powers. Hence there has been a constant endeavour to apply every principle taught in these lessons to the highest spiritual ends. After all the assistance which such a catechetical commentary may afford, much, very much, must still remain to be done by the personal skill and mental effort of the teacher; for it is a fact, that dead print can never supply the power of the living voice to meet every turn of thought that arises from the occasional misconceptions of the learner. It may not be superfluous to state the manner in which these Scripture Lessons may be taught to the greatest advantage. It is not designed that the answers should be committed to memory, and repeated with lifeless uniformity; but that the teacher may find assistance from the annexed replies, by which to explain the text, and then to elicit from the young, answers corresponding in meaning with the words thus dictated. In regard to the definitions of terms, it may be expedient to adhere to these more precisely in their verbal form, because pains have been taken to render them clear and concise; and because it is of importance to lodge accurate definitions in the memory; but when the question is not of terms, but of ideas, it is better to let the mind of the learner work, than to be tenacious of a set answer. Many instances will be found, throughout, of the repetition of former questions with references to chapter and verse. Such repetitions should be observed to an extent, of which only a hint can be given in the passage under consideration. Accordingly, whenever reference is made to a proper name, or particular subject, all the details connected with that name or subject must be gone over again, till in time, they will be distinctly known and recollected. For instance, when the question, Who was John the Baptist? recurs, with a reference to the answer as given before, not only should that question be reiterated, but likewise all those touching his parentage, birth-place, doctrine, manner of life, and any other notices of him that may have previously occurred. Recapitulation will fix an idea indelibly, and clear the way for further progress in knowledge. To those dear young friends, now scattered over England, Scotland, and other parts of the world, who have been wont to receive from her lips some of the instructions contained in the following pages, the writer affectionately commends this little attempt to follow them with her counsels. And to the public-ever on the watch for means adapted to benefit the rising generation, and ever ready to uphold the hand that is extended to guide them into the right way-she looks, with mingled expectations, for such a measure of approbation as may, under the divine blessing, ensure a wide circulation to this humble effort of her pen. 26, Canonbury Square, A few slight alterations have been made in this edition of Part I. of Scripture Lessons; but care has been taken, that it shall unite with the succeeding parts of the former edition, as well as with future reprints of them. June 1837. INTRODUCTORY QUESTIONS. WHAT is the sacred volume called? The Bible. What is the meaning of the word Bible? The book. Why is it called the book? Because it is the best of Into all books, and the only book of God. How was it written? By inspiration of God. What is inspiration? The breathing of truth into the mind by the Spirit of God. How is the Bible divided? two parts, called the Old and New Testaments. What is here meant by a testament? A covenant. What do you understand by a covenant in the Scripture sense? God's method of bestowing blessings. What, then, is the Old Testament or Covenant? God's method of bestowing blessings on his ancient people. And what is the New Testament or Covenant? God's method of bestowing blessings on all nations. MATTHEW. WHAT is the first book in the New Testament? The Gospel according to Matthew. What is the meaning of the word Gospel? Good news, or glad tidings. How many gospels are there? Four. By whom were they written? By Matthew, Mark, publican, as used in the New Testament? It signifies a tax-gatherer. What did Matthew afterwards beAn apostle of Christ, and a preacher of the come? Gospel. CHAPTER I. What does the first Chapter of this Gospel contain? 1. AN ACCOUNT OF THE GENERATION OF JESUS CHRIST. 2. AN ACCOUNT OF HIS BIRTH. "The book of What is meant The line of his 1-17. How does the chapter begin? the generation of Jesus Christ." by the generation of Jesus Christ? forefathers. How high is the line traced? To Abraham. Have we any other genealogy of our Lord in the New Testament? Yes, in the third chapter of Luke's Gospel. And how far is that traced? To Adam. Are the names in this chapter the same as those recorded by Luke? No. How is it that they are not alike? Because the one shows his family on Joseph's side, and the other his family on the side of Mary.* Into how * Luke iii. 23. Joseph was son-in-law to Heli; Heli being the father of Mary. |