,
during Greek, Roman, or other dominion, other cities were built on the
site and named anew. The new names have long been lost, and the old are
this day to be found in the mouth of the Bedouin. I need only mention
Tadmor and Harran. In a religious point of view, there is no doubt that
much important information may be expected from a careful investigation
of the monuments of Assyria. During my labors, without being able to
devote much thought or attention to the subject, I have been continually
struck with the curious illustrations of little understood passages in
the Bible which these records afford. In an historical and archaeological
point of view, I know nothing more interesting and more promising than
the examination of the ruins of Assyria. One of the vastest empires that
ever existed--the power of whose king extended, at one period, over the
greater part of Assyria--whose advance in civilization and knowledge is
the theme of ancient historians--disappeared so suddenly from the face
of the earth, that it has left scarcely a trace, save its name, behind.
Even the names of its kings are not satisfactorily known, and out of the
various dynastic lists preserved, we are unable to select one worthy of
credit. As to their deeds, we have been in the most profound darkness,
and were it not for the record of their strength and greatness which we
find in the Scriptures, we should scarcely credit the few traditions
which the Greeks have preserved to us. After the lapse of two thousand
five hundred years, a mere chance has thrown their history in our way,
and we have now their deeds chronicled in writing and in sculpture.

Were I much given to the explanation of such things by a reference to
superhuman interference, I should be inclined to think that the Almighty
had designedly kept these monuments buried in the Earth, until the time
had arrived when man had sufficient leisure and knowledge to discover
the contents of records, written in an unknown character, that He might
prove to them how great was the power which He so suddenly destroyed,
and how fully the prophecies upon the subject were fulfilled. Had these
sculptures and inscriptions remained above ground, they would have
utterly disappeared long ere any records could have been made of their
former existence. Had they been casually discovered before the present
century, they would most probably have been used for cement in the
construction of the walls of a city. In fact