p. 131 | Untitled article by Jos. Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · February 11, 1868

MOSES.

By Jos. Clarke

When we peruse the first five books of the Old Testament, commonly called the Pentateuch, we have before us a literary work of the most ancient date of any extant, reaching, in its rehearsal of events, back to the origin of our earth, and giving us a brief history of our race for over two thousand years. For accuracy, brevity, and clearness of style, these books are a model; and as a relic of antiquity, they stand out unrivalled in solemn majesty, like a lofty mountain summit amid lesser hills.

No other author pretends to such a thing as to give a history of the first week of time, and the origin of man, and the account of the loss of Paradise. No author but Moses ever made so great a claim to divine knowledge. Yet no one was ever more simple in his style, and humble in his pretensions. Indeed it is only by means of circumstantial evidence that we infer that he indeed wrote these books; but this is of the most indubitable character; so sure, so certain, that we are clear as to the matter. Does any one ask how we know? We answer, Let him read the books for himself. This article is not intended to prove the authenticity of the Pentateuch. We would as soon attempt to prove the existence of the Himalaya mountains.

Does any one doubt? Let him read for himself. We have not a forlorn hope for the man who has read these books, and yet disbelieves them; and the infidel who peruses these works without having his heart touched by their sweetness, or his mind enlightened by their instructive sentiments, is morally insane; his mind is perverted by prejudice, and harassed by sin.

In all inspired writings there is a moral grandeur and beauty far surpassing the works of uninspired writers; and every one who has drank at the fountain of life is a witness of this; while those who never tasted the sweet influence of the Spirit of God, will wonder why the writer of this is so enthusiastic in his admiration of, and love for, works of this description. One class relish spiritual nourishment, and are able to discern the genuine, because they often drink of the fountain of life; while the other class, not having tasted of this fountain, or not having felt its power, of course do not discern its virtues.

But of all the sacred writers, it appears to us that no one approaches Moses in completeness of style, and true greatness of character. This we say, not in the way of disparaging the noble array of sacred writers; but we think they had all read Moses’ books, and partook of the same inspiration. He stands up as a father to them all, and his subject, his work, his opportunities, his birth and education, all contribute to form as perfect a man as possible; and if all the sufferings and trials of Israel before entering Canaan, only did this to furnish our race with one such man, one such example, it pays well, and is a remuneration amply sufficient for the cost.

It is interesting to think, when reading these wonderful books which Moses wrote, that probably this was the origin of letters, and that the hand which penned the Pentateuch, was wholly nourished by the manna.

Jos. CLARKE.