Royal treasury

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GOPYRICHT DEPOSU

Preface

ROYAL TREASURY ; or, JEWELS OF THE BIBLE, contains all the captivating features which give immortal interest to the Scripture narrative. It is rich in vivid descriptions, gems of inspired thought, scenes that thrill the heart, and records of strange adventure and romance which have more power to entrance than the creations of fiction.

The narrative begins with the new earth and heavens, and portrays the sublime work of creation, over which " the morning stars sang together." The expulsion of our first parents from the floral bowers of Eden ; the first murder which stained with blood the virgin world ; the mighty deluge that rolled its dark waters over mountain summits, and engulfed in awful destruction the inhabitants of the earth ; the lonely ark of Noah, riding upon the billows of the "vasty deep;" and the sudden overthrow of the visionary tower of Babel — these, with other momentous events, form the first part of this very attractive volume.

Then follow the great transactions recorded in the history of the Hebrews, such as Abraham offering his son; Isaac meeting the fair maid Rebecca; Jacob reconciled to his brother Esau ; the thrilling story of Joseph at the court of Pharaoh ; and the finding by the Egyptian princess of the babe in the rushes, that was destined to become one of the most majestic heroes of the Old Testament.

The wanderings of Israel in the wilderness are depicted — the woes that fell upon plaguestricken Egypt ; the miraculous passage of the Red Sea ; the triumphant song of Miriam and the Jewish maidens ; the awful scenes surrounding cloud-capped Sinai ; and the death of Moses on Nebo, when, according to Jewish legend, the winds wailed, and the earth xried, ■' We have lost the Holy One !"

The period of Joshua and the judges is treated in the same masterly manner. Portrayed in vivid colors, the reader sees the falling walls of Jericho ; brave Gideon, with his wonderful fleece and dauntless little army ; valiant Jephthah fulfilling his rash vow ; mighty Samson, rending the lion's jaws, carrying the massive gates of Gaza, and heaving from their sockets the gigantic pillars of the Philistine temple.

The fascinating story of Ruth, gleaning in the fields of Boaz and becoming the ancestress of David and his greater Son, is told in all its simple beauty and pathos.

Towering up in rugged proportions, that strange man Saul comes into view, and then David, the ruddy shepherd boy, appears with the sling that carries swift death to boastful Goliath. Exchanging the shepherd's staff for the kingly sceptre, the dazzling glory of the Hebrew nation bursts upon us, and the line of .illustrious kings commences.

Very thrilling are the events during the^ reigns of David and Solomon, including the rebellion of Absalom and the grief of his heart-broken father; the building of that most famous of all edifices, the Temple at Jerusalem ; and the visit of the beautiful Queen of .Sheba to the court of Solomon.

Then, with the swiftness of the whirlwind, the prophet Elijah appears. The reader ii PREFACE.

beholds one of the most striking figures in history. He follows this mysterious prophet to the brook Cherith and the poor widow's home at Sarepta; sees his triumphant defeat of Baal's prophets on Carmel, and then the chariot of flame which bears him through the cloven heaven beyond mortal sight. He beholds the sweet face of the little Jewish captive in Syria, and sees her haughty master, Naaman, at the door of Elisha, and rising from the waters of Jordan, healed of his leprosy.

He finally comes to the charming story of Queen Esther, her patriotic devotion and overthrow of Hainan's fiendish plot. The no less interesting story of Job follows, his sudden afflictions, his sympathizing friends, and their renowned discussions on the problems of human life.

All the prominent features of the Psalms and Proverbs are fully described. The helpful sayings of the wise man are mingled with the songs of the sweet singer of Israel.

We have next the spirited account of the captivity; the grandeur of ancient Babylon, and the startling dreams and fiery handwriting which terrified her kings ; the brave, invincible Daniel, himself more than a kingdom, whom neither lion's den nor fiery furnace could appall ; and at length the capture of the proud city by the army of Cyrus. The magnificence of ancient Nineveh is described, together with the visit of that strange prophet, Jonah, and also* the modern excavations which have given a resurrection to the buried city.

The valorous exploits of Judas Maccabeus, that patriotic hero who achieved the independence of the Hebrew nation, are told in glowing language.

But the reader has not yet reached the climax ; he is yet to stand upon the loftiest summit. Coming to the Life of Christ, which is complete in all its peerless beauty, he beholds the Child Wonderful in Bethlehem's manger ; the white-robed chorus singing peace and good-will; the adoring shepherds and Persian sages, and all the graphic and illustrious scenes connected with the baptism of Christ; His temptation in the wilderness; the calling of the Galilean fishermen ; the parables, which, like windows, let in celestial light; and the stupendous miracles which healed the sick, hushed the wild tempest, and even rent the tomb ! His myriad deeds of compassion ; His sweet words of love ; His calm majesty in persecution and suffering; His .radiant glory of transfiguration; His agony in the garden and death upon the cross, when even mute nature felt the pang and was moved to sympathy — all this, and vastly more which cannot here be stated, is fully depicted.

The reader will find a peculiar charm in the resplendent history of the Apostles — the labors, sufferings and sublime sacrifices of those noble men, "of whom the world was not worthy." He is dazzled by the bright light that falls upon majestic Paul, and traces the brilliant career of this great Apostle to the Gentiles. He keeps company with the Apostle in his missionary journeys; hears his midnight song in the dungeon at Philippi; his burning words as he faces Roman governors ; the clanking of his chains as he stands before King Agrippa, and his grand speech on Mars' Hill, that masterpiece of sacred eloquence.

The teachings of the apostles are followed by the vision of John in Revelation, with its majestic imagery and beautiful descriptions of the heavenly Jerusalem. No Raphael nor Angelo ever gave the world such paintings in colors as are here given in inspired words. Then comes one of the most interesting .and attractive parts of the volume, consisting of Biographies of the Great Men of the Bible and Captivating Bible Stories for the Young.

The work embraces the most interesting of all subjects, forms in itself a library of choicest information, and an exhaustless source of entertainment, such as was never attempted in any other book.

Chapter I. The New Earth And Heavens

The Work of Creation — Life and Beauty — The First Man — The Garden of Eden — The First Woman — Perfect Happiness — The Tempter — Death and Woe — The World Cursed — Banishment from Eden — Cain and Abel — Keeping Sheep and Tilling the Ground — A Quarrel — Abel is Slain — Flight of Cain — The Land of Nod — The First Household — Long Life — Seth and his Family — A Race of Evil-Doers — A Flood Threatened — Noah Commanded to Build an Ark — A Preparation of One Hundred and Twenty Years for the Flood — Entering the Ark — The Terrible Deluge — Sending Forth the Dove — Horrors of the Flood — Waters Subside — A Memorable Sacrifice — The Second Beginning of the World — The Rainbow — Promise not to Send Another Deluge . 17

Chapter II. Abram And Lot

Land of Shinar — Site of Ancient Babylon — A High Tower — The Language Confused — The People Scattered — Hills of Ruin — Nimrod — A Mighty Hunter — Abram — Abram's Wife — Land of Canaan — Trying to Read the Stars — Ur of the Chaldees — The Father of Abram — Story about Idols — Abram Directed to Leave his Country — A Wonderful Promise — Abram's Moral Courage — Sarah's Beauty — Sarah Taken by the King of Egypt — Lot and his Family — Pitching the Tent Toward Sodom — Invasion by the Assyrians — Judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah — Lot Rescued —Fate of Lot's Wife— The Dead Sea 30

Chapter III. Trial Of Abraham's Faith

Birth of Isaac — Sarah's Anger on Account of Ishmael — Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away — Peace in the Tents of Abraham — Command to Sacrifice Isaac — The Old Man's Faith — Death of Sarah — Sepulchre of Machpelah — Abraham Seeking a Wife for Isaac — The Fair Rebekah — A Hearty Reception — A Happy Marriage 40

Chapter IV. Jacob And Esau

One Hundred Years in the Land of Canaan — Death of Abraham — Peculiarities of Jacob and Esau — Isaac in a Strange Land — Wells of Water — Hostility of the Philistines — Prosperity of Isaac — Esau Loses his Birthright — Jacob Leaving Haran — Vision at Bethel — Rachel — Serving Fourteen Years for a Wife — Birth of Joseph — Jacob's Riches — Jealousy on Account of Jacob's Prosperity — A Charge of Theft — Friendly Meeting of Jacob and Esau — Wrestling with the Angel — Death of Rachel — Jacob's Return to Isaac . . . . . . . . -47

CHAPTER. '.V.

THE THRILLING STORY OF JOSEPH.

Founders of the Twelve Tribes of Israel — Jacob's Fondness for Joseph — A Coat of Many Colors — Joseph's Dream — Hostility of Joseph's Brethren — A Caravan of Arabian Merchants — Joseph Sold into Egypt — Interpreting Dreams — Joseph Made Ruler — Providing for Famine — Ornaments of Gold — Riding in a Chariot of State — Monuments of Stone — The Nation Crying for Bread —

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iv CONTENTS.

Jacob Sends his Sons to Egypt — Meeting the "Lord of the Country" — Jacob's Sons Accused of Being Spies — An Affecting Scene — Taking Back the Money — Singular Customs — The Silver Cup — Joseph Making Himself Known — Jacob Meeting his Son . . . . -53

Chapter VI. Early Life Of Moses

Oppression of the Hebrews — Pharaoh's Order to Slay the Male Children — The Little Life-Boat — Finding Moses — A Motherly Princess — Tradition Concerning Moses — A Good Sister — Miriam's Device for Saving her Brother — Moses at the Court of Egypt — The Smiter Smitten—Moses in Flight 66

Chapter VII. The Deliverer Of Israel

The Burning Bush — Glad Tidings for the Hebrews — The Great Lawgiver and Leader — Demand that Pharaoh Shall Release the Hebrews — A Stubborn King — Wonders Performed by Magicians — Plagues — Terrible Calamities — Death of the First-Born — Mercy for Israel — The Destroying Angel — The Blood-Mark on the Doorpost 72

Chapter VIII. The Last Night In Egypt

A Hasty Departure — Fleeing Toward the Red Sea — The Waters Divide for the Hebrews — Pharaoh's Host Overwhelmed — Miriam's Song — Music and Thanksgiving — Moving Toward Sinai — Bitter Waters of Marah — Halt at Elim — Murmuring Against Moses — Bread from Heaven — No Water — A Fountain Bursting from a Rock — Meeting Enemies — A Battle with Amalek — Moses and Jethro — The Solemn Covenant . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Chapter IX. Sublime Scenes At Sinai

The Prophet on the Mountain — The Divine Appearance — Forty Days and Nights Within the Cloud — Moses Supposed to be Lost — The Golden Calf — Jewels for the Idol — The Ten Commandments — The Hebrews Pressing Forward — Death of Aaron — The Brazen Serpent — Og, the Giant of Bashan 94