BY THE

REV. A. J. BINNIE, M.A.,

curate of kenilworth, late vicar of St. Silas', Leeds.

WEST CORNER OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD, LONDON.

PREFACE.

My dear friend, why should I write a preface to your book? or, indeed, why should your book need a preface?

Is it not a fact that the preface to a book is seldom read? That prefaces are not wanted for many books will, I think, also be admitted. If, then, I must write something, I must defend my own position, and must seek to show, either (1) that this is not one of those 'many books,' and does need some prefatory remarks, or (2) that circumstances exist whereby these few introductory words have some sort of warrant or justification. The apology for the book, in short, requires its own apology.

(1) Few who have travelled in the Holy Land do not eagerly read all that has been or is being written about it. And, indeed, those who have not actually visited Palestine are always glad to hear what others have to tell out of their experience and own personal knowledge of it. Nor is it to be wondered at that the believer, ay, and the unbeliever too, should wish to know all that can be known of the land which has