Hebrews
EPISTLE TO THE, one of the most important epistles of the New Testament. Clement of Rome referred to it about A. D. 96, as did-Justin Martyr in the 2d century, followed in due time by many other Christian fathers. The Greek fathers generally attributed the epistle to St. Paul; the Latin Churches in Europe and northern Africa were long of a different opinion, but by the commencement of the 4th century the Eastern view largely prevailed, in the West as well as in the East, and by the commencement of the 5th century it was everywhere dominant.
Jerome and Augustine had much in- HEBRON fluence in giving it currency, which it retained to the Reformation. Erasmus, Cardinal Cajetan, Luther, Calvin, Beza, and others revived the old doubts. The Council of Trent gave a decision in favor of St. Paul, but in Protestant countries the question is still held to be a debatable one.
HEBRIDES (heb'ri-dēz), a large group of islands, 500 in number, situated of the W. coast of Scotland, of which 100 are inhabited. They comprise, in all, an area of about 3,000 square miles.
Among the larger and more notable of these are Skye, Eigg, Mull, Iona, Staffa, Ulva, Lismore, Islay, and Rum, the largest being Skye, of the inner Hebrides, that lie nearer the coast; and Lewis, Harris, Northern and Southern Uist, Barra and Benbecula, of the outer Hebrides, lying farther W., and separated by the strait and channel of Minch and Little Minch from the inner group, the largest being Lewis and Harris, really forming but one island but belonging to two counties. These islands are for the most part rocky and infertile, but well adapted to grazing purposes, the chief industry being the pasturing and rearing of live stock. The islands have been developed and improved by the building of good roads, and the establishment of frequent communication with Glasgow by steamship. The moors and fens abound in winged game, hare, etc., and are visited by sportsmen in great numbers, being largely and profitably rented for sporting purposes. The islands are a resort for summer tourists on account of their picturesque scenery. The fishing industry is considerable. Pop. about 100,000.