acquainted only with European architecture, have adduced this statement as unworthy of credit. But if the reader will turn to the article on the “ Habitations of the Jews,” he will there discover that this statement, in the sacred narrative, is not only perfectly consistent with truth, but that at the present day (for Oriental usages remain unchanged) such an event might occur; and his mind will be thereby fortified against the assaults of the artful and designing, of those who would turn him aside from the paths of holiness and peace. To the youthful portion of our readers, we would more especially recommend a diligent attention to the many interesting subjects which will be found in the following pages. For them the work has been chiefly prepared, and to these important ends-that their knowledge of Scripture may be enlarged that their faith in its truth may be confirmedand that it may be said of each of them, as the apostle Paul said of Timothy, " From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus," 2 Tim. iii. 15. ALTARS, or special places to offer sacrifices upon, were the first constructions which men devoted to the service of their Maker. They found it inconvenient to lay their offerings upon the ground, and, at first, therefore, they sought natural elevations for that purpose; but in plain countries, where such elevations could not be found, they formed them by art. B On 2 which of these Cain and Abel offered their respective offerings we have no information; the sacred historian simply states, that the one "brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof," and the other, "of the fruit of the ground," Gen. iv. 3, 4. The first erected altar which is mentioned in Scripture was that raised by Noah. When that patriarch quitted the ark in which he had been saved from the flood, it is said, "And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar," Gen. viii. 20. Throughout the history of the patriarchs, continual mention is made of the erection of altars, and they appear to have been raised in different places, according |