PREFACE.

În several instances where the harmonists differ, the view that seems preferable to me has to be inferred from the order of the text, simply because a note would necessitate a lengthy discussion, as well as the presentation of divergent views. The reader who cares to inquire farther upon any point in the chronology of the Gospels is referred to a new edition of Dr. Robinson's "Harmony of the Four Gospels in English," lately edited by Professor Riddle, of Hartford. Dr. Riddle has thoroughly overhauled Robinson's work of forty years ago, and added many able notes of his own, including some excellent summaries of the views of others. In this volume, however, my aim has been to present "the results rather than the process of investigation." On the Christian side of things, thoughtful observers of the present generation will readily agree that no "revival" could now be of greater importance than a popular revival of practical interest in the Bible; and it is admitted that the true platform upon which to study the whole Bible, is its record of Him Who is the center of revelation." After several years' experience in a somewhat public position as a humble promoter of religious instruction among the young, it is with me a matter of deep conviction that, as really as Sunday Schools were necessary a century ago, another institution is now needednamely, that of Gospel History Classes-as a means of giving a fresh impetus to Bible study among the young and adult people connected with Christian congregations. Two or three features of the text in the following pages are due to this idea. The division of the text into Chapters and Verses, for example, is designed to serve the purposes of class reading (as well as ready reference), as are also the changes made in Luke I. 15 (Chap. I. 24), and a few similar connections. The division of the entire history into 96 Chapters provides precisely one Chapter per week for two years, reserving one week per quarter for review purposes.

In connection with this publication, therefore, I venture to submit to the religious press and the clergy of all denominations a general proposal to organize Gospel History Classes in all Christian congregations. If I have succeeded in giving to "the old, old story," the (at least external) freshness of a new unity, order, and continuity, it now remains with the Christian pulpit and the Christian press, those two potent factors in the religious life and work of this age, to say whether or not there shall arise a great movement to popularize that story afresh in some such form as is here suggested. Thoroughly believing the proposal to be both practicable and charged with unspeakable possibilities of religious usefulness, I venture further to invite expressions of opinion regarding it. Should this suggestion of Gospel History Classes meet with general approval, an inexpensive text-book for use in those Classes can quickly be produced in the form of a cheap edition of this Manual, without the Appendix. SAMUEL SLOCOMBE.

CAYUCOS, Cal., September, 1886.

CHAPTER I.

TWO PREFACES. GABRIEL VISITS ZACHARIAS. JOHN 1. 1-14; LUKE I. 1-25.-The Temple at Jerusalem. Hill Country of Judæa.

1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.

2. All things were made through Him; and without Him was not anything made that hath been

made.

3. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. Ard the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not. 4. There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.

5. The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the Light, that all might believe through him.

6. He was not the Light, but came that he might bear witness of the Light.

even the Light which lighteth every 7. There was the true Light, man, coming into the world.

8. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world knew Him not.

9. He came unto His own, and they that were His own received Him not.

10. But as many as received Him, to them gave He the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on His Name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

11. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.

12. FORASMUCH as many have

2

THE ANGEL GABRIEL VISITS ZACHARIAS.

taken in hand to draw up a narrative concerning those matters which have been fully established among us, even as they delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eye-witnesses and ministers of the word,

13. It seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write unto thee in order,* most excellent Theophilus;+

14. That thou mightest know the certainty concerning the things wherein thou wast instructed.

15. There was in the days of Herod, king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

16. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

17. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren,

* In Order, i. e. generally continuous, not chronologically exact. Luke gen erally follows a grouping order of his own, and gives fuller details than the other evangelists; but in the records of the Baptisin, the Temptation and other events, his narrative is not strictly chronological.

† Acts 1. 1.

Zacharins was an ordinary priest of the course of Abijah, the 8th of the 24 courses instituted by David for the daily temple-service. They relieved each other in order every Sabbath.

Sue 1 Chron. 24. 3-19.

I

and they both were now far advanced in years.

18. Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the sanctuarys of the Lord and burn incense.

19. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the hour of incense.

20. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

21. And Zacharias was troubled

when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.

22. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name

John.

23. And thou shalt have joy and gladness;and many shall rejoice at his birth.

24. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink;] and he shall be filled with the

§ Sanctuary, Greek naos. In the Authorized Version the word temple represents two distinct Greek words-hieron and naos. The term naos refers to a particular part of the temple, namely, is therefore the Holy Place," and always rendered sanctuary in the following page; while hieron, which represents other parts, or the entire building, is uniformly rendered temple.

Num. 6. 2-4.

MARY'S VISION.

Holy Spirit, even from his birth. | fulfilled, he departed unto his 25. And many of the children house. of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord their God.

give unto Him the throne of His | doth magnify the Lord, and my father David. spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

6. And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.t 7. And Mary said unto the an-erations shall call me blessed. gel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

13. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for behold, from henceforth all gen

8. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also that which is to be born shall be called holy, the Son of God.

9. And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren. For no word from God shall be void of power.

10. And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. 11. And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth.

14. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His Name.

15. And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.

16. He hath shewed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

17. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

18. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.

19. He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; as He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.§

20. And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, she was deeply moved;

21. And Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit; and she lifted up

12. And Mary said, My soul her voice with a loud cry, and

† See Micah. 7. 4.

A city of the priests among the mountains of Judah, south of Jerusalem; possibly Juttah or Hebron. Josh. 15. 51, 5; 21. 11, 18, 16.

The song of Mary is here placed immediately after her salutation of

Elisabeth, in the belief that this is its true chronological position. That it is misplaced by Luke is at least possible, in the light of Luke 3. 19-21 where John's imprisonment is placed before the Baptism of Jesus.

| Gen. 22. 16-18; Is. 41. 8, 9.