He asserted that the Jews did not believe in a future state of existence, until after the Babylonish captivity; that they borrowed their doctrines of the immortality of the soul from the nations among whom they were dispersed--that the Jews believed in a plurality of gods--that St. Paul was the author of Christianity--that Christianity encourages polygamy. To prove this last position, he quoted Paul's directions to Timothy: "Let a bishop be the husband of one wife." And to crown the mass of absurdities, he endeavored to prove that the blessed Jesus was a base impostor. We found Mr. Smith well prepared for the contest. He had his arguments systematically arranged--had written them all, and read them well. He proved to a demonstration, the GENUINENESS, AUTHENTICITY and INSPIRATION of the Old Testament Scriptures. His arguments were interesting and convincing. His arguments on the New Testament were equally happy, and if possible, more convincing. The conclusion of every inquirer after truth, must have been, that the champion of deism was signally defeated, and his cause left bleeding on the field. I doubt not but the defeat would have been more complete, had Mr. S. omitted some of his personal allusions, and had he suppressed his natural inclination to sarcasm. Indeed his blasts of sarcasm were truly WITHERING. His opponent, finding that he could not cope with him in this respect, retreated, and took shelter under the sympathies of his audience. Yours, &c., ONE OF THE HEARERS. THE CHRISTIAN'S DEFENCE CONTAINING A FAIR STATEMENT AND IMPARTIAL EXAMINATION OF THE LEADING OBJECTIONS URGED BY INFIDELS AGAINST THE ANTIQUITY, GENUINENESS, CREDIBILITY AND INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES; ENRICHED WITH COPIOUS EXTRACTS FROM LEARNED AUTHORS. BY JAMES SMITH. "The Christian Faith, Unlike the tim'rous creeds of pagan priests, Is frank, stands forth to view, inviting all To prove, examine, search, investigate; And gave herself a light to see her by." --_Pollock's Course of Time_, B. iv. "If I have done well, and as is fitting the story, it is that which I desired; but if slenderly and meanly, it is that which I could attain unto."--2 _Maccabees_ xv, 38. TWO VOLUMES IN ONE CINCINNATI: STEREOTYPED AND PUBLISHED BY J. A. JAMES 1843 CONTENTS VOLUME I ON THE CREDIBILITY, ANTIQUITY, AND GENUINENESS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES CHAPTER I