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.