A NEW HARMONY OF THE FOUR GOSPELS IN ENGLISH, ACCORDING TO THE COMMON VERSION. ARRANGED WITH EXPLANATORY NOTES, BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF CUS- MONIES, AND VALUABLE TABLES. Designed for Popular Use, and specially adapted to Sabbath-Schools. "As the Parisian Sculptor chisels his statue by the aid of many photographs, taken FOURTH THOUSAND. CHICAGO: HENRY A. SUMNER. 1872. ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by GEORGE W. CLARK, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New-York S. W. GREEN, PRINTER AND STEREOTYPER, 16 and 19 Jacob Street, New-York, JAN 22 1914 PREFACE. THE author has been led to give this volume to the public, at this time, by the advice of those whose judgment he most highly esteems; the demand for a Harmony of the Gospels for general use somewhat different from any now published; and the increased attention now given, especially in Sabbath-schools, to the Life of Christ. The importance of studying the four Gospels in connection can not be too highly estimated or too earnestly enforced. No clear and well-defined image of the Savior's life can be formed in the mind without it. Selecting leading texts of events and discourses from the different Evangelists will not answer the demand. Each Evangelist must be allowed to contribute his part toward a full and perfect likeness. The true chronological order must also, as far as possible, be observed, or the view will be confused and distorted. But the constant turning from one Gospel to another, and the act of comparing and mentally deciding and arranging, are exceedingly inconvenient and laborious, and most persons who attempt it weary in the task. Hence the great value of an arrangement of the Scriptural text according to the probable order of events, and in parallel columns, so that the eye can survey all the narratives of any incident or utterance at a glance. The uses and importance of thus studying the Gospels as well as the credibility of the four Evangelists, are briefly but ably and clearly presented in the Introduction of a beloved and honored teacher, to which the attention of the reader is particularly directed. In the preparation of this work the author has availed himself of the light and helps afforded by the best authorities, both ancient and modern, without following any particular one as a guide. He acknowledges special indebtedness to the Harmonies and other works of Dr. Robinson, and whenever deviating from his general arrangement, it has been with reluctance and after long and careful study. This was especially true in adopting a different arrangement of the last six months of Christ's public ministry. It has been, however, a relief to find that almost all of these deviations are in harmony with the expressed opinions of eminent scholars of both the Old and New World. But this department of study opens a wide field for differences of views, and he who enters thereon should tread cautiously, humbly, and reverently. |
