PREFACE. 13 



sensibly the injuries of the respected Author. The writer 

 deems it as due to himself, to say, that he is neither kinsman, 

 nor acquaintance, arid has never, to his knowledge, had the 

 pleasure of seeing the Rev. Dr. Harris. And the latter, as 

 deeply as he must feel his own wrongs, does not dream that 

 such a preface as this is in hand, or probably never heard of 

 its writer. He, if he knows his own heart, would have been 

 equally ready to do the same justice, that he has attempted 

 here, to Mr. Carpenter, had he been the aggrieved and any 

 other individual the aggressor. 



But to return to the volume now presented to the Christian 

 csmmutiity, it is sincerely hoped, that it may contribute, in 

 some good degree, to increase and gratify the interest which 

 the subject of it has at this day so genera ly awakened. 



The American Editor can truly say, that the delightful il- 

 lustrations of scripture, which have been continually coming 

 before his mind, in the progress of his examinations, have 

 made him more sensible than ever, how much of real, intel- 

 lectual and moral pleasure and improvement is lost by a want 

 of acquaintance with the Natural History of the Bible. 



And therefore does he most cordially commend this study 

 and this volume to the notice of all, and especially of the 

 young, who desire a fuller acquaintance with the beauties 

 and treasures of the Sacred Oracles. 



, GORHAM D. ABBOTT. 



Boston, Oct. 24M, 1832. 



