BY

JAMES S. STEVENS

Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
of the University of Maine

To every man who faces life with real desire to do
his part in everything, I appeal for a study of the
Bible. No book of any kind ever written has so
affected the whole life of a people.

-Theodore Roosevelt.

Wahr
8141
Demities

1-9-1923

Copyright, 1921, by
JAMES S. STEVENS

Printed in the United States of America

I. A COLLECTION OF PASSAGES OF ESPECIAL LITERARY

VALUE.

II. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PERIOD OF THE BIBLE..

III. THE OLD TESTAMENT NARRATIVES..

IV. THE NEW TESTAMENT NARRATIVES..

V. THE MAJOR CLASSICS-I.

VI. THE MAJOR CLASSICS-II.

VII. THE FIVE MINOR CLASSICS..

VIII. THE EARLIER PREEXILIC PROPHETS..

IX. THE LATER PREEXILIC PROPHETS..

X. THE PROPHETS OF THE EXILE..

XI. THE PERIOD OF RESTORATION.

XII. THE LETTERS OF PAUL.....

XIII. OTHER NEW TESTAMENT LETTERS.

XIV. THE BIBLE IN POETRY......

68

73

76

78

80

83

86

88

XV. THE BIBLE IN POETRY (CONTINUED)..

XVI. THE BIBLE IN POETRY (CONTINUED).

106

117

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.