--Israel lamented for the Benjamites, and were perplexed by the oat they had taken, not to give their daughters to them in marriage. Me are more zealous to support their own authority than that of God. The would have acted better if they had repented of their rash oaths brought sin-offerings, and sought forgiveness in the appointed way rather than attempt to avoid the guilt of perjury by actions quite a wrong. That men can advise others to acts of treachery or violence, ou of a sense of duty, forms a strong proof of the blindness of the huma mind when left to itself, and of the fatal effects of a conscienc under ignorance and error __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew