The Catechism
(Formerly "The Turner Catechism")
OF THE
A. M. E. Church
REVISED AND IMPROVED
Nashville, 7- ..n.
Publishing House, A. M. E. Sunday
School Union
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CONTENTS
PART I—DOCTRINES.
God
The Persons of God..
Creation—The World -
Man
The Pall of Man
Salvation Through Jesus Christ...
The Duty of Man.
Prayer
The Church and Its Sacraments . .
The Resurrection From the Dead.
The Judgment _
The Holy Bible
The Moral Law
The Apostles' Creed
Baptism
PART II—HISTORICAL
Old Testament History
New Testament History
APPENDIX
The Apostles
The Church
The A. M. E. Church
The Ministry
REVISER'S PREFACE
In offering to the Church the result of my
labors in revising and improving "The Turner
Catechism," the same having been done under
the authority and instruction of Bishop W. F.
Dickerson, Chairman of the committee appoint¬
ed by the General Conference of 1884, to pre¬
pare the manuscript of "The Catechism of the
A. M. E. Church," for reasons which he himself
sets forth, I desire, first of all, to commend
the wisdom and interest of Bishop Turner,
which led him to give to our children the
first Catechism ever prepared especially for
their instruction; also to pay a tribute to his
unselfishness in voluntarily consenting to have
the title of his Catechism changed in the
manner in which I have chosen. It is but just
to say that "The Turner Catechism" has been
fruitful of blessed results, and that it was given
to the Church at a time when there was an
absolute necessity for such a publication.
It has gone forth and not returned void. May
the memory of its author be cherished by the
Church to the remotest generation, by re¬
membering that those who teach should obey
their own instruction.
In presenting "The Turner Catechism" in
a revised and improved form, I am conscious
that it still possesses many defects, which
perhaps, the careful study and research of
associated intellects, enlightened by the Holy
Spirit, can only fully remedy.
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The revision and improvement chiefly
consist of additions, modifications, and
eliminations of certain "quaint expressions"
characteristic of the peculiar mental struc¬
ture of the original author.
And now, to those who are truly labor¬
ing for the preservation and perpetuity of
African Methodism, and who, believe that
the same can best be accomplished by the
indoctrination of the young in the History,
Doctrines and Usages of the African Meth¬
odist Episcopal Church, this, the result of
my labor in revising and improving "The
Turner Catechism," is faithfully submitted,
with the sincere prayer that it may assist
in making secure the future of the Church.
C. S. SMITH.
Bloomington, 111., October 1, 1884.
SPECIAL NOTE
The undersigned Chairman of the Com¬
mittee appointed by the General Conference
of 1884 to prepare a new and original man¬
uscript for "The Catechism of the A. M. E.
Church," finding that the immediate per¬
formance of said task is impossible, owing
to my own ill-heath and the pressing busi¬
ness care of a majority of the members of
the committee, and being reliably informed
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that there is an imperative necessity for the
immediate issuing of a Catechism, I have
authorized and instructed the Rev. C. S.
Smith, Corresponding Secretary of the Con-
nectional Sunday School-Union, and one of
the members of the Committee appointed by
the General Conference to prepare the man¬
uscript of a new Catechism, to revise "The
Turner Catechism," and adapt it to present
needs, this allowing the Committee the neces¬
sary time to worthily accomplish its work.
With sincere desire for the glory of God
and the advancement of African Method¬
ism.
Wm. F. DICKERSON,
Columbia, S. C., October 1, 1884.
THE CATECHISM
African Methodist Episcopal Church
"Formerly The Turner Catechism"
REVISED AND IMPROVED
PART I.
DOCTRINES
LESSON I.
GOD
1. Who made you?
God.
2.-Who is God?
The creator of all things.
3. What is God?
An uncreated Spirit.
4. Where is God?
God is everywhere.
5 What does God know?
God is all-wise; He knoweth all things,
even the thought of our hearts.
6. What can God do?
God is almighty; He doeth whatever He
will,
7. How long has God existed?
God is eternal; He has lived always, and
will ljve forever,
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8. What is the character of God?
"God is love."
9. Is God holy?
God is holy; He hateth all work of iniquity.
10. Is God merciful?
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow
to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
11. Is God just?
The Lord is just, rewarding the righteous,
and punishing the wicked.
12. Is God true?
He is the God of truth. He cannot lie.
LESSON II.
THE PERSONS OF GOD.
1. Are there more Gods than one?
There is none other God but one.
2. Are there more persons in the God¬
head than one?
There are three persons in the Godhead
—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;
and these three are one.
3. Is the Father God?
To us there is but one God, the Father.
4. Is the Son God?
Christ is over all, God blessed forever.
He is the true God.
5. Is the Holy Ghost God?
The Holy Ghost is "the Eternal Spirit."
6. In what name are Christians baptized?
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In the name of the Holy Trinity—the Fa¬
ther, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
LESSON III
CREATION—THE WORLD
1. Who made the world?
God.
2. How long was God in making the
world ?
Six days.
3. On what day did God rest?
The seventh day.
4. What was that day called?
The Sabbath day.
5. What do we call the Lord's day?
Sunday.
6. What did God make on the first day?
Light.
7. What did God call the light?
Day.
8. What did He call the darkness?
Night.
9. What did He make on the second day?
The firmament.
10. What is the firmament?
The sky.
11. What did God make on the third
day?
Land and water.
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12. What did God make on the fourth
day?
The sun, moon and stars.
13. Which was called the greater light?
The sun.
14. Which was called the lesser light?
The moon.
15. What did God make on the fifth day?
Fish and fowls.
16. What did God make on the sixth
day?
Beast and man.
LESSON IV.
MAN
1. Of what did God make man's body?
Of the dust of the ground.
2. How did God make man's soul?
God breathed into his nostrils the breath
of life, and man became a living soul.
3. How do the soul and body differ?
The body is material and mortal; the soul
is spiritual and immortal.
4. Was man created good?
He was; God created man in His own image.
5. In what did this image of God consist?
In righteousness and true holiness.
6. What authority was given to man at
the creation?
God gave him dominion over every living
thing.
7. Where did God place our first parents?
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In the Garden of Eden.
8. What law was given them?
The law of perfect obedience.
LESSON V.
THE FALL OF MAN
1. Where did God place Adam and Eve?
In the Garden of Eden.
2. What were they commanded to do?
To take care of the Garden.
3. What were they allowed to eat?
Of the fruits of the trees except one.
4. What tree was that?
The tree of knowledge of good and evil.
5. Did they obey this command ?
No; being tempted of the devil they dis¬
obeyed.
6. What did they do?
The woman ate of the forbidden fruit and
gave to the man, and he likewise ate.
7. What did they become then?
Sinners.
8. What then happened to them?
God was displeased with them, and drove
them from the garden.
9. For what reason were they driven
from the Garden?
That they might not eat of the tree of life
and live forever.
10. Was any curse put upon them?
Yes; that they should work hard all their
lives.
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11. Did the curse extend any further?
Yes; that they should have sickness, pain
and death.
12. Are we effected by the fall of Adam?
Yes; his fall corrupted his posterity.
13. How?
Adam was a representative of all who sprang
from him; and consequently, they are born,
under the curse put upon him.
14. What is man's condition now?
He is sinful and miserable."
15. Is there no way to get rid of sin?
Yes; by obtaining forgiveness from God.
LESSON VI.
SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
1. For what purpose did Jesus Christ
come from heaven?
To save sinners.
2. Are all men saved through Christ?
Yes; if they will believe in Him.
3. What did Christ do to save sinners?
He became a man, lived, suffered, died and
rose again.
4. How did he become a man?
Though He was God, He took upon him
man's nature and was born of a woman.
5. What did Christ suffer for us?
The abuse of the world, and the death on
the cross.
6. Why did Christ thus suffer and die?
To make atonement for the sin of the world.
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7. How does His death atone for the sin
of the world?
By satisfying the justice of God.
8. Had Christ not died, what would have
become of men?
They would have been forever lost.
9. Did Christ make His atonement for
all mankind?
Yes; by the grace of God, He tasted death
for every man.
10. What did Christ say about Himself?
I am the way, the truth, and the life.
11. What else?
No man cometh unto the Father but by me.
12. What proves Christ to have been
man?
He ate, slept, wept, hungered and thirsted.
13. What proves that He was God?
In his own name he healed the sick, cast
out devils, and raised the dead.
14. What took place when Christ was
crucified?
The earth quaked, the sun was darkened
and the rocks were rent.
15. What did the wicked then say?
"Truly this man was the Son of God."
16. What example is taught us in the
life of Christ?
Perfect goodness and true holiness.
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LESSON VII.
THE DUTY OF MAN
1. What is the chief end of man?
To serve and glorify God.
2. Who helps us to serve and glorify
God?
The Holy Ghost.
3. Who is the Holy Ghost?
The Spirit of God.
4. How does the Spirit of God help us?
He comes into our hearts to make us like
God.
5. Does He come to us because we are
good?
No; he comes to sinners also.
6. Why does the Holy Ghost come to
sinners?
Because he is sent to make them holy.
7. Why is God so good to sinners?
Because Christ loved them and died to
save them.
8. When does Christ save sinners?
When they repent and forsake their sins.
9. What else must we do to be saved?
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
10. What will God do if we repent and
believe?
He will pardon our sins for Christ's sake.
11. Does God only pardon for the sake
of Christ?
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Yes,- for his sake and not for our own.
12. What else will God do for. us?
He will send his Holy Spirit to make us
holy.
13. What do holy people always do?
They keep all God's commandments.
14. What is the character of those who
keep his commandments?
They are regarded as righteous.
15. How; for their own sake?
No; for the sake of Christ.
16. Then we receive the righteousness
of Christ do we?
Yes; through him alone we are made
righteous and holy.
LESSON VIII.
PRAYER.
1. Where is Christ?
In Heaven, but his presence fills Heaven
and earth.
2. What does he do in Heaven?
He intercedes and prays for us.
3. What then is he called?
Our advocate.
4. How are we to pray to God to be
benefited?
In his name.
5. What is it to pray in Christ's name?
To pray believing we shall be saved.
6. What else is Christ for us?
Our Prophet, Priest and King.
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7. How is Christ our Prophet?
He teaches us God's will by His Word and
Spirit.
8. How is He our Priest?
He gave himself a Sacrifice for us and prays
for us.
9. How is He our King?
He gives us laws; defends us, and conquers
our foes.
10. How then shall we come to Christ in
prayer?
Humbly, yet boldly by faith.
11. Why should we thus come to Christ?
Because Christ sympathizes with us when
we suffer and are in trouble.
12. What did Christ say about the chil¬
dren?
"Suffer little children to come unto me,
and forbid them not."
13. What reason did He give?
"For of such is the kingdom of Heaven."
LESSON IX.
THE CHURCH AND ITS SACRAMENTS.
1. Before Christ ascended to Heaven,
what did He tell His disciples?
"Go ye into all the world and preach my
gospel."
2. What does the word "Gospel" mean?
Glad tidings, or good news.
3. What are glad tidings of the Gospel?
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That Jesus Christ died to save sinners.
4. To whom is the Gospel to be preached?
To every creature, or to a people.
5. What came of preaching the Gospel?
The Christian Church.
6. Who compose the Christian Church?
All true believers.
7. How many Sacraments has the
Church ?
Two.
8. What are they?
Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
9. What does baptism signify?
The cleansing of the heart from sin.
10. Does the water cleanse the heart?
No; it is the Holy Spirit; water is only the
outward sign.
11. What do you mean by the outward
sign?
As water cleanses the body, so grace cleanses
the soul.
12. What do we become on being bap¬
tized ?
Members of the Church of Christ.
13. What is done in taking the Lord's
Supper?
Christians eat bread and drink wine together.
14. What does the bread and wine signi¬
fy?
The body and the blood of Christ given to
save sinners.
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15. Why do Christians partake of the
Lord's Supper?
They take it in remembrance of Christ till
his coming again.
16. Who are at liberty to partake of this
sacrament?
Members of the Church who repent of their
sins and love one another.
LESSON X.
THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD
1. What does the Bible teach us about
the result of sin?
By sin, death came into the world.
2. But does not Christ save all sinners
from dying?
No; all must die; but Christ will raise them
again.
3. Will Christ raise us to life after we
have been dead?
Yes; our souls do not die; it is only the body.
4. Will he raise the body?
Yes; in the morning of the resurrection.
5. What will then take place?
The soul and body will come together and
live again.
6. Will the body ever die again?
No; for the saints will be like Christ.
7. Will the body be raised just like it
was buried?
No; it shall be changed and made immortal.
8. Is it only those who imitate Christ
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here who will in the resurrection be like
Him?
Yes; and none others.
9. To what shall the wicked be raised?
To the resurrection of damnation.
10. To what shall the good and holy be
raised?
To the resurrection of eternal life.
11. What will be the condition of those
then living?
The righteous shall be changed and made
glorious.
12. What will then happen to the
wicked ?
They will be driven away into everlasting
punishment.
13. What will become of the children
then?
Good children will be raised as the righteous.
LESSON XI.
THE JUDGMENT
1. Will Christ ever return to this world?
He will, at the end of time.
2. Will people then see Him?
Yes, every eye shall see Him.
3. How will He come?
Suddenly, in great power, with His holy
angels.
4. For what purpose will He come the
second time?
To judge the living and the dead.
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5. How can He judge the dead?
He will first raise them from their graves.
6. What will He then do?
Separate the wicked from the good.
7. Where will the wicked then go?
To the place of everlasting misery.
8. Where will the good then go?
To Heaven.
9. What is Heaven?
Heaven is the throne of God.
10. What kind of a place is it?
A place where the good are eternally happy.
11. What shall take place when the
judgment is over?
The world shall be destroyed, and a new
earth shall be made where Christ will dwell
with His saints forever.
LESSON XII.
THE HOLY BIBLE
1. What good book should men revere?
The Holy Bible.
2. What is the Bible?
The word of God.
3. What does the word Bible mean?
The Book.
4. What does the Bible teach us?
The law of God and how to obey it.
5. How is the Bible divided?
Into the Old and New Testaments.
6. What does the Old Testament tell
us?
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All about the creation and the first ages of
the word.
7. Of what does the New Testament
tell us?
Of the life, crucifixion and the resurrection
of Jesus, and the early history of the Church.
8. In what language was the Bible first
written ?
The Old Testament in Hebrew, and the New
in Greek.
9. Why is the Bible called the word of
God?
Because it was written by God's direction.
10. In what manner?
Holy men wrote it as they were moved by
the Holy Ghost.
11. What proves the Bible to be from
God?
Because it teaches things that only God
could know.
12. What are some of these things?
How the world was created and what will be
its end.
13. Can you name anything else?
Yes; it tells about a heaven for the good
and a hell for the bad.
14. Could a man have known these with¬
out the Bible?
No; never.
15. If the Bible is so valuable, how
should we treat it?
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We should love it and read it continually.
16. At what age should a child begin to
study the Bible?
Just as soon as he or she can read it.
LESSON XIII.
THE MORAL LAW.
1. Has God given any special law to
man?
Yes; the Ten Commandments.
2. By whom were they given?
By Moses on Mount Sinai.
3. Upon what were these command¬
ments written?
Upon two tables of stone.
4. Where do we find these command¬
ments recorded?
In the twentieth chapter of Exodus.
5. How did God first deliver them to
men?
He clothed himself in fire and smoke, and
spake with a voice of thunder.
6. What took place while God was thus
speaking?
The mountain trembled beneath him.
7. What did the people do?
Being awfully frightened, they cried out for
God to stop.
8. What did God then do?
He taught His law to Moses, and Moses
taught the people.
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9. What are the Ten Commandments
called ?
The moral law.
10. Will you repeat the Ten Command¬
ments?
I will.
I. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
11. Thou shalt not make unto thee any-
graven image, or any likeness of anything
that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth
beneath, or that is in the water under the
earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to
them nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God
am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the
fathers upon the children unto the third and
fourth generation of them that hate me; and
shewing mercy unto thousands of them that
love me, and keep my commandments.
III. Thou shalt not take the name of the
Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not
hold him guiltless who taketh his name in vain
IV. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep
it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all
thy work: but the Seventh day is the Sabbath
of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do
any work, thou nor thy son, nor thy daughter,
thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor
thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy
gates; for in six days the Lord made heaven
and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and
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rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord
blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.
V. Honor thy father and thy mother; that
thy days may be long upon the land which the
Lord thy God giveth thee.
VI. Thou shalt not kill.
VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
VIII. Thou shalt not steal.
IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness
against thy neighbor.
X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's
house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's
wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant,
nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy
neighbor's.
LESSON XIV.
1. What are we taught in the first com¬
mandment?
Our duty to God.
2. What are we taught in the second?
To worship no idol.
3. What does the third commandment
teach?
Not to take the name of God in vain.
4. What does the fourth commandment
request?
To keep the Sabbath day holy.
5. What does the fifth require?
To honor and obey our parents.
6. What does the sixth forbid?
All kinds of murders and injuries.
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7. What does the seventh forbid?
All uncleanness and filthy language.
8. What are we taught by the eighth?
Not to steal, cheat or rob.
9. What does the ninth forbid?
Lying, slander, and speaking evil of others.
10. What does the tenth commandment
forbid ?
All envying and coveting of our neighbor's
goods.
11. How did Jesus say we could keep
them all?
By loving the Lord with all our hearts, and
our neighbors as ourselves.
12. Will you repeat the commandments
in verse?
I will.
The Ten Commandments in Verse.
1. Thou shalt have no other gods but me.
2. Before no idol bow thy knee;
3. Take not the name of God in vain;
4. Nor dare the Sabbath day profane;
5. Give both thy parents honor due;
6. Take heed that thou no murder do.
7. Abstain from words and deeds unclean;
8. Nor steal though thou art poor and mean;
9. Nor make a willful life, nor love it;
10. What is thy neighbor's do not covet.
The Sum.
With all thy soul love God above,
And as thyself thy neighbor love!
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PRAYER.
1. What is prayer?
Asking God for His Spirit and grace.
2. Who has taught us to pray?
Our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. What is the prayer he taught us
called?
The Lord's prayer.
4. Can you repeat the Lord's prayer?
I can.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed
be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy
will be done in earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And
forgive our trespasses, as we forgive them
that trespass against us. And lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen.
5. How many petitions are in the Lord's
prayer ?
Six is the general estimate.
6. What is the first petition in the Lord's
prayer ?
Hallowed be Thy name. This is an ad¬
dress to God.
7. What is the second petition?
Thy kingdom come.
8. What is the third?
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
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CATECHISM
9. What is the fourth petition?
Give us this day our daily bread.
10. What is the fifth petition?
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who
sin against us.
11. What is the sixth petition?
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from all evil.
12. Is God able and willing to give us
the things we ask for in this prayer?
O yes; for His is the kingdom, and the power
and the glory.
13. Are we always to use these words in
praying?
No; Jesus said, "After this manner shall ye
pray."
14. Then this is merely a form of peti¬
tion of prayer, is it?
Yes; but we ought to use this prayer too,
quite often.
15. Should children iearn this prayer
while young?
Yes; as soon as they can talk they should
learn it.
LESSON XVI
THE APOSTLES' CREED.
1. What is meant by creed?
A form of words expressing articles of faith.
2 How many creeds are there?
A large number are upon record.
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3. What three have most generally been
cited as authority?
The Apostolic, Athanasian, and the Nicene
Creeds.
4. Which of the three does the A. M. E.
Church hold sacred?
The Apostles' Creed.
5. Why does the Church not give its
approval to the other two?
Because they were drawn for a special pur¬
pose.
6. What was that special purpose?
To refute the false doctrine of an impostor.
7. Who was the impostor?
Arius, a learned man, who lived in the fourth
century.
8. What false doctrine did he teach?
That Jesus Christ was inferior to God the
Father.
9. Who drew up the Apostles' Creed?
It is supposed they did it themselves while
at Jerusalem.
10. At what time?
Shortly after our Lord's ascension to Heaven.
11. What reason is given for the Apostles
adopting this creed?
That they might agree in points of doctrine.
12. Then this was their guide after their
separation, was it?
Yes; that they might preach one faith whe^
ever they scattered.
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CATECHISM
13. Does the Apostles' Creed embrace
the leading points in the Gospel?
We believe it does; and is so regarded by
the Christian Church.
14. Will you repeat the Apostles' Creed?
I will.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker
of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only
begotten Son our Lord: and that he was con¬
ceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin
Mary; that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, dead, and buried; that he rose again
the third day; that he ascended into heaven, and
sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Al¬
mighty, and from thence shall come again at the
end of the world to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Church of God,
the communion of saints, the remission of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and everlasting life
after death. Amen.
LESSON XVII.
BAPTISM.
1. What is baptism?
An outward sign of an inward grace.
2. What is the outward sign in baptism?
Water applied in the name of the Father,
and of the Holy Ghost.
3. What is the inward grace signified
in baptism?
A death unto sin and a new birth unto right¬
eousness.
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4. What advantages are secured to
baptized persons?
They are admitted to the visible Church of
Christ, their relation to him as the Med iator of the
new covenant, and their title to the spiritual bless¬
ings belonging thereto are solemnly confirmed.
5. Is the baptism of infants who can¬
not make a covenant, worthless?
No; their parents make a covenant for them.
6. Is there a covenant of baptism?
T^ere is.
7. Will you repeat it for me?
I will.
I renounce the devil and all his works, the vain
pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous
desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the
flesh, so that I will not follow nor be led by them.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker
of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only
begotten Son our Lord: and that he was con¬
ceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin
Mary; that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, dead, and buried; that he rose again the
third day; that he ascended into heaven, and
sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Al¬
mighty, and from thence shall come again at the
end of the world to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Church of God,
the communion of saints, the remission of sins,
the resurrection of the body and everlasting life
after death. Amen.
30
CATECHISM
Having been baptized in this faith, I will
obediently keep God's will and command¬
ments, and walk in the same all the days of
my life, God being my helper.
PART II. HISTORICAL.
LESSON I.
OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY.
1. In what time did God create the
world ?
God made the heavens and the earth and all
things in six days.
2. What took place on the seventh day?
The Lord then rested from his work, and
called the day holy.
3. Who was the first man and woman
that God made?
Adam and Eve.
4. In what state did God make them?
God made them in a holy and happy State.
5. Did they continue in that state?
No; they lost it by sinning against God.
6. What misery followed from that
first transgression?
Sin and death were brought into the world
and spread among all the human race.
7. Who were the first two sons of Adam
and Eve?
Cain and Abel.
8. What sort of men were they?
Cain was wicked and cruel; but Abel believed
>n God, and was a good man.
CATECHISM
31
9. What dreadful thing did Cain do?
He killed his brother Abel.
10. Was the Lord greatly displeased at
this horrible murder?
Yes; he set a mark on Cain, and sent him off
to wander in the earth.
11. When wickedness had greatly spread
in the earth, what judgment did God
send?
He sent a flood of water and drowned the
world.
12. How was the flood produced?
It rained forty days and nights, and the
sea flowed over the earth.
13. How many were saved when the
world was drowned ?
Eight persons, and a few living creatures
of every kind.
14. How were they saved?
In a great vessel called the ark.
15. Who were the eight persons saved?
Noah and his wife, with three sons and their
wives.
16. What were the names of Noah's
three sons?
Shem, Ham, and Japheth; and by them the
world was peopled after the flood.
17. What was the rainbow a sign of?
The Lord made it a sign that He would no
more drown the world with a flood.
18. When men had increased in the
32
CATECHISM
earth, what great work was it they under¬
took?
To build a city with a tower that should
reach to Heaven.
19. Why could they not go on with the
work?
The Lord confounded their language, and
they could not understand each other.
20. What then became of them?
They were scattered abroad to people the
different parts of the earth.
21. What was the building called?
It was called Babel.
22. When wickedness had again pre¬
vailed in the earth, whom did God choose
as His servant?
Abraham, who was called the father of the
faithful, and the friend of God.
23. What was the first great instance
of Abraham's obedience?
He left his own country at God's command
not knowing whither he was to go.
24. What was another instance of his
obedience?
He was ready at God's command to offer
up in sacrifice, his beloved son, Isaac.
25. Did God suffer him to offer up his son?
No; the angel of the Lord prevented him
and he offered up a ram in the room of his son.
26. Who were the two sons of Isaac?
Esau, the elder; and Jacob, the younger.
CATECHISM
33
27. Which of these two was God's chosen
servant?
Jacob.
28. What other name did God give to
Jacob?
He gave him the name of Israel; and all
his race were afterwards called by that name.
29. How many sons had Jacob or Israel?
He had twelve sons.
30. Who was the most famous of Jacob's
sons?
Joseph, whom his brothers hated and sold
into Egypt.
31. What became of Joseph in Egypt?
He was cast into prison; but afterwards
became a great ruler under Pharaoh, the king.
32. Did he ever see his father's family
again?
Yes; his brothers came into Egypt to buy
food and he made himself known to them.
33. Did Joseph revenge himself on his
brethren for their cruelty to him?
No; he sent them back to Canaan for his
good old father; and all of them moved down
to Egypt and lived there.
34. Did the families of Israel continue
in Egypt?
They continued there till another king, Phar¬
aoh made them slaves, and had their children
drowned in the river.
35. What then took place?
34
CATECHISM
The Lord sent them deliverance by the
hand of Moses.
36. Who was Moses?
He was a child saved from the danger of
drowning by King Pharaoh's daughter.
37. How did God appoint him to deliver
Israel?
The Lord spoke to him out of a burning
bush and sent him to King Pharaoh.
38. How did Moses prove that God sent
him?
He performed signs and wonders in the sight
of Pharaoh.
39. Did Pharaoh at once agree to let the
people of Israel go?
No; he refused to let them go.
40. What was then done to deliver the
people?
The Lord gave Moses power to smite Egypt
with many plagues.
41. What was the last plague?
An angel destroyed the first born of Egypt
in one night.
42. Were any of the people of Israel
destroyed?
No: their houses were passed over by the
angel.
43. When Pharaoh let Israel go out of
Egypt, how did they go over the Red Sea?
Moses, with his rod, divided the waters and
the people went through on dry land.
CATECHISM
35
44. What became of the Egyptians that
followed them?
When Moses stretched out his hand over
the sea, the waters returned upon the Egyptians
and drowned them.
45. To what country were the people
of Israel traveling?
They were traveling to the land of Canaan
which God had promised them.
46. How long were they on their journey?
They wandered on account of their sins,
forty years in the wilderness.
47. How were they guided in the wilder¬
ness?
God led them by a pillar of cloud by day,
and a pillar of fire by night.
48. How were they fed on their journey?
The Lord sent down from the skies, food,
called manna.
49. How were they supplied with water?
Moses smote the rock with the rod, and the
water gushed out and followed them.
50. Did not God give them laws and'
rules to live by?
Yes; he gave them the Ten Commandments,,
and many other laws from Mount Sinai.
51. Did the people obey these laws?
No; they often sinned against God, and were
punished for their sins.
52. Who brought them at last into the
land of Canaan?
36
CATECHISM
Moses being dead, Joshua brought them into
the promised land.
53. Did they behave themselves better,
after they came into Canaan?
No; they often sinned and worshiped idols
or false gods.
54. How did God deal with them there?
When they served Him, he showed them
favor; but when they were wicked, He gave
them up to their enemies.
55. How were the Israelites governed
in Canaan?
They were governed for a while by judges,
and afterwards, by kings.
56. Mention two or three judges.
Gideon, Samson, and Samuel.
57. What is remarkable of Samson?
Samson was the strongest man in the world.
58 Mention some of the kings.
Saul, David, and Solomon.
59. What is remarkable of Solomon?
Solomon built a famous temple, for the wor¬
ship of God at Jerusalem.
60. When the Israelites continued to sin
and provoke God, what became of them?
They were taken by their enemies and carried
away to other countries.
61. But did they not return again?
Many of them returned; but they have since
been scattered abroad through the earth.
62. What are those people now called?
CATECHISM
37
They are generally called the Jews, from Ju-
dah, one of Jacob's sons.
63. Are not the people of Israel known
by another name?
Yes; the whole nation, including Abraham,
their ancestor, is known by the name of He¬
brews.
LESSON II.
NEW TESTAMENT HISTORY.
1. Who is the Redeemer and Saviour
of sinners?
Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2. How did He come into the world?
God prepared a body for Him and He was
born of the Virgin Mary.
3. At what time was Christ born?
Four thousand years after the world was
made, and more than nineteen hundred yearsago.
4. Had not God long before promised
to send the Saviour?
Yes; He had promised it by the prophets
who foretold what should come to pass.
5. When the time drew near, what
notice did God give?
He sent the angel Gabriel to tell Mary that she
should be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God.
6. Who was Mary?
She was a virgin of the family of David, and
was promised in marriage to Joseph, the car¬
penter.
7. Where was Christ born?
38
CATECHISM
He was born in the city of Bethlehem and his
mother laid him in a manger.
8. Why was Jesus laid in a manger?
Because his mother was from home and
could not obtain any other place.
9. When Christ was born, how was it
made known?
Angels from heaven told the news to a com¬
pany of shepherds; and a new star appeared
to the wise men of the East.
10. What honor did Simeon show him
in the temple?
He took the infant Jesus in his arms, and
blessed God that his eyes had seen the Saviour.
11. What took place when Jesus was
twelve years old?
He was found talking with the doctors and
teachers in the temple.
12. When did Christ begin to preach in
public?
At thirty years old, he wasbaptizedby John the
Baptist,andshortly afterwards began topreach.
13. Who was John the Baptist?
He was a man sent from God to preach re¬
pentance and baptize the people.
14. What honor was due to Christ and
His baptism?
The Spirit of God descended on him like a
dove, and the voice of God said, "This is my
beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
15. What became of Christ directly after
CATECHISM
39
His baptism?
He was tempted by the devil, and overcame
the tempter.
16. What kind of life did Christ live?
Helived a holy life doing good to men, work¬
ing Miracles, and preaching the gospel.
17. Mention some of the miracles He
performed.
He cured the sick with a word; He drove out
evil spirits from the bodies of men, and He
raised the dead to life.
18. What did He preach to the people?
He preached that they should repent, and
believe in Him; so that their sins might be par¬
doned and they might be happy forever.
19. Did He not choose some men to
preach His gospel, and to work miracles?
Yes; He chose twelve, who were called apos¬
tles, and seventy disciples.
20. Did not Jesus Christ suffer for our sins ?
Yes; He suffered for us in soul and body.
21. How did He suffer in soul?
Just before His death He felt such distress
in the garden as to make Him sweat great
drops of blood.
22. How did He suffer in body?
He was taken by wicked men and crowned
with thorns: He was scourged and crucified.
23. What do you mean by His being
crucified?
His hands and feet were nailed to a wooden
40
CATECHISM
cross, and there He hung in pain till He died.
24. How came Jesus thus to die?
He agreed with God, His Father, to die for
our sins; and so He was given up to wicked men.
25. Who were the men who had Jesus
put to death?
The teachers and rulers of the Jews, who
hated His preaching, and were mad when they
saw the people follow Jesus.
26. How did they get hold of Him?
They hired Judas, one of His apostles, to
betray Him into the hands of their officers.
27. Did not Peter, one of the apostles,
deny his Lord and Master?
Yes; he denied Him through fear; but after¬
ward he repented and wept bitterly.
28. Who condemned Christ to die?
Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest, condemned
Him, and Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor
gave Him up to be crucified.
29. Were there any others crucified with
Christ?
Yes; He was crucified between two thieves
to make his death the more shameful.
30. What signs and wonders attended
His death?
The sun was darkened for three hours; there
was a great earthquake, and the veil of the
temple was rent from top to bottom.
31. Who took care of His burial?
A rich man named Joseph, and Nicodemus
CATECHISM
41
who believed in Jesus, buried Him in a new
tomb cut out of rock.
32. How long did He lay in the grave?
He was crucified on Friday and rose from
the dead on the third day which was the first
day of the week, commonly called Sunday,
more properly the Lord's day.
33. How long did He then tarry on earth?
He tarried forty days; and when He had
given His apostles commandment to preach
the Gospel to all people, He went up to Heaven.
34. How did He go up to Heaven?
He went up in a bright cloud, in sight of His
apostles.
35. What became of Judas who betrayed
his Master?
When he saw that Christ was condemned,
he went and hanged himself.
36. What did the apostles do when
Christ had left them?
They went to Jerusalem to wait the coming
of the Holy Spirit, which Christ promised.
37. And when did the Holy Spirit come
upon the apostles, and other disciples?
At the time called Pentecost, which was
about seven days after Christ went to Heaven.
38. What effect did this produce?
It enabled the apostles to preach the Gospel
in the different languages of the world.
39. What success attended their preach¬
ing?
42
CATECHISM
Many thousands of Jews and Gentiles were
converted and baptized.
40. Who were the Gentiles?
All the nations that were not Jews were called
Gentiles.
41. Did not the apostles work miracles?
Yes; the same kind of miracle^ which
Christ, their Master, had wrought.
42. Were they not persecuted and treated
very ill?
Yes; they were put in prison and beaten, and
most of them were at last put to death.
43. Who was one of the chief persecu tors ?
A young man named Saul, who was after¬
wards called Paul.
44. Did he continue to be a persecutor?
No; he was struck down by a blaze of light from
Heaven and was converted to the faith of Christ.
45. How did he go on afterwards?
He became a great preacher of the gospel
and was named the apostle of the Gentiles.
46. What was remarkable of the apostle
John?
He was banished to an island called Patmos
where he had many glorious Visions, and wrote
the Revelation.
47. What were the disciples or followers
of Christ called?
They were called Christians because they
believed in, and followed Christ.
48. How can you become a Christian?
CATECHISM
43
By repenting of my sins, and believing in
and following Christ, the only Saviour, who
died that sinners might live.
APPENDIX.
THE APOSTLES.
1. Who were the apostles?
Those persons who were immediately called
and chosen to the office of the ministry by
Christ himself, and upon whom was bestowed
the gift of inspiration of miraculous power,
and whose mission to preach the Gospel was
universal.
2. How many apostles did Christ choose?
Twelve.
3. Does the apostolical office now exist?
No; not according to our belief.
4. What is the belief of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church touching
this matter?
That the extraordinary powers with which
the apostles were endowed and which chiefly
distinguished them as such, belonged peculiarly
and exclusively to them, and which according
to the wisdom of God, was essential to their
success as the first preachers of the kingdom
of righteousness.
5. In what way was the miraculous
power possessed by the disciples mainly
exhibited?
In their being suddenly given the ability to
44
CATECHISM
speak various languages, and in the healing of
divers diseases. Even devils were subject to
them.
6. Did they transmit this power to their
successors?
There is no Scriptural proof showing that
they did.
7. What is the belief of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church concerning
this point?
That there has been no transmission of the
miraculous power possessed by the apostles.
8. Has there been any succession to
the apostolical office?
No; it ceased with the death of the apostles
and it could not exist after the circumstance
and occasion of its creation had ceased.
THE CHURCH
1. What is the true Church?
A congregation of faithful worshipers in which
the pure word of God is preached, and the
sacraments duly administered.
2. What is the Holy Catholic Church?
The Church general, or universal.
3. Can any one sect or denomination
justly claim to be the Catholic Church?
No; because all true believers of whatever
sect or name are members of the Church uni¬
versal.
4. What is the Roman Catholic Church?
CATECHISM
45
A particular denomination that claims to be
superior to all other sects.
5. Is its claim to superiority just?
No; but is founded on error, superstition
and bigotry.
6. Can any sect rightly claim to be
superior to all others?
No; because Christ established but one
Church.
7. How, then, did the various sects of
denominations arise?
From difference of opinion among men con¬
cerning points of doctrine and forms of Church
government.
8. Does the New Testament recognize
the different sects?
No; but asserts that all true believers are
one in Christ Jesus.
9. Are there any points on which the
various sects agree?
Yes; all Evangelical Churches agree on what
are called essential doctrines; such as authen¬
ticity of the Scriptures, justification by faith,
the need of regeneration, the sufficiency of the
atonement made by Jesus Christ, the resurrec¬
tion of the dead, and rewards and punishment.
10. What is an Evangelical Church?
One that is constructed in the spirit and
true to the gospel.
11. By what is every true Christian
Church distinguished?
46
CATECHISM
A firm belief in the gospel, a holy ministry
and membership and the faithful practice of
all the means of grace.
12. Does the Church with which we are
connected possess these qualifications?
It does; holding to them with all steadfast¬
ness of faith.
THE A. M. E. CHURCH.
1. What denomination or branch of the
Christian Church are we connected with?
The African Methodist Episcopal Church.
2. When was it organized?
In the year 1816.
3. Where?
Philadelphia, Penn.
4. By whom?
Rev. Richard Allen and fifteen others.
5. Why were they led to organize a sep¬
arate denomination?
Because they were denied equal privilege in
worship and communion with white Christians.
6. Who was their first Bishop?
Rev. Richard Allen.
7. What Bishops have died?
Allen, Brown, Waters, Quinn, Nazery,
Dickerson, Cain, Shorter, Campbell, Disney,
Payne, Ward, Wayman, Embry, Armstrong,
Moore, Arnett, Lampton, Grant, Handy,
Gaines, Salter, Derrick and Turner.
8. Who are the Bishops at present?
CATECHISM
47
Benjamin T. Tanner, B. F. Lee, Evans
Tyree, C. S. Smith, C. T. Shaffer, L. J. Coppin,
H. B. Parks, J. S. Flipper, W. H. Heard, J. A.
Johnson, Joshua H. Jones, John Hurst, William
D. Chappelle, J. M. Conner, I. N. Ross and
W. W. Beckett.
9. Through what organizations are the
affairs of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church conducted?
The General, Annual, District and Quarterly
Conferences.
10. In what book may the doctrines and
usages of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church be found?
In the Discipline which contains the "Twen¬
ty-five Articles of Religion," the General Rules
and many other valuable matters.
11. What are some of the peculiar
usages of African Methodism?
The Itinerancy, the Class-meeting and the
Lovefeast.
12. What is the distinctive feature of
African Methodism?
Its exaltation of the Brotherhood of Man,
13. What is meant by the Brotherhood
of Man?
That oneness and equality of Christian
feeling and association which is implied in the
saying of Christ: "All ye are brethren," and
from the enjoyment of which no one is to be
excluded on account of race or color.
48
CATECHISM
14. Does the African Methodist Episco¬
pal Church practice this?
It does; welcoming to its communion and
fellowship all who may desire to come.
15. What are the Benevolent Institutions
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church?
1. "The Parent Home and Foreign Mis¬
sionary Society."
2. "The Woman's Mite Missionary Society."
3. "The Connectional Sunday School Union."
4. "The Educational Society."
5. "The Allen Endeavor League Dept."
16. What other departments has it?
The Publication, Financial and Church
Extension Society.
17. What is Children's Day?
A special day set apart by the General Con¬
ference to raise money for the support of mis¬
sion preachers, the Church Extension Society
and the Sunday School Union.
18. When does it take place?
The second Sunday in June of each year.
19. Must all the Churches and Sunday
Schools observe this day?
They must, according to the order of the
General Conference.
20. What is "Endowment Day?"
A day established by the General Confer¬
ence for the purpose of raising money to endow
our educational institutions.
21. When does it occur?
CATECHISM
49
The third Sunday in September of each year.
22. Is it obligatory on all the churches
to observe this day?
It is, for the General Conference has so
instructed.
THE. MINISTRY
1. What is the true Christian ministry?
An order of men called by the Lord Jesus
for the purpose of preaching the gospel, ad¬
ministering the sacrament and so govern¬
ing the Church that believers may be built
up in the most holy fai^h.
2. How is this order of men divided ac¬
cording to the belief of the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Church?
Into Deacons and Elders.
3. What does it recognize with regard to
the offices of the ministry?
That there are three. Those of Deacons,
Elders and Bishops.
4. What pertaineth to the office of a
Deacon in the A. M. E. Church?
To read and expound the word of God, to
assist in administering the sacrament of the
Lord's Supper, to baptize, to marry, to in¬
struct the young, to bury the dead, and to
assist the Elder in his work.
5. What pertaineth to the office of an
Elder in the A. M. E. Church?
To exercise all the functions of the office
of a Deacon, to consecrate and administer
50
CATECHISM
the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and to
exercise discipline in the Church.
6. What pertaineth to the office of a
Bishop in the A. M. E. Church?
To take the general oversight and superin¬
tendence of the temporal and spiritual interests
of the Church, to hold Annual Conferences, to
ordain other ministers, to direct their labors, to
see that every part of the general laws is en¬
forced and maintained and to preside over the
deliberations of the General Conference.
7. Is the Bishopric an order or an office?
It is an office accorcfing to the order and
belief of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church.
8. Does the African Methodist Episco¬
pal Church recognize such offices as Arch¬
bishop, Cardinal, Pope, etc?
No.
9. Does any Methodist Church recognize
them?
No.
10. Is there any foundation for their ex¬
istence in the word of God?
No; but we believe they have been insti¬
tuted by men to gratify a desire for vain glory
and pomp; at least it appears to us that they
are more ornamental than useful.
11. What are the essential qualifications
of every true Christian minister?
CATECHISM
51.
A sound conversion, a living faith in the
power of the gospel, the consciousness of being
called by the Holy Spirit to the work of saving
souls, and such a course of holy living as will
be an example to the flock of Christ.
12. Should any person not possessing
these qualifications enter the Christian
Ministry?
No; to do so is wicked presumption, and
to store up damnation against the day of wrath.
GENERAL CONFESSION
In the administration of the Lord's Supper
after the Invitation is read, the Ritual says::
Then shall this general confession be made;
by the minister in the name of all those who)
are minded to receive the Holy Communion,,
both he and all the people devoutly kneeling;
and saying:
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus.
Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men;
we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins:
and wickedness, which we from time to time'
most grievously have committed, by thought,,
word, or deed against thy divine Majesty,,
provoking most truly thy wrath and indignation
against ys. We (J.Q earnestly repent, and are.
52
CATECHISM
heartily sorry for these our misdoings, the re¬
membrance of them is grievous unto us. Have
mercy upon us, most merciful Father for thy
Son, our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all
that is past, and grant that we may ever
hereafter serve and please thee in newness
of life, to the honor and glory of Thy name
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed
be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will
be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us
this day our daily bread. And forgive us
our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass
against us. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil: For thine is the king¬
dom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
EXAMPLES OF PRAYER FOR THE
YOUNG.
Morning Prayer.
Almighty God, my heavenly Father, I
thank Thee that Thou hast taken care of
me the past night, and that I am alive and
well this morning. Save me, 0 God, from
evil all this day and may I love and serve
Thee always. Bestow on me, I pray Thee,
CATECHISM
53
every good thing which I need for my body
and soul; assist me by Thy Holy Spirit to
do Thy will; make me always afraid to of¬
fend Thee, and let me live in thy fear and
die in Thy favor, and at last be saved in
Heaven, for Christ's sake. Amen.
Evening Prayer
0 Lord God, who knowest all things. Thou
seest me by night as well as by day. I pray
Thee, for Christ's sake, forgive me whatever
I have done amiss this day, and keep me safe
this night. Bless I beseech Thee, all my
friends; *do good to them at all times and in
all places, and help me always to serve them
in love. And when I have done thy will here
by thy grace assisting me, may I be fully pre¬
pared for death and the world to come, through
Christ my blessed Saviour and Redeemer.
Amen.
Morning Prayer.
O Lord, I give thee thanks that Thou hast
kept me during the night, and brought me
to see another morning. Help me to pass
this day in Thy fear, and to remember that
Thine eye is always upon me; that Thou
hearest all I say, seest all I do, and knowest
all that is in my thoughts. I confess before
thee, O God, that I am a sinful creature.
*Here mention father, mother, and others.
54
CATECHISM
I have often been foolish and disobedient,
and I deserve to be punished for my sins.
But Thou, 0 Lord art merciful; Thou hast
promised pardon to those who repent and
believe in Jesus Christ. Be merciful to me,
I pray Thee, and pardon my transgressions.
Give me true and deep repentance for my sins,
and cause me to hate every evil way. Create
in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit
within me. Help me to believe, with my whole
heart, in Jesus Christ and commit my soul
to Thy mercy through Him. O righteous
Father, grant me Thy Holy Spirit to dwell
within me. May He instruct, sanctify, and
preserve me to the kingdom of Jesus. Be
thou gracious to all my friends and enemies,
have mercy on all those who are dead in
sin, and save them with me and with all for
whom I should pray, for Jesus Christ's sake.
Amen.
Evening Prayer.
0 God, I bow down before Thee, and would
lift up my soul in thanksgiving for all the
favors of another day. I implore Thy tender
mercies in the forgiveness of all my sins, of
thought, word or deed, since the morning.
Pardon me 0 Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ,
who died upon the cross for sinners, and adopt
me into Thy family as one of Thy children.
CATECHISM
55
May Thy Spirit be poured down upon me.
May He shed Thy love abroad in my heart,
and fill my mind with all good thoughts. May
He teach me to love Thy word, Thy peo¬
ple and Thy house. May He help me to
honor my parents, my minister, and my
teachers. May He make me wise unto sal¬
vation, and prepare me for eternity. If
I die young, may I be found ready, being
washed from my sins in Jesus' blood. I
ask the same mercies for all my friends.
Watch over us during this night. Preserve
and bless us, and let no evil come near our
dwelling. May we be refreshed by rest,
and awake in the morning to Thy service.
Grant likewise, 0 blessed Lord, that when
days and nights with us have ended, we
may sleep in Jesus, and awake in the morn¬
ing of the resurrection, to join the redeem¬
ed of the Lord and spend an eternal day,
in thy presence, service and praise, for His
sake. Amen.
The Beatitudes.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall
be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall in¬
herit the earth.
56
CATECHISM
Blessed are they which do hunger and
thirst after righteousness: for they shall be
filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall
obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they
shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall
be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted
for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the king¬
dom of Heaven. (Matt. 5:3-10.)
The Apostles' Creed.
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth: and in Jesus
Christ his only Son our Lord, who was con¬
ceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Vir¬
gin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead and buried; he descended
into hell; the third day he arose from the
dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth
on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick
and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the Holy Catholic Church; the communion of
saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection
of the body; and life everlasting. Amen.