THE SPADE AND THE BIBLE. W. W.

Prescott '77. Revell & Cos. N. Y.

The reason, the need, the material used and purpose of the author in writing this booik are stated in clear fashion by a friend in the introduction, and confirmed by the author in the first chapter. The reason is the great modern apostasy, now generally visible, a condition brought on by destructive Bible critics. The need for such a work as this is the call to help men today, who are bewildered, to regain their faith, or if they have not lost their faith to stabilize them. The material used is Archaeology while the main purpose is to show how the extensive work of the Archaeologists has given to men a full and satisfactory vindication of Bible statements.

The material chosen in accord with this purpose includes the Babylonian stories of creation, the flood, and records relative to the story in Genesis 14. The history of Egypt by Manetho, and Egyptian records are related to the Bible stories of the Exodus. The findings from the excavation of Jericho and documents which identify the cities of Palestine constitute the bulk of the material. All of this material according to the author, far from disproving the statements of the Bible, really vindicates the authors and prove the reliability of the Bible records.

The Book reveals a mind familiar with his material and a spirit of very devout and earnest faith. The conviction he holds, that Modernism tends by its denial of the supernatural and by its critical spirit, to bring unrest to many a devout believer, has a basis that is undeniable. The evaluation placed upon destructive scholarship will find agreement in many minds, which hold to "what have been undeniable truths in the days of our fathers." Many a believer may be stabilized in his faith.

Had the writer differentiated between true scholarship and mere critics, between constructive critics and destructive, and between scientists and skeptical scientists a greater value would have been added to the work. There are many of the so-called critics whose faith has in no way been shaken by the discoveries and new knowledge of the last few years.