OUR subject now is one of almost unlimited extent, for we are to call as
“witnesses” the races of the world. We are to take the evidence of
Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, and of all the nations, tongues,
peoples, and languages that are dispersed throughout them; and we are to
consider the evidence which they bear to the inspiration of the
Scriptures.
As some limit must be put to such an enquiry, I propose to confine our
thoughts to the study of one passage of Scripture; viz., Gen. ix. 25–27,
“Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his
servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of
Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.” Some people appear to speak with
great disrespect of the Pentateuch. It is well, therefore, to take from
it an ancient prophecy, and to study first the historical truth, and
secondly the prophetical accuracy of these remarkable words.