It is difficult to conceive how any real benefit or any reliable instruction can be derived from a book which contains statements with respect to doctrines or matters of fact that are contradicted on the next page, or in some other portion of the book; because it not only confuses the mind of the reader, but renders it impossible for him to know, as he reads a statement in one chapter of the book, that it is not contradicted and nullified in some other chapter, until he has sacrificed sufficient time to commit the whole book to memory: and but few persons have ever achieved that herculean task. Hence it must be an unreliable book as an authority. We know it has been stated by many admirers of the "Holy Book" that it contains no conflicting statements when properly understood. But who is to decide when it is properly understood? Here, again, is a conflict of ideas. All words have certain specific meanings attached to them by common consent. And certainly any man of good sense would not attempt to attach any other meaning to them, without stating the fact and clearly defining his new meaning, if he expects any reader to understand him, or any two readers to understand him alike; and, if he writes without giving a hint that he has invented or employed new meanings for the words he uses, we are compelled to assume that his words and language have the ordinary and universally adopted signification. With this view of the case (as the writers of the Bible have given no hint that they employed new meanings), it is false to assume or say there are no contradictions in the Bible, when, if we accept language with its ordinary and established signification, an honest and unbiased investigation will show that it contains several thousand statements which conflict with each other or with science, history or moral truth, and hence must be totally unreliable as an authority. To prove this, we will now enter upon the unpleasant task of arranging and classifying a large number of these contradictions found both in the Old and New Testaments.

I. CONTRADICTIONS IN MATTERS OF FACT AND IN DOCTRINES.

1. Was it death to eat the forbidden fruit? Yes: "In the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die" (Gen. II. 17). No: "And all the-days of Adam were nine hundrcd and thirty years" (Gen. v. 5).

2. Can a woman, according to scripture, ever speak on religious matters? Yes: "The same man had four daughters—virgins—who did prophesy" (Acts xxi. 9). No: "I suffer not a woman to teach, but to be in silence" (1 Tim. ii. 12).

3. Should a man ever laugh? Yes: "There is a time to weep and a time to laugh" (Eccles. iii. 4). No: "Sorrow is better than laughter" (Eccles. viii. 3). Yes: "I commend mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry" (Eccles. vii. 15).

4. What is our moral duty relative to trimming the hair on our heads? "There shall no razor come upon his head,... let the locks of his head grow" (Num. vi. 5). "If a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him" (1 Cor. xi. 14).

5. Is there any remedy for a fool? Yes: "The rod of correction will drive it far from him" (Prov. xxii. 15). No: "Though thou bray a fool in a mortar, yet will his foolishness not depart from him" (Prov. xxvi. 6).

6. Should we pay a fool in his own coin? Yes: "Answer a fool according to his folly" (Prov. xxvi. 5). No: "Answer not a fool according to his folly" (Prov. xxvi. 6).

7. Is man's life threescore years and ten? Yes: "The days of our years are threescore years and ten" (Ps. xc. 10). No: "His days shall be a hundrcd and twenty years" (Gen. vi. 3).

8. Is it desirable to be tempted? Yes: "Count it all Joy to be tempted" (Jas. i. 2). No: "Watch and pray, that ye enter not Into temptation" (Matt. xxvi. 41).

9. Which is the tempter, God or the devil? The devil: The devil tempted Christ and Judas. (See Matt. iv. 1). God: God tempted David (2 Sam. xxiv. 1).

10. Does the Lord ever tempt man? No: "Neither tempteth he any man" (Jas. i.13). Yes: "And God did tempt Abraham" (Gen. xxii. 1). No: "He blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts" (John xii. 40).

11. Can God be tempted? No: "God can not be tempted" (Jas. i. 13). Yes: "They have tempted me, the Lord, ten times" (Num. xiv. 22).

12. Is any thing good? Yes: Every thing (1 Tim. iv. 4). No: "Every thing is corrupt" (Gen. vi. 12).

13. How many Gods are there? One: "The Lord our God is one Lord" (Deut. vi.4). Several: "Let us make man in our own image" (Gen. i. 26). Three: "There are three that bear record in heaven, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost" (1 John v. 7).

14. Is God omnipresent? Yes: David declares the Lord is everywhere, In heaven and earth, and even in hell (Ps. cxxxix. 7). No: "The Lord came down to see Sodom" (Gen. xviii. 20). Yes: "There is no place where the workers of iniquity can hide themselves" (Job xxxiv. 22). No: "Adam and Eve hid themselves from the presence of the Lord" (Gen. iii. 8). No: "Cain fled from the presence of God" (Gen. iv. 16). Yes: "Man can not get out of his presence" (Ps. cxxxix. 7).

15. Is God omniscient? Yes: "He knoweth the hearts of all men" (Acts i. 24). No: "The Lord had to prove the Israelites, and also Abraham, to know what was in their hearts" (Deut. viii. and Gen. xxii.).

18. Is God omnipotent? Yes: "With God all things are possible" (Matt. xix. 26). No: "He could not drive out the Inhabitants of the valley, because their chariots were made of iron" (Judg. i. 19).

17. Is God unchangeable? Yes: With him "there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning; I change not" (Mal. iii. 6). No: "And the Lord repented of the evil he said he would inflict upon the Ninevites" (Jon. iii. 10).

18. Is God a merciful being? Yes: "The Lord is very pitiful, and full of mercy" (Jas. v. 11). No: "I will not pity nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy" (Jer. xiii. 14) Yes: "His tender mercies are over all his works" (Ps. cxiv. 9). No: "Have no pity on them, but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling" (Sam. xv. 2). Yes: "His mercy endureth for ever" (1 Chron. xvi. 34). No: "I have taken away my loving kindness and mercies" (Jer. xvi. 3).

19. Does God over hate? No: "God is love" (1 John iv. 16). Yea: "He hated his own inheritance" (Ps. cvi. 40).

20. Is God's anger perpetual? No: "His anger endureth but a moment" (Ps. xxx 5). Yes: "Mine anger shall burn for ever" (Jer. xvii. 4).

21. Is God the author of evil? Yes: "I make peace, and I create evil" (Isa. xiv. 7). No: "Out of his mouth proceeds not evil" (Lam. iii. 38).

22. Is God in favor of war? No: "He is the God of peace." Yes: "The Lord is a man of war" (Exod. xv. 3). No: "He is not the author of confusion, but of peace" (1 Cor. xiv. 33).

23. Is the spirit of God for peace? Yes: It is "love, peace, joy, gentleness, and goodness" (Gal. v. 22). No: "The spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he slew a thousand men" (Judg. xv. 16). Yes: "The spirit of the Lord begets love, peace, and goodness" (Gal. v. 22). No: "By the spirit of the Lord Samson slew thirty men" (Judg. xiv. 19).

24. Has any man seen God? Yes: "Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Ablho, and the seventy elders of Israel" saw the God of Israel (Exod. xxiv.9). No: "No man hath seen God at any time" (John i. 18). Yes: "I have seen God face to face, and my life has been preserved" (Gen. xxxii. 30). No: "There shall no man see me, and live" (Exod. xxxiii. 20). Yes: "I saw also the Lord standing upon the throne" (Isa. vi. 1). No: "Ye have never seen his shape" (John v. 37).

25. Can any man hear God's voice? Yes: "I heard thy voice in the garden" (Gen. iii. 9). No: "Ye have never heard his voice at any time" (John v. 37).

26. Does God dwell in light? Yes: "He dwelleth in light which no man can approach to" (1 Tim. vi. 16). No: "The Lord said he would dwell in thick darkness" (1 Kings viii. 12).

27. Does God dwell in temples? Yes: "I have chosen this [Solmon's] temple for a house" (2 Chron. viii. 16). No: "The Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands" (Acts xvii. 24).

28. Does God ever tire? Yes: "God rested, and was refreshed" (Exod. xxxi. 17). No: "God fainteth not, neither is he weary" (Isa. xl. 28).

29. Is God a respecter of persons? No: "There is no respect of persons with God" (Rom. ii. 11). Yes: "And God had respect to Abel and his offering" (Gen.).

30. Can God always be found? Yes: "Those who seek me early shall find me" (Prov. viii. 17). No: "They shall seek me early, but shall not find me" (Prov. i. 28).

31. Does the Lord believe in burnt offerings? No: "I delight not in the blood of bullocks or of lambs or of he-goats" (Isa. i. 11). Yes: "Thou shall offer every day a bullock for a sin-offering" (Exod. xxix. 36).

32. Does the Lord believe in animal sacrifices of any kind? No: "Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me" (Jer. vi. 20). Yes: "Burnt sacrifices are sweet unto the Lord" (Lev i. 9).

33. Does God believe in human sacrifices? No: For he condemned the human sacrifices of the Gentiles. (See Deut. xii. 30.) Yes: "For his anger was abated by David's hanging the five sons of Michal in the hill before the Lord." (See 2 Sam. xxi. 8, and Judg. xi. 30.)

34. Does God ever repent? Yes: "It repenteth the Lord that he had made man" (Gen. vi. 6). No: "The Lord is not a man that he should repent" (Num. xxiii. 19).

35. Is all scripture given by inspiration of God? Yes: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Tim. iii. 16). No: "I speak it not after the Lord" (2 Cor. xi. 17).

36. Is war and fighting right? No: "They that take the sword shall perish with the sword" (Matt, xxvi. 32). Yes: "He that hath no sword, let him sell his coat and by one" (Luke xxii. 36). No: "Beat your swords into plowshares, and your spears into pruning-hooks" (Mic. iv. 3). Yes: "Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears" (Joel iii. 10). Yes: "Cursed be he who keepeth back his sword from blood" (Jer. xlviii. 10).

37. Shall nation war against nation? Yes: "Nation shall rise up against nation" (Matt. xxiv. 7). No: "Nation shall not rise up against nation" (Mic. iv. 3).

38. Shall we love our enemies? Yes: "Love your enemies" (Luke vi. 27). No: "Bring my enemies, and lay them before me" (Luke xix. 27).

39. Is hatred right? No: "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer"(1 John iii. 15) Yes: "You must hate father and mother, brother and sister, &c., or ye can not be true followers of Christ" (Luke xiv. 26).

40. Is anger commended? Yes: "Be ye angry, and sin not" (Eph. iv. 26). No "Anger resteth in the bosom of fools" (Ecclcs. vii 9).

41. Is it right to steal and rob? No: "Thou shalt not steal" (Exod. xx. 15); "Neither rob" (Lev. xix. 13). Yea: The Israelites took from the Egyptians "Jewels of silver and Jewels of gold, and raiment, and they spoiled the Egyptians" (Exod. xii. 35).

42. Is it right to kill? No: "Thou shalt not kill" (Exod. xx. 13). Yes: "Kill every male child amongst them." Yes: "Go ye out and slay every man his companion and every man his neighbor, and every man his brother" (Exod. xxxii. 27).

43. Is it right to lie on any occasion? No: "All liars are to be punished with fire and brimstone" (Rev. xxi. 8). Yes: "Go put a lying spirit into the mouths of all the prophets" ( I Kings xxii. 21). No: "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord" (Prov. xii. 22). Yes: "The harlot Rahab lied, and was justified by works" (Jas. ii. 25). No: "Say nothing but the truth" (2 Chron. xviii. 15). Yes: "If the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie for his glory, why am I adjudged a sinner?" (Rom. iii. 7).

44. Is God in favor of lying and deception? No: "Thou shalt not bear false wit-ness" (Exod. 20). Yes: "If a prophet is deceived, I the Lord deceived that prophet" (Ezek. xiv. 9).

45. Is a pious life a happy life? Yes: "Come unto me, and I will give you rest" (Matt. xi. 28). No: "In the world ye shall have tribulation" (John xvi. 33).

46. Will righteousness make a man happy? Yes: "There shall no evil happen to the just" (Prov. xii. 21). No: "It is through much tribulation the righteous enter the kingdom of heaven" (Acts xiv. 21). Yes: "The righteous shall flourish" (Ps. xcii. 12). No: "The righteous shall perish" (Isa. lvii. 1). Yes: "The prayer of the righteous availeth much" (Jas. v. 16). No: "There is none righteous; no, not one" (Rom. iii. 10). Yes: The righteous to be slain with the wicked (Ezek. xxi. 3). No: The "righteous not to be slain" (Exod. xxiii. 7).

47. Can we live without sinning? Yes: "Those born of God can not sin" (1 John iii. 9) No: "There is no man that sinneth not" (I Kings viii. 46). Yes: "He that committeth sin is of the devil" (1 John ill. 8). No: "There are none that doeth good, and sinneth not" (Eccles. vii. 20).

48. Does wickedness shorten a man's life? Yes: "The years of the wicked shall be shortened" (Prov. x. 27). No: "The wicked live, and become old" (Job xxi. 7). Shall we resist evil? Yes: "Put away the evil of your doings" (Isa. i. 16). No: "Resist not evil" (Matt. v. 37).

49. Who can know whether the golden rule is right or wrong? Right: "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do you even so unto them" (Matt. vii. 12). Wrong: "Spare them not, but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling" (1 Sam. xv. 3).

50. Is wisdom desirable? Yes: "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom" (Prov. iii. 13). No: "Much wisdom is much grief, and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow" (Eccles. i. 18). Yes: "Get wisdom with all thy gettings" (Prov. iv. 7). Yes: "Be wise as serpents" (Matt. x. 16). No: "The wisdom of the wise shall be destroyed" (1 Cor. i. 19).

51. Shall we aim at a good reputation? Yes: "A good name is better than riches" (Prov. xxii. 1). No: "Woe unto you when all men speak well of you" (Luke vi. 26).

52. Are riches desirable? Yes: "The rich man's wealth is his strong City" (Prov. x. 15). No: "Woe unto you that are rich" (Luke vi. 24). Yes: "Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord,... wealth and riches shall be in his house" (Ps. cxii.). No: "Blessed be ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God" (Luke vi. 20).

53. Can a righteous man be rich, or a rich man be saved? Yes: "In the house of the righteous is much treasure" (Prov. xv. 6). No: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Matt. xix. 24).

54. Does the Lord believe in riches? Yes: "The Lord blessed Job with fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen," &c. (Job xiii. 12). No: "A rich man can not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. xix. 24). Yes: "Wealth and riches shall be in the house of the man that feareth God" (Ps. cxii. 1). No: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth" (Matt. vi. 19).

55. Shall we use strong drink? No: "Wine is a mocker, and strong drink is raging" (Prov. xx. 1). Yes: "Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish" (Prov. xxxi. 6).

56. Should we ever use wine? No: "Do not use wine nor strong drink" (Lev. x. 9). Yes: "Use a little wine for the stomach's sake" (Tim. v. 23). No: "Look not upon the wine when it is red" (Prov. xxiii. 31). Yes: "Give wine to him that is of heavy heart" (Prov. xxxi. 6).

57. Is it right to eat all kinds of animals? Yes: "There is nothing unclean of itself; eat every moving thing" (Gen. ix. 3). No: "Swine, hares, and camels are unclean; ye shall not eat of their flesh" (Deut. xiv. 7).

58. Is it good to eat flesh? Yes: It is good to eat flesh (Deut. xii. 20). No; It is not good to eat flesh (Rom. xiv. 21).

59. Is man justified by works? Yes: "Abraham was justified by works" (Jas. ii. 21). No: "A man can not be justified by works" (Gal. ii. 16).

60. Is man saved by faith? Yes: "Man is saved by faith without works" (Rom. iii. 28). No: "Man can not be justfied by faith without works" (James ii. 24).

61. Should our works be seen? Yes: "Let your light shine before men" (Matt. v. 16). No: "Do not your alms before men" (Matt. vi. 1),

62. Is public prayer right? No: "Enter into thy closet, and shut thy door" (Matt vi. 6). Yes: "Solomon prayed before all the congregation" (1 Kings viii. 22).

63. How can it be a moral duty to pray, there being no certainty of an answer? "Every one that asketh receiveth" (Matt. vii. 8). "They that seek me early shall find me" (Prov. viii. 17). "Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but shall not find me" (Prov. i. 28).

64. Is man to be rewarded in this life? Yes: Both the righteous and the wicked an to be rewarded on earth (Prov. xi. 31). No: They are to be rewarded after death (Matt. xvi. 27).

65. Are children punished for the sins of their parents? Yes: "The iniquities of the father are visited upon the children" (Exod. xx. 6). No "The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father" (Ezek. xviii. 20).

66. Should marriage be encouraged? Yes: "Marriage is honorable to all" (Heb. xiii. 4). No: "It is good for a man not to touch a woman" (1 Cor. vii. 1).

67. Is divorce right or wrong according to the Bible? Right: "If thou have no delight in her (thy wife), then thou shalt let her go" (Deut. xxi. 11). Wrong: "Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the crime of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery" (Matt. v. 32).

68. Is it right to marry a brother's widow? Yes: "If a man die childless, his brother shall marry his widow" (Deut. xxv. 5). No: "To marry a brother's widow is an unclean thing" (Lev. xx. 21).

69. Is it ever right to marry a sister? No: "Cursed shall he be who does so" (Deut. xxvii. 22). Yes: "Abraham married his sister, and was blessed" (Gen. xx. 2).

70. Does the Bible allow adultery? No: "Whoremongers and adulterers God will Judge" (Heb. xiii. 4). Yes: "The Lord commanded Hosea to take a wife of whoredoms" (Hos. i. 2).

71. Is fornication sinful? Yes: "You should abstain from fornication" (1. Thess. iv. 8). No: "Every woman who hath not known man by lying with him, save for yourselves" (Num. xxxi. 18).

72. Should we always obey kings and rulers? Yes: "To resist [them] is to resist the ordinance of God" (Rom. xiii. 3). No: "Whether it is right to obey God or man, judge ye." Yes: "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake" ( 1 Pet. ii. 14). "Whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do" (Matt, xxiii. S). No: "We ought to obey God rather than man" (Acts v. 29).

73. Is the obedience of servants a duty? Yes: "Servants, obey your masters" (Col. iii. 22). No: "Be ye not the servants of men" (1 Cor. vii. 23).

74. Is slavery right? No: "Be not called master;" "Break every yoke" (Isa. lviii. 6). Yes: "Ye shall buy of the children of the stranger, &c., and they shall be your possession" (Lev. xxv. 46). No: "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land" (Lev. xxv. 10).

75. Who can tell if baptism is an obligatory ordinance? Yes: "Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them," &c. (Matt, xxviii. 19). No: "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" (1 Cor. i. 17).

76. Is image-making right? No: "Ye shall make no image of any thing" (Exod. xx. 4). Yes: "Moses made an image of a serpent" (Num. xxi. 9).

77. Is circumcision right? Yes: "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of men, ye can not be saved" (Acts xv. 1). No: "If ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing" (Gal. v. 2). Yes: "Ye must be circumcised" (Acts xv. 24). No: "Circumcision is nothing" (Cor. vii. 19).

78. Is it right to swear? No: "Swear not at all" (Matt. v. 35). Yes: God swore eleven times, says the Bible.

79. Why was the sabbath instituted? Because "God rested on the sabbath day" (Exod. xx. 11). Because "he delivered his people on that day" (Deut. vi. 15).

80. Is it right to observe the sabbath? Yes: "Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy." No: "Your new moons and your sabbaths,... I can not away with. It is iniquity" (Isa. i. 12).

81. Is it right to judge? Yes: "Judge righteous Judgment" (John vii. 24). No: "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matt. vii. 2).

82. Can a man work miracles without divine aid? No: "No man can work such miracles except God be with him" (John iii. 2). Yes: "The Egyptians did in like manner with their enchantments" (Exod. vii. 10).

83. Can any man ascend to heaven? Yes: "Elijah ascended in a chariot of fire" (2 Kings ii.11). No: "No man hath ascended up to heaven" (John iii. 13). Yes: "All men must see death" (Heb. ix. 27). No: "Enoch did not see death" (Heb. xi. 5).

84. Should we fear death? Yes: "Christ walked not in Jewry because the Jews sought to kill him" (John vii. 1). No: "Fear not them that kill the body" (Matt. x. 28).

85. Will the earth ever be destroyed? Yes: "The earth also shall be burned up" (2 Pet. iii 10). No: "But the earth abideth for ever" (Eccles. i. 4).

86. Does the Bible teach a future life? Yes: "They shall go away into everlasting punishment" (Matt. xxv. 46). No: "For that which befelleth men befalleth beasts;... as the one dieth, so dieth the other," &c. (Eccles. iii. 19).

87. Does the Bible teach a future resurrection? Yes: "The dead shall be raised" (Cor. xv. 52). No: "They shall not rise" (Isa. xxvi.14). Yes: "The saints came up out of the ground" (Matt, xxvii. 62). No: "Those who go down into the grave never come up again" (Job vii. 9).

88. Are the actions of men ever to be judged according to the Bible? First, "The Father judgeth no man" (John v. 22). Second, "I [Jesus Christ] judge no man" (John viii. 15). So there is to be no judgment.

89. No: "God saw every thing was corrupt" (Gen. vi. 11). Yes: "God saw every thing he had made was good" (Gen. i. 31).

90. Yes: "God forgives the sinner" (Jer. xxxi. 34). No: "God kills the sinner" (Ezek. xviii. 20).

91. Yes: "God justifies the ungodly" (Rom. iv. 5). No: "God will not clear the guilty" (Exod. xxxiv. 7).

92. Yes: "Man is justified by the law" (Rom. ii. 13). No: "Man can not be justified by the law" (Gal. iii. 11).

93. Yes: "Many have sinned without the law" (Rom. ii.12). No: "Where there is no law there is no transgression" (Rom. iv. 18).

94. Yes: "Heaven is a kingdom that can not be moved" (Heb. xii. 18). No: "I will shake heaven and earth" (Heb. xii. 26).

95. Yes: "Every thing is afraid of man" (Gen. i. 28). No: "The lion is not afraid of man" (Prov. xxx. 30).

96. Yes: "Every man in his own tongue" (Gen. x. 5). No: "The whole earth one tongue" (Gen. xi. 1).

97. Yes: "All things are become new" (2 Cor. v. 17). No: "There is nothing new under the sun" (Eccles. i. 9).

98. Yes: "You shall make a likeness of a serpent and a cherubim" (Exod. xxv. 18). No: "Make no likeness of any thing in heaven above or the earth beneath," &c. (Exod. xx. 4).

99. Yes: "Deborah the prophetess judged Israel" (Judg. iv. 4). No: "A woman is not to judge or rule a man" (1 Tim. Ii. 12).

100. Yes: "God's people shall be ashamed" (Hos. x. 6). No: "God's people shall never be ashamed" (Ps. xxxvii. 19).

101. Yes: "Blessed are the fruitful" (Gen. i. 28). No: "Blessed are the barren" (Luke xxiii. 29).

102. Yes: "Edom being thy brother, do not abhor him" (Deut. xxiii. 7). No: "He slew of Edom ten thousand" (2 Kings xiv. 7).

103. Yes: "Bear ye one another's burdens" (Gal. vi. 2). No: "Every man must bear his own burden" (Gal. vi. 5).

104. Yes: "Labor not for meat" (John vi. 27). No: "He that labors not shall not eat" (2 Thess. iii. 10).

105. In Genesis vi. 5 God declared he would pour out his curses because "the imagination of man's heart is evil, and only evil continually." In Genesis viii. 21 he gives the same reason for not cursing the world.

And these are mere specimens of a vast number of similar kind. Kings and Chronicles especially are full of such discrepancies of dates, numbers, names, &c. In one case the author of Chronicles makes a son two years older than his father, the father being forty and the son forty-two. For proof, compare 2 Chron. xxi. 20 with xxii. 1, 2. And observe, the author of 2 Chron. xvi. 1 has Baasha, King of Israel, fighting against Judah ten years after the author of 1 Kings xvi. 8 has him dead and buried. But we have not space to spare to continue the list, as it would comprise a large chapter. Let the reader compare the names and numbers of the leaders, families, tribes, &c., of the children of Israel, as recorded by Ezra (chap. ii.), with those of Nehemiah (chap, vii.), and he will find more than a dozen discrepancies and contradictions; the difference amounting in some cases to thousands. He will also find a difference with respect to the coronation, period of rule, and termination of the reign of various kings, and wide differences tracing genealogie, families, tribes, &c., if he will compare Kings, Chronicles, Samuel, Ezra, Nehemiah, &c. Such are the verbal discrepancies of the "Word of God;" such is arithmetic when "inspired."

Two questions upon the above: 1. How much older can a son be than his father according to scripture, basing the inquiry upon Chron. xxi. and xxii.? 2. How long can a man continue to fight after he is dead and buried, as is illustrated in the case of Baasha, King of Israel? (See contradictions 142, 143, and 144.)

CONTRADICTIONS IN HISTORY.

100. When was man created? Gen. i. 25 says after the other animal. Gen. ii, 13 says before the other animals.

107. Were seed-time and harvest to be perpetual? Yes: "Seed-time and harvest shall not cease" (Gen. viii. 22). No: "There was neither earing nor harvest" for five years (Gen. xiv. 6).

108. Did Eve see before she ate the forbidden fruit? Yes: "Woman saw before she ate the fruit" (Gen. iii. 6). No: "Her eyes were opened by eating the fruit" (Gen. iii. 7).

109. When did the earth become dry after the flood? "In the first month the waters of the flood were dried up" (Gen. viii. 13). "In the second month the waters of the flood were dried up" (Gen. viii. 12).

110. How old was Abraham when he left Haran? The eleventh chapter of Genesis makes him one hundred and thirty-five years old; but the twelfth says he was only seventy-five.

111. Did Abraham know where he was going? Yes: "He went forth to go into the land of Canaan" (Gen. xii. 5). No: "He went out, not knowing whither he went" (Heb. xi. 8).

112. Did God give Abraham land? Yes: "I give it to thy seed for ever" (Gen. xiii. 15). No: "Abraham had none inheritance in it, not so much as to set his foot on" (Acts vii. 5).

113. Did Moses fear Pharaoh? Yes: "Moses fled, fearing Pharaoh" (Exod. ii. 14 and 18). No: "Moses did not fear Pharaoh" (Heb. xi. 21 ).

114. Who hardened Pharaoh's heart? "The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh" (Exod. ix. 12). "Pharaoh hardened his heart" (Exod. viii. 15).

115. How many fighting men in Israel? Samuel says eight hundred thousand (2 Sam. xxiv. 9). Chronicles says one million one hundred thousand (1 Chron. xxi. 5).

110. How many fighting men in Judah? Samuel says five hundred thousand (2 Sam. xxiv. 9). Chronicles says four hundred and seventy thousand (1 Chron. xxi. 5).

117. Who moved David to number Israel? God: "The Lord moved David to number Israel" (2 Sam. xxiv. 1). The devil: "Satan provoked him to do it" (Chron. xxi. 1).

118. Did David sin more than once? Yes: "I have sinned greatly in numbering Israel" (2 Sam. 24. 10). No: "He sinned only when he killed Uriah" (1 Kings xv. 5).

119. How many years of famine was David to suffer? Chronicles says it was three years (1 Chron. xxi. 11). Samuel says it was seven years (2 Sam. xxiv. 13).

120. How many horsemen did David capture? Samuel says it was seven hundred (2 Sam. viii. 4). Chronicles says it was seven thousand (1 Chron. xviii. 4).

121. What did David pay for his threshing-floor? Samuel says fifty shekels of silver (2 Sam. xxiv. 24). Chronicles says six hundred shekels of gold (1 Chron. xxi. 25).

122. Was David's throne to come to an end? No: "It shall be established for ever" (Ps. lxxxix. 4). Yes: "It was cast down to the ground" (Ps. lxxxix. 44).

123. Was David really a man after God's own heart? Yes: "David was a man after God's own heart" (Acts xiii. 22). No: "David displeased the Lord" (2 Sam. xi. 24).

124. Was it a man or God that Jacob wrestled with? "Jacob wrestled all night with a man" (Gen. xxxii.24). "Jacob wrestled all night with God" (Gen. xxxii. 30).

125. How many were there of Jacob's family? "Jacob's family was only seventy souls" (Gen. xlvi 27). "Jacob's family was seventy-five souls" (Acts vii. 14).

126. How long was Israel in Egypt? "Israel was four hundred and thirty years in Egypt" (Exod. xii. 41). "Jacob was only four hundred years in Egypt" (Acts vii. 6).

127. Did they see what the Lord did in Egypt? Yes: "You have seen all the Lord did in Egypt" (Deut. xxix. 2). No: "You have seen nothing he did in Egypt" (Deut. xxix. 4).

128. Who was the father of Salah? Arphaxad (Gen. xi. 12). Cainan (Luke iii. 85).

129. Had Michal any children? No: "Michal had no children unto the day of his death" (2 Sam. vi. 23). Yes: "The five sons of Michal" (2 Sam. xxi. 8).

130. Where was the law written? Exodus says it was written on Mt. Sinai. Deuteronomy says it was written on Mt. Horeb.

131. How many died of the plague? Numbers says it was twenty and four thousand (Num. xxv. 9). Corinthians says three and twenty thousand (1 Cor. x. 8).

132. When did Zachariah begin to reign? "In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah" (2 Kings xv. 8). But a comparison of 2 Kings xlv. 29 and xv. 1 makes but fourteen years.

133. How many stalls for horses had Solomon? We are told in 1 Kings iv. 26, he had forty thousand. But, according to 2 Chron. ix. 25, it was only four thousand.

134. How much oil did Solomon give Hiram? According to Kings v. 11, it was twenty measures. But, according to Chron. ii. 10, it was twenty thousand.

135. Of what tribe was Solomon's artificer, who came from Tyre? According to 1 Kings vii. 14, he was of the tribe of Naphthali. But, according to 2 Chron. ii. 14, he was of the tribe of Dan.

136. How long were the two pillars of Solomon's porch? According to 1 Kings vii. 15, they were eighteen cubits long. But, according to 2 Chron. iii. 15, they were thirty-five cubits long.

137. How many baths were contained in the brazen sea? According to 1 Kings vii. 26, it contained two thousand; but, according to 2 Chron. iv. 5, three thousand.

138. How many mothers had Abijah? and who was she? According to 1 Kings xv. 2, she was the daughter of Ablshalom. But 2 Chron. xi. 20 says she was the daughter of Absalom; and 2 Chron. xiii. 2 says she was the daughter of Uriel.

THE CHRONOLOGY OF THE KINGS OF JUDAH AND ISRAEL ARE A MASS OF CONFUSION.

139. Where was Ahazlah killed, and how often? According to 2 Chron. xxii. 8, he was killed at Samaria; and, according to 2 King ix. 27, he was killed again.

140. How many did Jashobeam kill? "Jashobeam slew eight hundred at one time" (2 Sam. xxiii. 8). No: It was only three hundred he slew (1 Chron. xi. 11).

141. Who killed the Amalekites? Samuel says "Saul utterly destroyed them" (1 Sam. xv. 3). But, according to chapter twenty-seven of the same book, David killed them all, "left neither man nor woman" (1 Sam. xv. 13). And yet it appears they were not well killed; for, forty years after, they fought a battle with Ziklag (see 1 Sam. xxx. 18), and they were all killed again, "save four hundred young men;" and Simeon after-wards slew them. (See 1 Chron. iv. 3.) And yet, although destroyed three times, Josephus says he was a descendant of the Amalekites. They must have been a live people.

142. When did Baasha fight a battle with Judah? According to 2 Chron. xvi. 1, it was in Asa's thirty-sixth year. But, according to 1 Kings xvi. 8, in the twenty-sixth year of Asa, Baasha died, or, at least, vacated the throne,—a difference of ten years.

143. How did Asa and Baasha stand toward each other? "There was war between Asa and Baasha all their days" (1 Kings xv. 16). But, according to Chron. xiv. 1, they were at peace ten years.

144. How long aid Baasha reign? "Baasha reigned over Israel twenty-four years" (1 Kings xv. 33). But, according to 1 Kings xvi. 8, it was twenty-three years.

145. How long did Elah reign? According to 1 Kings xvi. 8, Elah reigned two years, commencing in Asa's twenty-sixth year.

146. When did Ahazlah begin to reign over Judah? Kings says it was the eleventh year of Joram (2 Kings viii. 16). Kings also says it was the twelfth (2 Kings viii. 25).

147. When did Omri begin to reign? "In the thirty-eighth year of Asa began Omri to reign" (Kings xvi. 15). But, as Zimri only reigned seven days, and began in Asa's twenty-seventh year, Omri must also have commenced in his twenty-seventh year.

148. When did Ahab commence his reign? "In the thirty-eighth year of Asa began Ahab, son of Omri, to reign" (1 Kings xvi. 29). How can that be if Omri reigned twelve years? (See 1 Kings xvi. 23).

149. When did Jeboram, son of Ahab, begin to reign? "In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, began Jeboram to reign" (2 Kings iii. 1). Impossible, if his son Amaziah commenced in Jehoshaphat's nineteenth year (see 1 Kings xxii. 31), and reigned two years: seventeen and two are nineteen. And, according to 2 Kings 1. 17 and 1 Kings, it was twelve years later, if Jehoshaphat reigned twenty-five years. (See 1 Kings).

150. When did Azzlah, or Uzzlah, begin to reign? In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam, according to 2 Kings xv. 1. But, according to 2 Kings xvi. 17 and 23, it was only sixteen years.

151. How long did Jehu reign over Israel? "Jehu reigned over Israel twenty-eight years" (2 Kings x. 36). But, according to 2 Kings xiii. 1, he reigned thirty years.

152. "How long did Jehoahaz reign? Jehoahaz reigned seventeen years" (2 Kings xiii. 1). But, according to 2 Kings xiii. 10, it was twenty years.

153. How old was Ahaz when he began to reign? Twenty years. (2 Kings xvi. 2.) A wording to the text (2 Chron. xxiv. 2), his father was about eleven years old when he was born.

NEW-TESTAMENT CONTRADICTIONS.

There is a continual conflict in the statements of Christ's biographers with respect to the various events of his life as compared with each other; and in some cases they contradict themselves. We will present some examples:—

154. Who came to worship Christ when he was born? Matthew says, "wise men from the East" (Matt. ii. 5). Luke says they were shepherds of the same country (Luke ii. 8).

155. How were they led? Matthew says they were led by a star (Matt. ii. 6). Lake says by on angel (Luke ii. 3).

156. What did the parents of Jesus do when he was born? Matthew (ii. 13) says they fled into Egypt. But, according to Luke (ii. 26), they staid there forty-one days.

157. To whom did God speak at Christ's baptism? To him: "Thou art my beloved son" (Luke iii. 22). To the bystanders: "This is my beloved son" (Matt. iii. 17).

158. Where did Christ go after being baptized? Mark says he went immediately into the wilderness, and was there forty days (Mark 1. 12). John says three days after he was in Cana (John ii. 12).

159. Where was John while Christ was in Galilee? "John was put in prison" (before that) (Mark i. 14). "John was baptizing in Ænon" (John iii. 23).

160. Where was Christ when he called Peter and Andrew? Matthew and Mark say, "walking by the Sea of Galilee." Luke says, "sitting in their ship" (Luke v. 10).

161. Where were Peter and Andrew at the time? Matthew and Mark say, "In their ship, fishing." Luke says, out "washing their nets" (Luke v. 2).

162. How came Peter and Andrew to follow Jesus? Matthew and Mark say he "called them." But, according to Luke, the draught of fishes caused them to go.

163. Where did Christ heal the leper? Matthew says at the mount, after the sermon (viii. 2). Mark says when preaching in Galilee.

164. Who told Jesus the centurion's servant was sick? Luke says he sent the elders of Israel to tell him (Luke vii. 3). But Matthew says the centurion went himself (Matt, viii. 5).

105. Where did Christ go after curing Peter's wife's mother? Matthew says beyond the lake, and drowned a herd of swine (viii. 18). Lake says to Nain, and raised the dead (Luke vii. 11).

166. Where did Christ drown the swine with devils? Matthew says in the country of Gergeasenes. Mark and Luke say in the country of Gadarenes.

167. Where did the devils remonstrate against going? Mark (v. 10) says against being sent out of the country. Luke (viii. 31) says it was against going into the deep.

168. Were Christ's disciples allowed to use staves? Yes: "Take nothing... save a staff only" ( Mark vi. 8). No: "Take neither shoes or yet staves" (Matt. x. 9).

169. When did Christ pluck the ears of corn? Matthew (xii. 1) says after he had appointed his twelve disciples. But Luke and Mark make it after that event.

170. What woman interceded for her daughter? "A woman of Canaan... cried unto him" (Matt. xv. 22). The woman was a Greek (Mark vii. 26).

171. How great was the multitude which Jesus fed with seven loaves and a few fishes? Matthew says four thousand, besides women and children (xv. 38). Mark says four thousand in all (viii. 9).

172. How long was it after Christ was transfigured that he took James and John up into the mountain? Six days after (Matt. xvii. 4). Eight days after (Luke ix. 28).

173. How much power did Jesus say faith as big as a grain of mustard-seed can impart? Matthew (xvii. 20) says enough to remove mountains. Luke says (xvii. 6) enough to pluck up trees by the roots. Both large jobs for one man.

174. Who asked seats in the kingdom for Zebedee's children? Matthew says (xx. 20) it was their mother. Mark says (x. 35) they asked it themselves. Why did he refuse them two seats when he had promised them, with the other ten disciples, twelve thrones? (Matt. xix. 28.)

175. How many blind men did Jesus restore near Jericho? Matthew says (xx. 30) two blind men. Mark and Luke say only one, Bartimeus.

176. Where did he perform this miracle? Matthew says as he was going away from Jericho. Luke says as he was coming into the city (xviii. 35).

177. When did Christ drive out the money-changers? Matthew and Luke say the day he rode into the city. Mark says not till the next day (xi. 11).

178. What did Jesus tell his disciples about the ass? Matthew says (xxi. 2) he told them they would find an ass and colt tied. Mark and Luke say they found tied only a colt. And John says it was a young ass, and Jesus found it himself (xii. 14). Mark and Luke say he rode the colt. But Matthew (xxi. 7) represents him as riding both the ass and the colt.

179. Who answered Christ's question in the parable of the vineyard? Matthew says (xxi. 41) his disciples answered the question. Mark and Luke both say he answered it himself.

180. When did Christ tell the truth about Lazarus? He first said his sickness was not unto death, but afterwards said he was dead.

181. When did the anointment of Christ take place? Matthew says (xxvi. 2) it was two days before the passover. But John says it was six days after (John xii. 1). And Luke makes it much later (viii. 36 and xxii. 1).

182. Where did the anointment take place? Matthew says (xxvi. 6) in the house of Simon the leper. Luke says (vii. 36) in the house of a Pharisee. But, according to John, it was in the house of Lazarus (xii. 1).

183. Where was the ointment poured? Matthew and Mark say on his head. But Luke and John say on his feet.

184. When did Christ say one of his disciples would betray him? Matthew says (xxvi. 21) while they "did eat supper." But, according to Luke (xxii. 20), it was after supper was over.

185. Where did Jesus go after supper? John savs "over the brook Cedron" (xviii. 1.). But the other three evangelists say to the Mount of Olives.

186. When did Judas betray Christ? John says (xii. 27), after supper he went out and made the bargain. But the other three say it was before supper he made the bargain.

187. Where and to whom did Peter first deny Christ? John says (xviii. 17) to the damsel at the door. The other three say to the men in the ball.

188. To whom was the second denial made? Matthew and Mark say to a maid. Luke says to a man. John says to those who stood by the fire (xviii.).

189. To whom was the third denial made? Matthew and Mark say to those who stood by. John says (xviii.) to the servant of the high priest.

190. Where was Christ crucified? John says at Calvary. The other three say at Golgotha.

191. At what hour was Christ crucified? Mark says (xv. 26) it was the third hour. But, according to John (xix. 14), it was after the sixth hour.

192. How was Christ dressed for the crucifixion? "And put on him a scarlet robe" (Matt, xxvii. 28). "They put on him a purple robe" (John xix. 2).

193. What was the drink offered to Christ at the crucifixion? Mark says it was wine mixed with myrrh (xv. 23). Matthew says it was vinegar mingled with gall. But Luke represents it as being only vinegar (xxiii. 36). Matthew says Christ tasted it; but, according to Mark, he did not.

194. Who bore Christ's cross? Matthew says Simon of Cyrene (xxvii. 82). But John says Jesus bore it himself (xix, 17).

195. Which of the thieves reviled him? Mark says both of them (xv. 29). Luke says (xxiii. 30) only one of them, and the other reviled him for it.

196. What were the words of the superscription on the cross? "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews" (Matt, xxvii. 87). "The King of the Jews" (Mark xv. 26). "This is the King of the Jews" (Luke xix. 18). "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" (John xix. 19). But one of these can be right.

197. Was it lawful for the Jews to put Christ to death? Yes: "We have a law by which he ought to die" (John xix. 7). No: "It is not lawful to put any man to death" (John xviii. 31).

198. Who came to Christ's sepulcher? Matthew says (xxviii. 1) Mary Magdalene and another Mary. According to John, it was Mary Magdalene only (xx. 1). But Lake says the two Marys and Joanna (xxiv. 10)

199. Was it daylight when they came to the tomb? No: "They came while it was yet dark" (John xx. 1). Yes: "They came at the rising of the sun" (Mark xvi. 2).

200. Whom did the women see at the tomb? Matthew says (xxviii. 1) an angel sitting. Mark says (xvi. 5) a young man. Luke says (xxiv. 4) two men. John says (xx. 12) two angels.

201. Did any of the women enter the sepulcher? Yes: They entered in (Mark xvi. 6). No: They did not (John xx. 2).

202. Who looked into the sepulcher? According to Luke, it was Peter (xxiv. 12). According to John, it was another disciple (xx. 4).

203. Did Peter go into the sepulcher? John says he did go in (xx. 6). According to Luke, he did not (xxiv. 12).

204. Did those who visited the tomb relate the case to any one? According to Luke, they told the eleven disciples (xxiv. 27). But Mark tells us they said nothing to any man (xvi. 8).

205. To whom did Christ appear after his resurrection? Matthew says to the two Marys (xxviii. 9). Mark says to Mary Magdalene alone (xvi. 9). According to Luke, it was to two of his disciples at Emmaus.

206. When did Christ first appear to his disciples? Matthew says it was at Galilee (Matt, xxviii. 16). Luke says it was at Jerusalem (Luke xxiv. 33).

207. How did Christ's disciples feel when they met him? Luke says they were terrified (xxiv. 37). But John says they were glad (xx. 20).

203. How often did Christ show himself to the disciples? John says, "This is now the third time." But, according to the other three, it was the sixth time.

209. Where did Christ part from his disciples? Mark says (xvi. 14) it was at Jerusalem. But, according to Luke, it was at Bethany.

210. When did Christ ascend? According to Luke, it was the day of his resurrection (Luke xxiv. 13). John says it was nine days after (John xx. 26). But, according to Acta i. 3, it was forty days after.

211. From what place did Christ ascend? Luke says (xxiv. 6) it was from Bethany. Acts says (i. 6) it was from Mount Olivet.

212. Did Christ bear witness of himself? Yes: "I am one that bear witness of myself" (John viii. 13). No: "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true" (John v. 21).

213. Could man bear testimony for Christ? Yes: "Ye also shall bear witness" (John xv. 26). No: "I receive not testimony from man" (John v. 23).

214. Did Christ come on a mission of peace? Yes: "To preach glory to God,... and on earth peace" (Luke ii. 13). No: "I came not to send peace but a sword" (Matt. x. 34).

215. Did Christ have a dwelling-place? No: Matthew says (viii. 20), "He had not where to lay his head." But John says he had a house, and his disciples saw it (1. 34).

216. Was Christ the savior? Yes: "Christ is the savior of all men" (1 Tim. iv. 10). No: "Beside me [Jehovah] there is no savior" (Isa. xiiii. 11).

217. Was Christ omnipotent? Yes: "I and my Father are one" (John x. 30). No: "My Father is greater than I" (John xiv. 28).

218. Was Christ equal to God? Yes; "He thought it no robbery to be equal with God" (Phil, ii. 6). No: "Mv Father is greater than I" (John xiv. 28).

219. Was Christ supreme God? Yes: "He was God manifest in the flesh" (1 Tim. iii. 16). No: "He was man approved of God" (Acts ii. 22).

220. How did Judas die? Matthew says he went out and hanged himself (Matt. xxvii. 6). The Acta says he went out and fell headlong (Acts i. 18).

221. Did the men at Paul's conversion hear a voice? Yes: "Hearing a voice, but seeing no man" (Acts ix. 7). No: "They heard not the voice" (Acts xxil. 9).

222. Did John see a book? Yes. "I saw... a book written within," &c. (Rev. v. 1). No: "No man in heaven or earth could look on the book" (Rev. v. 3).

228. Was John the Baptist Ellas? Yes: "This is Elias which was to come" (Matt. xi. 14). No: "And he said I am not Ellas" (John 1. 21).

224. When did Herodias ask for the head of John the baptist? Matthew says before Herod's great promise to her; but Mark says it was after (Mark vi. 24).

225. Is the law of Moses superseded? Yes: "We are delivered from the law" (Rom. vii. 6). No: "I came not to destroy the law" (Matt. v. 17).

226. Who was the father of Joseph? "And Jacob begat Joseph, husband of Mary" (Matt. 1. 16). "He was the son of Hell" (Luke iii. 23).

227. Who purchased the potter's field? "Judas, with the reward of iniquity" (Acts I. 18). "The chief priests took the silver, and bought the potter's field" (Matt, xxvii 6).

228. Yes: "The spirit led Christ to Jerusalem" (Acts xx. 22). No: "The spirit forbade him to so" (Acts xxi. 4).

229. Yes: "I go to prepare a place for you" (John xiv. 2). No: "It was prepared from the beginning" (Matt. xxv. 84).

280. Yes: "The mission of the gospel began at Jerusalem" (Luke xxiv. 47). No. "It began at Galilee" (Acts x. 37).

231. Yes: "I beseech you as strangers" (1 Pet. ii. 11). No: "You are not strangers" (Eph. ii. 14).

232. Yes: "Christ died for his enemies" (Rev. x). No: "For his friends" (John xv. 13).

233. Yes: "I write unto you, fathers" (1 John ii. 13). No: "Call no man father" (Matt, xxiii. 9).

234. Yes: "I am with you alway" (Matt, xxviii. 20). No: "It is expedient for you that I go away" ( John xvi. 7).

Total, 277, including double contradictions.

We will not attempt to argue that these conflicting statements prove that no such events as here referred to ever transpired, and that the whole thing is a fabrication. We only argue that it proves the writers were not inspired by infinite wisdom, or they would have told the exact truth in all cases, so that there could have been no mistakes. It also proves that we never can know the real facts, or arrive at an accurate knowledge or the exact truth, with respect to any 01' those doctrines, duties, or events the contradictions appertain to; and, as these contradictions refer to almost every doctrine, precept, and event of any importance, it thus sinks all Bible teaching into a labyrinth of uncertainty. Hence not one single statement in it can be set down as absolutely true without corroborative evidence.

Note.—The reader will observe, from the contradictions in the foregoing list with respect to all the duties of life, as well as all the crimes of society,—such as war, intemperance, slavery, theft, robbery, murder, falsehood, swearing, lying, &c.,—that it is absolutely impossible to learn our moral and religious duties from the Bible.