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While doing a little searching online, I came across an
article by Alexander Campbell which was published in his Millennial
Harbinger, vol. III. Here he summarizes his article:
We shall now conclude this summary view of the
principles of interpretation, by stating in order seven general rules
of interpretation of primary importance, deduced from the preceding
reflections:--
I. On opening any book in the sacred scriptures, consider first the
historical circumstances of the book. These are the order, the title,
the author, the date, the place, and the occasion of it.
II. In examining the contents of any book, as respects precepts,
promises, exhortations, & observe who it is that speaks, and
under what dispensation he officiates. Is he a Patriarch, a Jew, or a
Christian? Consider also the persons addressed--their prejudices,
characters, and religious relations. Are they Jews or
Christians--believers or unbelievers--approved or disapproved? This
rule is essential to the proper application of every command, promise,
threatening, admonition, or exhortation, in Old Testament or New.
III. To understand the meaning of what is commanded, promised, taught,
&, the same philological principles, deduced from the nature of
language, or the same laws of interpretation which are applied to the
language of other books, are to be applied to the language of the
Bible.
IV. Common usage, which can only be ascertained by testimony, must
always decide the meaning of any word which has but one signification;
but when words have according to testimony,--(i. e. the
Dictionary)--more meanings than one, whether literal or figurative, the
scope, the context, or parallel passages must decide the meaning; for
if common usage, the design of the writer, the context, and parallel
passages fail, there can be no certainty in the interpretation of
language.
V. In all tropical language ascertain the point of resemblance, and
judge of the nature of the trope, and its kind, from the point of
resemblance.
VI. In the interpretation of symbols, types, allegories, and parables,
this rule is supreme. Ascertain the point to be illustrated; for
comparison is never to be extended beyond that point--to all the
attributes, qualities, or circumstances of the symbol, type, allegory,
or parable.
VII. For the salutary and sanctifying intelligence of the oracles of
God, the following rule is indispensable: --We must come within the
understanding distance.
The full text is found at:
http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/acampbell/mh1846/TFTP03.HTM
And for those interested, the site that led me to this has quite a number
of Restoration History Texts:
http://www.westol.com/~stefanik/texts/rm/
One page, which I found edifying was one by J. W. McGarvey on Preacher's
Methods. You can read it at:
http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/jwmcgarvey/etc/PRCHMTHD.HTM
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