The present work is the outcome of lectures on General Introduction, delivered during several years in St. John’s Boston Ecclesiastical Seminary, and is chiefly intended as a text-book for similar institutions. As such it deals with the questions which it behooves theological students most to be acquainted with before they enter on the scientific interpretation of the sacred text, and which fall under the three general heads of the Canon, Text and Versions, and Hermeneutics of the Holy Scriptures. In works of this kind it is customary to join to the study of these leading topics that of Biblical Inspiration, and in consequence, a concise treatment of the history, proofs, nature and extent of the inspiration of Holy Writ will be found in an appendix to the present volume. Aeterna Press

We live in an age of great activity. It is also an age wherein material progress and the love of worldly pleasure tend to enfeeble man’s hold on the supernatural world. It is most evident that there is a general movement away from the spiritual world. In non-Catholic thought the idea of a reduced Christianity is dominant. A mere natural religion recommends itself to many. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them because they are spiritually examined.” [1 Cor. 2:14.] Instead of accepting religion as a mysterious message from Heaven, men make a religion that is not religious. A religion is sought that will not interfere with man’s worldly tastes and pleasures. Human reason is made the judge of all the works of God. Aeterna Press

Reprint of the original, first published in 1872. The publishing house Anatiposi publishes historical books as reprints. Due to their age, these books may have missing pages or inferior quality. Our aim is to preserve these books and make them available to the public so that they do not get lost.