THE POPULAR

CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL LITERATURE,

CONDENSED FROM THE LARGER WORK.

BY JOHN KITTO, D.D.,

AUTHOR OF "THE PICTORIAL BIBLE," "HISTORY OF PALESTINE,” “DAILY BIBLE READINGS," ETC

ASSISTED BY NUMEROUS DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARS AND DIVINES, BRITISH, CONTINENTAL, AND AMER! ▾

WITH MORE THAN THREE HUNDRED ILLUSTRATIONS

One volume, octavo. 812 pp. Price, cloth, $3,00.

THE POPULAR BIBLICAL CYCLOPEDIA OF LITERATURE is designed to furnish a DICTIONARY OF THE BIBLE, em oodying the products of the best and most recent researches in biblical literature, in which the scholars of Europe and America have been engaged. The work, the result of immense labor and research, and enriched by the contri outions of writers of distinguished eminence in the various departments of sacred literature, has been, by universal consent, pronounced the best work of its class extant, and the one best suited to the advanced knowledge of the present day in all the studies connected with theological science.

This work, condensed by the author from his larger work in two volumes, is not only intended for ministers and theological students, but is also particularly adapted to parents, Sabbath-school teachers, and the great body of the religious public. It has been the author's aim to avoid imparting to the work any color of sectarian or denominationai bias. On such points of difference among Christians, the historical mode of treatment has been adopted, and care has been taken to provide a fair account of the arguments which have seemed most conclusive to the ablest advocates of the various opinions. The pictorial illustrations — amounting to more than three hundred- are of the very highest order of the art.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS

From Rev. J. J. Carruthers, D. D., Pastor of Second Parish Congregational Church, Portland, Me. "Kitto's Popular Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature" is by far the most valuable boon presented to the Christian public for many years. The condensation of the work, published by Gould & Lincoln, at little more than a third of the price, is, what it professes to be, a condensation, a reduction, not of ideas, but of words, without in the slightest degree obscuring the meaning of the gifted authors whose joint communications make up this very beautiful and most useful volume. There is no hazard in predicting for such a volume (eight hundred double-columned pages, with three hundred and thirty-six pictorial illustrations, for three dollars!) a rapid sale and constantly extending circulation. J. J. Carruthers.

From Rev. W. B. Sprague, D. D., Pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, Albany, N. Y.

I have no hesitation in saying that I regard it as the most important auxiliary to the study of the Scriptures, among the great mass of people, of which I have any knowledge. As many of the greatest biblical scholars of the age were put in requisition for the production of the original work, so the substance of what they have written at least nearly every thing that could be advantageously appropriated by the common reader-has been admirably preserved in this condensed edition. Every Sabbath-school teacher, and indeed every Christian, who is able to do so, ought to possess himself of the work; and the fact that such a work is in existence, may well be regarded as one of the favorable signs of the times in regard to the progress of evangelical knowledge. W. B. Sprague

From Rev. Joel Hawes, D. D., Pastor of First Congregational Church, Hartford, Ct.

A capital work, containing a vast amount of information on a great variety of subjects, in a very condensed, yet clear and interesting form. Every family and every Sabbath-school teacher, wishing to understand the Bible, should possess this work. J. Hawes.

From Rev. Daniel Sharp, D. D., Pastor of Third Baptist Church, Boston.

I have looked over Kitto's Popular Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature, and consider it a most valuable, as it was a much needed, publication. Every minister ought to have a copy of it on his study table. As a book of reference, shedding its collected light on almost all scriptural subjects, and furnishing a brief, but clear and compendious hi-tory of the most remarkable events and personages mentioned in the Bible, it cannot fail, when consulted, of being a great help. Every lover of God's word, not to say every Sabbath-school teacher, and every theological student, will and treasures of information in the above-named work Daniel Sharp.

From Rev. N. L. Frothingham, D. D., late Pastor of First Congregational (Unitarian) Church, Boston.

I consider that you have done the public a great favor by its republication in so convenient, handsome, and cheap a form. Any commendation from me, of such a work, might seem superfluous at least. But if I might be permitted to say what has most struck me in it, I should mention these two things the abundant fruits of the most rocent learning which t contains, and the general candor and freedom from dogmatism with which different views of disputed subjects are presented. N. L. Frothingham.

KITTO'S POPULAR CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL LITERATURE.

Fron Rev. J. B. Waterbury, D. D., Pastor of Bowdoin Street (Congregational) Church, Boston.

It is a most valuable book, suited to the wants of clergymen, and well adapted to aid Sabbath-school teachers in their responsible work. Every family that can afford it, would do well to possess themselves of so important and interesting a volume; to which they might refer in elucidating the Scriptures, and rendering their study not only profitable but delightful. J. B. Waterbury.

From Rev. Cyrus A. Bartol, Pastor of West Congregational (Unitarian) Church, Boston. It is a most useful and valuable work, containing very important information on subjects of the highest interest and well worthy of a wide circulation. C. A. Bartol.

From Rev. S. W. S. Dutton, Pastor of North Congregational Church, New Haven, Ct. The Popular Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature is admirably adapted to the use of parents, teachers of the young, and of the community generally; being a judicious abridgment of a larger and very able work, written for critical students in theology. It is, in my judgment, altogether the best book for the purpose which has been published. S. W. S. Dutton.

From Rev. Z. S. Barstow, D. D., Pastor of Congregational Church, Keene, N. H.

I find it well adapted to accomplish its object. It brings into a convenient form, in a single volume, what must be sought for in many volumes without it. And it is hereby recommended to parents, Sabbath-school teachers, and others, as doing a good service in aiding them in the study of the Scriptures. Z. S. Barstow

From Hon. Thomas S. Williams Hartford, Ct.

It appears to me to contain a mass of information, in a condensed form, highly important to those who regard the sacred volume; and to Sabbath-school teachers it will prove a most valuable assistant. I hope it will receive an extensive circulation. Thomas S. Williams.

From Rev. Ephraim Peabody, D. D., Pastor of Stone Chapel Congregational (Unitarian) Church, Boston. It appears to contain the best results of modern scholarship, presented in a clear and condensed form, and may, without hesitation, be recommended as a valuable work to families, to Sunday-school teachers, and indeed to all readers of the sacred records. E. Peabody.

From Rev. Baron Stow, D. D., Pastor of Rowe Street Baptist Church, Boston.

I have examined it with special and unalloyed satisfaction. It has the rare merit of being all that it professes to be; and very few, I am sure, who may consult it, will deny that, in richnesss and fulness of detail, it surpasses their expectation. Many ministers will find it a valuable auxiliary; but its chief excellence is, that it furnishes just the facilities which are needed by the thousands in families and Sabbath schools, who are engaged in the important business of biblical education. It is in itself a library of reliable information. Baron Stow.

From Rev. A. L. Stone, Pastor of Park Street Congregational Church, Boston.

I have found it a time-saving and labor-saving helper in investigating the significance of the sacred writings, which I could never consent again to be without. I had occasion to commend it, a few days since, to a young man of my people, lately interested in the study of the Scriptures, who desired access to sources of knowledge in respect to biblical matters beyond what he possessed; and this work seemed to him just what he had been looking for in vain. Permit me to express the hope, that not only clergymen and Sabbath-school teachers, but every person who would be at all a student of the Bible, may avail themselves of this judicious and timely contribution to popularized sacred literature. A. L. Stone.

From Rev. John Richards, D. D., Pastor of Congregational Church of Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H. In my opinion it is a very useful book; particularly to heads of families, Sabbath-school teachers, and all others interested in the study of the Scriptures. John Richards.

From Rev. Thomas Laurie, Pastor of Congregational Church, West Roxbury.

I would heartily recommend it to all who wish a trustworthy compendium of biblical science. Not to compare it invidiously with other excellent Bible Dictionaries, there is one excellence of this work that must render it superior to all others, and that is, that while others were "got up," this, if I may so express it, was "reduced down." Other Bible Dictionaries are compilations expressly got up for Sabbath-school teachers and Bible classes. But this is a work of much higher character, the result of far greater labor and research, prepared originally for the use of the most advanced biblical scholars, condensed into its present form that the fruits of that labor and research might be brought within reach of a greater number. Still we have the largest Popular Encyclopædia of strictly Biblical Literature that exists. Some of the abbreviations also are decided improvements on the larger edition. It is another excellence of this work, that it embodies the most recent discoveries on the field of biblical science. Previous works of the kind have, to too great an extent, merely retailed the conjectures of past ages, and perpetuated their blunders in sacred geography. No one who has not travelled in the East, and consulted them on the spot, has any idea of the mass of rubbish they contain. I know of nothing better than the work before us. It fills up a gap that has long existed in our helps for the study of the Sacred Scriptures. T. Laurie.

From Rev. J. H. Kennard, Pastor of Tenth Baptist Church, Philadelphia.

No Bible student should be without this important assistant. Those who have but few books, will find in this volume the essence of many standard works; and those who have but little time for reading, will here find a rich store of knowledge for their immediate use. J. H. Kennard.

From Rev. Thomas H. Skinner, D. D., Pastor of Carmine Presbyterian Church, New York.

I think it a work of very great value; while it suits the close student, it is strictly "popular," and adapted to readers of every degree of capacity and intelligence. Most earnestly do I desire that so rich a treasure may be in the possession of all who are interested in the study of the Scriptures. The price at which you offer it is a trifle indeed, compared with what the purchaser obtains for it. Thomas H. Skinner.

From Rev. John Overton Choules, D. D., Newport, R. I.

No minister who has seen this admirable volume would willingly do without it, for if he has the various authorities which have been used in the compilation of the volume, yet in its pages he will have a condensed result of investigation on all points of interest, and will be saved from much labor, or guided into profitable methods and avenues of research To heads of families and Sunday-school teachers, this work has claims of high interest. John O. Choules

KITTO'S CYCLOPÆDIA OF BIBLICAL LITERATURE.

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From Rev. Thomas Starr King, Pastor of Hollis Street Congregational (Unitarian) Church, Boston. A constant use of the whole work, for several years, has led me to believe that it is the best Biblical Dictionary in the English language. The abridgments made in your edition do not, so far as I can judge, lessen its value to the majority of those who need such a volume; and I cordially wish you success in your enterprise. T. S. King.

From Rev. Albert Barnes, D. D., Author of "Notes on the Scriptures," and Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia.

ment.

I feel greatly obliged to you for the volume of Kitto abridged. I have not had time to examine it as an abridg I am free, however, to speak of the original, which I have had in use for several years, and which I regard as an exceedingly valuable work. In my own studies it has superseded all other works of a similar nature, as I think it will wherever it is known. Albert Barnes.

From Rev. Samuel M. Worcester, D. D., Pastor of the Tabernacle (Congregational) Church, Salem.

I have a copy of "the larger work," which I am disposed to think is really less valuable, and therefore less worthy to be recommended to almost any class of readers, than the edition which you now offer for the patronage and the benefit of the Christian public. From the examination which I have been able to make of some important articles, I shall not be surprised if your edition shall have a decided preference with those who desire to have as much wheat, with as little as possible both of chaff or tares. Samuel M. Worcester.

From John Dowling, D. D., Author of "History of Romanism,” etc., ond Pastor of the Broadway Baptist Church, New York.

It is incomparably the most valuable work of its kind that has ever been published in this country, inasmuch as it embodies, besides all that was valuable in the older Cyclopædies, the most recent researches in biblical literature of the ablest scholars, both in the old world and the new. It is just such a work as every minister, Sabbath-school teacher, and Christian father of a family ought to have constantly at hand, side by side with his Bible, to answer a thousand questions which will constantly occur to all who desire to furnish their own minds for the work of instruction in the truths of God's word, and who study to show themselves workmen that need not to be ashamed. I do most cordially thank the enterprising publishers for presenting this valuable work to the American public in so attractive a form, and sincerely hope they will be rewarded by a sale commensurate with its merits. John Dowling.

From Rev. W. T. Dwight, D. D., Pastor of Third Parish Congregational Church, Portland, Me. I regard it as far the most valuable work of the kind which has been published in this country. work, which is three dollars, is very reasonable for a book which contains so many engravings, letter-press sufficient for four octavo volumes.

The price of the and an amount of W. T. Dwight.

From Rev. Gardner Spring, D. D., Pastor of the Brick Church Chapel Presbyterian Church, New York. I am gratified to express the opinion, that for the variety, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of its articles, it is a most valuable volume. The biblical student, while he may not dispense with other sources of information, will find in Kitto that which will save him no little time and labor. Gardner Spring.

From Rev. J. M. Wainwright, D. D., Trinity (Episcopal) Church, New York.

As it is designed to be a book of reference, I have turned, on various occasions, to articles in all parts of the book, and have been uniformly satisfied with the fulness and accuracy of the information contained in them. I do not hesitate, therefore, to recommend the work as being well adapted to the purpose for which it was compiled, and I trust that your enterprise in publishing it will be rewarded. J. M. Wainwright.

From R. E. Pattison, D. D., Professor of Christian Theology in Newton Theological Institution.

It is more valuable, in my opinion, than any other work of the kind in reach of the American student of the
Bible. While it is an aid to all, it seems to me indispensable to the minister. It meets the wants of the age in this
department of knowledge.
R. E. Pattison.

From Howard Malcom, D. D., Author of " Bible Dictionary," etc., and President of University at Lewisburg, Pa. I regard Kitto's Cyclopædia as vastly superior to any similar work. The author has evidently availed himself of the latest publications, whether critical, historical, geographical, scientific, or antiquarian; and so selected, arranged, and expressed his topics, as to make his work perfectly available to the unlearned, while it is a most welcome aid to the scholar. No one who buys the book will regret his purchase. Howard Malcom.

From Rev. R. C. Waterston, Pastor of Church of the Savior, Congregational (Unitarian) Church, Boston. I consider it a most desirable work for Sunday-school teachers, and for all students and readers of the Scriptures It contains a vast amount of important information, thoroughly condensed and admirably stated, while its numerous engravings (which are unusually good) often convey at a glance a more vivid and true idea than could have been given by pages of description. Both for the family and the Sunday school, this volume is invaluable. I shall certainly recommend it to others, as a work of uncommon merit, and hope it will be widely read, and pass through many editions. R. C. Waterston.

From Rev. R. H. Neale, D. D., Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Boston. Your" Epitome," if epitome it may be called, is a decided improvement on the larger work, inasmuch as, without materially lessening its value as a source of information, it is brought, by its diminished price, within the reach of the many who, in these days of Sabbath schools and Bible classes, are, or ought to be, diligent students of the word of God. Rollin H. Neale.

From Prof. George Bush, Author of "Notes on the Scriptures," New York.

It is made up of the contributions of eminent biblical scholars in Europe and America, each one of whom fur nished such articles as his peculiar tastes or studies enabled him to execute with most ability. The result has been an immense accumulation of materials, drawn from the most recent sources on the antiquities, languages, geogra phy, natural history, &c., of the sacred volume, the substance of which is very skilfully condensed in the present volume, and amply illustrated by pictorial designs. George Bush.

From Rev. Horace Bushnell, D. D., Pastor of Third Congregational Church, Hartford, Ct.

I am very glad to see issued from your press an abridgment, for popular use, of Kitto's Cyclopædia. It cannot be less than a very important contribution to the popular literature of the Bible. Horace Bushnell.