On the point of the traditions and chronologies of the ancient nations of the East, the first problem is to ascertain what they are and what they claim. If they run up their figures (as sometimes said) to 20,000 years, the extravagance of the claim vitiates its credibility.[18] We put it to the account of fancy and fiction, or of national pride, and rule it out from the realm of historic science. But if as estimated by Bailly (Kitto; Chronology, p. 434) the years from the Christian era back to the creation are put in Chinese chronology at 6157; in the Babylonian, at 6158; and in the Indian (by Gentil) at 6174, we give these chronologies our respectful attention. The fact that the extreme difference in these three is but seventeen years is certainly striking, and indicates either a common origin of authority or an approximation toward the truth; perhaps both. We shall soon have occasion to compare these figures with the latest and most approved results of Biblical chronology. * * * * * As to the age of Egyptian art, civilization, and political power, the time allowed for its development in harmony with Usher’s chronology (the one usually indicated in editions of the English Bible) must be admitted to be short――almost incredibly short. Here I submit that the primary question should be――the correctness of Usher. Let the Bible system of chronology be rigidly scanned――not for the purpose of making it tally with Egyptian claims, or with any other system of chronology not sacred; but for the purpose of arriving at the truth as ascertainable from the Bible itself. CHAPTER III. HEBREW CHRONOLOGY. _From the Birth of Christ to the Creation._ BY general consent the birth of Christ is made the central point of all sacred chronology, the Christian ages being reckoned forward from that point (A. D.) and the Jewish or earlier ages being reckoned backward (B. C.). We treat of the latter only.――――Going backward from the Christian era, there is general agreement and no reasonable ground for diversity till we reach the period of the _Judges of Israel_. The cardinal points are: B. C. The decree of Cyrus for the restoration of the Jews. 536 The duration of the captivity, from the fourth year of Jehoiakim, 70 years. 606 (But counted from the fall of the city under Zedekiah, 52 years only.) From the revolt, first year of Rehoboam to the fall of the city, 388 years. 976 To the founding of the temple, beginning of Solomon’s fourth year, 37 years. 1013 This last epoch has chronological importance――the foundation of the temple laid――A. D. 1013.