Based on the Geschichte der Philosophie this edition has continued to interest scholars due to the insight it affords into Hegel's view of the history of philosophy, for an understanding of his own theory, and in itself, as the first philosophical history of philosophy.

    Webster took up this project as an educator. In his day the Bible was often used in schools, as a text for practice in reading; but the version in common use did not always suit the needs of teachers and students very well. Its grammar was not always correct, it contained many obsolete usages, and in it there were some expressions "so offensive, especially to females, as to create a reluctance in young persons to attend Bible classes and schools, in which they are required to read passages which cannot be repeated without a blush," as he says in his Introduction. His purpose was to clear away these obstacles to the use of the Bible as a model of correct and decent English usage in American schools and homes.