid from Prof. Michaelis' "Table of the Gospels Harmonized/' also from Dr. Doddridge and others ; and thus completed his course of lessons with apparent satisfaction to the class, and certainly with much profit to himself. But the book, containing a consecutive narrative of Christ's life, as written by the evangelists, he could not find. It has been somewhat surprising to him that, in the overflowing tide of bookmaking, the one he so much desired should be neglected.

He has, at times, named it to literary men ; but, perhaps fearing it "would not pay," it has not been undertaken.

In the autumn of 1853, he suggested it to a president of one of our colleges, who answered, "Do it yourself; you can do it as well as any one else." ,

He then thought, " Well, if no one else will, Iivill try" He did so, and the result is the present little volume : though he found the task much more difficult

PREFACE.

and laborious than he had expected. The object has been to give a full and complete history of Christ, in one continuous narrative, in the language of inspiration, but without repetition, except where it is evident Christ himself repeated. He acknowledges assistance from several works, but is mainly indebted to Dr. Robinson's excellent "English Harmony of the Gospels,' 7 the chronological order of which he has generally followed, but not strictly.

There are events in Christ's life upon which every man must exercise his own judgment as to the time of their occurrence ; and he can only satisfy himself by their relation to other events. In some few instances, therefore, he has departed from his otherwise time text-book.

If the reader should derive one half the satisfaction and benefit in studying these pages that the compiler has in arranging them, he will find himself amply rewarded.

Note. — It is thought necessary to insert both the genealogies of Christ, as given by Matthew and Luke ; for it is generally understood that that given by Matthew is the regular line from Joseph to David, showing that Christ, as his eldest legal son, was heir to his father David's throne ; and that according to Luke is the regular line from Mary, through her father Heli, up to David, also. It is supposed Heli had no son. The inheritance, therefore, and consequently the genealogical line, would fall to his eldest daughter, while she remained single, but on her marriage it fell to her husband. Hence, in the tables, Joseph, the husband of Mary, would be registered " the son of Heli." Thus, Christ is a legal descendant and "heir of David," through Joseph, and a blood descendant through Marv and Heli.

CONTENTS,

CHAPTEE I.

Page The Genealogies of Christ 5

Chapter II

Zachariah sees an angel in the Temple, who announces the birth of John — Christ's birth announced to Mary — She visits Elizabeth 8

CHAPTEE III.

Birth of John — Birth of Christ — His birth announced to the shepherds — His circumcision — Simeon blesses Christ and prophesies

— Anna blesses Christ 13

Christ arrives in Galilee — Preaches in the synagogue with great success — Heals a nobleman's son — Comes to Nazareth — Preaches in the synagogue -r- Is rejected by the Jews 39

Chapter XIII

He leaves Nazareth and goes down again to Capernaum — Preaches out of a boat at the sea-side — The great draught of fishes — Calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John — Heals a demoniac — Heals Simon Peter's wife's mother 42

The apostles return — The five thousand fed — Christ walks on the sea 102

CONTENTS. IX