still
maintained firmly the religion of their fathers; and their synagogues
everywhere constituted central points for the introduction of the
gospel, and its diffusion through the Gentile world. Such are some of
the many ways in which the world was prepared for the Redeemer's advent.
This is a vast theme, on which volumes could be written. The plan of the
present work will only admit of the above brief hints.

Our Lord's command is: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature." The history of missions shows that
the gospel can be preached with success to the most degraded
tribes--to the Hottentots of South Africa and the cannibals of
the South sea islands, and that this is the only remedy for
their barbarism. But the gospel did not _begin_ among savages,
nor does it have its centres of power and influence among them.
Christ came at the culminating point of ancient civilization and
culture; not that he might conform his gospel to existing
institutions and ideas, but that he might through his gospel
infuse into them (as far as they contained elements of truth)
the purifying and transforming leaven of divine truth. As the
gospel began in the midst of civilization, so does its
introduction among barbarous tribes always bring civilization in
its train.

3. When we have learned to regard the revelation of which we have a
record in the Old Testament as preparatory to the gospel, we see it in
its true light. This view furnishes both the key to its character and
the answer to the objections commonly urged against it. It is not a
revelation of abstract truths. These would neither have excited the
interest of the people, nor have been apprehended by them. God made
known to the covenant people his character and the duties which he
required of them by a series of _mighty acts_ and a system of _positive
laws_. The Old Testament, is, therefore, in an eminent degree
_documentary_--a record not simply of opinions, but rather of actions
and institutions. Of these actions and institutions we are to judge from
the character of the people and the age in connection with the great end
proposed by God. This end was not the material prosperity of Israel, but
the preparation of the nation for its high office as the medium through
which the gospel should afterwards be given to the world. The people
were rebellious and stiff-necked, and surrounded by polytheism a