Undergraduate Library ... Undergraduate 08 31,444 Stevens, James Stacy, 1864 The English Bible, by James S. Stevens Library of Congress Copyright A 624937 BS600.S7 I. A COLLECTION OF PASSAGES OF ESPECIAL LITERARY PAGE 5 7 9 V. THE MAJOR CLASSICS--1. VI. THE Major Classics-II. VIII. THE EARLIER PREEXILIC-PROPHETS.. X. THE PROPHETS OF THE EXILE.. OTHER NEW TESTAMENT LETTERS. XIV. THE BIBLE IN POETRY.. XV. THE BIBLE IN POETRY (CONTINUED).. XVI. THE BIBLE IN POETRY (Continued).. XVII. THE BIBLE IN ORATORY..... II. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PERIOD of the Bible.. IV. THE NEW TESTAMENT NARRATIVES.. XVIII. THE BIBLE IN THE ESSAY. 146 PREFACE OUR knowledge of the Bible has decreased lamentably in the last fifty years. In the last chapter of this book will be found a set of examination questions which was given to a class of about thirty students, many of whom were making a special study of English literature. The average number of questions answered was five. In giving out the questions it was remarked that the examination would constitute a general intelligence test because it was assumed that one could draw on his fund of general information to answer the questions, although he might not be a profound biblical student. The results seemed to show that the examination could by no means be regarded as a general intelligence test. It is the opinion of those especially interested in the study of the English Bible that there is at present something of an awakened interest in the subject. In some of our colleges credit is given for systematic work done in the Sunday school. In many institutions courses are given in biblical literature where the subject is presented in its historical development. There are a number of textbooks which cover this ground in a satisfactory manner. This book recognizes at the outset the existing condition that the great majority of our young people are lacking in a proper knowledge of the Bible itself. About half of the work, therefore, is devoted to a direct study of the narratives in order to supply a foundation for the literary study with which the other half is concerned. It is hoped that it may be useful to students in schools, colleges, and Sunday schools; and to divinity students who may need to extend their knowledge of the Bible in this direction. |