Chapter XXXIV: Section II: Confirmation of the Mosaic representation

of the origin of families and nations. Testimony of
Sir W. Jones.--Confirmation of the Mosaic accounts of
the tower of Babel.--Of the destruction of Sodom and
Gomorrah. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, known to the ancient
heathens. Mr. Olmsted's attempt to invalidate the
Mosaic account of the condition of the Israelites in Egypt.
The confutation of his argument.--His argument to invalidate
the truth of the Mosaic narrative of the exode of
the Israelites from Egypt and the circumstances attending
it. Vindication of the Mosaic narrative.--Explanation of
the design of the miraculous interposition in behalf of the
Israelites. The fitness and tendency of each of the plagues
inflicted upon the Egyptians. Confutation of Mr. Olmsted's
allegation that Moses extorted permission for the
Israelites to leave Egypt, by false pretentions. Vindication
of the Mosaic account of the hardening of Pharaoh's
heart. Mr. Olmsted's supposition that the Israelites were
a horde of rude barbarians, in behalf of whom there was
no divine interposition. The fallacy and absurdity of his
supposition 135