instruction of eminent prophets; and “the sons of the prophets” assembled in them received such a training as fitted them, so far as human instrumentality is concerned, for the exercise of the prophetical office, as well as for being, in a more general sense, the religious instructors of the people.  From these schools came, apparently, most of those whom God called to be his messengers to the rulers and people, though with exceptions according to his sovereign wisdom.  Amos 1:1; 7:14.  We find, accordingly, that from the days of Samuel and onward the prophets were recognized as a distinct order of men in the Jewish theocracy, who derived their authority immediately from God, and spoke by direct inspiration of his Spirit, as they themselves indicate by the standing formula:  “Thus saith the Lord.”

12.  It is a remarkable fact, however, that from Samuel to about the reign of Uzziah, a period of some three centuries, we have no books of prophecy written by these men, if we except, perhaps, the book of Jonah.  Their writings seem to have been mainly historical (like the historical notices incorporated into the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel); and what remains to us of them is preserved in the historical books of the Old Testament.  See above, Nos. 6 and 7.  But about the time of Uzziah begins a new era, that of written prophecy.  During his reign appeared Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, and probably Jonah, Joel, and Obadiah.  Micah followed immediately afterwards, being contemporary in part with Isaiah; and then, in succession, the rest of the prophets whose writings have come down to us.  When the theocracy was now on its decline, waxing old and destined to pass away for ever, they felt themselves called to put on record, for the instruction of all coming ages, their words of warning and encouragement.  Thus arose gradually our present collection of prophetical books; that of Lamentations included, which is but an appendix to the writings of Jeremiah.

IV.  THE POETICAL BOOKS.

13.  These are a precious outgrowth of the theocratic spirit, in which the elements of meditation and reflection predominate.  Concerning the date and authorship of the book of Job, which stands first in order in our arrangement, we have no certain information.  Learned men vary between the ante-Mosaic age and that of Solomon.  Its theme is divine providence, as viewed from the position of the Old Testament.  See further in the introduction to this book.

14.  With the call of David to the throne of Israel began a new and glorious era in the history of public worship, that of “the service of song in the house of the Lord.” 1 Chron. 6:31.  As when Moses smote the rock in the wilderness the water gushed forth in refreshing streams, so the soul of David, touched by the spirit of inspiration, poured forth a rich and copious flood of divine song, which has