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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WON bOMC >F 1 HE SBARUTyAl TOPICS OF
CHRISTIANITY. ' DESIGNED I CR THE
GENERAL USE O ■ Afl fi-TS.
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CTSHOP H. M. TURNER BrD„ LL.D
EIHTTTO BY
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PUBI TSHED riT THE
OHUROH ^BOOZEC BOOMS,
631 Pine Street, Philadelphia.
The
Christian Recorder
R. R Vi I'.Hf, Jit-. EDITOR
The 01<iv f Pci-iodical of the Race in
' America.. A wholesome, religious,
family paper, with special helps
for Sunday-school workers,
Christian Endeavorers,
Ministers
I
$1.00 PER YEAR
60 CENTS FOR 6 MONTH
R. ft. Wright, Jr., Mgr.
631 Pine Street Philadelphia,
caim,
BEING A SERIES OF
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
UPON SOME OF THE CARDINAL TOPICS OF
CHRISTIANITY. DESIGNED FOR THE
GENERAL USE OF ADULTS.
BY
BISHOP H. M. TURNER, D. D., D
EDITED BY
B. T. TANNER, D.D.
PART 1st.
PUBLISHED AT THE
7*1.m S. OKXJROU SOOIE ROOMS,
631 Pine Street, Philadelphia.
Copyrighted
A. M. E. Book Concern
1917
PREFACE.
I HAVE long seen the necessity of a Catechism
for the use of the children of the A. M. E. Church.
To meet this exigency, some nine years ago, I de¬
voted the spare time of six months in preparing
one, which I labored hard to make correspond
with the doctrine of our Church—hoping it would
be accepted as authority by the same. That Cate¬
chism was more than twice the size of this. In¬
stead of sending it to our own Publishing Depart¬
ment to be printed, I was persuaded to send it to
a Publishing House in Boston, Mass. By some
mishap it was lost in the mails, and I was never able
to recover it. Meanwhile, my time was so taxed
in planting churches in our Southern work, that
I have never been able to take up the subject pro¬
perly since ; as well also did I entertain the hope
that some of the brethren, not burdened with such
a large field, would supply the desideratum, and
thus give the youths and children of our Church,
what seems to me to be an indispensable necessity.
But just before the meeting of our General Con¬
ference, at Nashville, in 1872, I drafted the most
of this, and intended carrying it to a respectable
completion, and ask the endorsement of our
Bishops, as a Catechism for the use of the A. M.
3
4
E. Church; but at the said General Conference,
on motion of Rev. F. J. Peck, a committee of five
was appointed to prepare a Church Catechism,
which at once thwarted my expectation. Conse¬
quently I dismissed the subject, till some time
after, while confined to my bed-room by sickness,
I took the old draft and shaped out the following,
and sent it to Rev.W.H. Hunter, General Business
Manager, so that he might use it as a harbinger
tiH succeeded by a better. As tha
demand, however, for Catechisms are daily made
upon our Publication Department, I have thought
to substitute the following, till our Church Cate¬
chism is completed, and the above named Com¬
mittee shall have given the church a standard se¬
ries. As it is possible all of the answers may not
be received as fundamentally sound, I have con¬
cluded to entitle it Turner's Catechism, and
thus relieve my church of whatever may be objec¬
tionable. Should it meet with general approval,
however, I will change its name, and thereby give
it more catholicity. I pray the sanction of hea¬
ven upon this feeble effort.
{September, 1876.
BISHOPS' ENDORSEMENTS.
I have seen Dr. Turner's Catechism, and heart¬
ily commend it to the brethren.
T. M. D. Ward,
Bishop Fifth Episcopal District.
I most heartily commend the Catechism'of Dr.
Turner. It will supply a long felt want in the
African M. E. Church, and I heartily thank the
author for this good work.
J. M. Brown,
Bishop Second Episcopal District.
I agree with Bishops Ward and Brown in the
commendation and approval of the Catechism of
Dr. Turner. I regard it as supplying a desidera¬
tum long felt in our church. I have no doubt it
will be accepted by the Church to fill the place of
a first series in our Catechistical work, and I think
it justly deserving such recognition; as such I re¬
commend it to the Pastors, Superintendents and
Teachers of our schools.
J. P. Campbell, Bishop.
5
0
I am glad Dr. Turner hn<s prepared a sma11
Catechism ii ir the u1- c i f1 >nr Sabbath Schools, and
commend it to the brelhren.
A. \V. WA1M4N, Bishop.
I have thoroughly examined the Catechism
prepared by the Rev. Dr. Turner, and am
convinced thnt it is a work which is calculated
to, and will, do much to advance the cause of
the Redeemer's kingdom, wherever it shall be
used ; and I w ould therefore recommend its use
throughout the entire world, and especially its
adoption as the Catechism jot, the A. M. E. Sab¬
bath School. J. J. Wright, LL.D.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of South
Carolina.
FOR TEACHERS.
HIS little work is intended to be an introduc¬
tion to the study of the Holy Scriptures, for
both children and adults. In order to make it
useful, much will depend upon the character of
the teacher. In the arrangement of both questions
and answers, I have had a view to brevity and
comprehensiveness. By cultivating the memory
with these, it will be easy to commit to memory
Part II., which I intend to prepare with Scripture
quotations.
Most of the Hymns are plain and simple,-which
selection was made to accommodate our schools
in the country villages, and on Circuits. But
wherever higher music is required, let it be used
freely.
7
TO THE PUBLIC:
So many have been the calls
for the Original Turner's Cate¬
chism that we deem it well to
publish this original book as
Bishop Turner published it.
R. R. WRIGHT, Jr.,
Mgr. A. M. E. Book Concern.
March 15, 1917
TURNER'S CATECHISM.
CHAPTER I.
DISTINGUISHED PERSONS OF THE
BIBLE.
LESSON I.
Question. Mho was the first man ?
Answer. Adam.
Q. Who was the first woman ?
A. Eve.
Q. Jlho was Eve?
A. The wife of Adam and the mo¬
ther of all living.
Q. JVhich of their children are men¬
tioned ?
A. Cain, Abel and Seth.
Q. Who was the first murderer ?
A. Cain.
9
IO
Q. Who was the first martyr /
A. Abel.
Q. Who was first carried to heaven
without dying ?
A. Enoch, who walked with God
three hundred years.
Q. 11'ho was'the oldest man ?
A. Methuselah, who lived nine hun¬
dred and sixty-nine years.
Q. Who were saved in the ark when
the world was drowned?
A. Noah and his family.
Q. What were the names of his three
sons ?
A. Shem, Ham and Japhet.
Q. How long was Noah building the
ark ?
A. One hundred and twenty years.
Q. Who was the most patient man ?
A. Job, the richest man in all the
East.
Q. Who was the father of the faith¬
ful?
A. Abraham.
Q. Who was saved at the burning of
Sodom ?
A. Lot and" his two daughters.
LESSON II.
Q. Who was turned into a pillar of
fait ?
A. Lot's wife.
Q. WHio soid his birth-right for a
mess of pottage
A. Esau.
Q. Who wrestled with the angel of
God ?
A. Jacob, who afterwards was called
Israel.
Q. How many sons had Jacob ?
A. Twelve.
Q. Who was sold into Egypt by his
brethren ?
A. Joseph.
* Lentiles : a sort of pulse.
12
Q. Did Godforsake him ?
A. No, He made him a great man.
Q. M7io made slaves of the children
of Israel?
A. Pharaoh, king of Egypt.
Q. Whom did God send to deliver
thetn ?
A. Moses and Aaron.
Q. IVhat is said of Moses ?
A. He was the meekest of men.
Q. Where did Moses die ?
A. On Mount Pisgah.
Q. Who led the children of Israel
into Canaan ?
A. Joshua, who was made their lead¬
er after the death of Moses.
Q. IVho commanded the sun and
moon to stand still ?
A. Joshua.
Q. Who was the strongest man ?
A. Samson.
Q. Who killed Goliath ?
A. David.
*3
LESSON III.
Q. llHiat kind of a man was David ?
A. He was a man after God's own
heart.
Q. Who, was the first king of Israel?
A. Saul.
Q. Who was lent to the Lord by his
mother ?
A. Samuel.
Q. Who was supposed to be fftee?i
feet high and eightfeet broad /
A. Og, the giant, and king of Ba-
shan.
Q. Who stole the Babylonish garment
and wedge of gold ?
A. Achan.
Q. Mho delivered Israel from the
Midianites ?
A. Gideon.
Q. Who was priest when Samuel was
a boy ?
A. Eli.
14
Q. Who was David's General?
A. Joab.
Q. U7io came from a great distance
to hear the wisdom of Solomon ?
A. The Queen of Sheba.
Q. Wio was carried to heaven in a
chariot of fire ?
A. Elijah, the Prophet.
Q. Wio made iron to swim ?
A. Elisha, the Prophet.
Q. IVho was hanged on the same gal¬
lows he erected for another ?
A. Haman.
Q. Who washed in Jordan seven times
and was healed ?
A. Naaman, the leper.
Q. Who was the first to pi-each in a
pulpit ?
A. Ezra, the Scribe.
LESSON IV.
Q. Who was the wisest man ?
A. Solomon.
XS
Q. What three persons were cast into
the fiery furnace ?
A. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-
nego.
Q. Who was cast into the lions' den ?
A. Daniel, the Prophet.
Q. Who was in the belly of the whale ?
A. Jonah.
Q. IVho was the last of the Prophets ?
A. Malachi.
Q. How long was it from Adam to
Christ ?
A. About four thousand years.
Q. Who ate grass like an ox ?
A'. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Baby¬
lon.
Q. Who was the forerunner of Christ f
A. John the Baptist.
Q. Why was he called John the Bap¬
tist ?
A. Only to distinguish him from
other Johns.
Q. Who is Jesus Christ ?
16
A. The Son of God.
Q. Where did Christ come from ?
A. Heaven.
Q. What did Christ come to do?
A. To save sinners.
Q. Tf7io was the mother of Christ ?
A. The Virgin Mary.
Q. JJ7io sought to kill Christ when Ht
was a child ?
A. Herod, a wicked king.
lesson v.
Q. U7io were the four Evangelists /
A. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Q. JI'7io sat at the receipt of custom ?
A. St. Matthew.
Q. It7io was the beloved disciple ?
A. St. John.
Q. Who was the physician ?
A St. Luke.
Q. Who was raisedfrom the dead by
Christ ?
A. Lazarus.
17
Q. Who betrayed Christ?
A. Judas Iscariot, one of His
disciples.
Q. Who denied his Master?
A. Peter.
Q. Who delivered up Jesus to be
crucified?
A. Pontius Pilate.
Q. Who helped our Saviour to bear
His cross?
A. Simon of Cyrene.
Q. Who begged the body of Jesus
for burial?
A. Joseph of Arimathea.
Q. Who rolled the stone from the
sepulchre?
A. An angel from heaven.
Q. Who were the first to arrive at
the sepulchre on the third day?
A. The two Marys and Salome,
the wife of Zebedee.
Q. Who was the great Apostle to
the Gentiles?
2
18
A. St. Paul.
Q. Who was stoned to death?
A. St. Stephen.
LESSON VI.
Q. Who zvas crucified with his feet
up and head down?
A. St. Peter.
Q. Who was put into boiling oil?
A. St. John.
Q. Who knezu the Scriptures from
a child?
A. Timothy.
Q. Who made clothes for the poor?
A. Dorcas.
Q. Who was killed with the sword?
A. St. James.
Q. Who zvas eaten up by worms?
A. Herod, a persecutor of the
Church.
Q. Who zvas almost persuaded to be
a Christian?
A. Agrippa, the king.
19
Q. Who was struck dead for ly¬
ing?
A. Ananias.
Q. Who else?
A. Sapphira, his wife.
Q. Who wrote the first book in the
Bible?
A. Moses.
Q. What is it called?
A. Genesis.
Q. Who wrote the last book in the
Bible?
A. St. John.
Q. What is it called?
A. Revelation.
Q. What does the Bible teach as?
A. To be good and honest chil¬
dren*
Q. Where will good children go
when they die?
A. To heaven.
Q. What is heaven?
A. Heaven is God's Throne.
20
lesson vn.
Q. Who were the Jews?
A. The family of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob.
Q. Who were the Gentiles?
A. All nations besides the Jews.
Q. Who were the Caesars?
A. The rulers of Rome.
Q. Who was Herod the Great?
A. The king of Judea.
Q. Who was the other Herod?
A. The king of Galilee, who cut
off the head of John the Baptist.
Q. Who was Mary, the sister of
Martha?
A. The woman that chose the
better part and heard Jesus preach.
Q. Who was Caiaphas?
A. The High-priest, who con¬
demned Christ.
Q. Who was Pontius PilatQ?
21
A. The Governor of Judea, who
ordered Christ to be crucified.
Q. Who zi'cts Elymcts?
A. A wicked man, who was
struck blind for speaking against
the Gospel.
Q. Who zvas Eutychus?
A. A youth, who slept during
a sermon and fell down, and was
taken up dead.
Q. J J ho zvas Zcbcdcc?
A. The father of the Apostles
John, and James the Great.
Q. What docs Messiah mean?
A. It means the Anointed, and
refers to Christ.
Q. What does Angel mean?
A. A Messenger of God.
Q. Who are Angelsf
A. Heavenly spirits, and minis¬
ters of God.
CHAPTER II.
PRAYERS AND PRAISE FOR CHILDREN.
Note.—The Teachers should be careful to see that
the following praises be committed to memory, eg.
pecially the prayers.
1. C. M.
T ORD, teach a little child to pray,
Thy grace betimes impart,
And grant Thy Holy Spirit may
Renew my infant heart.
2 A sinful creature I was born,
And from my birth have strayed;
I must be wretched and forlorn
Without Thy mercy's aid.
3 But Christ can all my sins forgive,
And wash away their stain,
And fit my soul with Him to live,
And in His kingdom reign.
4 To Him let little children come,
For He hath said they may;
His bosom then shall be their home,
Their tears He'll wipe away.
22
23
2. C, M.
"Deligion is the chief concern
Of mortals here below,
May I its great importance learn,
lu sov' reign virtue know !
2 More needful this than glitt'ring we^ltli,
Or aught the world bestows;
N.n reputation, fuod or health,
Can give us such repose.
3 Religion should our thoughts engage
Amidst our youthful bloom;
'Twill iit us for declining age,
And for the awful tomb.
£ Oh may my heart, by grace renewed,
. Be my Redeemers throne ;
And be my stubborn will subdued,
His government to own.
H Let deep repentance, faith and love
Be joined with godly fear;
And all my conversation prove
My heart to be sincere.
6 Religion is the chief concern
Of mortals h_ie below,
May I its great importance learn,
Its sov'reign virtue know !
3.
COME to Jesus, little one,
Come to Jesus now j
24
Humbly at His gracious throne
In submission bow.
At His feet confess your sin,
Seek forgiveness there;
For His blood can make you clean;
He will hear your prayer.
2 Seek His face without delay:
Give Him now your heart;
Tarry not, but, while you may,
Choose the better part.
Come to Jesus, little one,
Come to Jesus now;
Humbly at His gracious throne
In submission bow.
4. C. M.
I ORD, to Thy mercy-seat I come,
And bow before Thy throne;
Here at Thy footstool will I plead
The merits of Thy Son.
2 Though crimes of deepest dye .
appear,
And justice bids Thee slay;
Yet in Thy mercy will I trust,
To wash my sins away.
3 My only hope is in that blood,
For me on Calvary shed;
My only plea is this—for me,
For me my Saviour bled.
25
4 For me upon the cross He hung,
For me passed through the tomb;
For me to glory rose, and there
Prepares my happy home.
5. JESUS LOVES ME
JESUS loves me! this I know,
For the Bible tells me so,
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
CHORUS.
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.
2 Jesus love me! He who died
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.
Chorus—Yes, Jesus loves me, etc.
3 Jesus love me! loves me still,
Though I'm very weak and ill;
From His shining throne on high
Comes to watch me where I lie.
Chorus—Yes, Jesus loves me, etc.
4 Jesus loves me; He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
If I love Him when I die
He will take me home on high.
Chorus—Yes, Jesus loves me, etc.
26
6.
L. M.
IN every place the God of grace
Is ever near to hear our prayer;
And all we say, by night or day,
And all we do, he knows it too.
2 Then let us try from sin to fly,
And speak and do what's right and true ;
And since God hears our humble prayers,
Still let us pray, both night and day.
LAS! how soon, and we must die!
We fear to think of death so nigh:
Our body dust, our life a breath,
Alas! how soon we sink in death !
2 But let us humbly trust the Lord,
And love His grace, and mind His word %
The dust shall rise, and death may be
The gate of heaven to you and me.
n^HERE is a narrow way
-*■ That leads to heaven and God ;
But sinners love to go astray,
And take a 1 roader road.
2 They will not seek the Lord,
And pray to be forgiven :
They will not mind His holy word,
And so they miss of heaveij.
7.
L. M.
8.
S. M.
27
3 Lord, we are sinners, too :
But O, our sins forgive!
And teach us what we ought to do,
And how we ought to live !
9. S. M.
T ORD, teach me how to pray
Teach me to love it toe :
And grant Thy Holy Spirit may
Make all my nature new.
2 I want to be Thy child,
I want my sins forgiven :
I want a spirit meek and mild,
I want to get to heaven.
3 Do show me, Lord, the way;
And guide me on the road •
And let me nevei go astray
Till I get home to God.
10. PRAYER TO JESUS.
/"^1 ENTLE Jesus, meek and mild,
Look upon a little child;
Pity my simplicity,
Suffer me to come to Thee.
2 Fain I would to Thee be brought;
Gracious God forbid it not;
In the kingdom of Thy grace
Give a little' child a place.
28
3 O, supply my every want,
Feed the young and tender plant)
Day and night my keeper be—
Every moment watch round me.
11. MORNING HYMN.
THE morning bright with rosy light,
Has waked me up from sleep.
Father, I own Thy love alone,
Thy little one doth keep.
2 All through th e day, I humbly pray,
Be Thou my guard and guide,
My sins forgive, and let me live,
Blest Jesus, near Thy side.
3 (), make Thy rest within my breast,
Great Spirit of all grace.
Make me like Thee, tlien shall I le
Prepared to see Thy face.
12. MORNING PRAYER.
ND now I raise me up from sleep,
I thank the Lord, who did me keep
All through the nij^ht, and to Him pr..y
That He may keep nie through the day.
^Phe daylight fades, the evening shades
Are gathering round my head;
13.
EVENING IIYMN.
29
Father above, I praise that love
Which smooths and guards my bed.
2 While Thou art near I need not fear
The gloom of midnight hour:
Blest Jesus, still from every ill
Delend me with Thy power.
3 Pardon my sin, and enter in
And sanctify my heart:
Spirit divine, O, make me Thine,
And ne'er from me depart.
14. LYING DOWN.
A ND now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep :
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
15. ANOTHER MORNING PRAYER.
HMhanks for the night and morning light;
O God! I pray for grace this day;
Keep me from ill, teach me Thy will;
And bless me then, through Christ. Amsn.
16. ANOTHER EVENING PRAYER.
HPhee, Lord, I praise in my first days;
Forgive my sin, cleanse me within;
And safely keep me while I sleep
And when I wake, for Jesus' sake.
3°
17. GRACE BEFORE MEAT.
BE present at our table, Lord!
Be here, and everywhere, adored.
Thy creatures bless; and grant that wt
May feast in paradise with Thee.
18. GRACE AFTER MEAT.
WE thank Thee, Lord, for this our food,
But more because of Jesus' blood.
Let m anna to our souls be given,
The bread of life sent down from heaven.
Note.—This rule must be committed to memory.
19. THE GOLDEN RULE.
"De you to others kind and true,
•*-' As you'd have others be to you;
And neither do nor say to men
Wliate'er you would not take again.
20. THE LORD'S PRAYER.
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 tres¬
passes, as we forgive them that trespass against
us ; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil; for Thine is the kingdom, and
the power, and the glory, for ever and ever,
Amen,
CHAPTER III.
GOD AND CREATION.
Q. JMio made you ?
A. God.
Q. For u'licit purpose did God make
you ?
A. To serve and glorify Him.
Q. Jllto is God ?
A. The Almighty, Maker of heaven
and earth.
Q. JJ7io redeemed you ?
A. Jesus Christ.
Q. Who is J~esus Christ?
A. The Son of God.
a 77 ho sanctifies you ?
A. The Holy Ghost.
Q. How many Gods are there ?
A. There is only one true God.
Q. How many Persons in the God¬
head ?
3»
32
A. Three- Father, Son and Holy-
Ghost.
Q. TI here is God ?
A. God is everywhere.
Q. How old is God?
A. God has no age ; He always was
and always will be.
Q. What can God do ?
A. God can do all things.
Q. J J hat does God know ?
A. God knows everything, even our
thoughts.
Q. Of what did God make the hea¬
vens and the earth ?
A. He made them out of nothing.
Q. Of what did He make man ?
A. ()f the dust of the earth.
Q. H<>w Jong was God making the
world i
A. Six days. \day ?
Q. Jl7iat did God do on the seventh
A. He rested from all His work.
CHAPTER IV.
THE HOLY BIBLE.
Q. JVhat good book should all men
revere ?
A. The Holy Bible.
Q. What is the Bible ?
A. The Word of God.
Q. JJhat does the word Bible mean t
A. The Book.
Q. What does the Bible teach us ?
A. The law of God and how to
obey it.
Q. How is the Bible divided ?
A. Into the Old and New Testa¬
ments.
Q. JVhat does the Old Testament tell
us ?
A. All about the creation, and the
first ages of the world.
3 33
34
Q. Of what does the New Testament
tell us ?
A. Of the life, crucifixion and resur¬
rection of Jesus, and the early history
of the Church.
Q. In what language was the Bible
first written ?
A. The Old Testament in Hebrew,
and the New in Greek.
Q. Why is the Bible called the word
ef God ?
A. Because it was written by God's
direction.
Q. In what manner ?
A. Holy men wrote it as they were
moved by the Holy Ghost.
Q. What proves the Bible to be from
God ?
A. Because it teaches things that
only God could know.
Q. What are some of these things /
35
A. How the world was created, and
what will be its end.
Q. Can you name anything else ?
A. Yes, it tells about a heaven for
the good, and a hell for the bad.
Q. Could man have known thsse with¬
out the Bible ?
A. No, never.
Q. If the Bible is so valuable how
should we treat it ?
A. We should love it, and read it
continually.
Q. At what age should a child begin
to study the Bible ?
A. Just as soon as he or she can
read it.
CHAPTER V.
THE FORMATION OF MAN.
Q. IVhat does the Bible tell us first ?
A. That God in the beginning crea¬
ted the heavens and the earth.
3<5
Q. At what time was that beginning i
A. No one knows but God.
Q. Were the six days of creation sun-
measured days ?
A. It is supposed they were great
periods, but were days with God.
Q. How long has it been since the
creation of man ?
A. About six thousand years.
Q. IVhat was made on the first day i
A. Light.
Q. What was made on the second
day ?
A. The firmament, which was called
heaven.
Q. JVhat was made on the third day ?
A. Trees and all kinds of plants and
vegetables.
Q. JVhat was made on the fourth
day ?
A. The sun, moon and stars.
Q- What was made on the fifth day 9
37
A. Fish and all kind of fowls.
Q. What did God make on the sixth
day ?
A. Man, whom He made in His own,
likeness.
Q. Did all men come from Adam, the
first man ?
A. Yes, all nations, kindred and
people.
Q. JVas Adam the father of both
white and colored people ?
A. Yes, out of one blood God made
all men.
Q. UUiy are there so many colors
among men ?
A. For the same reason, there are
many colors among flowers.
Q. Does God care any more for one
man than another?
A. No, He has no respect of per¬
sons.
38
Q. Does God make any distinction
with mcji ?
A. None, except between the right¬
eous and the wicked.
Q. JVill He punish all alike who are
t .
sinners ?
A. Yes, the wicked shall be turned
into hell.
CHAPTER VI.
THE FALL OF MAN.
Q. Where did God place Adam and
Eve ?
A. In the Garden of Eden.
Q. What were they commanded to do?
A. To take care of the Garden.
Q. What were they allowed to eat ?
A. Of all the fruit of the trees ex¬
cept one.
Q. What tree was that ?
A. The tree of knowledge of good
and evil.
39
Q. Did they obey God in this com¬
mand ?
A. No; being tempted of the devil
they disobeyed.
Q. What did they do 1
A. The woman ate of the forbidden
fruit and gave to the man, and he like¬
wise ate.
Q. JI'7iat did they become then ?
A. Sinners.
Q. What then happened to them ?
A. God was displeased with them
and drove them from the Garden.
Q. For what reason were they driven
from the Garden ?
A. That they might not eat of the
tree of life and live forever.
Q. Was any curse put upon them ?
A. Yes, that they should work hard
all their lives.
Q. Did the curse extend any fur•
theri
4°
A. Yes, that they should have sick¬
ness, pain and death.
Q. Are we affected by the Fall of
Adam ?
A. Yes, his Fall corrupted his pos¬
terity.
Q. How?
A. Adam was a representative of all
who sprang from him; and conse¬
quently they are born under the curse
put upon him.
Q. What is man's condition now 1
A. He is sinful and miserable.
Q. Is there no way to get rid of sin ?
A. Yes, by obtaining forgiveness
from God.
CHAPTER VII.
SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
Q. For what purpose didJesus Christ
come from heaven ?
A. To save sinners.
4i
Q. Are all men saved through Christt
A. Yes, if they will believe on Him.
Q. What did Christ do to save sin¬
ners ?
A. He became man, lived, suffered,
died and rose again.
Q. How did He become man ?
A. Though He was God, He took
upon Him man's nature, and was born
of a woman.
Q. What did Christ suffer for us ?
A. The abuse of the world, and the
death of the cross.
Q. Why did Christ thus suffer and
die ?
A. To make an atonement for the
sin of the world.
Q. How did His death atone for the
sin of the world ?
A. By satisfying the justice of God.
0. Had Christ not died what would
have become of men ?
42
A. They all would have been for¬
ever lost.
Q. Did Christ make this atonement
for all mankind ?
A. Yes, by the grace of God, He
tasted death for every man.
Q. What docs Christ say about Him¬
self?
A. I am the way, the truth and the
life.
O. What else ?
A. No man cometh unto the Fathei
but by me.
Q. What proves Christ to have been
a man ?
A. He ate, slept, wept, hungered
and thirsted.
Q. What proves that He was God ?
A. In His own name He healed the
sick, cast out devils, and raised the
dead.
43
Q. What took place when Christ was
crucified ?
A. The earth quaked, the sun was
darkened and the rocks were rent.
Q. IVhat did the wicked then say ?
A. " Truly this man was the Son of
God."
Q. What example is taught us in the
life of Christ ?
A. Perfect goodness, and true holi¬
ness.
LESSON II.
Q. What is the chief end of man ?
A. To serve and glorify God.
Q. Who helps us to serve and glori¬
fy God?
A. The Holy Ghost.
Q. }Vho is the Holy Ghost ?
A. The Spirit of God.
Q. How does the Spirit of God help
us f
44
A. He comes into our hearts to
make us like God.
Q. Does He conie to us because wt
are good ?
A. No, He comes to sinners also.
Q. Why does the Holy Ghost come
to sinners ?
A. Because He is sent to make them
holy.
Q. Why is God so good to sinners 1
A. Because Christ loved them and
died to save them.
Q. JVhen does Christ save sinners ?
A. When they repent and forsake
their sins.
Q. JV7iat else must we do to be saved!
A. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Q. What will God do if we repen\
and believe ?
A. He will pardon our sins for
Christ's sake.
Q. Does God only pardon for the sake
if Christ?
A. Yes, for His sake and not our
own.
Q. What else will God do for us ?
A. He will send His Holy Spirit to
make us holy.
Q. J Wat do holy people always do ?
A. They keep all God's command¬
ments.
Q. What is the character of those
who keep His commandments ?
A. They are regarded as righteous.
Q. How, for their own sake ?
A. No, for the sake of Christ.
Q. Theti we receive the righteousness
7/ Christ, do we ?
A. Yes, through Him alone are we-
nade righteous and holy.
CHAPTER VIII.
HOW TO FIND CHRIST THROUGH
PRAYER.
Q. Did you say Christ was born of
a woman ?
A. He was, His mother was the Vir¬
gin Mary.
Q. Where was Jesus Christ born ?
A. In Bethlehem of Judea.
Q. When was He born ?
A. In the days of Herod, the king,
and Augustus, Emperor of Rome.
<2. Where is Christ now ?
A. In heaven, but His presence fills
heaven and earth.
Q. TVJiat does He do in heaven ?
A. He intercedes and prays for us.
Q. IVhat then is He called ?
A. Our Advocate.
46
47
(?• How are we to pray to God to be
benefited ?
A. In His name.
Q. What is it to pray in Christ's
name ?
A. To pray believing we shall be'
saved.
Q. What else is Christ for us ?
A. Our Prophet, Priest and King.
Q. How is Christ our Prophet /
A. He teaches us God's will by His
tVord and Spirit.
Q. How is He our Priest ?
A. He gave Himself a sacrifice for
us and prays for us.
Q. How is He our Ki?ig ?
A. He gives us laws, defends us, and
conquers our foes.
Q. How then should we come to
Christ in prayer ?
A. Humbly, yet boldly by faith.
48
Q. Why should we thus come to
Christ i
A. Because Christ sympathizes with
us when we suffer, and are in trouble.
Q. TVhat did Christ say about chil¬
dren ?
A. "Suffer the little children to
come unto me, and forbid them not."
Q. What reason did He give ?
A. " For of such are the Kingdom
of heaven."
CHAPTER IX.
THE CHURCH AND ITS SACRAMENTS.
Q. Before Christ ascended to heaven
what did He tell His disciples ?
A. " Go into all the world and
preach my Gospel."
Q. What does the word " Gospel"
mean J
A. Glad tidings, or good news.
49
Q. Jl7iat are the glad tidings of the
Gospel ?
d. That Jesus Christ died to save
sinners.
Q. To whom is this Gospel to bd
preached ?
A. To every creature, or to all pec
pie.
Q. Jlliat came of preaching the Gos¬
pel ?
A. The Christian Church.
Q. JJ7io compose the Christian Church i
A. All true believers.
Q. How many Sacraments has thi
Church ?
A. Two.
Q. TT'Tiaf are they ?
A. Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Q. What docs Baptism signify ?
A. The cleansing of the heart from,
sin.
Q. Does the water cleanse the heart /
4
5°
A. No ; it is the Holy Spirit; water
is only the outward sign.
Q. IVJiat do you mean by outward
sign ?
A. As water cleanses the body, so
grace cleanses the soul.
Q. JVhat do we become on being bap¬
tized ?
A. Members of the Church of Christ.
Q. What is done in taking the Lord?s
Supper ?
A. Christians eat bread and drink
wine together.
Q. What does the bread and wine
signify ?
A. The body and blood of Christ
given to save sinners.
Q. Why do Christians partake of tht
Lord1 s supper?
A. They take it in remembrance of
Christ till His coming again.
5i
Qf IV?,\o are at liberty to partake of
this sacrament ?
A. Members of the Church, who re¬
pent of their sins, and love one an¬
other.
CHAPTER X.
THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD.
Q Jf7iat docs the Bible teach us
about the result of sin ?
A. By sin death came into the world.
Q. But does not Christ save all
Christians from dying?
A. No, all must die; but Christ will
raise them again.
Q. Mill Christ raise us to life after
we have been dead ?
A. Yes, our souls do not die; it is
only the body.
O. Then He will raise the body, will
He?
5^
A. Yes, in the morning of the re¬
surrection.
Q. JMiaf will then take place ?
A. The soul and body will come to¬
gether and live again.
Q. 1117/the body ever die again ?
A. No, for the saints will be like
Christ.
Q. Villi the body be raised just likt it
was buried ?
A. No, it shall be changed and
made immortal.
Q. JJ711 th: bodies of sinners be raised
too ?
A. Yes, they will be raised, but not
changed.
Q. Why will not their bodies be like
Christ ?
A. Because they do not act like Him
here on earth.
Q. Is it only those who imitate Chr ist
53
here who in the resurrection will be
like Him ?
A. Yes, and none others.
Q. To what shall the wicked it.
raised ?
A. To the resurrection of damna¬
tion.
Q. To what shall the good and holy be
raised ?
A. To the resurrection of eternal
life.
Q. Jlhat will be the condition of those
then living ?
A. The righteous shall be changed
and made glorious.
Q. What will then happen to the
wicked ?
A. They will be driven away into
everlasting punishment.
Q. What will become of little chil¬
dren then ?
54
A. Good children will be raised as
the righteous.
Q. Will little babies be raised?
A. Yes, they will also rise with the
Christians.
CHAPTER XI.
THE JUDGMENT.
Q. Will Christ ever return to this
world ?
A. He will, at the end of time.
Q. Will people then see Him?
A. Yes, every eye shall see Him.
Q. IIow will He come the next time t
A. Suddenly, in great power, with
Ilis holy angels.
Q. For what purpose will He come
the second time?
A. To judge the living and th*
dead.
Q. How can He judge the dead ?
55
A. He will first raise them from
their graves.
Q. Where will He judge them t
A. Up in the air.
Q. What will He then do ?
A. Separate the wicked from the
good.
Q. JVhere will the wicked then go ?
A. To a place of everlasting misery,
called Hell.
Q. Did God make hell for men ?
A. No, He made it for the devil and
the fallen angels.
Q. Why for them, and not for man ?
A. Because they sinned against God
before man was created.
Q. Why then are bad people sent ts
the same place ?
A. Because as sinners they act like
devils, and must go with devils.
Q. Did not God make some men toga
to hell ?
56
A. No, men were made to enjoy
heaven.
Q. What is heaven ?
A. Heaven is the throne of God.
Q. What kind of a place is it?
A. A place where the good are
eternally happy.
Q. IVhat kind of a place is hell ?
A. A place where the wicked are tor¬
mented with fire and brimstone for¬
ever.
Q. What shall take place when the
Judgment is over ?
A. The world shall be destroyed,
and a new earth shall be made where
Christ will dwell with His saints for¬
ever.
CHAPTER XII.
THE MORAL LAW.
Q. Has God given any special law
to man i
57
A. Yes, the ten commandments.
Q. By whom were they given ?
A. By Moses on Mount Sinai.
Q. Upon what were these command-
Orients written ?
| A. Upon two tables of stone.
Q. Where do we find these command¬
ments recorded?
A. In the twentieth chapter of Ex¬
odus.
Q. How did God first deliver them
to men ?
A. He clothed Himself in fire and
smoke, and spake with the voice of
thunder.
Q. What took place while God was
thus speaking ?
A. The mountain trembled beneath
Him.
Q. What did the people do t
A. Being awfully frightened they
cried out for God to stop.
58
Q. What did God then do ?
A. He taught His law to Moses,
and Moses taught the people.
Q. MHiat are the ten commandments
called ?
A. The Moral Law.
Q. Will you repeat the Ten Com¬
mandments ?
A. I will:
I. Thou shalt have no other gods
before me.
II. Thou shalt not make unto thee
any graven image, nor any likeness of
anything that is in heaven above, cr
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 in¬
iquity of the fathers upon the children
unto the third and fourth generation
of them that hate me; and showing
59
nercy unto thousands of them that
ove me, and keep my commandments.
III. Thou shalt not take the name
if the Lord thy God in vain : for the
Lord will not hold him guiltless that
laketh his name in vain.
IY. Remember the Sabbath-day to
ieep it holy. Six days shalt thou la¬
bor, 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 daugh¬
ter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid¬
servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger
that is within thy gatesfor in six days
the Lord made heaven and earth, the
iea and all that in them is, and rested
the seventh day: wherefore the Lord
blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed
it.
V. Honor -thy father and thy mo¬
ther ; that thy days may be long upon
6o
the land which the Lord thy God giv-
etli thee.
VI. Thou shalt not kill.
VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
VIII. Thou shalt not steal.
IX. Thou shalt not bear false wit¬
ness against thy neighbor.
X. Thou shalt not covet thy neigh¬
bor'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 neigh'
bor's.
THE MORAL LAW—Continued.
Q. What are we taught in the Jirsi
commandment ?
A. Our duty to God..
Q. What are we taught in the secondt
A. To worship no idol.
Q. IVhat does the third command¬
ment teach ?
6i
A. Not to take the name of God in
rain.
Q. What does the fourth command'
merit require ?
A. To keep the Sabbath-day holy.
Q. What does the fifth require ?
A. To honor and obey our parents.
Q. What does the sixth forbid ?
A. All kind of murders and injuries.
Q. What does the seventh forbid ?
A. All uncleanness and filthy lan¬
guage.
Q. What are we taught by the eighth ?
A. Not to steal, cheat or rob.
Q. What does the ninth forbid ?
A. Lying, slander, and speaking
tvil of others.
Q. What does the tenth command¬
ment forbid ?
A. All envying and coveting of our
neighbor's goods.
62
Q. How did Jesus say we could kcq
them all ?
A. Love the Lord with all oui
heart and our neighbor as ourselves.
Q. Will you repeat these command¬
ments in verse f
A. I will.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN
VERSE.
1. Thou shalt have no 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 tho' thou art poor and mean;
9. Nor make a wilful lie, nor love it;
10. What is thy neighbor's dare not covet.
THE SUM.
With all thy soul, love God above,
And as thyself thy neighbor love.
63
Teacher, Lord have mercy upon us.
Children, And incline our hearts to
tkeep this law.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE LORD'S PRAYER.
Q. What is prayer i
A. Asking God for His Spirit and
grace.
Q. Who has taught us how to pray ?
A. Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Q. What is the prayer He taught us
called ?
A. The Lord's prayer.
Q. Can you repeat the Lord's prayer
in verse ?
A. I can.
THE LORD'S PRAYER IN VERSE.
Our Father in Heaven, we hallow Thy name *
May Thy kingdom in Heaven and earth be
the same;
64
O, give to us daily our portion of bread;
For 'tis from thy bounty that all must be fed;
Forgive our transgressions and teach, us to
j show
Tne mercy we ask to our bitterest foe;
Keep us from temptation, deliver from sin—■
Thine the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Q. How many petitions are in the
Lord1 s prayer?
A. Six is the general estimate.
Q. Which is the first petition in the
Lord? s prayer?
A. Hallowed be Thy name. (This
is an address to God.)
Q. JVhat is the secondpetition ?
A. Thy kingdom come.
Q. What is the thirdpetition ?
A. Thy will be done on earth as it
is in heaven.
Q. What is the fourth petition }
A. Give this day our daily bread.
Q. What is the fifth petition i
65
A. Forgive us our sins as we forgive
those who sin against us.
Q. What is the sixth petition ?
A. Lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from all evil.
Q. Is God able and willing to give
us the things we ask for in this prayer ?
A. O yes, for His is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory.
Q. Are we always to use these words
in praying ?
A. No, Jesus said, " After this man¬
ner shall ye pray."
Q. Then this is merely a form or pe¬
tition of prayer is it ?
A. Yes, but we ought to use this
prayer too, quite often.
Q. Should children learn this prayer
while young ?
A. Yes, as soon as they can talk
they should learn it.
5
CHAPTER XIV.
THE APOSTLES' CREED.
Q. JVIiat is meant Jy Creed?
A. A form of words expressing ar¬
ticles of faith.
Q. How many Creeds are there ?
A. A large number are upon rcc.ord.
Q. What three have most generally
been cited as authority ?
A. The Apostolic, Athanasian, and
the ISicene Creeds.
Q. Which of the three does the A. 3f.
E. Church hold sacred ?
A. The Apostles' Creed.
Q. llhy does the Church not gioe its
approval to the other two ?
A. Because they were drawn up for
a special purpose.
Q. What was that specialpurpose t
66
67
A. To refute the false doctrine of an
impostor.
Q. MHio was that impostor ?
A. Arius, a learned man, who lived
ia the fourth century.
Q. What false doctrine did he teach f
A. That Jesus Christ was inferior to
God the Father.
Q. JI'7io drew np the Apostles' Creed?
A. It is supposed they did it them¬
selves, while at Jerusalem.
Q. At what time ?
A. Shortly after our Lord's ascen¬
sion to heaven.
Q. JFhat reason is given for the Apos«■
ties adopting this Creed ?
A. That they all might agree in
points of doctrine.
Q. Then this Creed was their guide
after their separation, was it ?
A. Yes, that they all might preach
one faith wherever scattered.
68
Q. Docs the Apostles' Creed embrace
the leading points in the Gospel ?
A. We believe it does; and is so re¬
garded by the Christian Church.
Q. J Fill you repeat the Apostles'
Creed ?
A. I will.
I believe in God the Father Almigh¬
ty, Maker of heaven and earth; and
in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son
our Lord; who was conceived by the
Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate; was cru¬
cified, dead, and buried; the third day
He rose 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 commu-
* Catholic, means universal.
6g
nion of saints; the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body, and the
life everlasting. Amen.
CHAPTER XV.
BAPTISM.
Q. IVhat is Baptism ?
A. A covenant made with the
Church, to obey and faithfully serve
God the Father, God the Son, and God
the Holy Ghost, by the application of
water.
Q. Is not the application of water
alone to the person, baptism ?
A. No, unless a person covenants,
bargains an.d affirms that he will for¬
sake all sin, and obey and serve the
Three-one God, or that he will obey
the Old Testament Scriptures, and all
that Jesus Christ directed, and all that
the Holy Ghost inspired the Apostles
to write, he is not baptized.
7°
Q. Then baptism is not in the water,
it is the covenant in it ?
A. Yes, it is the covenant entered
into.
Q. Suppose water was applied with¬
out this covenant ?
A. Well, the person would not be
baptized, though it was administered
by all the preachers in the world.
Q. Hut suppose you were to sing and
pray at the time i
A. No difference, it would not be
baptism.
Q. Then what use is the water at all ?
A. Water is the sign or seal of the
covenant, and outwardly confirms our
inward motives.
Q. Is the baptism of infants who can¬
not make a covenant, worthless /
A. O no, their parents make a cove¬
nant for them.
Q. Is there a covenant of baptism ?
7*
A. There is.
<TJ'ul you repeat it for me ?
J. I will.
I renounce the devil and all his
v: ivk the vain pomp and glory of the
v irlJ, with all covetous desires of the
i;a;.ie, and the carnal desires of the
fl.sh, so that I will rot follow nor be
L'J by them.
I believe in God the Father Almigh¬
ty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in
Tl^us Christ His only Son our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered un¬
der Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead,
a-<d bi-ried ; the third day He rose from
the dead; He ascended into heaven,
ar.d sitteth on the right hand of God
the Father Almighty ; from thence He
shall come to judge the quick and the
dejd.
72
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the
holy Catholic Church ; the communion
of saints ; the forgiveness of sins; the
resurrection of the body, and the life
everlasting. Amen.
Having been baptized in this faith,
I will obediently keep God's holy will
and commandments, and walk in the
same all the days of my life, God be¬
ing my helper.
CHAPTER XVI
THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE A, M. E.
CHURCH,
Q. How many Christian Churches
are there in the world ?
A. Only one, the Church militant.
Q. VHiat do you mean by the CJutrJi
militant ?
A. A military Church, at war with
the world, flesh, and the devil.
73
Q. What is meant by Methodist
Church, Baptist Church, Presbyterian
Church, Episcopal Church, etc?
A. Different Church-societies, which
make up the one Church.
Q. What then is a Church-Society ?
A. A congregation of faithful per¬
sons, where the Gospel is preached,
and the Sacraments administered.
Q. But is it not customary to call or
style them all Churches ?
A. It is, but strictly speaking, it is
not true, St. Paul assures us there is
but one Church on earth, the Church
militant.
Q. Who was the founder of the Me-
i hodist Church ?
A. "Rev. John Wesley, a good and
great man of England.
Q. Wiat did he at first call the Me¬
thodist Church ?
A. The United Society.
74
Q. What is meant by the A. M. E.
Church?
A. The African Methodist Epis¬
copal Church.
Q. Who ivas the founder of this
Church?
A. Rev. Richard Allen, another
good and great man of Philadel¬
phia.
Q. JVhen did he start the A. M. E.
Church?
A. In the year 1787.
Q. When zvas it organised into a
regular church connection?
A. In the year 1816.
Q. What zvas then done?
A. A Conference was establish¬
ed and a Bishop was elected.
Q. Who zvas the first Bishop?
A. Rev. Richard Allen.
CHAPTER XVII
koW CHURCH SOCIETIES ARE ESTAB-
LJSHED.
Q. Which one of the Church Socie¬
ties formed in the foregoing chapter
was established by Christ.
A. None of them.
Q. Which one zvas established by
the Apostles?
A. None.
Q. Do not the Roman Catholics
claim St. Peter as their founder?
A. They do; but it is uncertain
if Peter ever was at Rome.
Q. There are other Churches zvho
claim the same are there not?
75
76
A. Yes, a part of the Protestant
Episcopal Church claim it.
Q. Then who organized these different
Churches ?
A. Christian men in different ages.
Q. By what authority did they do it ?
A. They had certain religious opi¬
nions, and they forced them into ar¬
ticles of faith, and others adopted
them.
Q. And thus Churches were estab¬
lished, were they ?
A. Yes, only differing in religious
opinions.
Q. Do not all appeal to the Bible for
authority ?
A. They do, as they understand the
Bible.
Q. JVhat is the principal difference in
these Churches ?
A. They differ only in forms and
doctrine.
77
Q. In what do Christian Churches
agree ?
A. They agree upon the curse of
sin, the divinity of Christ, the exist¬
ence of a devil, a judgment to come,
and a resurrection from the dead.
Q. Then a good man can get to hea¬
ven out of any of them, can he ?
A. Yes, if he forsakes evil, and lives
holy before God he may.
Q. To what other Church does St.
Paul refer sometimes ?
A. The Church of the first-born
written in heaven; or the Church tri¬
umphant.
Q. MHio compose that Church ?
A. Those who loved God, and faith¬
fully served Him all the days of their
lives.
HYMNS
TO TEACHERS.
I have appended the following' plain and
old-time hymns, more to meet the wants of
the country than the cities. The city
Churches are generally provided with Sab¬
bath-school song-hooks, and in most in- .
stances with note-books; while our country
schools are seldom thus provided for; and
if they were, neither the children nor teach¬
ers could sing them. Particularly would
this be the case in the greater part of our
southern work. Therefore, to meet the wants
of the most humble and poor, these hymns,
well known to every body, have been an¬
nexed.
1. L. M.
"I am the zvay."
I ESUS, my all, to heaven is gone,-
He whom I fix my hopes upon;
His track I see, and I'll pursue
The narrow way, till Him I view.
2 The way the holy prophets went,
The road that leads from banish¬
ment,
The King's highway of holiness,
I'll go, for all His paths are peace.
3 This is the way I long have sought,
And mourned because I found it
not;
78
79
My grief a burden long has been,
Because I was not saved from sin.
4 The more I strove against its
power,
I feit its weight and guilt the more;
Till late I heard my Saviour say,
"Come hither, soul, I am the way."
5 Lo! glad I come, and Thou, blest
Lamb,
Shalt take me to Thee as I am;
Nothing but sin have I to give,
Nothing but love shall I receive.
6 Then will I tell to sinners round
What a dear Saviour I have found;
I'll point to Thy redeeming blood,
And say, "Behold the way to God!"
2. The Happy Laud.
/T>HERE is a happy land,
Far, far away,
Where saints in glory stand,
Bright, bright as day. _
Oh, how they sweetly sing,
"Worthy is our Saviour King;"
Loud let His praises ring,
Praise, praise for aye.
2 Come to that happy land,
Come, come away,
Why will ye doubting stand,
Why still delay?
80
Oh, we shall happy be
When from sin and sorrow free,
Lord, we shall dwell with Thee,
Blest, blest for aye.
3 Bright, in that happy land,
Beams every eye :
Kept by a Father's hand,
Love cannot die.
Oh, then to glory run
Be a crown and kingdom won;
And bright, above the sun,
We'll reign for aye.
3. America
Y country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountain side
Let "Freedom" ring.
2 My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.
3 Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees—
Sweet freedom's song;
8i
Let mortal tongues awake,
Let all that breathe partake,
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.
4 Our fathers' God, to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom's holy light
Protect us by Thy might
Great God and King.
4. S. M. C. IVe&f.
Keeping the Charge of the Lord.
a charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify;
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky;
To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfil :
O may it all my powers engage,
To do my Master's will I
2 Arm me with jealous care,
As in Thy sight to live;
And O, Thy servant, Lord, prepare^
A strict account to give !
Help me to watch and pray,
And on Thyself rely,
Assured, if I my trust betray,
I shall for ever die.
6
82
5. Beautiful River.
SHALL we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God ?
CHORUS.
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river,
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
2 On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will walk and worship ever,
All the happy, golden day.
3 Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown.
4 At the smiling of the river,
Mirror of the Saviour's face,
Saints whom death will never sever.
Lift their songs of saving grace.
5 Soon we'll reach the silver river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.
83
C. M. Walls.
Inspiring Hope.
\\l HEN I can read my title clear
* * To mansions in the skies,
I'll bid farewell to every fear,
And wipe my weeping eyes.
Should earth against my soul engage,
And fiery darts be hurled.
Then I can smile at Satan's rage,
And face a frowning world.
Let cares, like a wild deluge, come,
Let storms of sorrow fall;
So I but safely reach my home,
My God, my heaven, my all.
There shall I bathe my weary soul
In seas of heavenly rest.
And not a wave of trouble roll
Across my peaceful breast.
C. M. Watts.
Courage.
AM I a soldier of the cross,—
A foll'wer of the Lamb,—
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name ?
2 Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas ?
84
3 Are there no foes for me to face ?
Must I not stem the flood ?
Is this vile world a friend of grace,
To help me on to Cod ?
4 Sure I must fight if I would reign :
Increase my courage, Lord;
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy word.
5 Thy saints, in all this glorious war,
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith they bring it nigh.
6 When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine,
In robes of vict'ry, through the skies.
The glory shall be Thine.
8. 7s. Cennick.
The Pilgrim's Song.
/Children of the Heavenly King,
As we journey let us sing;
Sing our Saviour's worthy praise,
Glorious in His works and ways.
2 "We are trav'ling home to God
In the way our fathers trcd;
They are happy now, and we
Soon their happiness shall see.
3 O ye banished seed, be glad!
Christ our Advocate is made ;
85
Us to save, our flesh assumes,
Brother to our souls becomes.
4 Fear not, brethren, joyful stand
On the borders of our land;
Jesus Christ, our Father's Son,
Bids us undismayed go on.
5 Lord I obediently we'll go,
Gladly leaving all below :
Only Thou our leader be,
And we still will follow Thee.
9. 7s. C. JVee/ey.
Refuge in Christ.
Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high:
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,
Till the storm of life be past;
Safe into the haven guide,
O receive my soul at last!
2 Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee :
Leave, ah ! leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me !
All my trust on Thee is stayed.
All my help from Thee I bring,
Cover my defenceless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.
86
3 Thou, O Christ, art all I want;
More than all in Thee I find :
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy name;
I am all unrighteousness:
False, and full of sin, I am,
Thou art full of truth and grace.
4 Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin:
Let the healing streams abound.
Make and keep me pure within :
Thou of life the fountain art;
Freely let me take of Thee :
Spring Thou up within my heart,
Rise to all eternity !
10. 6,6,6,6,8,8. C. IVesLy.
The Year of Jubilee.
"Dlow ye the trumpet, blow,
The gladly solemn sound;
Let all the nations know,
To earth's remotest bound,
The year of jubilee is come ;
Return ye ransomed sinners, home.
2 Jesus, our great Hi^h Priest,
Hath full atonement made :
Ye weary spirits, rest;
Ye mournful souls, be glad:
The year of jubilee is come;
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.
87
3 Extol the Lamb of God,
The all-atoning Lamb;
Redemption through His blood
Throughout the world proclaim :
The year of jubilee is come;
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.
4 Ye slaves of sin and hell,
Your liberty receive,
And safe in Jesus dwell,
And blessed in Jesus live:
The year of jubilee is come;
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.
5 Ye who have sold for naught
Your heritage above,
Receive it back unbought,
The gift of Jesus' love :
The year of jubilee is come;
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.
6 The Gospel trumpet hear,
The news of heavenly grace;
And, saved from earth, appear
Before your Saviour's face :
The year of jubilee is come ;
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.
11. C. M.
ALAS! and did my Saviour bleed,
And did my Sovereign die ?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as 11
SS
S Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree ?
Amazing pity, grace unknown,
And love beyond degree!
3 Well might the sun in darkness hide,
And shut his glories in,
When Christ the mighty Saviour died
For man, the rebel's sin.
4 Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt mine eyes in tears.
5 But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe ;
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
'Tis all that I can do.
12. 7,6,7,6. Ileber.
'' Come over—and help us ! "
TTrom Greenland's icy mountains,
From India's coral strand;
Where Afric's sunny fountains
Roll down their golden sand;
From many an ancient river,
From many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver
Their land from error's chain.
2 What though the spicy breezes
Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle,
S9
Though every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile :
In vain with lavish kindness
The gifts of God are strown ;
The heathen in his blindness
Bows down to wood and stone.
3 Shall we, whose souls are lighted
With wisdom from on high,
Shall we to men benighted
The lamp of life deny ?
Salvation! O salvation !
The joyful sound proclaim,
Till earth's remotest nation
Has learnt Messiah's name.
4 Waft, waft, ye winds, His story,
And you, ye waters, roll,
Till, like a sea of glory,
It spreads from pole to pole;
Till o'er our ransomed nature,
The Lamb for sinners slain,
Redeemer, King, Creator,
In bliss returns to reign.
13. That Rock was Christ. ■
Rock of ages ! cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee,
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy side, a healing flood,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath, and make me pure.
9°
Should my tears forever flow,
Should my zeal no languor know,
This for sin could not atone,
Thou must save, and Thou alone;
In my hand no price I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling.
While I, draw this fleeting breath,
When my eye-lids close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,—
Rock of ages ! cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee!
S. M.
Evening Hymn.
rpHE day is past and gone ;
The ev'ning shades appear ;
O may we all remember well
The night of death draws near.
2 We lay our garments by,
Upon our beds to rest,
So death will soon disrobe us all
Of what we here possest.
3 Lord, keep us safe this night,
Secure from all our fears ;
Beneath the shadow of Thy wings
Till morning light appears.
4 And when we early rise,
And view th' unwearied sun,
91
May we set out to win the prize,
And after glory run.
5 And when our days are past,
And we from time remove,
O may we in Thy bosom rest
The bosom of Thy love !
15. L. M.
Evening Hymn.
LORY to Thee, my God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light:
Keep me, O keep me, King of kings,
Under Thy own almighty wings.
2 Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,
The ills that I this day have done •
That with the world, myself, and Thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
3 Teach me to live, that I may dread
The grave as little as my bed :
Teach me to die, that so I may
Triumphant rise at the last day.
16. Foimt.
COME, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace ;
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise ;
Teach me some melodious-sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above ;
Praise the mount,—oh fix me on it,—
Mount of God's unchanging love.
92
2 Here I raise my Ebenezer,
Hither by Thy help I'm come ;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home:
Jesus sought me, when a stranger,
Wand'ring from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.
3 Oh to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be !
Let that grace, Lord, like a fetter,
Bind my wand'ring heart to Thee.
Frone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
17. L. M. Dwight.
" Now is the accepted Time."
While life prolongs its precious light,
Mercy is found, and peace is given;
But soon, ah soon, approaching night
Shall blot out every hope of heaven.
2 While God invites, how blessed the day !
How sweet the Gospel's charming sound!
Come, sinners, haste, O haste away,
While yet a pard'ning God is found.
3 Soon, borne on time's most rapid wing,
Shall death command you to the grave,
Before the bar your spirits bring,
And none be found to hear cr save.
93
4 In that lone land of deep despair
No Sabbath's heavenly light shall rise,
No God regard your bitter prayer,
No Saviour call you to the skies.
18. C. M.
For Family Worship.
Lord, another day is flown,
And we, a lonely band,
Are met once more before Thy throne,
To bless Thy fost'ring hand.
2 And wilt Thou bend a list'ning ear,
To praises low as ours ?
Thou wilt! for Thou dost love to hear
The song which meekness pours.
3 And Jesus, Thou Thy smiles wilt deign,
As we before Thee pray;
For Thou didst bless the infant train,
And we are less than they.
4 O let Thy grace perform its part,
And let contention cease;
And shed abroad in ev'ry heart
Thine everlasting peace I
19. S. M.
Morning Hymn.
SEE how the morning sun
Pursues his shining way;
And wide proclaims his Maker's praise,
With every bright'ning ray.
94
2 Thus wou'J my rising soul,
Its heavenly Parent sing;
And to its great original,
Its humble tribute bring.
3 Serene I laid me down,
Beneath llis guardian care;
I slept, and I awoke, and found
My Lind Preserver near I
4 My lift' I would anew
L>i"vote, <) Lord, to Thee;
And in I'll) service 1 would spend
A long eternity.
20. L. M.
Seeking Pardon.-Psalm xxvii. 8.
T ord, at Thy feet I prostrate fall :
Opprest w ith fears, to Thee I call
Reveal Tliy pard'ning love to nie
And set my captive spirit free.
2 Ilast Thou not said, " Seek ye my fac
The invitation I embrace;
I'll ieelc Ihy fare—Thy Spirit give !
() let me see Thy face, anil live.
3 I'll seek Thy face with crit s and tears,
With s 'Ciet si;^lii and fervent prayers;
And if not heard, I'll waiting bit,
And peri >li at my Saviour's feet.
4 Then venture, () my soul, in prayer,
For none c ;in peri .h pleading th< re :
Ihe Mood ( f Christ, that < rimson sea,
Shall wai.h my loud of guilt aw-iy,
95
21. C. M. C. Weslny.
Praying for faith.
Leather, I stretch my hands to Thee,
No other help I know ;
If Thou withdraw Thyself from me,
Ah ! whither shall I go ?
2 What did Thine only Son endure,
Before I drew my breath !
What pain, what labor, to secure
My soul from endless death!
3 O Jesus, could I this believe,
I now should feel Thy power!
Now my poor soul Thou wouldst retrieve,
Nor let me wait one hour.
4 Author of faith, to Thee I lift
My weary, longing eyes!
O let me now receive that gift,
My soul without it dies !
5 Surely thou canst not let me die;
O speak, and I shall live;
And here I will unwearied lie,
Till Thou Thy Spirit give.
6 The worst of sinners would rejoice,
Could they but see thy face;
O let me hear Thy quick'ning voice,
And taste Thy pard'ning grace 1
96
i
DOXOLOGIES.
22. S. M. Watt
glori v ta.tri.
ive to the leather praise,
Give glory to the Son :
And to the Spirit of His grace
Be equal honor done.
23. C. M. llratts.
Now let the Father, and the Son,
And Spirit, be adored;
Where there are works to make Ilim known,
Or saints to love the Lord.
24. L. M. Ken.
TDratse God, from'whom all blessings flow;
1'raise Ilim, all creaturts ht re below;
Trai.se Ilim above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Iloly Gho'-t!
25. 7 s. C. IVuley,
Qino we to our God above,
^ I'r.ii .e eternal as His love:
Praise Him, all ye heavenly host,—
Father, Son and Holy Gho&t.
| COURSE OF STUtr
[ ADMISSION TTTTSil. rWI^Ke
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Howson
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