BY SHARON TURNER, F.S.A. & R.A.S.L.,
Author of "The History of England," "The History of the Anglo-Saxons," &c. &c.

IN THREE

VOLUMES.

VOL. III.

NEW-YORK:

HARPER & BROTHERS, 82 CLIFF-ST.

PREFACE.

IN presenting the concluding volume of the Sacred History of the World to the public, the author has only to thank his readers for their favourable reception of the preceding volumes, and to express his hope that the following pages may be deemed no unsuitable companion to them. They complete his views of the great subject which he desired to submit to the consideration of his younger contemporaries; and his wishes will be fulfilled, with much gratification to himself, if they shall be found useful to those whom he desires so much to assist or benefit.

Cottage, Winchmore Hill, Middlesex, 11th March, 1837.

CONTENTS.

LETTER I.

Recapitulation of the Objects of the former Letters.-Statement

of the Subjects intended to be considered in the present Se-

ries, and of the manner in which they will be treated

Page 13

LETTER II,

That our World has been made, and is conducted on an intelli-

gent Plan, and for intelligent Purposes, which we have the

Capacity to discover and understand

17

LETTER III.

On the Importance of studying Nature and Human Life, with

the belief that Divine Plans and Purposes have always ac-

companied them

24

LETTER IV.

The Plans of the Creator are adapted to the different Classes of
Things of which our World is composed.-The distinction of
these into material Substances, moving Powers, and living
Beings.-The Plans as to the Human Race different from
those of the rest of Nature
28

LETTER V.

The Invisible Agencies as certain as the Material Ones, both in

Life and Nature.-The Divine Agencies are of this Character.

-Change of the Divine Plan as to Human Population after

the Deluge, and in the abbreviation of Life

32

LETTER VI.

Statement of the Theory of Mr. Malthus on Population.-Ob-

servations upon it.-Mr. Sadler's contrary Views

40