Nevin, John W. A Summary of Biblical Antiquities; compiled for the use of Sunday-School Teachers, and for the Benefit of Families (Vol. I.); Revised and Corrected by the Author for the American S. S. Union. Philadelphia: American Sunday School Union, 1829. Revised Edition. [10735]
Brown leather spine with gilt title, marbled boards, 6 x 4 inches, tight. Woodcut frontispiece of Jerusalem, signed "Gilbert." Twenty additional plates. 288 pp. Very good. Hardcover.
Volume one only of a two volume set. This volume is "Embracing Notices of Natural History, with Domestic and Political Antiquities."
It includes Geography and Climate; Natural History (Plants, Animals); Dwellings and Household Accommodations; Occupations; Dress, Meals, Social Intercourse; Domestic Customs and Habits; Diseases and Funeral Customs; Miscellaneous Matter (Writing, Music and Dancing, Games and Theatres); Political Institutions (including Military).
The engraver is Reuben S. Gilbert, "Wood engraver of Philadelphia, c. 1830-1850. He executed a number of book illustrations, independently and as a member of the firm of Gilbert & Gihon. He also exhibited engravings at the Pennsylvania Academy in 1830-31 and 1834." - Groce & Wallace, The New-York Historical Society's Dictionary of Artists in America.
John Williamson Nevin (1803-1886), b. Strasburg, PA; d. Lancaster, PA. A theologian of the Old School, Nevin contributed to the "Mercersburg theology," of the German Reformed seminary at Mercersburg, Pennsylvania being the scene of some 13 years of his teaching career. He sought to counter the revivalism of Charles Finney and his followers. After teaching at Mercersburg he became President of Marshall College. Perhaps Nevin's most influential work was his little book, The Anxious Bench, in which he criticizes revivalism and the disregard of confessional traditions by revivalists.
"Nevin wrote from a solid Reformed position and deplored the changes of doctrine and novel methods of the western evangelists." - Roberts, Revival Literature: An Annotated Bibliography (no. 3882).
