107 
was kept unextinguished, was erected on an artificial heap of stones ; 
and stood, generally, within a circle of twelve erect stone pillars, 
and sometimes within a double circle. On these sacred mounts, 
we also often meet rude obelisks, verging from about ten to twenty 
feet in heigth, and of proportionate dimensions; in some places 
standing alone, in others surrounded by small pillars. These 
mounts, altars, and pillars, were always surrounded with oak 
groves. They are all mentioned in the inspired writings. And 
Jacob said unto his brethren, gather stones, who brought stones 
and made a heap, and they eat upon this heap. (Genesis, xxxi. 
46.) This was in confirmation of the pact between Jacob and 
Laban. ‘The covenant concludes with the last and most solemn act 
of religion. And Jacob did offer sacrifice upon the mount, and 
called his brethren to eat bread. (Gen. xxxi. 54.) We further 
read, that Abraham passed into the oak grove of Moreh, where he 
built an altar unto the Lord. (Gen. xii. 6.) Abimeleck was made 
King by the oak of the pillar. (Judges, ix. 6.) Joshua took a 
great stone, and set it up there, (that is in Shechem,) under the oak, 
which was to be taken for the sanctuary of the Lord. (Joshua, 
xxiv. 26.) The inspired writer mentions the sepulchral stone 
pillars of Jacob in Bethel, (Gen. xxviii. 18.) and of Rachel and 
Absalom. (Gen. xxxv. 19.) God himself commands Joshua to 
take up twelve stones, a stone for every tribe, and to pitch them as 
a memorial of their passage over the Jordan. (Joshua, iv. 20.) 
The ancient law was, not to strike a tool upon the sacred things, 
tus described by Moses—monuments of whole stones, over which 
no man had lifted up any iron. (Josh. viii. 31.) And in Exodus, 
If thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it up 
of hewn stone; for if thou lift thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted 
it, 
