"It

to the book of Genesis a higher antiquity than the latter part of the Babylonish exile; but, twenty years after, he ascribes the five books to one and the same hand. He says, cannot be doubted that the purity of language, the elegance of style, and the poetic imagery discoverable in Genesis, betray the hand of Moses, and that the age of David presupposes the existence of the Mosaic writings."

A similar process is observable in the mental history of E. F. C. Rosenmueler. He first declared himself in opposition to the genuineness of the Pentateuch, but in the later editions of his Commentary, appears as its staunch defender. Surely the cause which is so often deserted by its advocates cannot be so indubitably certain as the foes of evangelical religion would have us believe. Anthony Theodore Hartmann,* the last author on this subject whose writings have reached us from beyond the water, and who stands committed against the Mosaic origin, acknowledges in respect to the controversy in Germany, that it has come down to our day without any decisive victory being gained by either party. It appears to us, that any one who examines this subject thoroughly and candidly, must come to the conclusion, that the theological tendencies alone of the Neological divines, their love of novelty and originality, their tendency to swing loose from every thing ancient, have been the real reasons which have prevented them from receiving the Pentateuch as substantially the writing of Moses. After the fullest examination, we are constrained to accede to the conclusion of the celebrated critic Michaelis, who thus expresses himself in his Einleitung in Schrift. des Altes Bundes, Hamburg, 1787. "That Moses is the author of the five

* To whom the editor acknowledges his obligations for most of the authorities quoted in this note.

books which are usually called his, is the common opinion of Christians and Jews, and I regard it not only as perfectly correct, but as certain as any thing which can be known respecting the composition of any ancient book." Professor Pareau of Utrecht, also, in his Disputatio de mythica sacri codicis interpretatione, Traj. ad Rhen. 1824, says, "that the Pentateuch in its present form, must be ascribed to Moses alone."

PREFA CE.

THE dissertation presented to the reader, in the following pages, originally appeared in the columns of the "SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN HERALD." The writer did not enter the field of controversy unprovoked, nor without manifest necessity. A point of great importance, in relation to the authority of revealed religion, had been assailed, in a spirit of uncompromising hostility, with a startling array of arguments and objections, and by an individual long accustomed to dictate to the public mind, upon all subjects, even upon those most beyond his appropriate sphere.

The attack was, moreover, accompanied by a haughty defiance. It was repeatedly, and without qualification, stated, that no honest and intelligent man, acquainted with the merits of the question, would dare to maintain the genuineness of the Pentateuch. Under the circumstances of the case, then, the necessity of replying to the attack made, was commanding. The failure to do so, would be regarded as an abandonment of the point at issue.

To the argument now submitted, the writer would most earnestly solicit the attention of the public. Whatever may have been their sentiments hitherto, in relation to the matter discussed, he hopes to obtain from his readers a candid and patient examination of his arguments. To those whose minds have not yet been satisfied, with respect to the claims advanced by the religious system exhibited in the Jewish and Christian Scriptures, he would respectfully suggest— that the inquiry prosecuted in the following sheets, cannot be un

interesting to the general scholar; and that in a religious aspect, it must be of the highest importance, when the possibility only is admitted that our conclusions are just-that the obligations of religion are founded in truth, imperative in their character, and not to be neglected without incurring fearful guilt.

Nor are the considerations proposed on the present occasion, alone intended to satisfy the minds of unbelievers; they are designed to enable Christians, speculative or practical, to furnish reasons for the belief which they cherish. No one, then, professing a submission to the claims of revelation, who is not well instructed respecting the evidence by which it is supported, should deem an attention to the following argument, in his instance unnecessary. It were a discreditable thing for him to receive opinions, with the reasons of which he is unacquainted. And were he even content to rest in this blind and irrational conviction, religion is in perpetual danger of being dishonored and injured, through his inability to meet the objections with which it is at all times assailed.

The writer has no more to add, but that the publication, in a more permanent form, of what was originally offered to the community in the fugitive character of newspaper essays, has been induced by the hope of giving a wider circulation to what, it is thought may be useful, and the wish to furnish to those interested in the subject, a condensed, yet comprehensive view of the whole controversy respecting the genuineness of the writings ascribed to the Jewish lawgiver.

Fairfield District, S. C., 1834.

ESSAY ON THE PENTATEUCH.

SECTION I.

INTRODUCTION.

Ar the present period, a special call seems to be made upon the defenders of revealed religion to sustain the credibility of some of its most important records. No very long interval of time has elapsed since the publication of a tract entitled "The Connexion between Geology and the Pentateuch," which is intended to unsettle the popular belief in the divine origin of the Jewish, and by consequence of the Christian revelation also. Proceeding from an individual, who possesses so many real and adventitious sources of influence, this production is not to be disregarded, whatever may be the judgment which we may be called to pronounce upon its intrinsic merits. The author occupies a high literary station in this community, and with a great