mold_."

We have seen, in the chapter which treats of this legend, that it is
recorded in the book of Judges. _This book was not written till after
the first set of Israelites had been carried into captivity, and perhaps
still later._[105:4]

After this we have "_Jonah swallowed by a Big Fish_," which is the last
legend treated.

We saw that it was a _solar myth_, known to many nations of antiquity.
The writer of the book--whoever he may have been--_lived in the fifth
century before Christ_--after the Jews had become acquainted and had
mixed with other nations. The writer of this wholly fictitious story,
taking the prophet Jonah--who was evidently an historical personage--for
his hero, was perhaps intending to show the loving-kindness of
Jehovah.[105:5]

We have now examined all the _principal_ Old Testament legends, and,
after what has been seen, we think that no _impartial_ person can still
consider them _historical facts_. That so great a number of educated
persons still do so seems astonishing, in our way of thinking. They have
repudiated Greek and Roman mythology with disdain; why then admit with
respect the mythology of the Jews? Ought the miracles of Jehovah to
impress us more than those of Jupiter? We think not; they should all be
looked upon as _relics of the past_.

That Christian writers are beginning to be aroused to the idea that
another tack should be taken, differing from the old, is very evident.
This is clearly seen by the words of Prof. Richard A. Armstrong, the
translator of Dr. Knappert's "Religion of Israel" into English. In the
_Preface_ of this work, he says:

"It appears to me to be profoundly important that the youthful
English mind should be faithfully and accurately informed of
the results of modern research into the early development of
the Israelitish religion. Deplorable and irreparable mischief
will be done to the generation, now passing into manhood and
womanhood, if their educators leave them ignorant or loosely
informed on these topics; for they will then be rudely
awakened by the enemies of Christianity from a blind and
unreasoning faith in the supernatural inspiration of the
Scriptures; and being suddenly and bluntly made aware that
Abraham, Moses, David, and the rest did not say, do, or write
what has been ascribed to them, they will fling away all care
for the venerable religion of Israel and all hope that it c