The Ancient Scriptures and the Modern Jew/Preface to the second edition
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
THE printing of a second edition of this book within the same year that the first edition was published is a matter of thankfulness to the author, who has received a large number of appreciative letters about it; and it may be regarded as a proof of growing interest in the stupendous question with which it deals.
The press notices, too, have, on the whole, been favourable. What adverse criticism there has been, has, so far as I know, been directed almost entirely against the expository part of the volume, partly on account of my attitude in relation to the views of a certain school of modern criticism with regard to the Old Testament Scriptures. Some of my reviewers have also expressed regret that the subject of the "Modern Jew," which is so interesting in itself, should not have been treated independently of the Scriptures. But "I believe, and therefore have I spoken." The Jew still remains the most irrefutable witness to the historical character and supernatural element of the Scripture narrative, and it is only in the light of the revealed plan, that we can see light, on the very comprehensive and perplexing "Jewish Question," which, apart from Scripture, will for ever remain an enigma beyond solution.
September 29th 1901.