Books and other items printed in Gaelic from 1841 to 1870 > Eachdraidh na h-Eaglaise

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If it be further urged, that the Gaelic version of the
Scriptures, and the religious books, original and translated,
are enough for a Gaelic library—that the Highlanders have
their ministers to teach and explain the doctrines revealed in
the gospel, and therefore require no more books in that Ian-
guage; we answer,—That the study of history in general is
interesting, and instructive in every respect. In one point of
view in particular, we may observe, it is most worthy of our
time and attention, as a knowledge of ancient history enables us
to understand and explain passages of the Scriptures, without
having recourse to a mystical sense—or hazarding the attempt
of putting a wrong construction on them—or making a false
interpretation of what bears allusion to customs and manners
long since forgot. In like manner, Church History, the most
important subject that can fall under our contemplation, brings
to view doctrines, tenets, and opinions of former ages, that
might have been long forgot, and again introduced into the
Christian world as the offspring of later ages; for instance,
the Millennium, in the third century, of which we have heard
something in our time. But more, the History of the Church
of Christ lays before us the doctrines of the pure and holy
religion, brought down from heaven by the Author and Finisher
of our faith, and taught by his Apostles and the Fathers, in
the primitive ages ; and makes us acquainted with the rites
and ceremonies introduced into the Church in course of time;
many of which were adopted from the practices of the heathens,
and allowed in the Christian churches, because they had been
familiar to converts, and as an inducement for them to leave the
temples of the false gods, and to enter the sacred temple of the
Jehovah, who seeks those who worship Him.to worship in spirit
and in truth : Hence the corruption of that Church, which