Affairs—Spanish Armada—Blessed by the Pope—Destroyed by a Storm—Its Effect on Europe—England's Influence and Position—America the Land of Refuge.

CHAPTER XI.

Columbus Destroyed Papal Dogmas—Cruelty of Spaniards—Their Retribution—Relics in Massachusetts—Newport Tower—Mounds in Ohio—Remains Found in Iowa—Plates Found in Illinois—Ancient Mexican Pyramids—Human Sacrifices—View from the Great Pyramid—Ancient American Sculptures—Mammoths—Mexican Customs—Religious Rites—Computation of Time—Arts and Sciences—Description of Peru—Its Civilization—Massacre of the Incas—Testimony of Travellers—Indian Traditions.

CHAPTER XII.

England's Development—Reign of Elizabeth—Influence of the Bible—Tyranny of the Kings—Jacques Cartier—Discovery of the St. Lawrence—Quebec Founded—Acadia Colonized—Transferred to England—Extracts from Longfellow's Poem—Virginia Settled.

CHAPTER XIII.

Character of the Colonists—They Leave England—Sojourn in Holland—Brewster's Printing Press—Puritans Embark for America—Their Trust in God—Robinson's Prophecy—Plymouth Founded—Sufferings of the Colonists—Conflict in England—Peculiarities of the Puritans—Harvard College Founded—Extent of Settlements—First Confederation.

CHAPTER XIV.

Description of Holland—A Land of Refuge—Tyranny of Alva—The Struggle for Independence—Siege of Leyden—The Country Submerged—Famine in the City—Speech of the Mayor—Heroic Conduct—Trust in God—Storm Raises the Waters—Spaniards Retreat—Leyden is Saved—Thanksgiving—Waters Retire.

CHAPTER XV.

Rise of Quakerism—George Fox—William Penn—Founds Pennsylvania—Kindness to the Indians—Philadelphia Founded—Maryland, Carolina and Georgia Settled—Roger Williams—Rhode Island Founded—Its Toleration.

CHAPTER XVI.

Condition of English Society—Manufacture of Gin and Rum—Origin of Methodism—Eloquence of Whitfield—John and Charles Wesley—Remarkable Teachings—Robert Raikes—John Howard—William Wilberforce—Mechanical Inventions—Growth of American Freedom—Three Great Battles—Cook's Voyages—Extension of the English Language—Greatness of Pitt—Washington's Early Life—Benjamin Franklin.

CHAPTER XVII.

Gathering of Political Forces—General Revolution—Civil Reformers—Decay of Old Institutions—Rosseau and His Writings—Voltaire—Holland, a Political Refuge—American Settlers—Lines of Albert B. Street—Growth of the Colonies—Love for England—Causes of Revolution—Manufactures Forbidden—Stamp Act—Tax on Tea—Philadelphia Convention—Address to the King—Appeal To England—To Canada—Incident in Old South Church, Boston—Paul Revere's Ride.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Battle of Lexington—Officers Chosen—A Year of Discussion—Declaration of Independence—Spirit of English Nobility—Defeat of American Forces—Success at Trenton and Princeton—Sufferings at Valley Forge—Washington's Prayer—Burgoyne's Campaign—Arrival of La Fayette—Arnold's Treason—Andre's Death—Siege of Yorktown—Close of the War—Treaty of Peace—Army Disbanded—Washington Resigns his Commission—Constitutional Convention—Washington Elected President—His Death—His Tomb.

CHAPTER XIX.

Influence of La Fayette—Despotism in France—The Bastile—Corruption of the Church—Commencement of the Revolution—The Marseillaise—Its Wonderful Influence—Reign of Terror—Napoleon Bonaparte—His Wonderful Career—Jewish Sanhedrim—Fall of Napoleon—His Death—Progress of Liberty.

CHAPTER XX.

The Genius of the Age—European Wars—American Tranquil—Declaration of War—Divisions of North America—United States—Canada—Mexico—American Common Schools—Their Influence—Progress of Invention—First Steamboat—First Locomotive—Electric Telegraph—Improvements in Printing—Spiritual Darkness—The Kingdom of God—Wants of the Present Age—Joseph Smith—His Tragic Death—Conclusion.

THE HAND OF PROVIDENCE.

CHAPTER I.

THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM AND APOSTASY OF THE EARLY CHURCH.

INJUSTICE OF ROMAN GOVERNORS—NERO EMPEROR—VESPASIAN AND TITUS SENT TO JUDEA—FORTIFICATIONS OF JERUSALEM—TITUS OFFERS TERMS OF PEACE—HORRORS OF THE SIEGE—WOMEN DEVOUR THEIR OWN CHILDREN—TEMPLE BURNED—CITY DESTROYED—DISPERSION OF THE JEWS—UNIVERSAL APOSTASY—PRIESTHOOD NO MORE—IDEAS OF GOD PERVERTED—WORSHIP CORRUPTED WITH HEATHEN RITES—PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS—EMPEROR CONSTANTINE—RISE OF MONASTIC ORDER.

According to the best records that have come down to us, the last book of the New Testament (commonly called the Apocalypse of St. John) was written about sixty years after the ascension of our Savior.

At that time the gospel of Jesus Christ had been preached in all the principal cities and countries of the known world. Numerous branches of the primitive church had been planted in Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Asia Minor, Greece and Italy.

In the meantime the awful doom which the Savior predicted against Jerusalem had been literally fulfilled. Shortly after the crucifixion and ascension of the Savior, Judea became the theatre of many cruelties and oppressions arising from contentions between the Jewish priests, the depredations of numerous bands of robbers, which infested the country; but more than all from the injustice and avarice of the Roman governors.

The last of these governors was Gessius Floras, whom Josephus represents as a monster in wickedness and cruelty, and whom the Jews regarded rather as a bloody executioner, sent to torture, than as a magistrate to govern them.

Jerusalem.

During the government of Felix, his predecessor, a dispute having arisen between the Jews and Syrians about the city of Caesarea, their respective claims were