ots
in the Hebrew and Chaldaic; though it has also borrowed largely from
the Arabian, Greek and Latin. In the sixteenth century Christian
scholars began to make an extensive study of Hebrew and Rabbinical
literature, and they were not slow to discover the value of these
Oriental works. These writings, however, are subject to change, and it
is in the Bible alone that we find the fundamental teaching of Hebrew
literature. Differing entirely from the Mythological and Oriental
Nations, it taught, as its cardinal principle, the unity of God. Its
historical worth has been recognized by the greatest scholars in all
ages, and it has influenced not only the ancient world, but also the
literature and poetry of the Middle Ages and of modern times. It forms
a contrast to the philosophy of the Greeks, and to that of Europeans of
a later age. When the latter have tried to explain the great mystery of
God and man, they have invariably failed. In the beautiful writings of
the Greeks, wherein we find the height of artistic expression and
polish, there is a subsequent gradual decline; but such is not the case
in the Old Testament. In every age fresh beauty and hidden treasure is
found in its pages. Another phase of the Bible which has had a far
reaching and lasting effect upon all language and literature, is its
prevailing spirit of types and symbols. This is conspicuous both in the
poetical books and in those that are didactic or historical. It has had
the same influence on the thoughts and imagination of all Christian
people and upon the poetry and imitative arts of the Middle Ages (and
nearly the same upon later and more cultivated times) that Homer had
upon the Ancients. For in it we find the standard of all our Christian
images and figures, and it gives us a model of imitation that is far
more beautiful in itself, and far more world-wide in its application
than anything we can borrow from the Greeks. We see this in Dante and
Tasso, and in other Christian poets. To the Hebrew, as the original
custodians of the Old Testament, we are indebted for keeping the faith
pure when all other nations either forgot or abandoned it, or else
mixed it up with errors and idolatry. What Moses records of the
creation of the world and the first ten Fathers, is embodied by the
Persians, Indians and Chinese in whole volumes of mythology, and
surrounded by a host of fanciful traditions. Thus we see in the Hebrew
as the chosen people of God, a nation able t