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BIBLICAL LIGHTS AND SIDE-LIGHTS.

BIBLICAL LIGHTS AND SIDE-LIGHTS:

Ten Thousand Illustrations.

WITH THIRTY THOUSAND CROSS-REFERENCES.

FOR THE USE OF PUBLIC SPEAKERS, TEACHERS, AND ALL WHO DESIRE
READY ACCESS TO INCIDENTS AND STRIKING STATEMENT
CONTAINED IN THE BIBLE.

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BODLEIAN

LIBRARY

13 AUG 34

OXFORD

Printed by Special Arrangement from American Plates.

PREFACE.

THE frequent use of illustrations by the Great Teacher, and by nearly all effective speakers, strongly commends the illustrative method to all who teach or speak in public.

Illustrations render special service in popular discourse. They condense a chain of logic in a striking simile, or crystallize a moral lesson in an impressive incident.

Biblical illustrations possess marked peculiarities. They not only interest the mind of the hearer, but their sacred associations secure his respect. The Bible dignifies the address in which it is reverently quoted. Besides this, it may be observed that while the repetition of other illustrations weary the hearer, those from the Bible are fresh forever. Familiarity often increases their effectiveness, as when a lawyer illustrates the insufficiency of circumstantial evidence by reference to Joseph's bloody coat, and Jacob's deep distress when he exclaimed, "An evil beast hath devoured him." Joseph's garment in the hands of Potiphar's wicked wife, and the unjust disgrace and imprisonment which followed, would not only furnish an incident deeply impressive to the ordinary juryman, but familiarity would lend force to the illustration.

In this volume are collected and alphabetically arranged under suitable topics, ten thousand quotations of Biblical facts, incidents, and striking statements. These selections cover a wide field of thought, and relate to almost every variety of character and to the varied experiences of human life. They may be applied not only to the truths of religion, but also in presenting those pertaining to science, philosophy, art, and political society.

In the preparation of this work reference has been had to the wants of speakers and writers in every profession; but the needs of religious instructors have been especially considered. Here the minister may find valuable assistance in the preparation of his discourses, and also in selecting pulpit lessons and Bible readings. The Sunday-school teacher may use these illustrations as side-lights to illuminate the lessons. Bible students generally are here supplied with a vast amount of illustrative material, which without such a compilation could only be obtained at the cost of much valuable time and laborious research.

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