AND THE MONARCHY OF ISRAEL; OR, National Idolatry. A POEM. BY A LAYMAN. "Servant of God, well done!" MILTON (Paradise Lost.) LONDON: LONGMAN, GREEN, LONGMAN, ROBERTS, & GREEN, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1864. 28c. PREFACE. By those who admit the fitness of the Inspired Records for poetical illustration—and the contrary opinions (although such have been held) might disqualify much of the richest poetry in our language-it will, perhaps, be agreed, that none more adapted for that purpose could be found, than those portions the illustration of which is attempted in these pages. The abrupt and mysterious advent of the great Prophet; the mighty transactions of his ministry; the miraculous agencies committed to his hands; his infirmities, even, and passions like our own; and the crowning glories of his career, all combine to excite the imagination, and to fill and impress the mind. There are attitudes more sublime than that of the hoary bard, hurling “ruin on the ruthless king" from the heights of Conway; and touches of pathos in his history deeper than any uninspired thought could have conceived. A modern writer, indeed, has said, “The life of Elijah is, in the truest sense of the word, a Poem, an inspired Epic." * Dr. Macduff ( Prophet of Fire'). |