Page:The Evidences of Christianity.djvu/28

Rh

All the writers of the Bible were men of the Hebrew nation. This is true even with respect to the New Testament, of which the penmen, though Christians, were also Jews; except Luke, who wrote under the direction of Paul, a Hebrew of the Hebrews. They regarded Christianity not as a heresy, but as the true faith inculcated in the Old Testament, enlarged by new revelations from God. Paul said: "After the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets."

The nation of Israel was singular in the earth. It was said concerning it, "Lo! the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations." Their peculiar usages separated them from all other people; and, though for eighteen hundred years they have been scattered among the nations of the earth, they still remain distinct. In their present dispersion the Jews are distinguished everywhere from the people of the nations where they are found; and in the light of history we see them, in all past ages, distinct and peculiar.

What has been the grand peculiarity of this singular people? It is not that they have excelled in arts or arms, or occupied the largest territory, or numbered the largest population. The boast of this people is, that they have