his enterprising disposition, so far as we can judge of it, from the short narrative of the sacred writer, is not improbable: Others say, that he left the country, because he would not consent to the scheme; which, for the reason we have assigned, we do not think at all likely. And not a few conclude, that he was, at that period, very young.

Having passed over the link of history which connects the deluge with the present subject of discussion; we hasten to the immediate object of our meeting at this time: to consider the fact-THE DESTRUCTION OF BABEL; connected with THE CONFUSION OF LANGUAGE; and THE DISPERSION OF THE PEOPLE; and thence to trace, THE ORIGIN OF NATIONS. We shall aim simply, To illustrate and establish this event; and to deduce from it some considerations adapted to our individual improvement. We shall attempt,

I. TO ILLUSTRATE, AND TO ESTABLISH, THE EVENT.

In order to which, it will be necessary to consider the several parts of the history, as recorded by Moses: to produce the testimony of other ancient writers; and to answer some inquiries which may arise from the subject. We shall consider,

1. THE SEVERAL PARTS OF THE HISTORY, AS RECORDED BY MOSES.

V. 1. "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech." Speech is the vehicle of communication, by which one man transmits his thoughts to another: nor shall we burden your attention in tracing. its origin; an inquiry which, we think, would lead us up to God himself. We take it for granted, without wasting the time in frivolous discussion, according to

the literal meaning of the express words of Moses, that "the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech." But it may be expected, that something should be said, respecting the primitive tongue-this universal language spoken by our fathers, before the confusion of speech. In addition to those languages, which are commonly known by the title Oriental, the Armenian, the Celtic, the Coptic, the Greek, the Teutonic, and the Chinese, demand the preference on this point. The Armenian, the Celtic, and the Coptic, come before us laden with the venerable marks of hoary antiquity; and the former builds its claim upon the resting of the ark on its mountains. The Greek appeals to its extent and copiousness. Some have attempted to derive the Hebrew itself from the Teutonic. The arguments produced in favor of the Chinese, are principally, the antiquity of that nation: their early acquaintance with the arts and sciences: their separation, in all ages, from all other nations: and the singularity of the language itself; which consists of few words, all monosyllables, and is remarkable for its simplicity, having no variety of declensions, conjugations, or grammatical rules. These singularities have been deemed strong marks in its behalf, as the original language: besides the presumption that Noah was the founder of the Chinese nation. Each of the Oriental languages have strenuous supporters; but the palm is more generally awarded to the Syriac. The Jews warmly defend the Hebrew tongue; and refer to the etymologies of the names transmitted to us by Moses. In some instances the sacred historian himself has marked their propriety, and the relation which they bear to the person, or place designed by them: but there are others, not so distinguished, in which no

such relation can be traced; and the question to be decided is, whether he has preserved the original terms, or, according to the practice of all ancient writers, accommodated them to the dialect of the language in which he wrote? The most probable conclusion, from this endless diversity of opinion, is either that the original language is lost; or that it is spoken under variations which render it equivalent to a new tongue; or, that, even supposing it to exist, it cannot be ascertained.

V. 2. “And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there." The extent and situation of the land of Shinar, is not easily determined. There, the city and tower of Babel were erected. Thither, Nebuchadnezzar carried away the vessels of the temple, to the house of his god: which, in all probability, was the temple of Belus, in Babylon. This confirms the general opinion, that the temple of Belus was erected upon the ruins of the tower of Babel; or, at least, that Babylon stood upon, or near, the spot, where this vast design was projected, and partly executed. The part of Mesopotomia, chosen by the astronomers, in the time of the Khalifah al Mamum, for measuring the content of a degree of a great circle, was the desert of Senjar; the nature of the experiment required the selection of a large and level country; and this is probably a part of the ancient plain of Shinar.* Upon the whole, we will venture to call it Chaldea.

V. 3 and 4. "And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick and burn them thorougly. And they

Anc. Univ. Hist. vol. I, book i, chap. 2. The reader may find much learned discussion, on all the points under review in this part of the Lec, ture, in that laborious work.

had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." It has been imagined by some, that this elevation was reared in fear of a second, deluge: we deem this improbable, from their choice of situation, and because other, and sufficient, motives, are assigned in the history. The celebrated and eloquent Saurin says: "The impressions which the waters of the deluge had made upon the imagination of Noah, and of his family, caused them to live in places the most elevated, and the least accessible to inundations. They dwelt upon the mountains of Armenia, in the neighborhood of that place where the ark rested. But an hundred and forty four years afterwards; according to the computation of one of the most celebrated chronologists; these fears were entirely dispersed: they diffused themselves over the vallies and the fields; and occupied the plains of Chaldea, or of Babylon."* Had they designed this tower as a bulwark against a second deluge, they would have chosen an elevated country rather than a plain. Two reasons are assigned, in their consultation, for this project:

1. That they might make themselves a name: that they might leave a memorial behind them. The desire of living in the remembrance of posterity, and of securing an immortal renown, has burnt with inextinguishable ardor, in the human bosom, in every age. Absalom set up for himself a pillar; because he had "no son" to "keep his name in remembrance." The principle which laid the foundation of the tower of

Saur. Discours. &c. Sur la Bible, Sam, I. Disc. x, p. 65.

Babel, raised the lofty pyramids of Egypt; has reared many a proud city; and, more than once, has turned the world into "a field of blood."

2. That they might not be dispersed: "lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." Their project to live together, opposed the manifest design of Deity, that the whole earth should be speedily peopled. Some have translated the words "Let us make us a sign, lest we be scattered;" and conclude that they intended this tower to serve as a beacon, or mark, by the direction of which, they might avoid straying with their flocks, (for the first men were shepherds) and regain the city, which they had chosen for their residence, after the temporary wanderings required by their occupations. The result of their consul

tations, whatever were their motives, was the commencement of that stupendous work-the tower of Babel.

Respecting the tower itself, Moses informs us, that "they used brick instead of stone, and slime instead of mortar." This slime was a pitchy substance, called bitumen, which abounded in the neighborhood of Babylon; and, forming a strong cement, was admirably adapted to their purpose. It is universally admitted, that the tower had its ascent on the outside-a broad road gradually winding round it: of course, the tower itself grew proportionably narrow as it increased in height, and assumed a spiral form. If you imagine a path, winding round the representations which are made of the pyramids of Egypt, you will form a complete idea, of the general description transmitted to us of the tower of Babel.

V. 5-9. "And the LORD came doren to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.