IN the bowels of the earth a great wealth of mineral deposits, which are essential to man's comfort, well-being, and very existence in the busy whirl of modern life, has been stored away and carefully preserved by the loving kindness of the Almighty. Also nuggets of the precious metals and limited quantities of radiant, valuable gems are tucked away in the strata of the earth. It is only by means of the latest and most efficient mechanical devices, which present-day science can produce, that these great hidden treasures can be located and procured. Furthermore, man's intellect, energy, and patience are often taxed to the limit in his efforts to obtain them. In fact, all things that are of real value demand sacrificial and pains-taking labor on the part of those who are serving humanity by producing and putting them in a form ready for man's appropriation and comfort. Hence to these indefatigable toilers the world owes a debt of appreciation.

The principles set forth above are also applicable to the spiritual and intellectual realms. Taking hold of the promise of God found in Proverbs 2:1-8, Dr. David L. Cooper in faith set himself to the task of entering the rich mines of Tenach (Old Testament) in order that he might discover the rare gems of messianic predictions and bring them forth for our edification and joy. Beginning with the primeval promise recorded in Genesis 3:15 and carefully tracing throughout the entire volume the development of this precious hope, that has sustained Israel during her centuries of sufferings, he has given us the essential facts concerning the nature and the person of Israel's long-expected Messiah. In order to do this thing, he has carried us back into the dark recesses of Hebrew etymology, lexicography, and scientific exegesis and has shown us from whence he has brought forth these precious gems of radiant, messianic glory.

A perusal of these pages confirms my conviction relative to a number of facts: first, that the truth of God necessary to the eternal salvation and joy of a soul is to be found on the surface of the Holy Scriptures and may be readily discovered by the honest truth-seeker; secondly, that the deeper truths of the Word are to be discovered by a prayerful, honest, conscientious, and scientific investigation of the Scriptures themselves, thirdly, that light from a sane and rational interpretation of archaeological and historical facts often enables the scholar to arrive at a clearer understanding of certain passages that otherwise would be difficult; fourthly, that the evident unity of the Holy Writings as seen in the messianic hope is positive proof of their divine inspiration; and fifthly, that the Scriptures afford not only comfort and hope to the humble and lowly who are thirsting for God but also the profoundest and only true philosophy of life which challenges the greatest intellects of the ages.

     It soon becomes evident to the reader, as he peruses these pages, that the welfare of the Hebrew race is bound inextricably with the messianic hope. Our author shows from the original text of Tenach that Israel can never hope for a cessation of her age-long distress until she turns and accepts her divine-human Messiah and Saviour. May her God own and use these pages in bringing the truth to the hearts and lives of countless numbers not only of the Chosen Race but also of all nations.

FRED E. HOWITT.
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.