%t iFrnm t\}t Sltbrarg of Mtqm^ti^ti hg l|tm to tl|p ffitbrary nf ^Prinrrton Olj^nlngtral ^^mtnar^ BV 1477 .M67 1845 Mortimer, Favell Lee, 1802- 1878. The peep of day F^.vdl Lee. V!or-4\ THB PEEP OF DAY; OB, A SERIES OF THE EARLIEST RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION THE INFANT MIND IS CAPABLE OP RECEIVING. WITH VERSES ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE SUBJECTS. SECOND AMERICAN FROM THB SEVENTH LONDON EDITION. «* Truly the light is sweet ; and a pleasant thing it is for the eye« to behold the sviu." Eccles. xi. 7. NEW-YORK; PUBLISHED BY JOHN S. TAYLOR & CO. AT THB NEW-YORK SUNDAY SCHOOL AND JUVENILE BOOK DEPOSITORT, Brick Church Chapel, 145 Na^au Street. 1845. PREFACE. There are few who have attempted by means of books to prepare the infant mind for the reading of the Scriptures, who have not experienced the want of a suitable book by way of a first step. It was under a feeling of the need of this preparation, that the writer of the following pages has ventured to pub- lish her instructions of an infant class of little children ; having been induced, in the first instance, to write them down as soon as given, with a view to the governess reca- pitulating them during her absence of some months. The first course of these conversations she now offers to the public, humbly hoping that it may be found useful. 1. As affording hints to the inexperienced teacher of the infant poor. 2. As a reward-book for poor children. 3. As an aid to the young mother in her conversations with her child of four or five years old. 4. As a book for Sunday reading for the same child at five or six. It may appear that there are many books of a similar nature already published ; but such as have met the writer's eye, have rather been commentaries on the Scriptures, than preparations for their perusal. It is too common to defer religious instruction in schools^ IV PREFACE. till the child can read in the Testament. One quarter of ar hour, daily, devoted to instruction by word of mouth, would prepare the child for comprehending the meaning of the Testament, when able to read ; whereas now it has to com- bat at once with the difficulties of reading, and the far greater difficulties of the subject it reads of. Therefore it is not surprising that we should often find children who have read the Testament through, unable t< answer the simplest question. PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. The writer of the following pages has ventured, in this edition, to add some verses illustrative of each subject, in the hope of pleasing the little pupils, who shall be instructed from the book ; and not with a view of imposing the verses as a task to be learned by heart. She is aware that very young children will find the greater part of the verses too difficult to learn ; and that there are others, who may be able to understand them, who will take no interest in them. As it is her desire to render religious topics as attractive as possible, she hopes that in such cases no efforts will be used to force them upon the attention of the little pupils. On the other hand, she hopes that some children may be pleased by the expression in verse of thoughts, suggested by the various events brought under their notice ; nor does her consciousness of the humble pretensions of the following lines, preclude the hope ; as children are not able to relish poetry of a high order. While therefore she pleads inability to present those beau- ties which children could not appreciate, she has endeavoured to avoid falling into errors that might injure their taste. 1* VI PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION. It has also been her aim to refrain from allusions to doc* trines, or scriptural incidents, with which her Kttle readers may be unacquainted ; so that she hopes (with the exception of unavoidable transpositions, and a few words that would require explanation) the series of verses will be found level to the capacity of children at an early (though not the earliest) age. THE AUTHOR'S APOLOGY. When a new work, however insignificant, appears, it is natural to inquire why it was written ; and it is natural for the writer to desire to prove that there was a sufficient cause. The present work attempts to impart reHgious instruction to the infant, whose faculties are just opening. But some may reply — " Is not the attempt premature 1 Is an infant capa- ble of understanding sacred truths 1 Or, if capable, is it desirable that it should be taught T' Upon trial, it will be found that children can understand re- ligious truths at a very early age ; although the exact period is of course very difierent in different individuals. The sophis- tries which sinful inclinations suggest to the mind as life ad- vances, do not obscure the infant intellect. The child easily perceives that there must be a God, and acknowledges his power to be great ; the only objections it raises to any doc- trine are such, in general, as have never been solved by man, while the child finds no difficulty in believing that God's un- derstanding is infinitely greater than its own. And will it be deemed undesirable to instruct the infant in religion, when it is remembered that impressions made early on the mind are the most vivid and the most durable ; — that the readiest access is obtained to the young and tender heart ; — that itrong notions will be conceived by the ever busy in- tellect, if left uninstructed ; and that life being uncertain, the eternal happiness of a child, already knowing good from evil, may be endangered by delay *? viii THE author's If these arguments be admitted, the next question will re- gard the means of imparting religious instruction to young children. Shall they learn simple and short catechisms 1 Shall the Scriptures be read to them with explanation 7 or shall a few general truths be briefly stated to them'? Our minds are so much darkened by sin, that when we would ascertain our duty concerning spiritual things, we shall often find assistance by examining what we should do in an earthly matter of an analagous kind. St. Paul de- clares this to be his motive for using the illustration recorded in Rom. vi. 19. — " I speak after the manner of men, because of the infirmity of your flesh." Suppose then a father, compelled to leave his wife and child, and to sojourn in a distant land. In parting he com- mits the unconscious infant to the care of the mother, and thus expresses the feelings of a father's heart — " I know not when I shall return ; the time may be near or far distant. This is my earnest request, that whenever I do, I may find my child acquainted with my love for it, and prepared to love me Inspire it, if possible, with a desire to please me, and mould its character in conformity to my views. To the ingenuity of your aff*ection I confide the task." How would the mother betake herself, in pursuance of this request? Would she take the letters of the father, written to herself, and read them to the child, while yet its faculties were hardly unfolded'? Would she not fear by this method producing weariness and disgust '? Much less would she attempt by a series of written questions and an- swers, to be learnt by heart as a task, to interest the child in its father. Nor would she content herself by giving a general description of his goodness. Would not a mother, thus circumstanced, often talk to the child of its father, in language suited to its capacity ; re- late anecdotes of his virtue, such as the child could com- prehend ; repeat the gracious sayings he had uttered, yet translating them into language intelligible to the child 1 APOLOGY. IX How carefully would she guard against producing" confu- sion, by entering into complicated details ; while she would love to dwell upon the most minute incidents that would ar- rest infantine attention. She would fear the consequences of giving set lectures — but would intersperse narrative with conversation, carefully watching favourable opportunities for dropping a reflection. Verses in the father's praise would be familiar to the baby's lips ; yet even these would be taught with discretion, and not forcibly imposed. To infuse a prin- ciple of love would be the mother's aim, and she would strive to prepare the child for the performance of filial duties, chiefly by the strengthening of this principle. And has not Christ left his infant family with us 1 Has he not given us a charge concerning them in the well-known words — " Suffer the little children to come unto me and for- bid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven V* Touching and comprehensive words ! charge too imperfectly fulfilled ! How often have efforts been made to bring these children to their Father's bosom, that have in fact driven them further from it ! Yet there are many mothers at the present time who are seeking to bring their children to Christ ; and to them, as well as to the teachers of the infant poor, this little volume is presented. But lest a fear should arise, that in adapting sacred truths to infantine capacities, their awful dignity may be lowered, let us remember that the reverence God demands is princi- pally that of the heart : and that words which excite reve- rence in the chilcVs heart should not be condemned, because they may offend the ear of the bystander. The use of lan- guage in the communication of sacred truths involves vast condescension on the part of God towards man. Had he not chosen to use this condescension towards us, and even to speak as though He had passions, and bodily parts, he must ever have remained to us " an unknown God." Compared to this condescension, how sUght is any that can be used by us in instructing children ! THE author's And did our Shepherd bid us feed his lambs ! Behold I have prepared the tenderest grass, That grows on Zion's hill. Here feeble lambs May find sweet nourishment, and gather strength To climb the verdant heights, where the fair flock On richer pasture feed.* Say not too soon I urge their tottering steps. Should I forbear, On every side deceitful strangerst stand. And beckon them away ; in flowery paths Awhile in sport ; and then to wander long Amidst the hills of darkness and of death ;t Where hungry beasts, in every thicket hid, Wait to devour ;§ and should they e'er return, With fleeces all defil'd and bleeding feet The wanderers would come. Oh can they know Too soon their Shepherd's voice, or love his name Too soon, or in his gentle arms repose !ll Then come, my little ones, and hear me tell Of Jesus' dying love. If God shall pour His Spirit from on high, your infant hearts Shall thrill with tenderness ; you'll run to meet Your Shepherd's fond embrace ; who shall forbid^ 'Tis Jesus bids you come, and calls you his ; And who shall pluck you from that pierced side IIT 'Tis Jesus' arms encircle you around ; In sight of all your foes, they'll bear you safe * Their pastures shall be in all high places. Isa. xlix. 9. t John X. 5, 8. X My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill. Ez. xxxiv. 6. ^ They were scattered because there is no shepherd : and Ihey be- came meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. — Ex. xxxiv. 5. il He shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom. Is. xl. II. ir They shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John x. 28. APOLOGY; XI O'er many a rugged path and dangerous steep, To the sweet fold on Zion's summit fair.* And have you lodg'd your darling in those arms, Fond mother 1 Did you, as his reason dawn'd, And he began to muse on things unseen, Unfold the history of a Saviour's love, And painful death 1 And has that love won his*? O ! then should death's dark cloud arise, And from your sight conceal his cherub form, How sweet 'twill be to catch his parting soile, To see the infant angel, as he soars, Cling fondly round his own beloved Lord 1 * Upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be. Ez. xxxiv. 14. He that scattered Israel will gather him as a shepherd doth his flock. Therefore they shall come and sing iu the heights of Zion. Jer. xxxi. 10,12. CONTENTS. t.E8SO?r PAGR 1. Of the body 15 2. Of a mother's care ------ 19 3. Of a father's care 24 4. Of the soul 28 5. Of the good angels ----- 33 6. Of the wicked angels ----- 37 7. The world, Part I. 44 8. The world, Part II. 47 9. The world, Part III. 51 10. Adam and Eve ------ 56 11. The first sin 58 12. The Son of God 62 13. The Virgin Mary 66 14. The birth of Jesus 69 15. The shepherds ------ 71 16. The wise men -------73 17. King Herod 75 18. The Temptation 78 19. The twelve disciples ----- 83 20. The first miracle 87 21. Several miracles ------ 89 22. The Sinner and Simon 92 23. The storm at sea 95 24. Jairus' daughter ------ 97 25. The loaves and fishes 99 26. The kindness of Jesus 104 27. The Lord's prayer 106 28. Jesus foretels his death ----- 109 29. Lazarus ..----- 113 2 CONTENTS. LEgSON PAGB 30. Jesus enters Jerusalem - - - - - 117 31. The temple 121 32. Judas 123 33. The last supper, Part I. - - - - 126 34. The last supper, Part II. 130 35. The last supper, Part III. - - - - 132 36. The garden -----.- 135 37. Peter's denial 140 38. Pontius Pilate 143 39. Judas' death 148 40. The cross, Part I. 150 41. The cross, Part II. 152 42. The cross, Part III. 155 43. The soldiers 157 44. The grave 159 45. The resurrection ------ 161 46. Mary Magdalene 165 47. The two friends going to Emmaus - - 168 48. Thomas 173 49. The dinner 176 50. The ascension ------- 181 51. Peter in prison ------ 183 52. John 189 53. The judgment day 193 Hints to teachers ------- 201 CLuestions on the Lessons ----- 203 Verses to be committed to memory - - - - 223 As it is evident that tlie greatest accuracy is essential in tlie founda- tion of an edifice, tlie writer lias endeavoured to prove erery state- ment eitlier by tlie notes or by thie references prefixed to eacij chapter, both of whicli are intended solely for llie use of tlie teacher* THE PEEP OF DAY. LESSON I. OF THE BODY. My dear little children; — You have seen the sun in the sky. Who put the sun in the sky ? — God. Can you reach up so high ? — No. Who holds up the sun that it does not fall ?*— It is God. God lives in heaven ; heaven is much high- er than the sun.t Can you see God ? — No. Yet he can see you, for God sees every thing, t God made every thing at first, and God * " Upholding all things by the word of his power." Heb. 1.3. t " He ascended up far above all heavens." Eph. iv. 10. J " The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Prov, xv. 3. 16 THE BODY. takes care of every thing.* God made the sun, and God makes it shine every day. God made the rain. God pours it down.t God made the wind, and he makes it blow.t God made you, my little child, and God keeps you alive.§ You have a little body : from your head down to your feet, I call your body. Your little body is alive. Are all things alive ? — No. The stones are not alive. But you are not like the stones. Feel the stones. How cold they are ! Your little body is warm. Who makes it warm ? — God. Though God lives in heaven, he looks down from heaven, and keeps you alive. II Put your hand before your mouth. What do you feel coming out of your mouth ? It is your breath. You breathe every moment. When you are asleep you breathe. You can- not help breathing. But who gives you breath?! ♦ " O Lord, thou preservest man and beast." Ps. xxxvi. 6. t Job xxxviii. 26, 27. t " He causeth his wind to blow." Ps. cxlviii. 18. § " In hiin we live, and move, and have our being." Acts xvii. 28. II " Thy visitation hath preserved my spirit." Job X. 12. TT " He that giveth breath unto the people that are upon {the earth.") Is. xlii. 5. THE BODY. 17 God does every thing. God gave you this little body, and he makes it live, and move, and breathe. There are bones in your body. God has made them strong and hard.* There are som3 bones for your arms, and some bones for your legs. There is a bone for your back, and more bones for your sides. God has covered your bones with flesh. Your flesh is soft and warm. In your flesh there is blood. God has put skin outside,t and it covers your flesh and blood like a coat. Now all these things, the bones, and flesh, and blood, and skin, are called your body. How kind of God it was to give you a body.§ I hope that your body will not get hurt. Will your bones break ? Yes, they would, if you were to fall down from a high place, or if a cart were to go over them. If you were to be very sick, your flesh would waste away, and you would have scarcely any thing left but skin and bones. Did you ever see a child who had been sick a very long while ? — I have seen a sick baby. It had not round cheeks like yourS) • * " Thou hast fenced me with bones." Job. x. 11. i t " Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh." Job x. 11, } " I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Ps. cxxxix. 14. 18 THE BODY. and a fat arm like this. The baby's flesh was ahiiost gone, and its little bones were only covered with skin. God has kept you strong and well. How easy it would be to hurt yxiur poor little body ! If it were to fall into the fire, it would be burned up. If hot water were to fall upon it it would be scalded. If it were to fall into deep water, and not be taken out very soon, it would be drowned. If a great knife were run through your body, the blood would come out. If a great box were to fall on your head, your head would be crushed. U you were to fall out of the window, your neck would be broken. If you were not to eat some food for a few days, your little body would be very sick, your breadth would stop, and you would grow cold, and you would soon be dead. You see that you have a very wealv little body.* Can you keep your own body from being sick, and from getting hurt ? You should try not to hurt yourself, but God only can keep your body from all harm, from fire and water, from wounds and bruises, and ♦ " {Theif) that dwell in houses of clay, which are crush" ed before the moth." Job iv, 19. A mother's care. 19 all kinds of sickness.* Kneel down and say to Godj " Pray, keep my poor little body from getting hurt." God will hear you, and go on taking care of you. 1. My little body's form'd by God; 'Tis made of flesh and blood : The slender bones are plac'd within, And over all is laid the skin. 2. My little body's very weak : A fall or blow my bones might break ; The water soon might stop my breath ; The fire might close my eyes in death. 3. But God can keep me by his care : To him I'll say this little pray'r: " O God ! from harm my body keep, Both when I wake, and when I sleep." LESSON II. OP A mother's CARE.t I HAVE told yoUj my darling, about your little body. Was your body always as big as it is ♦ " The Lord shall preserve me from all evil." Ps. cxxi. 7. t This lesson, and the following, are especially adapted to poor children. It would be easy to a parent or teacher to speak to children of a higher class upon the same subject^ in an appropriate manner. 20 A MOTHERS CARE. now ? — No. Once it was very small in- deed. What were you called when your body was very small ? — A baby. Now you can take a little care of yourself, but then you could take no care at all. Can babies walk, or talk, or feed themselves, or dress themselves ? — No. But God sent you to a person who took great care of you when you were a baby. Who was it ? Your dear mother, she took care of you then. She nursed you in her arms, and fed you, and took you out in the air, and washed you, and dressed you. Do you love your mother ? — Yes. I know you do. But who gave you a mo- ther ? — It was God who sent you to a kind mother. A little while ago there was no such little creature as you.* Then God made your little body, and he sent you to your mother, who loved you as soon as she saw you. It was God who made your mother love you so much,! and made her so kind to you. Your kind mother dressed your poor little * " We are of yesterday." Job viii. 9. t " God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince." Dan, i, 9. A mother's care. 21 body in neat clothes, and laid you in a cradle. When you cried, she gave you food, and hushed you to sleep in her arms. She show- ed you pretty things to make you smile. She held you up, and showed you how to move your feet. She taught you to speak, and she often kissed you, and called you sweet names. Is your mother kind to you still? — Yes, she is. Your mother has sent you to this nice school, and gives you supper when you go home. I know she will be kind to you as long as she lives. But remember who gave you this mother. God sent you to a dear mother, instead of putting you in the fields, where no one would have seen you, or taken care of you ? Can your mother keep you alive ? — No. She can feed you, but she cannot make your breath go on. God thinks of you every moment.* If he were to forget you, your breath would stop. Do you ever thank your mother for her kindness ? — Yes. You often say, '• Thank you," and sometimes you put your arms round * " Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings 1 and not one of them is forgotten before God. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Luke xii, 6. 7, 22 A mother's care. her neck and say, " I do love you so much, dear mother !" Will you not thank God who gave you a mother, and keeps you alive 7 You should kneel down when you speak to God ; then you should say, " O God, how good you have been to me ! I thank you, and love you." Would God hear your little thanks? — YeSj God would hear and be pleased.* 1 Who fed me from her gentle breast, And hush'd me in her arms to rest, And on my cheek sweet kisses prest 1 My Mother. 2 "When sleep forsook my open eye, Who was it sung sweet hush-aby, And rock'd me that I should not cry 1 J My Mother. 3 "Who sat and watched my infant head, "When sleeping on my cradle bed, And tears of sweet aflfection shed 1 My Mother, 4 "When pain and sickness made me cry, "Who gaz'd upon my heavy eye. And wept for fear that I should die 1 My Mother. * " I will praise the name of God with a song, and mag- nify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox. or bullock, that hath horns and hoofs." Ps. Ixix. 30, 31. A mother's care. 23 5 Who ran to help me when I fell, And would some pretty story tell, Or kiss the place to make it well 1 My Mother. 6 Who taught my infant lips to pray, And love God's holy book and day, And walk In wisdom's pleasant way 1 My Mothen 7 And can I ever cease to be Affectionate and kind to thee, Who wast so very kind to me, My Mother 1 8 Ah no ! the thought I cannot bear, And if God please my life to spare, I hope I shall reward thy care, My Mother. 9 When thou art feeble, old, and gray, My healthy arm shall be thy stay, And I will soothe thy pains away. My Mother. 10 And when I see thee hang thy head, 'Twill be my turn to watch thy bed. And tears of sweet affection shed, My Mother. 11 For God who lives above the skies, Would look with vengeance in his eyes. If 1 should ever dare despise My Mother. Mrs. GUbeifs Original Poem, 24 A father's care. LESSON III. OF A father's care. Who is it that dresses you and feeds you ?— Your dear mother. But how does your mother get money to buy the clothes, and the food ? — Father brings it home. How does your father get money? — He works in the field. Your father works all day long, and he gets money and brinsfs it home to mother. He says to your mother, " Buy some bread with this money, and give some of it to the chil- dren." Will your father give his money to buy bread for you ? that is very kind of him. Do you love your father. How hard your poor father works in the fields ! What is your father, little Ann ? — He is a thresher. Your father then works hard on the farm. In the spring he takes his scythe to mow the grass, and as he mows, he bends his back till it aches. In harvest time he takes his sickle and reaps, while the hot sun beats upon his poor head. Afterwards he threshes the corn with all his strength. In the cold weather he A father's care. 25 follows the plough, while the cold rain and sleet beat upon his face. Why does he bear all this ? That you may have plenty of food, and be fat and rosy. While he is ploughing, he often thinks of you, and hopes that he shall find you a good child when he comes home. You are glad to see him, I know. Sometimes you run to meet him, you set a chair by the fire, and then you climb upon his knee. Sometimes he is too much tired to speak to you. Then you wait till he has had his supper. What is your father, Mary? — A shep- herd. Your father watches the sheep all day long. Sometimes he gets up in the night to look aJf- ter the young lambs, and the sick sheep. What kind fathers God has given you ! Who made your father love you at first ?-^ It was God. Your father loves you so much, that he gives you all you want. He has a little cot* tage, and he pays some of his money for it, but he allows you to live in it with him. He lets you sit upon one of his chairs, or upon a little stool by his nice warm fire ; and he gives you some of his breakfast, dinner, and supper. 3 26 A father's care. If your father were to die, what should you do ?- You would then be a fatherless child. Could your father die ? — O yes ; many little children have no father. I have heard of a little child whose father fell down from a high ladder and was killed. Another child's father was kicked by a horse and died. Another father was digging a deep well, and his breath was stopped. Some children's fathers fall sick and die. Perhaps your father may die, but God can keep him alive. You can pray to God to keep him alive. In the morning you can say, " Let father come home this evening safe." But if God were to let your father die, you would still have one father left. Whom do I mean ? what do you say in your prayer ? — " Our Father who art in heaven." Yes, you have a Father in heaven, besides the father you have at hp^e, for God is your Father.* Can your heavenly Father die ? — No, never. Does he love you ? — Yes. He loves you even more than your other father does.t He is always thinking of you. * "Forasmuch, then, as we are the offspring of God," &c. &c. Acts xvii. 29. t •' When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up." Ps. xxvii. 10. A father's care. 27 He is always looking at you. He gives you part of his things. He would like you to come and live with him in heaven some day.* He loves your father too. He is the Father of your father. Let us think of the things which your heav- enly Father has given to you. Let us count them over. 1. Father to work for you. 2. Mother to take care of you. 3. A house to live in. 4. A bed to sleep in. 5. Fire to warm you. 6. Clothes to wear. 7. Foad to eat. 8. Breath every moment. OP LITTLE Ann's father who is a labourer in tub FIELDS. 1. At early morn to plough he goes, Through wintry rain and sleet : In summer when he reaps and mows, He faints beneath the heat : And what he earns, he shares with me, How very thankful I should be ! * " God, our Saviour, who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim. u 4. 28 THE SOUL. OF LITTLE Mary's father, who is a shepherd. 2. On hills and moors his days he spends In watching o'er his sheep : His weak young Iambs at night he tends, When I am fast asleep; And what he earns, he shares with me, How very thankful I should be I OF LITTLE Susan's father, who was a fishuman 3 His net he casts into the sea, And brings the fish to shore ; When waves are high, I fear lest he Should never come back more: And what he earns, he shares with me, How very thankful I should be ! LESSON ly. OF THE SOUL. Has God been kind to dogs ? Has he given them bodies ? — Yes. Have they bones, and flash, and blood, and skin ? — Yes. The dog has a body as well as you. Is the dog's body like yours ? — No. How many legs have you? — Two. How many legs has the dog ? — I'our. Have you got arms ? — Yes, two. THE SOUL. 29 Has the dog got arms ? — No, it has got no arms, or hands. But the dog has legs instead. Your skin is smooth, but the dog is covered witli hair. Is the cat's body like yours ? — No, it is cov- ered with fur. • Is a chicken's body like yours ? How many legs has the chicken ? — Two. And so have you. But are its legs like yours ? No, the chicken has very thin, dark legs, and it has claws, instead of feet. Have you feathers on your skin ? Have you wings ? Is your mo^uth like a chicken's beak ? Has the chicken any teeth ? — No, the chick- en's body is not at all like yours. Yet the chicken has a body — for it has flesh, and bones, and blood, and skin. Has a fly got a body ? — Yes it has a black body, and six black legs, and two Avings like glass. Its body is not at all like yours. Who gave bodies to dogs, horses, chickens, and flies ? Who keeps them alive ? God thinks of all these creatures every mo- ment.* Can a dog thank God? — No; dogs and horses, sheep and cows, cannot thank God. * " Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings 1 and not one of them is forgotten before God." Luke xii. 6. 3* HO THE SOUL. Why cannot they thank God? Is it be- cause they cannot talk ? That is not the reason. The reason is they cannot think of God. They never heard of God. They cannot un- derstand about God.* Why not? — Because they have no soulsj or spirits, Hke yours. Have you got a soul ? — Yes, in your body there is a soul which will never die. Your soul can think of God. When God made your body he put your soul inside. Are you glad of that? When God made the dogs, he put no soul like yours inside their bodies, and they cannot think of God. Can I see your soul ? — No ; I cannot see it. No one can see it, but God.f He knows what you are thinking of now. Which is best, your soul or your body ? — Your soul is a great deal the best. Why is your soul the best ? — Your body can die, but your soul cannot die.+ Shall I tell you what your body is made * " Be not as the horse or the mule, which have no under- standing." Ps. xxxii. 9. t " Thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men." 1 Kings viii. 39. t " What shall a man give in exchange for his soul %" Matt.XYi ar. THE SOUL. 31 of? — Of dust. God made the dust into flesh and blood. What is your soul made of? — Your soul or spirit, is made of the breath of God.* That little dog will die some day. Its body will be thrown away.f The dog will be quite gone, when its body is dead.t But when your body dies, your soul will be alive, and you will not be quite gone.t Where would you be put, if you were dead ? — Your body would be put in a hole in the ground, but your soul would not be in the hole § Even a little baby has a soul or a spirit. One day as I was walking in the streets, I saw a man carrying a box. Some people were walking behind, crying. There was a dead baby in the box. Was the soul of the baby in the box ! — No its soul was gone up to God. II * " And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of Ufe, and man became a living soul." Gen. ii. 7. t " The beasts that perish." Ps. xl. 20. J " Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, ftnd the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth r' Eccles. iii. 21. § " Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God that gave it." Eccles. xii. 7. li " I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." 2 Sam. xii. 23. 32 THE SOFL. Will you not thank God for giving you a spirit? Will you not ask him to take your spirit to live with him, when your body dies ?* Say to God, " Pray, take my spirit to live with thee when my body dies and turns into dust." CHILD. Tell me, mamma, if I must die, ' One day, as little baby died ; And look so very pale and he Down in the pit-hole by his side 1 Shall I leave dear papa and you, And never see you any more % Tell me, mamma, if this is true; I did not know it was before. MAMMA. 'Tis true my love, that you must. die; The God who made you says you must ; And every one of us shall lie, Like the dear baby, in the dust. These hands, and feet, and busy head, Shall waste and crumble quite away : But though your body shall be dead, There is a part which can't decay. JaTie Taylor's Hymns for Infant Minds. What is that part which can't decay? — It is your soul. * '= We are willing rather to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord." 2 Cor. v. 8. THE GOOD AJJGELS. 39 Your body will decay : it will turn to dust ; but your soul will live for ever : it will never decay. LESSON y. OF THE GOOD ANGELS» You know that God lives in heaven. He sits on a great white throne.* He has no body, for he is a spirit.t Does he live in heaven alone ? — No ; an- gels stand all around his throne.t What are angels? Angels are spirits. § They are bright like the sun,li but they are not so bright as God, for he is brighter than the sun.^ The angels are always looking at God,** and it is God that makes them shine so bright. • " And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it." Rev. XX. 11. t " God is a spirit." John iv. 24. t "All the angels stood round about the throne." Rev. vii. II. § " Who maketh his angels spirits." Ps. civ. 4. II " His countenance was like lightning." Matt, xxviii. 3. IT " I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the V-xightness of the sun." Acts xxvi. 13. ** " Their angels do always behold the face of my Father «fhich is in heaven. " Matt, xviii. 10. 34 THE GOOD ANGELS. They sing sweet songs about God.* They say, ^' How good God is ! how wise ! how great !" There is no night in heaven,t for the angels are never tired of singing, and they never wish to sleep, t They are never sick, and they will never die. They never weep ; there are no tears upon their cheeks, but sweet smiles, for angels are always happy. § If the angels are naughty they would be unhappy. Naughtiness always makes people unhappy. The angels are quite good.!' They love God very much, and mind all he says.*[F * " I heard the voice of many angels, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb, &c. And every creature which is in heaven, &c. heard I saying, Blessing and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." Rev. v. 11. 12. + " There shall be no night there." Rev. xxii. 5. t " It is said of the four beasts (which evidently signify saints,) " That they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty." Rev. iv. 8. Angels " excel in strength." Ps. ciii. 20. § It is said of the saints, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain." Rev. xxi. 4. Now the saints will then be "equal unto the angels." Luke xx. 35, 36. 11 "God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down into hell." 2 Peter ii. 4. IT "Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his that do his pleasure." Ps, ciii. 21. THE GOOD ANGELS, 9^ They have wings.* and can fly very quick- ly .t God sends them down here to take care ot us.t As soon as God tells an angel to go, he begins to fly.o They are very strong, and can keep us from harm. 11 Should you like the angels to be near you at night ? Do you know this pretty verse of a hymn ? I lay my body down to sleep, Let angels guard my head, And through the hours of darkness, keep Their watch around my bed. You must ask God to send the angels, for they never go except when God sends them.^f God is their father.** They have not two fathers, as you have. The angels are the • ** Above it stood the seraphim : each one had six wings." Is. vi. 2. t " The man Gabriel being caused to fly swiftly." Dan. ix. 21. X "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to min- ister to those who shall be heirs of salvation 1" Heb. i. 14. § " (^TJiey) do his commandments, hearkening to the voice of his word." Ps. ciii. 20. il " (Angels) shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." Ps. xci. 12. IT *• Thinkest thou that 1 cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels'?" Matt. xxvi. 53. ** " Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth 1 When the morning stars sang together, and all the soTis of God shouted for joy V Job xxxviii. 4, 7, 36 THE GOOD ANGELS. children of God, and live in God's house in heaven. When you mind what your Father tells you, then you are like the angels who mind God. The angels love us very much. They wish us to grow goc { and to come to live with them in heaven.* When a child is sor ry for its naughtness, and prays to God to for give it, the angels are very much pleased.t When a little child, who loves God, falls sick, and is going to die, God says to the an- gels, " Go and fetch that little child's soul up to heaven. "+ Then the angels fly down, the little darling shuts its eyes, it lays its head on its mother's bosom, its breath stops ; — the child is dead. Where is its soul ? — The an- gels are carrying it up to heaven. How happy the child is now ! Its pain is over; it is grown quite good;§ it is bright like an angel. Ii It holds a harp in its hand, * " Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones ; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always be- hold the face of my Father which is in heaven." Matt, xviii. 10. t " There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Luke xv. 10. X "And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by angels into Abraham's bosom." Luke xvi. 22. § " The spirits of just men made ^s'^/cc^." Heb. xii. 23. II " Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of the'j F'Jiier." Matt. xiii. 43. THE WICKED ANGELS. 37 and begins to sing a sweet song of praise to God.* Its little body is put into a grave, and turns into dust. One day God will make its body alive again. Dear children, will you pray to God to send kis angels to fetch your souls when you die? Around God's glorious throne above, The happy Angels stand, And ever praise the Grod they !ove, And fly at his command. Their faces, like the sun, are bright, And sweetest smiles they wear ; They never sleep ; there is no night, Nor need of candle there. But though the Angels live so high, They love us men below : And hope to see us in the sky In garments white as snow. And when a dying infant lies Upon its Mother's breast, The Angels watch it while it dies, And take its soul to rest. LESSON VI. OF THE WICKED ANGELS. When did God begin to live in heaven J — God always lived in heaven. t ♦ " I heard the voice of harpers harping vdth their harps. These were redeemed from among men." Rev. xiv. 2, 4, t " From everlasting to everlasting thou art God." Ps. xc. 3. 4 38 THE WICKED ANGELS. Once there was no such little child as you, but there always was God. Once there Avas no sun, but there always was God. Once there were no angels,* but there al- ways was God. No one made God ; God was the first of all things, and God made everything. A very long while ago God made the angels. How many angels did he make? — No one could tell how many. There were more than could be counted.! They were all good and happy. But some of the angels grew bad. They left off loving God, and grew proud and diso- bedient. Yfould God let them stay in heaven after they were bad ? — No ; he cast them out, and put them in chains, and shut them up in a dark placet One of these bad angels was called Satan. He was the chief, or prince of the bad angels. » " By him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible." Col. i. 16, 17. t " An innumcrabk company of angels." Heb. xii. 22. t " The angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day>" Jade 6. THE WICKED ANGELS. ^x He is called the devil.* The devil is very wickedjt and hates God. He can never go back to heaven again,* but he comes here where we livej§ and he brinofs the other devils with him. 11 We cannot see Satan, because he is a spirit, but he is always walking about, and trying to make people naughty.^ Satan loves mischief; he does not wish to be good- It pleases Satan to see people in pain and in tears,** but it pleases him best to see them naughty, because then he thinks that they will come and live with him in his dark place. He wishes that there should be a great many people in hell, so he tries to make us do * " That old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world, for he was cast out into the earth and his angels were cast out with him." Rev. xii. 9. " The prince of the power of the air." Eph. ii. 2. + " The devil sinneth from the beginning." 1 John iii. 8. t " But the angels which kept not their first estate he hath reserved in everlasling chains." Jude 6. § " Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from ft'alking up and down in it." Jobi. 7. II (Sa/an) " was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." Rev. xii. 9. TT " The spirit which now worketh in the children of dis- obedience." Eph. ii. 2. ** " In mine adversity they rejoiced." Ps. xxx. 15. — " Thou lovest evil more than good." Ps. Iii. 3. " He loved cursing," Ps, cix. 17. — All that is said of the wicked ap- 40 THE WICKED ANGELS. wicked things, and to keep us from praying to God.* I cannot tell you how very bad Satan is. He is very cruel, for he likes to give pain.f He is a liar, and teaches people to tell lies. J He is proud,§ and wishes people to mind him more than God. He is envious, and cannot bear to see people happy. II The devil hopes very much that you will come and live with him when you die. He knows that if you are bad like him, you will live with him. So he tries to make you like himself When you are in a passion you are like the devil. When you say, " I don't care," you are like the devil. When you think your- self good, you are proud like the devil. plies in a higher degree to Satan, as the author of sin, for Christ said to tl^e wicked, " Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of tjmir father ye will do." Johnviii. 44. * " Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat." Luke xxii. 31. " For if our gos- pel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost : in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which beUeve not." 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4. + Satan is called " a roaring lion." 1 Peter v, 8. His " fiery darts" are spoken of Eph. vi. 16. X " He is a liar, and the father of it." John viii. 44. § "All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down r.nd worship me." Mat. iv. 9. II This is proved by Satan having ruined man, and by his continuing to tempt him. THE WICKED ANGELS. 4L1t Can God keep }^'oii from minding' the devil 7 Yes ; he can, for God is a great deal stronger than Satan.* Besides this, God is always near you, for God is everywhere. Now Sa- tan cannot be everywhere at the same time. It is true that Satan has a great many angels, who go where he tells them : and that Satan and his angels come near you very often. But God is always with you ; he is before you and behind you, and on every side of you : he is about your bed when you sleep, and about your path when you walk.t Therefore you need not be afraid of Satan ; only ask God to help you and he will do so. Satan is much stronger than you are ;t but God is stronger than all. If anybody were to come to hurt you when you were alone, you would be frightened : but if you saw your father coming, you would run to him, and you would not be frightened any more. Now God is your father, he can keep Satan from hurting you. Pray to him and say ; " O dear * " O Lord Gfod of hosts, who is a strong Lord, Uke unto theer' Ps. Ixxxix. 1. t " Thou compasseth my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. Thou hast beset me be- hind and before." Ps. cxxxix. 3, 5. t " For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principahties, against powers." Eph, vi. 12. 4* 42 THE WICKED ANGELS. Father, keep me from being' wicked like the devil, and from going to hell.' 5J* Satan was once an angel bright, And worshipp'd God on high; But now he dwells in darkest night — And endless misery. Daring his God to disobey He lost his happy state : Sinners above conld never stay Around God's throne to wait. Thousands of angels with him fell, Who owned him as their king ; Hoping with us to share their hell, They tempt our souls to sin. CHILD. God, unto Thee I'll lift my pfay'r, (He'll hear an infant cry,) " Save me, O God, lest I should share In Satan's- misery." TERSES FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN', On the subject of the preceding lessons. God lives on high Beyond the «ky, And angels bright All clotn'd in white The praises sing Of Heaven's Ki»g. This God can see Both you and me j Can see at nighty As in the light : And all we do Remember too. ♦ " Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James iv. 7. One of the directions for withstanding the wiles of the devil is, "Praying always with all prayer and supplica- li©n." Eph. vi. 19 THE WICKED ANGELS. 43 *Tis He bestows My food and clothes, And my soft bed To rest my head. And cottage neat, And mother sweet. And should not I For ever try To do what He Has order'd me, And dearly love This Friend above 1 I always should Be very good ; At home should mind Aly parents kind ; At school obey What teachers say. Now if I fight, And scratch, and bite, In passions fall, And bad names call, Full well I know Where I shall go. Satan is glad When I am bad, And hopes that I With him shall lie In fire and chains And dreadful pains. All liars dwell With him in hell, And many more Who curs'd, and swore, And all who did What God forbid. And I have not Done what I ought : I am not fit With God to sit. And angels bright All cloth'd in white. I will confess My naughtiness; And will entreat For mercy sweet. O Lord! forgive. And let me live. My body must Be turn'd to dust, Then let me fly, Beyond the sky And see thy face In that sweet place.*' 44 THE WORLD. LESSON vn. THE W O R L D — P ART I. Gen. i. 1—10. This large place we live in is called the world. It is very beautiful. If we look up we see the blue sky, if we look down we see the green grass. The sky is like a curtain spread over our heads, the grass like a carpet under our feet, and the bright sun is like a can- dle to give us light. It was very kind of God to make such a beautiful world, and to let us live in it. God was in heaven and all his bright an- gels round him, when he began to make the world.* God's son was with him — for God always had a Son,t just like himself t His Son's name is Jesus Christ. He is as good and great as God his Father. The Father and the Son are God : they always lived together, * "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth 1 when all the sons of God shouted for joy V Job xxxviii. 4, 7. t " I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When he appointed the foundations of the earth, then I was by him." Prov. viii. 23, 29, 30. t " The express image of his person." Heb. i. 3. THE WORLD. 43 and they love each other exceedingly.* The Father and the Son are one God, and they made the world.f How did God make the world ? — By speak- ing. First of all God made the light. God said, " Let there be light," and there was light. No one can make things by speaking but God ; God made things of nothing. He only spoke and the light came.t Then God made the air. You cannot see the air but you can feel it. The air is every- where. You can sometimes hear the noise it makes, for you can hear the wind blow, and the wind is air. Next God put some water up very high. The clouds are full of water, and sometimes the water comes down, and we call it rain. God made a large deep place and filled it with water. God spoke to the water, and it rushed into the deep place. God called this water the sea.§ ♦ '• I was daily his delight." Prov. viii. 30, " But that the world may know that I love the Father." Johnxiv. 31. t " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him." John i. 1,3. t " Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen are not made of things that do appear." Heb. xi. 3. § " The waters stood above the mountains. At thy re- 4$ THE WORLD. The sea is very large and it is always mov- ing up and down, and tossing itself; but it cannot get out of the large deep place in which God has put it ; for God said, " Stay there."* When the wind blows hard, the sea makes a loud noise and roars. But God made some dry land for us to walk upon ; we call it ground. We could not walk upon the sea, nor build houses on the sea : but the ground is hard, and firm, and dry. Now I have told you of five things that God made. 1. The light. 2. The air. 3. The clouds. 4. The sea. 5. The dry land. Let us praise God for making such a large and beautiful world. 'Twas God, who made this world so fair, The shining sun, the sky, the air: 'Twas God who made the sea, the ground, And all the things I see around. buke they fled : they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them." Ps. civ. G — 8. * " (When I) brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, and said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further ; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed," Job Xixviii. 10, 11. THE "WORLD. 47 When He began the world to make, These were the mighty words He spake ; " Let there be light :" His voice was heard : And the obedient light appeared. The angels saw the light arise, And with their praises filled the skies. "How great our God! How wise! How strong l** Such is their never-ending song. LESSON YIII. THE WORLD. PART II. Gen. i. 11—19. When God made the dry land, there was nothing on it ; it was bare. So God spake, and things grew out of the ground. Trees came up out of it ; they were covered with green leaves of different shapes. Some were called oak-trees, and some were called elm-trees, and some beech-trees. And some trees bore nice fruit, such as plum-trees, ap- ple-trees, orange-trees, and fig-trees. Vegetables grew out of the earth ; pota- toes and beans, cabbages and lettuce, they are called vegetables. Corn came out of it. Some corn is called 48 THE WORLD. wheat, and some corn is called barley, and some is called oats. The ears of corn bend down when they are ripe, and look yellow like gold. God made the soft green grass to spring up, and the flowers to grow among the grass — flowers of all colours, and of sweetest smell. The yellow butter-cup, the white lily, the blue violet, and the rose, the most beautiful of all flowers. I have told you of five sorts of things which grow out of the earth. 1. Trees. 2. Yegetables. 3. Corn. 4. Grass. 5. Flowers. The world looked very beautiful when it was covered with grass and trees. But only God and the angels saw its beauty. Afterwards God placed the sun in the sky, and bade it shine all day, and go from one end of the world to the other.* God made the moon to shine at night, and he covered the sky with stars. You never saw anything so bright as the ♦ God demands of Job, " Hast thou commanded the morn- ing since thy days : and caused the dayspring to know kk place ]" Job xxxviii. 12. THE WORLD. 40 sun. It is very large indeed, only it looks small, because it is a great way off. It can- not fall for God holds it up.* God makes it move across the sky. Did you ever hear this pretty verse about the sun ? " My God, who makes the sun to know His proper hour to rise ; And to give light to all below, Doth send him round the skies." - Dr. Watts. The moon does not shine as brightly as the sun, for God lets it be dark at night, that we may rest, and sleep soundly .t Who could count the stars ? — No one but God.t He knows their names and their num- ber too.§ When we look at the moon and stars, let us think " how great God is !" Yet he cares for the little birds, and loves little chil- dren. II * " Upholding all things by the word of his power." Heb. i.3. t " He appointed the moon for seasons ; and the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening." Ps. civ. 19, 20, 23. : " As the host of heaven cannot be numbered." Jer. xxxiii. 22. § " Behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number : he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might." Isa. xl. 26. 11 '• When I consider the heavens, the work of thy fingers, 5 50 THE WORLD. CHILD. I saw the glorious sun arise From yonder mountain gray ; And as he travell'd through the skies, The darkness went away, And all around me was so bright, I wish'd it would be always light. But when his shining course was done, The gentle moon drew nigh, And stars came twinkling, one by one, Upon the shady sky. Who made the sun to shine so far, The moon, and every twinkling star ! MAMMA. 'Twas Goil, my child, who made them all, By his Almighty skill ; He keeps Ihem, that they do not fall, And gul ic!! them as he will : That glorious God, who lives afar, In heaven beyond the highest star. Jatie Taylor^s Hymns for Infant Mindi. the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained ; what ia man, that thou art mindful of him 7" Ps. viii. 3, 4. THE V70RLD. 51 LESSON IX. THE WORLD. PART III. Gen. i. 20—25. God had made a great many things ; but none of these things were alive. At last he made some living things. He spoke, and the water was filled with fishes, more than could be counted. Some were very small, and some were very large.* Have you heard of the great wliale? It is a fish as long as a church.t Fishes are cold and they have no feet, and they cannot sing, nor speak. God made some creatures, more beautiful than fish, to fly out of the water. The birds : they perched upon the trees, and sang among the branches, t Birds have winsrs and are covered with o * " This great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts." Ps. civ. 25. "t Some have been taken of 100 feet long, and almost as much in circumference ; though now, in consequence of the increased activity of the fishery, whales seldom live long enough to attain their full growth. Encyclopaedia Britan- iiica. Art. Cetology. t " The fowls of the heaven, which sing among the branches." Ps. civ. 12. 5S THE WORLD. feathers of all colours. The robin has a red breast ;,, the goldfinch has some yellow feath- ers ; and the jay some blue ones : but the peacock is the most beautiful of birds.* It has a little tuft upon its head, and a long train that sweeps behind ; sometimes it spreads out its feathers, and they look like a large fan. The thrush, the blackbird, and the linnet, can sing sweetly ; but there is one bird that can sing more sweetly still — it is the nightingale. At night, when all the other birds have left off singing, the nightingale may be heard in the woods. Some birds swim upon the water ; such as geese, and ducks, and the beautiful swan with its long neck, and its feathers like the snow. Some birds are very tall. The ostrich is as tall as a man. It cannot fly like other birds, but it can run very fast indeed. The eagle builds its nest in a very high placet Its wings are very strong, and it can fly as high as the clouds. t The gentlest of the birds is the dove. It * " Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks 1" Job xxxix. 13. t " Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest o?i high ?" Job xxxix. 27. J " They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength ; they shall mount up with wings as eagles." Isa. xl. 31. THE WORLD. 53 cannot sing but it sits alone, and moans softly, as if it were sad.* I cannot tell you the names of all the birds but you can think of the names of soiAe other kinds. There is another sort of living creature called insects. God made them come out of the earth, and not out of the water, like birds and fishes. Insects are small, and creep upon the earth ; such as ants. Some insects can fly also ; such as bees, and butterflies. The bee sucks the juice of flowers, and makes wax and honey. How gay are the wings of the butterfly ! they are covered with little feath- ers, too small to be seen. All the insects were good and pretty when God made them. At last God made the beasts. They came out of the earth when God spoke. Beasts walk upon the earth : most of them have four legs. You know the names of a great many sorts of beasts. Sheep and cows, dogs and cats, are beasts. But there are many other sorts besides. The squirrel that jumps from bough to bough, the rabbit that lives in a hole under ground, and the goat that climbs * " They that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity." Ezek. vii. 16. 5* 54 THE WORLD. the high hills; the stag with his beautiful horns, the lion with his yellow hair, the tiger whose skin is marked with stripes. The ele- phant i's the largest of the beasts, the lion is the strongest, the dog is the most sensible, the stag is the most beautiful, but the lamb is the gentlest. The dove is the gentlest of the birds, and the lamb is the gentlest of the beasts. Now God had filled the world with living creatures, and they Avere all good ; even lions and tigers were good and harmless. I have told you of four sorts of living creatures. 1. Fishes. 3. Insects. 2. Birds. 4. Beasts. All these creatures have bodies, but they have not souls like you. They can move and breathe. God feeds them every day and keeps them alive.* The Lord is good to them all. When God first cloth'd the earth with green, And sprinkled it with flow'rs, There were no living creatures seen Within its pleasant bow'rs. Soon by his word God filled the earth, And waters underneath, With things above the plants in worth, That feel and move and breathe. ♦ " These wait all upon thee ; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season." Ps. civ. 37. THE WORLD. The fishes, cover'd o'er with scales, In ocean swiftly glide ; With their vast tails the wondrous whales Scattered the waters wide. The birds among the branches sing, And chief the nightingale ; The peacock shines with painted wing, The dove does softly wail. insects with humming fill the air, And sparkle in the sun : The butterfly by colours fair Surpasses every one. The beasts tread firmly on the ground; The goat has nimble feet ; The stag's with branching antlers crown'd ; The lamb's most soft, and sweet. Pleasure the whole creation fills ; They leap, they swim, they fly ; They skim the plains, they climb the hills, Or in the valleys lie. With herb for meat the Lord provides His num'rous family ; The Hon with the lamb abides, The dove and hawk agree. In all the woods no sounds of strife; Or piteous moans arise ; None takes away his fellow's life, And none expiring lies. These happy days, alas ! are past, And death has entered here ; Why did they not for ever last, And lohen did death appear 1 55 56 ADAM AND EVE. LESSON X. ADAM AND EVE. Gen. i. 26, to the end of chap. ii. Now I shall tell you of the last thing God made. God took some of the dust of the ground, and made the body of a man ; then he breath- ed on it, and gave it a soul ; so the man could understand about God. Adam was quite good like God.* Adam loved God very much. God put him in a very pretty garden full of trees covered with fruit. This garden was called the garden of Eden. God showed Adam all the beasts and birds, and let Adam give them what names he pleased. He said to Adam, " I give you all the fishes, and in- sects, and birds, and beasts ; you are their master." So Adam was king over all things on the earth. God said to Adam, "You may eat of the fruit that grows on the trees in the garden." Still God did not let him be idle, but told him to take care of the garden. ♦ " God hath made man upright." Eccles. vii. 29. ADAM AND EVE. 07 You see how very kind God was to Adam. But Adam had no friend to be with him : for the beasts and birds could not talk to Adam. Then God said, he would make a woman to be a friend to Adam. So God made Adam fall fast asleep, and while he was asleep, God took a piece of flesh out of his side, and made it into a woman. When Adam woke he saw her. He knew that she was made of his flesh and bones, and he loved her very much. Her name was Eve. You have heard of all the things God made. They were all beautiful ; and all the living things were quite happy : there was no pain, and no sighing, and no sin in all the world. God had been six days in making the world. And when he had finished it, he rest- ed and made no more things. The angels saw the world that God had made : they were pleased and sang a sweet song of praise to God.* Jesus Christ the Son of God was pleased, for he loved Adam and Eve.t How did I know about the world being * "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth 1 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." Job. xxxviii. 4, 7. t " Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth ; and my delights were with the sons of men." Prov. viii. 31. 68 THE FIRST SIN. made ? It is written in the Bible, which is God's own book. Let us count over all the things that God made. 1. Light. 2. Air. 3. Clouds. 4. Sea. 5. Dry land. 6. Things that grow out of the earth. 7. Sun, moon, and stars. 8. Living creatures. LESSON XL THE FIRST SIN. Gen, iii. Adam and Eve were very happy in the gar den of Eden. They talked to each other, and walked together, and they never quar- relled, and they praised God for all his kind- ness to them. God used to talk with them sometimes. They were pleased to hear his voice, for they were not afraid of him. THE FIRST SIN. 59 There was one thing that God had told them not to do. There was a tree in the middle of the gar- den ; it grew by the side of the river. Some beautiful fruit grew upon it ; but God said to Adam and Eve, " You must not eat of the fruit of that tree ; for if you eat of it you shall die." Adam and Eve liked to obey God, and they did not wish to eat of this fruit. • You knoAV that the wicked angel Satan hates God, and he hated Adam and Eve.* He wished to make them naughty, that they might go to hell, and be burned in his fire. So he thought he would ask them to eat of that fruit. He went into the garden and looked like a serpent.t He saw Eve alone near tlie tree. He said to her, " Why do you not eat of this nice fruit ?" . Eve answered, " No, I will not ; we must not eat of that fruit. If we do, God has said we shall die." Then the serpent said, " You shall not die ; that fruit will make you wise." Eve looked at the fruit, and thought it seemed nice and pretty, and she picked some • " Love is of God ; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." 1 John, iv. 7. t " That old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world." Rev. xii. 9. W THE FIRST SIN. and ate it ; and she gave some to Adam, and he ate it. It was very wicked of them to eat this fruit. Now they were grown naughty, and did not love God.* Soon they heard God speaking in the gar- den ; then they were frightened, and they went and hid themselves among the trees. But God saw them, for he can see every- where. And God said, " Adam, where art thou ?'* So Adam and Eve came from under the trees. God said to Adam, "Have you eaten the fruit that I told you not to eat ?" And Adam said, "It was this woman who asked me to eat some." And God said to Eve, " What is this that thou hast done ?" And Eve said, " The serpent asked me to eat." God was very angry with the serpent, and said he should be punished for ever and ever.t God said to Adam and Eve, "You shall ♦ "By one man's disobedience, many were made sin- ners," Rom. V, 19. t " It shall bruise thy head." Gen. iiL 15. THE FIRST SIN. 61 die. I made your bodies of dust, and they will turn to dust again." God would not let them stay in the sweet garden, but he sent an angel with a sword of fire — and he drove them out. The angel stood before the gate with his sword, so that they could not come again in- to the garden. Near Eden's land, in days gone by, A lovely garden stood ; The trees were pleasant to the eye ; The fruit was good for food. Two holy creatures spent their days Within that garden fair ; In love they dwelt — they sang God's praise, And humbly knelt in prayer. In that sweet land one tree was placed Their faithful love to try : " That fruit," God said, "you shall not taste; Who eats shall surely die." O why did Eve to Satan's lies So readily attend ! Upon the fruit why fix her eyes, Then pluck it with her hand ! No more shall Eve or Adam stay Within that garden fair ; An angel stands to guard the way That none may enter there. 6 4^ THE SON OF GOD. LESSON XII. THE SON OF GOD. Gen. iii. 14—24. Are you not very sorry to hear that Adam and Eve were turned out of the garden ? It was not so pleasant outside of the gar- den. A great many weeds and thistles grew outside ; but in the garden, there are only pretty flowers and sweet fruits. Adam was forced to dig the ground, till he was hot and tired, for he could not always find fruit upon the trees. Now Adam felt pain in his body some- times ; and his hair became grey, and at last he was quite old. Eve was often very sick and weak, and tears run down her cheeks. Poor Adam and Eve ! if you had obeyed God, you would have been happy for ever. Adam and Eve knew that they must die at last; God gave them some little children; and Adam and Eve knew that their children must die too. God had told them that their bodies were made of dust, and that they must turn to dust again. But there was something more sad still. THE SON OF GOD. 63 They were grown wicked. They did not love praising God as they once had done, but they hked doing many naughty things.* They were grown like Satan, so Satan hoped that when their bodies were put into the ground, their spirits would be with him ; for Satan knew that the wicked could not live with God in heaven. t And they would have gone to hell, and all their children too, had not God taken pity upon them. ^ God, who is very kind, had found out a way to save them. God had said to his Son, a long, long while before, " Adam and Eve, and all their child- ren must go to hell for their wickedness, un- less you die instead of them.t My beloved Son, I will send you ; you shall have a body ; you shall go and live in the world, and you * " The carnal mind is enmity against God : for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom, viii. 7. t " And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you." Luke xxii. 31. The constant efforts of Satan to tempt man to commit sin, show that he is aware of the destructive nature of sin ; as it is undeniable that he desires to destroy man, + " Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John, iv. 10. " Who verily was foreordained be- fore the foundation of the world." LPeter, L 20. 64 THE SON OP GOD. shall obey me, and you shall die for Adam and his children."* The son said to his father, " I will come : I will do all that you desired me to do. It is my delight to obey you."t So the Son promised that he would die for Adam and Eve, and for their children. How kind it was of the Father to spare his dear Son whom he loved so very much !t How kind it was of the Son to leave his throne of light, his bright angels, and his dear Father, and to take a body and to die !§ You know that we are some of Adam's children's children. It was for us that Jesus came to die. We are wicked, and we should go to hell, if Jesus had not promised to die for us. II We ought to love the Father, and the Son, because they had pity on us. Let us praise God with the angelsH and fiay, * " I have kept my Father's commandTiients, and abuie in his love." John xv. 10. t " Then said I, Lo, I come : I delight to do thy wUl, O my God : yea, thy law is within my heart." Ps. xl. 8. t " Thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." John xvii. 24. § " The glory which I had with thee before the vrorld was." John xviii, 5. II " As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all b*. made alive." 1 Cor. xv. 22. IT " I heard the voice of many Angels, saying, WoHhy is the Lamb that was slaj|. And every creature heard I say- THE SON OF GOD. 6^ " We thank thee, O Father, for thy tender love, in giving up thine only Son. "We thank thee, O Son, for thy tender love, in coming down to bleed and die.'' The Father waited a long while before he sent his Son down to be a man. All the time the Son waited in heaven, he thought of what he had promised to do ;* but he would not go and be a man till his Father pleased to send him.f Adam has sinned, and on the ground Shall thorns and thistles grow ; His body lie in dust ; his soul — Ah ! whither shall it go 1 Shall one, who dared to disobey, With God for ever dwell 1 When angels sinned, God did not spare, But cast them down to hell. Ing, blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." Rev. v. 12 — 14. ♦ Visits of the Son of God to man, in anticipation of his sacrifice, are often recorded in the Old Testament. His visit to Abraham in Gen. xviii. to Jacob, Gen. xxxii. to Moses in the bush, to Joshua, Jos. v. to Isaiah, Is. vi. com- pared with John xii. 41. The Son of God is evidently referred to in the following passage : " He bare them, and carried them all the days of old." Is. Ixiii. 9. t " When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son." Gal. iv. 4. 6* 66 THE VIRGIN MARY. Yet long before the world was made, Our God contrived a plan, By which his sinful soul to save, And pardon guilty man. The Father said his Son should die, The Son replied " I will ; A feeble body I will take ; This body men shall kill." Father, how great thy love to man To send thy Son from high ! How great thy love, O glorious Son To come, and bleed, and die ! LESSON XIII. THE VIRGIN MARY. Luke i. 26—55. God told Adam and Eve, that he would send his Son down some day to die for them. But Adam and Eve did not love God ; for they were grown wicked. Could God make them orood ? Yes, he could : for there is a Holy Spirit in heaven, and the Holy Spirit could come into them and make them good. You know, my little children, we are wicked, but God can make us good with his THE VIRGIN MARY. 67 Holy Spirit. If God puts his Holy Spirit in us, we shall not go to hell, and live with Satan.* I hope you will ask God to give you his Holy Spirit. Say to God, '' O, give me thy Holy Spirit, to make me good !" Adam had a great many children, and grandchildren, and they had more children ; at last the world was full of people — more people than you could count. After Adam and Eve had been dead a long while, and when the world was full of peo- ple, God said to his Son, " Now go down into the world." But the Son must be a little baby first — every body is a little baby at first. So God chose to send his Son to be the baby of a poor woman. This Avoman's name was Mary. Mary had no little children. She was a good woman, and loved God. God's Holy Spirit was in her, and made her meek and gentle. One day an angel came to her. When Mary saw the bright angel, she was fright- ened ; but the angel said, " Fear not Mary, God loves you. He will send you a baby, * God hath, from the beginning, chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth. 2 Thess. ii 13. f 88 THE VIRGIN MARYr \ tl^at shall be the Son of God. You shall call his name Jesus. He will come to save people from Satan." Mary was much surprised at what the angel said. She thought she was not good enough to have such a baby as the Lord Jesus. When the angel was gone back to heaven, Mary sang a sweet song of praise to God for his goodness. Mary said, " My soul praises God, and my spirit is glad because of my Saviour." Mary called her baby her Saviour, for she knew that he would save her from hell. I wonder not that Mary feared, , c. When Gabriel to her appeared ; ^ ^ How could she know he came to bring So sweet a message from his King ! Full long the Son in heaven had stayed, Since first the promise had been made To shed his blood for Adam's sin, And happiness for man to win. But yet the Son had ne'er forgot, And what he said he changed not; The time was come he should be born. And in this world should live forlorn. Mary shall be thy mother dear, Who in her arms the child shall bear, The angel came this news to bring, And Mary listened wondering. THE BIRTH OP JESUS. 69 And shall the Lord a poor maid choose, And all the great and rich refuse 1 But God high honours loves to place On those who humbly seek his face. LESSON XIV. THE BIRTH OF JESUS. Luke ii. 1 — 7. Mary had a husband called Joseph. He was a good man, and very kind to Mary. Now before Mary's baby was born, a great king said that every body must pay him some money. So Mary and Joseph took some money, and left their house, and went a great way to pay the money to the king. At last they came to a town called Bethlehem. It was night. Where could they sleep? They went to an inn, and said, " Will you let us in ? we have come from a great way off." But the master of the inn said, " I have no room in my inn for you." What could poor Mary do? Must she sleep in the street? Mary said she would sleep in the stable, if the master would let her. 70 THE BIRTH OF JESUS. So Mary and Joseph went into the stable. There were cows and asses in the stable. While Mary was in the stable, God sent her the little baby he had promised her. She knew it was the Son of God, though it looked like other little babies. She wrapped it in some long clothes, called swaddling clothes ; but she had no cradle for it to sleep in, and she could not lay it on the ground, lest the beasts should tread upon it ; so she put it in the manger, and she sat by it to take care of it. How dearly Mary loved this sweet babe I It had no sin like other babes,* but was quite meek and lovely. Yet other babes have cradles and soft pillov/s, while Jesus lay in a manger. I will tell you a verse to say to your little baby-brother when you rock his cradle. " Soft and easy is thy cradle, Coarse and hard thy Saviour lay, When his birth-place was a stable, And his softest bed was hay." Dr. Watt's Cradle Hymn. * That holy thing which shall be born of thee. Luke i. 35. Was in all points, tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb. iv. 15. THE shephebhs. TX LESSON XV. THE SHEPHERDS. Luke ii. 8—20. There were some fields near Bethlehem. On the night when Jesus was born, some shepherds were sitting by their sheep in those fields. Why did they sit up at night ? To keep their sheep from the wolves and lions, who walk about at night. There are no wolves and lions where we live, but near Bethlehem there were a great many wild beasts. These shepherds saw a great light. A beautiful angel came from heaven. The poor shepherds were afraid ; but the angel said, " Fear not, I have sweet news to tell you. God has sent his own Son from heaven to save you from hell. He is a baby now, lying in a manger. Go to Bethlehem, and you will find him." The angel had scarcely done speaking, when hundreds and hundreds of bright angels filled the sky, and began singing songs of praise to God. " The great God has sent his Son to save men : praise him for his goodness." 72 THE SHEPHERDS. At last the angels went back to heaven, and the shepherds were left alone. Did they stay with their sheep ? No ; they said, " Let us go and see the Son of God." They ran to Bethlehem, and went to the stable of the inn. There was a babe lying in the manger; Mary and Joseph were sitting by. The shepherds said, " This is the Son of God. Angels have spoken to us to-night, and told us where to find him." All the people in Bethlehem were much surprised when the shepherds told them about the angels and the Son of God. Blessed babe ! what glorious features, Spotless fair, divinely bright ! — Must he dwell with brutal creatures'? How could angels bear the sight 1 Was there nothing but a manger Sinners could to him afford, To receive the heavenly stranger 1 Did they thus affront the Lord 1 See the kinder shepherds round him, Telling wonders from the sky ; Where they sought him, there they found him, With his virgin mother by. See the lovely babe a-dressing, Lovely infant, how he smil'd ! When he wept, the mother's blessing Sooth'd and hush'd the holy child. Dr. Wait's Cradle Hyrim, THE WISE MEN. 73 LESSON XV. THE WISE MEN. Matt. ii. There were some wise and rich men. They lived a great way from Bethlehem. They knew that God had sent his Son to be a babe ; but the men did not know where to find him ; so God put a beautiful star in the sky, and God said to them, " Go where the star moves." So the wise men left their houses, and set out on a long journey ; but first they said, " Let us bring some presents for the Son of God : for he is a King." They took some gold, and some sweet- smelling stuff to burn. They looked at the star as they went. At last it stopped over a house in Bethlehem. The wise men were very glad indeed. They longed to see the Son of God. They came in, and there they saw Mary and her child Jesus ; they fell down, and began to praise him, and to call him the Son of God, and the King. They took out their presents and gave them to him. Mary was poor ; but now she had some money to buy things for her little baby. 7 m 74 THE WISE MEN. Lo ! travelers enter Bethlehem's gate ; Arriv'd from some far distant land : They seem to be of high estate, And hold rich presents in their hand. They swiftly pass from street to street, Nor need they fear to go astray, Nor need they ask the men they meet, To guide them in their unknown way. For see where shines a beauteous star; On it they fix their joyful eyes: That heavenly guide has led them far, And now it lightens Bethlehem's skies. But lo ! it stops, its course is done ; On Mary's roof it sheds a light : Enter; there dwells God's blessed Son — Enter ; enjoy the glorious sight. But where is He, the Lord of all, Who made the heav'ns and earth and seasY Behold Him there, an infant small, Lying upon his mother's knees. Their Lord full well the strangers know, And humbly worship at his feet. Joyful their golden treasures show. And burn their precious spices sweet. happy they who knelt that day. Before the lovely infant's face, And who believ'd, tho' clad in clay. That he was Lord of every place. And shall not I be happy too. If tho' His face I never saw, 1 feel for him affection true, And still obey His holy lawl KING HEROD. 75 Nor gold, nor spices need I give, To show ray Lord how much I love, But I may serve him while I live, And thus my warm affection prove. LESSON XVII. KING HEROD. Matt. ii. ; Luke ii. 51, 52. There was a very wicked king called Herod. He lived a little way from Bethlehem. He^- heard that a babe was born in Bethlehem, and that some people said that the babe was a king. Now Herod did not like that there should be any other king beside himself, Herod did not like that even the Son of God should be king. So Herod said, " I will kill this babe, that is called a king." Herod knew that this babe was in Bethle- hem ; but there were many babes in Bethle- hem, and Herod did not know which was the babe that was called a king. Some people knew which it was ; but they loved Jesus, and they would not tell Herod. A very wicked thought c'ame into Herod's " mind. He thought, " I will kill all the babes • 76 KING HEROD. in Bethlehem." Do you think God would let Herod kill his Son ? No ; God knew what Herod meant to do. God sent one of his bright angels to speak to Joseph when he was asleep. The angel said, "A wicked king wants to kill the baby. Get up, Joseph, take Mary and the baby a great way off." So Joseph got up quickly ; he took his ass, he put Mary on it, and she held the baby. It was dark when they set off. Nobody saw them go. The next morning some men came with swords. Herod had sent them. They were come to kill all the babies. They opened every door and said, " Is there a baby here ?" Then they snatched it from its mother, and killed it, and the poor mother cried bitterly. Had you walked down the streets you would have heard nothing but women weep- ing and crying out, " My pretty baby is dead j I shall never see it more." Was Jesus killed ? No : he was gone far away. His Father, God had sent him away. Herod could not kill him, for God would not let him die so soon. At last king Herod died. Then God sent an angel to speak to Joseph when he was asleep. The angel said, " Joseph, go back to KING HEROD. 77 your own country ; Herod is dead." So Jo- seph took the ass, and Mary, and the sweet child Jesus, and they all came back to their own country. Joseph was a carpenter. Jesus lived with Joseph and Mary, and minded all they said. He was a wise child, and loved to think of God. God his Father loved him, and every- body loved him, because he was so meek and kind. The older he grew, — the more they loved him. From babies dear the blood is streaming , Around behold the mothers screaming ; For cruel Herod sent an order To kill the children of that border. He seeks to kill the heav'niy stranger ; But God has sav'd his son from danger; An Angel Joseph did awaken ; To distant lands the Babe is taken. How safe are those within God's keeping ! How safe awake, how safe when sleeping ! For night and day His eye can watch them, His hand from every evil snatch them. 7* i 78 THE TEMPTATION. LESSON XYIII. THE TEMPTATION. Matt. vi. 1—11. At last Jesus grew to be a man. He knew that he must go from place to place and teach people about God. But first he went into a place by himself — a wilderness. He had no house to sleep ia there, no friend to speak to, no food to eat. In the night it was cold, in the day very hot. There were no men, but there were lions, wolves, bears.* At night they roared and howled, but Jesus trusted in his Father. He ate nothing for forty days and forty nights : God kept him alive. When Jesus was alone, then he spoke in his heart to his dear Father.t At last some one came and spoke to him. Who was it ? Not a man, nor a bright angel, not God ; it was Satan. I do not know how he looked. He was come to tempt Jesus to do wickedly, * " And he was with the wild beasts." Mark i. 13. t " Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with mc." John xvi. 32. THE TEMPTATION. 79 and not to mind God his Father. Satan knew that Jesus was hungry. He said to him, " Turn these stones into bread ;" but Jesus would not, for God had promised to feed him himself After that Satan took Jesus to the top of a great building, that was much higher than a church. It is dreadful to be on the top of a very high place. It makes one tremble to look down from the top. Satan said to Jesus, " Throw yourself down from this place ; your Father will send his angels to keep you from being hurt, for you know that he has promised to take care of you." Would Jesns have done right, had he thrown himself doAvn ? No ; Jesus knew that his Fa- ther would be displeased, if he threw himself down : and Jesus always did the things that pleased his Father. Then Satan took him to the top of a very high hill. He showed him the most beautiful things in the world, gardens, and houses, ships, and carriages, and fine clothes and feasts. He said, " Look at these fine things. I will give them all to you. You shall have all the world for your own : only kneel down and call me ' God.' " « # 80 THE TEMPTATION. But Jesus said, " I will pray to my Father, and not to you." Jesus lovqd his Father better than all the things in the world. Adam and Eve minded Satan, and dis- obeyed God ; but Jesus did all his Father had told him ; Adam was disobedient, Jesus was obedient. Then Satan went away, and angels came from heaven and fed Jesus. Satan goes about, trying to make children naughty. A lion could only eat your body, but Satan waits to have your soul and body in hell. Satan hates you. He is your ene- my. But God is stronger than S^^tan.* Say to God, " Keep me from minding Salan," God will keep you. Upon that mountain's height Two mighty princes stand: — Jesus, the Prince of light, Satan at his right hand. Below them lies the prospect fair Of all earth holds of rich or rare. Tables are seen around Spread with delicious meats : Gardens where fruits abound And thousand tempting sweets : Silver and gold and precious stones, Caariots and palaces and thrones, ♦ Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John, iv. 4. THE TEMPTATION. 81 Satan did once prevail On Eve to disobey : And now why should he fail To tempt the Lord astray 1 For Eve abundant good possess'd. While Christ with hunger is distrest. In vain the tempter tries The Saviour to deceive. For Jesus left the skies Our mis'r}'^ to relieve : His Father dear he sought to please, Nor wish'd for earthly joy and ease. He had seen brighter things, And sweeter joys had known, Where angels touch the strings Around his Father's throne : And shall He from that throne descend Before the evil one to bend 1 No, He will hunger bear. And suffer sharpest pain. Till God shall hear his pray'r And his weak life sustain. And lo ! asham'd the tempter flies. And angels feed him from the skies. CHILD. Full oft does Satan try To draw my steps aside ; Now bids me tell a lie, My faults from all to hide, And tempts me soon to sin again, That I new pleasures may obtain. « THE TWELVE DISCIPLES. "Whenever I consent To walk in Satan's ways, It is, as though 1 bent My knee before his face. And what reward will Satan givel In his own hell with him to live. How shall my feeble heart Be kept from Satan's pow'r 1 O ! Lord thy strength impart In ev'ry tempted hour, That I may sinful joys refuse, And thy sweet service ever choose. LESSON XIX. THE TWELVE DISCIPLES. Mark i. 16—20. When Jesus was a man, he began to teach people about his Father. Jesus used to preach. What did he preach ? Sometimes he preached to people in a place like a church ; sometimes he preached in the fields ; sometimes he sat on the top of a hill and preached ; and sometimes he sat in a ship, and the people stood by the edge of the water to hear him. Jesus did not always live in the same place : he used to walk about from one place to another. THE TWELVE DISCIPLES. 83 Did Jesus walk about alone ? — No ; he had twelve friends always with him. He called them his twelve disciples. How many are twelve ? — Let us count the little children in this room. Here are twelve. Jesus had just so many disciples. One was called Peter, and another John, and another James, and another Thomas. But I will not tell you the names of all, lest you should forget them. Peter was a fisherman. He had a little ship, and he used to catch fish in the day and in the night. James and John had another little ship, and they used to catch fish. One day, Jesus passed by their ships, and Jesus saw Peter and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the sea to catch fish, and Jesus said to them, " Come with me." And Peter and Andrew left their nets, and their ship, and went with Jesus. And Jesus went a little farther, and he saw James and John sitting in their ship, mending the holes in their nets, and Jesus said to them, " Come with me ;" and they left their nets, and went with Jesus. Jesus called what people he pleased to come with him. Shall I tell you why Jesus chose to have 84 THE TWELVE DISCIPLES. twelve friends always with him ? What do you think was the reason ? Jesus wished to teach them about God his Father,* that they might teach other people about him.t They liked being with him, and listening to his words.t Would you have liked to have been always with Jesus ? When Jesus was alone with his disciples hfi. used to tell them secrets about God§ and hea- ven. They loved him very much indeed ;k they called him Master and Lord.*^ Jesus loved them still more than they loved him,** and he called them his friends.tt Jesus used to give them part of his things * Christ said in prayer to his Father, " I have manifest- ed ihy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world." John xvii. 6. t And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach. Mark iii. 14. X Then said Jesus unto the twelve. Will ye also go away 1 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go 1 thou hast the words of eternal life. John vL 67,68, § When they were alone he expounded all things fo his disciples. Mark iv. 34. II The father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me. John xvi. 27. IT Ye call me Master and Lord. John xiii. 13. ** As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you, John XV. 9. tt I have called you friends. John xv. 15. THE TWELVE DISCIPLES. 85 But Jesiis had no house to live in,* and he had very little money.t Sometimes they were very much tired with walking far,t and sometimes they were very hungry and thirs- ty. § But kind people often asked them to come into their houses, and gave them food. II Other people laughed at Jesus, and called him names.T Were the disciples good? They were bad, like us ; but Jesus put his Spirit into them, and made them better.** The disciples were not quite good like Jesus ; they often quarrell- * The Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Luke 11.58. t Jesus having had recourse to a miracle to procure money to pay tribute, testifies to his poverty ; and his shar- ing it with Peter, ("Give unto them for me and thee,") shows that he shared his supphes with his disciples. Matt, xvii. 24—27. t Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well. John iv. 6. § His disciples were an hungered, and began to pluck the ears of corn. Matt. xii. 1, II A certain woman named Martha received him into her house. Luke x. 38. There they made him a supper. John xii. 2. TT Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan and hast a devil 1 John viii. 48. ** Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. John xv. 3. 8 86 THE TWELVE DISCIPLES. ed with each other,* and sometimes they were unkind to poor people.t How happy they who shared the bread Of Jesus here below ! From place to place he travelled And they with him did go. "What though they never had a place, "Where safely to abide, They saw their loving Master's face, And follow"d by his side. They heard him preach from hills and ships, Of thin The sun has hid his face ! How oft return'd to fill With joyful light the place ! And shall the sun for ever thus return 1 Shall morn succeed to eve, and eve to morn 1 * " The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burned up." 2 Peter iii. 10. + " The heavens and the earth which are now, are kept In store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition oi ungodly vienP 2 Peter iii. 7. + " We look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter iii, 13. § 2 Thess. i. 6—10. 17* 198 THE JUDGMENT DAY. O no ! the day shall come, (And who can tell how soon f) When dark shall be that sun, And red the silver moon : When sun or moon shall never more return, But God on clouds shall come the world to burn. O ! say, shall I be there, To see the fearful glare. The dreadful sound to hear, The burning heat to bear, Of falling crags and rocks, of roaring seas. Of smoking hills, and flaming earth and skies 1 O yes ! I shall be there : The grave shall open'd be ; All shall the trumpet hear, The Judge's face shall see ; In vain shall some upon the mountains call, To hide their heads from Him who judges all The books shall then be read. In which our God has wrote All that we ever said. Or ever did or thought ; And many cheeks with burning shame shall glow, And many souls be plung'd in deepest vi^o. And how shall I escape From endless misery 1 My sins, a mighty heap, Show I deserve to die : And yet to think upon that burning lake Makes my flesh tremble, and my bones to shake. THE JUDGMENT DAY. 199 Lord ! by the blood He shed, Who hung upon the tree, Before the books are read, May my sins pardon'd be. And then my tears shall all be wiped away And I shall dwell in everlasting day. A FEW HINTS TO INEXPERIENCED TEACHERS, RESPECTING THE CIDESTIONS AFFIXED TO THE LESSONS. Sometimes teachers find it difficult to obtain answers from their little pupils. The following questions are therefore ex- tremely easy ; for a first step must be made very easy, as children often remain in ignorance for years, because the first step is too high. Notwithstanding every effort, a class of ignorant little children will appear, during a few lessons, inaccessible to in- struction ; but if the teacher will patiently repeat the first lessons several times, the difficulty will disappear, and the wearisome task will gradually become delightful. An account, unprompted by questions, is the most desir- able, when it can be obtained ; but it must not be expected at first. When once the children can be induced to repeat of their own accord the substance of their instructions, questions should only be used to remind them of things they have omitted. How is a voluntary account to be obtained 1 At first the teacher should talk over imniediolely afterwards, the lesson she has given to her class. Let her say to the children be- 202 HINTS TO TEACHERS. fore she leaves them — " What shall you answer, when I ask you to-morrow what I have been telling you to-day 1" The children will probably answer, " About God, or about Jesus." But if the teacher replies, " But icliat about God, for I always tell you about him," a more definite answer will soon be ob- tained. In a short time the children will never fail to re- member the subject of the last lesson. One child will pro- bably lead the way : the rest will improve by listening to it : another child will soon be roused, and then another, till at length a general interest being excited, it will become the anxious desire of all to speak. There are, however, many children who seek to impose, by repeating what another has just said, with a view to attract attention. Such repeaters should of course be discouraged. When a class of several children continue indifferent and inattentive, is there not reason to suspect that a right method of instruction has not been adopted 1 It cannot be supposed that little children will give orderly accounts, or each in its own turn. It is ditficult to gain a fair hearing for each child. It will be found necessary to allow one to interrupt another after the other has spoken a short time. Sometimes, however, it may be as well, at the close of the accounts, to ask each child one question in turn, and to desire the others to preserve silence. aUESTIONS ON THE LESSONS. I. Why does the sun not fall from the sky 1 Is your body like a stone 1 Why do you breathe 7 What are the four things that are called your body 1 How might your body be hurt 1 What can keep it from being hurt 1 II. What was it your mother did for you when you were a Daby 7 Does your mother make you breathe, and keep you alive? Why did God give you a mother 1 What should you say to God for giving you a mother 1 III. What is it your father does to get money 1 Why does he buy things for you with his money 1 What sad things have happened to some children's fathers 1 Have you a Father that cannot die 1 204 QUESTIONS IV. What other things have bodies, as well as you 1 Are their bodies like yours "? What have you besides a body 1 Why cannot dogs and horses think of God? Is your soul better than your body 1 Why? What is your body made of ? What is your soul made of? Where vs^ill your body be put when you die 1 Where do you hope that your soul will go 1 V. Who live with God in heaven "? What are the angels always doing 1 Why are they always happy ? Why do angels come down here 1 What is it the angels do for children who love God, when they die 1 Can you make yourself good 1 VI. Did the angels always live in heaven 1 Who has lived always 1 Why did God cast some of the angels out of heaven 1 What is the name of the prince of the bad angels 1 Why does Satan walk about here 1 Can you keep yourselves from Satan 1 VII. What is this place that we live in called 1 Who was always in heaven with God 1 Is Jesus Christ the same as God ? How did God make this world 1 What was the first thing God made 1 What is that you can feel, but cannot see 1 What is the water in the sky called 1 ON THE LESSONS. 205 WTiat is the name of the large deep place full of water 1 What do we walk upon 1 What are the five first things that God made "? VIII. How many different sorts of things grow out of the ground 1 Tell me the names of some trees — of some vegetables — of «ome kinds of corn — of some flowers. What bright things did God put in the sky 1 How many stars are there 1 IX. How many sorts of living things did God make 1 Tell me the names of some fishes — of some birds — of some insects — of some beasts. X. W^hat was the last thing God made 1 How did God make Adam'? Where did God put Adam 1 What did God give him 1 Why did God make Eve 1 How did he make her 1 How many days was God in making the world 1 Tell me the names of all the things God made. XI. What did God tell Adam and Eve not to do 1 Who asked Eve to eat the fruit 1 Why did he ask her 1 What lie did the serpent tell to Eve 1 Where Adam and Eve good after they had eaten the fruit 1 Why did they hide themselves under the trees 1 What did God say should be done to Adam and Eve to punish them 1 Who drove them out of the garden 1 18 206 QUESTIONS XII. Were Adam and Eve happy after they had eaten the fruit 1 Why not '? Who took pity upon them 1 What did God desire his Son to do for Adam? What did God's Son say to his Father, when he told him to be a man, and die 1 Are we some of Adam's children 1 Did the Son of God die for us 1 Where should we have gone when we died, if Jesus had not died for us '? Did Jesus come down into the world as soon as Adam had grown wicked 1 Did he wait a long while, or a little while 1 XIII. Did Adam and Eve Jcnow that God would send his Son to die for them 1 Could God make Adam and Eve good again 1 How could they be made good 1 What must you ask for, if you wish to be good *? When did God send his Son down into the world 1 Whose little baby did God's Son choose to be 1 Who told her she should have a little baby '? What name did the angel say she was to give her baby 1 What did Mary do when the angel was gone back to heaven 1 XIV. What was the name of Mary's husband 1 Why did Mary and Joseph take a long journey a great way offi What is the name of the town they came to 1 Did they sleep in the inn at night 7 Why not 7 ON THE LESSONS. 207 Where did they sleep 1 What baby was born while Mary was in the stable ? Did Mary know it was the Son of God 1 Where did she lay her baby 1 What did she wrap it in 1 Did Jesus look like other babies 1 Was his heart like other babies' hearts 1 XV. Who were in the fields near Bethlehem the night Jesus was born 1 Why did the shepherds sit up at night 1 What did they see in the sky 1 What did the angels tell them '? Who sang songs in the sky, after the angel had spoken 1 When the angels were gone, where did the shepherds go 1 Did the shepherds tell people what they had seen 1 XVI. Who came from a great way off to see Jesus 1 Who told them that God had sent his Son to be & baby'? How did they find the way to Bethlehem 1 What did they bring with them 1 Where did the star stop 1 What did the wise men do when they saw Jesus ? XVII. Who wanted to kill Jesus when he was a baby 1 Were there many babies in Bethlehem 1 Did King Herod know ivMc/i baby was the Son of Godi Whom did Herod desire to be killed 1 Did he kill Jesus 1 Why not "? Who told Joseph to take Jesus a great way offi SOS QUESTIONS Did Herod know that Jesus was gone away 1 Did Herod think that he had killed Jesus 1 Whom did Herod send to kill the babies in Bethlehem ? Did Jesus ever come back to his own country 1 Who told Joseph to take Jesus back to his country ? Why might Jesus be taken back to his own country 1 What was Joseph's trade 1 Did the people love Jesus when he was a child 1 Why did they love him 1 XVIII. When Jesus grew to be a man, where did he go by him- self? Were there any beasts in the wilderness 1 How many days was Jesus there "i What did he eat 1 Who came to him at last 1 Why did Satan come '? What did Satan ask Jesus to do first 1 Why would not Jesus turn the stones into bread ? What did Satan ask Jesus to do when he had taken him to the top of a high building 1 Why would not Jesus throw himself down 1 What did Satan show Jesus from the top of a hill 1 What did Satan say Jesus must do, if he would have all these fine things 1 Would Jesus do this 1 Who fed Jesus after Satan was gone away 1 What harm does Satan want to do to rhJUien, an4 to tiM people 1 XIX. Where used Jesus to preach 1 How many disciples had Jesus ? Did they ever quarrel 1 ON THE LESSONS. 209 Can you tell me the names of some of them 7 What was Peter doing when Jesus told him to come with him'? What were James and John doing when Jesus called them 1 Why did Jesus choose to have some friends always with him? What did they call Jesus 1 What did he call them 1 Did they love Jesus 1 Why did they like being with him 1 Did Jesus give them money or fine things 1 Why were the disciples good 1 XX. When Jesus was at a feast, what was it that was all drunk up very soon 1 How did Jesus make more wine 7 What was the first miracle that Jesus did 1 XXI. Why did sick and blind people come to Jesus 1 How did he cure one blind man 1 How did he cure a deaf and dumb man 7 What did he say to a man who was ill in bed *? What did he say to the woman whose back was bent 1 What could Jesus do that was more wonderful than making sick people well 1 When Jesus was walking in the road, what did he see being carried by some men 7 Who was crying very much, because the man was dead 1 What did Jesus say to the dead man 1 What did the man do 1 What did the people say when they saw the dead man Come to life 7 18* 210 aUESTIONS XXII. How did the rich man behave to Jesus, when he asked him to dine with him 1 What did the naughty woman do to Jesus % Why did she love Jesus so very much ] "Why did Jesus forgive her all her naughtiness 1 Will Jesus forgive you your naughtiness, if you are sorry 1 XXIII. What made the disciples afraid once when they were in a ship 7 Was it wrong in them to be afraid 1 "What did Jesus say to the wind, and to the water 1 What did the disciples say when they saw the wind and water obey Jesus 1 XXIV. Did Jesus ever make a dead child alive again *? Who was sitting round her bed when Jesus came % Why did Jesus say that the girl was asleep 1 What did Jesus do to the people who laughed at him 1 Whom did Jesus allow to stay in the room 1 How old was the girl 1 XXV. Did many people come to hear Jesus preach 1 Why did not Jesus like to send them home at night 1 blow many loaves and fishes did Jesus feed them with 1 Who gave the people the bread and fish 1 Did the people leave any of the bread 1 Where were the little pieces of bread put 1 Who makes the grass and the corn grow in the fields'? Could your mother give you bread if God did not make the corn crrow ] ON THE LESSONS. 211 Does God feed any other creatures besides men, women, ftnd children 1 Why does God take more care of you than of the birds 'i XXVI. Were the disciples as kind as Jesus 1 How did they behave to a poor woman who wanted Jesus to help her 1 What did they say to the poor women, who brought their children to Jesus 1 What did Jesus say to the disciples, when they were sending the children away 1 What did Jesus do to the children, when they were come to him 1 What sort of children does Jesus love 1 Are there any children in heaven 1 XXVII. Why did Jesus choose to be alone sometimes 1 Did Jesus ever pray to his Father, when his disciples* were with him 1 What did they ask Jesus to teach them 1 What prayer did Jesus teach them 1 What is the meaning of " Hallowed be thy name V What is the meaning of " Trespasses T' What must you ask God for, to make you good 1 Will God give you the Spirit, if you ask him 1 XXVIII. Did Jesus know that the wicked people would soon kill him"? To whom did Jesus talk about his dying 'i Were they sorry 1 Why did many people hate Jesus 1 Who is the father of bars *? How did the wicked people try to kill Jesue 1 212 QUESTIONS Did Jesus let them kill him 1 Why did he hide himself in a place a great way off ? XXIX Had Lazarus any sisters 1 What were their nam'es 1 Did Jesus ever come to their house and dine 1 When Lazarus was sick, was Jesus with him, or a great way off? Was Lazarus dead before Jesus came 1 Did Martha think that Jesus would make Lazarus alive again 1 Why did Jesus sigh and weep 1 Where was dead Lazarus put 7 What did Jesus say to Lazarus 1 What clothes did Lazarus wear in the grave 7 What did the people think of Jesus, when they saw him make Lazarus alive again % XXX. What did some of the people in Jerusalem wish to do to Jesus 1 Did Jesus walk or ride into Jerusalem 1 Where did the disciples find an ass 1 Why did so many of the people come to see Jesus when he was riding on the ass 1 What did the people lay upon the road T How did the little children make the proud men angry 1 xxxr. Where was the Temple 1 What used people to do in it 1 Did Jesus go there often 1 Who used to come there to laugh at Jesus 1 Where did Jesus go at night % ON THE LESSONS. 2l5 "Why did not the wicked men take Jesus when he was in the Temple 1 Did the wicked men know where Jesus went at night 1 XXXII. Did all Jesus' disciples love him 1 Did Judas say that he did not love Jesus 1 Did the other disciples know that Judas did not love Jesus 1 Did Jesus know it 1 What did Judas love better than any other thing 1 Was Judas a thief? What did Judas promise the wicked people he would do, if they would give him money 1 How much money did they promise to give himl Did Jesus know that Judas meant to show the wicked people where he was at night 1 XXXIII. Had Jesus any house in Jerusalem 1 How did he get a room to eat supper in with his disciples, before he died 1 Whom did he send to find the room 1 How did Peter and John find out which house they were to go to ? What things were in the room 1 Who sat next to Jesus at supper 1 How many people were at the supper 1 Why did Jesus pour water into a basin 1 Why did not Peter like Jesus to wash his feetl Had Jesus made his disciples hearts clean 1 Was Judas' heart clean 1 Why did Jesus wash his disciples' feet 1 What commandment did Jesus give to his disciples 1 XXXIV. What did Jesus say at supper, that one of his disciples would do 1 214 QUESTIONS Who asked Jesus to tell him which it was % Who dipped his hand in the dish with Jesus 1 Why did Judas go out of the room 1 What did the disciples think he was going to do 1 XXXV. What did Jesus break into pieces, and give to his dis- ciples 1 What did he give them to drink 1 What was the bread like I What was the wine like 1 Where did Jesus go after supper 1 What did he tell his disciples as he walked along the roadi What did Peter say he would do, if Jesus was killed or taken to prison 1 What did Jesus tell Peter that he would say 1 Where would Jesus go after he was killed 1 Would Jesus forget his disciples when he was in heaven % What did Jesus say he would send into their hearts ^ Where did Jesus take his disciples 1 XXXVI. When Jesus was in the garden, did he take ali his dis^ ciples with him to another part of the garden 1 How many did he take with him 1 What did Jesus tell them to do while he was praying T What did Jesus pray to his Father about 1 Was he very unhappy 1 Did Peter, and James, and John pray, while Jesus was praying ? How many times did Jesus come back to Peter, and John, and James 1 Who came from heaven to comfort him 1 Who came into the garden at last 1 Why did Judas kiss Jesus 1 Did Jesus know why Judas kissed him 1 ON THE LESSONS. 215 What kind name did Jesus call Judas % Did Jesus" run away from the wicked men 1 "Who made the wicked people fall upon the ground 1 Did they get up again soon 1 Did the disciples run away 1 What did Peter cut off with his sword ? Did Jesus wish Peter to fight for him ? What was it Jesus did to the man's ear 1 Where did the wicked people take Jesus 1 What was Jesus like when he went so meekly with them 1 XXXVII. Had the proud men gone to the garden themsdves, or had they sent their servants 1 What had they been doing all night 1 When Jesus came to Jerusalem, where did he stand 1 Did they ask him if he were the Son of God 1 Did he say that he was 1 What did the wicked proud men say must be done to Jesus 1 Where was Peter all this time ? Could Peter see Jesus 2 Did Peter wish people to know that he was one of Jesus' disciples 1 Why not '? Did any one ask Peter who he was 1 What did Peter say 1 How many times did people ask Peter who he was 1 What did Peter hear that made him feel how naughty he had been 1 What was it Peter did after Jesus had looked at him 1 Did Peter really love Jesus '? Who had often prayed for Peter % Did Satan have his soul at last 1 XXXVIII. Did Jesus stand a long time before the wicked people"? How did one of the servants behave to him 7 216 QUESTIONS When did the wicked men take him to the judge 1 "What did the servants put over his face 7 Where was the judge sitting 1 What was the judge's name 1 Did the judge wish to hurt Jesus 1 What did the wicked people say that Jesus had called himself? Was he a king 1 What is scourging 1 Why did the soldiers laugh at him 1 What clothes did they put on him 1 What did they put on his head 1 What did they put in his hand 1 What is a sceptre*? Why did Pilate tell the wicked people to look at Jesus "i Did the people make a great noise 1 Why did they cry out very loud *? What did Pilate at last say should he done to Jesus 1 Why did Pilate allow Jesus to be crucified 1 XXXIX. Was Judas happy when he got the thirty pieces of silver 1 What did he do with them 1 How did Judas kill himself? Where is Judas now 1 XL. Who carried Jesus' cross 1 Could Jesus carry it quite by himself 1 Who came after Jesus crying, because he was going to diel What did Jesus say to these kind women 1 What did the wicked men do to Jesus when he came to the top of the hill 1 Who took Jesus' clothes 1 Did they tear them all 1 Whom did Jesus ask his Father to forgive 7 Should we forgive people who are unkind to us 1 ON THE LESSONS. 217 XLI. "What did Pontius Pilate write upon the cross 7 Did the wicked people come to see Jesus on the cross *? What did they say to Jesus 1 Why did not Jesus corae down from the cross 1 How many people were crucified with Jesus "i Did both the thieves go to heaven 1 What did one of the thieves ask Jesus to do 1 Did he ask Jesus to save him from dying on the cross 1 XLII. Where was Jesus' mother, Mary, when he was on the cross 1 Who stood near the Virgin Mary 1 Who took care of her after Jesus was crucified 1 What did the soldiers give Jesus to drink 1 What did Jesus say just before he died 1 What o'clock was it when Jesus died 1 What frightened the people just before he diedl XLIII. How did the soldiers kill the thieves 1 Why did they kill them so soon 1 Why did not the soldiers break the legs of Jesus 7 What did they put into the side of Jesus 1 What is a spear 1 What came out of his side 7 What had Jesus poured out once at supper, and said, *» This is my blood 1" Why did Jesus shed his blood on the cross 7 XLIV. Who put Jesus into his own grave 7 Where was the grave 7 Whom did Joseph ask to let him have Jesus' body 7 What did Joseph wrap it in 7 What did he put around Jesus' head and waist 7 19 218 auESTioNS What was put before the grave 7 Did any one see where Jesus was laid t What did the women make when they went home ? XLV. When did the women come to the grave 1 Why did they come 1 Who rolled away the large stone 1 How did the angels look 1 Were the women pleased when they saw them 1 What did the angels tell the women"? To whom did the women run to tell what they had secnl Whom did the women see as they went along 1 What did the women do when they saw Jesus 1 Did the disciples believe that the women had seen him 1 Had Jesus forgiven his disciples for leaving him alone 1 XLVI. How many Marys have I told you of? Who came very early to the grave of Jesus 1 What two disciples ran to the grave of Jesus 1 Which came there first 1 Which of them went into the grave the first 1 What did Peter and John see in the grave 1 Did John believe that Jesus was alive again 1 Did Peter and John see Jesus or angels 1 Who stood alone, crying by the grave 1 What did she see when she looked in "? Why did Mary Magdalene cry 1 Who was the man that spoke to her kindly 1 Was he the gardener 1 Did Jesus stay with Maryl Who was the first person that saw Jesus afler ho was alive again "? ON THE LESSONS. 219 XLVII. On what day did Jesus come out of his grave "i What were two good men doing that evening "i What were they talking about '? Who came and walked with them 1 Did they know that Jesus was with them 1 What did Jesus talk to them about 1 Did Jesus come into the house of the two good men { When did they find out who he was 1 Did Jesus stay in the room 1 Did the good men stay in their own house that night '{ Where did they go 1 Who came into the room without opening the door 1 What did Jesus show to all his disciples 1 Were the disciples sure that Jesus was the same Jesus 1 What did Jesus eat 1 Why did Jesus eat 1 XLVIII. Which of the disciples would not believe that Jesus was alive again 1 What did Thomas say be must do, before he would be- lieve 7 When did Thomas see Jesus again 1 What did Jesus say to him when he saw him 7 Did Thomas believe theji that Jesus was alive ? XLIX. Did the disciples stay in Jerusalem, or did they go into the country '? Why did they go in boats one night 1 Could they catch any fish 1 , Who spoke to them in the morning 1 What did he tell them to do 1 Which of the disciples knew first that it was Jesus speaJt- ing to them 1 220 QUESTIONS "Which of them jumped into the water and swam to Jesus 1 What did the disciples find ready for them when they were come to Jesus 7 Had they caught any fish in the net 1 "What question did Jesus ask Peter three times 1 What did Jesus desire Peter to do, if he really loved him'? How can children show that they really love Jesus 1 What did Jesus tell Peter that wicked men would do to him one day 1 Can you tell me a verse about loving Jesus 1 L. Did Jesus live always with his disciples after he was alive again, or did he only come to see them sometimes 1 What did Jesus tell his disciples to do when he was gone back to his Father ? Did he tell them when he should come back '? What was Jesus doing just before he went away in the cloud 1 Who spoke to the disciples as they were looking up at the cloud 1 Were the disciples unhappy when Jesus was gone 1 Why were they not unhappy 1 LI. W hat did the disciples tell the wicked people in Jerusa- lem 1 Were any of the wicked people, who had killed Jesus, sorry for their wickedness 1 What happened to James at last 1 Where was Peter shut upl What used Peter's friends to do for him, when he was m prison 1 Who came to Peter one night 1 ON THE LESSONS. 221 How did Peter get loose from his chains 1 How did he get through the great doors 1 Where did the angel leave Peter standing alone 1 Where did Peter go then 1 What were the people in the house doing when Peter knocked ? Why was the maid afraid to open the door 1 How did she know at last that it was Peter knocking 1 Why did she not open the door 1 What did Peter tell all his friends, when he had made them quiet 1 Were did Peter go then 1 Why were the soldiers frightened in the morning *? Why did the wicked king send for Peter 1 What did the king desire to be done to the soldiers 1 How did God punish this wicked king at last 1 LII. Where was John shut up alone 1 Who came to see John when he was alone"? What did Jesus show him 1 Whom did he see sitting around God's throne 1 How many angels did he see 1 What makes heaven always light 1 When John fell down at the angel's feet, what did the ai>gel say '? What will Jesus do when he comes again 1 Who wrote down about heaven and the angels in a book'? LIII. When will the last day come 1 What great noise will there be at the last day 7 What will Jesus say to the dead people 1 What will be done to the bodies of people who love Jesua 1 19* 222 Q.UESTIONS. Where will Jesus sit 1 What has Jesus written down in his books 1 Whose sins will Jesus forgive ] Where has he written down their names 1 Where will God put the wicked 1 Who will torment them forever 1 VERSES OF SCRIPTURE. A VERSE applicable to each Scripture lesson has been selected, with the intention of its being committed to memory by the child, after each lesson. Very young children will not be able to learn these verses till the second time of going through the lessons. Titles of an explanatory kind are prefixed, rather than questions, because the Scripture words would not form direct answers. Children should not be required to name the part of Scrip* ture whence the words are taken. 1, All comes from God. God giveth to all Xi^q^ and breath, and all things. — Acts xvii. 25. 2, We should thank God. O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good. — Psalms cxxxvi. 1. 3. God isfuU of pity. Like as a father pittieth his children, so the Lord pittieth them that fear him. — Ps. cii. 13. 4. What becomes of us when roc die 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was ; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. — Ecclcs. xii. 7. 5. God bids his angels take care ofns. He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee m all thy ways. — Ps, xci. 11. 224 VERSES OF SCRIPTURE. 6. God punisJied the wicked angels. God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, — 2 Pet. ii. 4. 7. How the light was made. And God said, Let there be light : and there was Ught.^ Gen. i, 3. 8. Hoio wise God is. He telleth the number of the stars : he calleth them all by their names. — Ps. cxlvii. 4. 9. God is kind to birds and beasts. He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravena which cry. — Ps. cxlvii. 9. 10. Hoio beautiful the world vms at first. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold it was very good. — Gen. i. 31. 11. How sin came into the ivorld. By one man sin entered into the world. — Rom. v. 12, 12. Who sent us a. Saviour. The Father sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world, — 1 John iv. 14. 13. ^Vhy Christ came. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. — 1 Tim. i. 15. 14. About Mary and the Lord Jesus. And she brought forth her first-born Son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. — Diike ii. 7. 15. What the shepherds did. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. — L/iike ii. 16. 16. Tlie great King. God is the king of all the earth : sing ye praises,- Ps. xlvii. 7. VERSES OF SCRIPTURE. 225 17. IVho can help us ahcays. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. — Ps. cxxi. 2. 18. TTie devil is cniel. The devil, as a roaring Hon, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. — 1 Pet. v. 8. 19. Christ was veo-ypoor. Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. — Luke ix. 58. 20. Mliat the Father gave to his Son. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. — John iii. 35. 21. The iconders that Jesus did. He maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. —Mark vii. 37. 22. God is view/ fid. Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive ; and plente- ous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. — Ps. Ixxxvi. 5. 23, What the disciples said of Jesus after the storm. He commandeth even the winds, and the water, and they obey him. — Luke viii. 25. 24. God does every thing. The Lord killeth, and maketh alive : He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. — 1 Sam. ii. 6. 25. Tlie way in which God feeds men and beasts. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man : that he may bring forth food out of the earth. — Ps. civ. 14. 26. Whai Jesus said to the disciples when he called the children to him. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not : for of such is the kingdom of heaven. — Ltike xviii. 16. 226 VERSES OF SCRIPTURE. 27. Wien we sliould pray . Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. — Ps. Iv. 17. 2S. Where Jesus came from, and v:liere he icent. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world ; again I leave the world, and go to the Father. — John xvi. 28 29. God^s care of the righteous. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. — Ps. xxxiv. 17. 30. Tlie people who sliould praise God. Both young men and maidens, old men and children; let them praise the name of the Lord. — Ps. cxlviii. 12, 13. 31. Of loickedpcopWs cruelty. The wicked v/atcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. — Ps. xxxvii. 32, 32. God can see all things. The darkness hideth not frojn thee ; but the night shincth as the day. — Ps. cxxxix. 12. 33. Chrisfs last command. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. — John xv. 12. 34. God alone hiov:siis quite. Thou only knowest the hearts of all the children of rnen. — 1 Kings viii. 39 35. What Jesus said he would do for his disciples in heaven, I go to prepare a place for you. — John xiv. 2. 36. Ho^o meek Jesus %oas when he died for vs. He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. — Is. liii. 7. 37. Hoio Peter repented of his sin. And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter. And Pete? went out and wept bitterly. — Luke xxii. Gl, 62. VERSES OP SCRIPTURE. 227 33. IJoiv Jesus was treated before he died. I hid not my face from shame and spitting. — Isa. 1. 6. 39. The viisery of the loicked. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. — Isa. Mi. 21. 40. Jesus' prayer for those v^ho crucified him. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. — LalJx xxiii. 34. 41. What we mnst do, if we wish God to forgive its. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. — 1 John i. 9. 42. How Christ was treated wheii thirsty vpon the cross. In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink. — Ps. Ixix. 21. 43. What tal'cs away sin. The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin. — 1 Joh7i i. 7. 44. Wiat became of Jesus' body after he ivas crucified. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb. — Matt. xxvii. 59, GO. 45. Christ^s oicn words after he rose from tJie dead. I am he that liveth, and was dead ; and behold 1 am alive for evermore. — Rev. i. 18. 46. The happiness of the righteous. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous. — Ps. xxxii. 11. 47. Hoio Jesus made his disciples to knoio him again, after he was risen. He showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were his disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. — John. XX. 20. 228 VERSES OF SCRIPTURE. 48. Hoio God always hears us speak. There is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. — Ps. cxxxix. 4. 49. M^o loves Christ, and v'ho does not. If a man love me, he will keep my words. He that loveth me not, keepeth not my sayings. — John xiv. 23, 24 50. Soto Jesus left his disciples, after he had risen from the dead. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. — LuJcexxiv. 51. 51. Hoio the righteous are saved from danger. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. — Ps. xxxiv. 7. 52. Christ shall come again. Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall i^ee him. — Rev. i 7. 53. Tlie happiness of heaven. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, norcryicg; neither shall there be any more pain. — Rev. xxi. 4. VALUABLE WORKS PUBLISHED BY JOHN S. TAYLOR & CO., NEW YORK. CHAELOTTE ELIZABETH'S WORKS. JOHN S TAYLOR & CO., At the New York Sunday School and Juvenile Book Depository, Brick Church Chapel, 145 Nassau streety BfiG leave to call the attention of the Public to the following seifies of works from the gifted pen of CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH, published by them. It is believed that the religious part of the community will all recognize that the qualities and PRINCIPLES which are so much admired and so highly valued in this author, are groudned on the substantial basis of those immutable Gospel Truths, from the reception of which, alone, can emanate that which is truly valuable. The publishers have received numerous com- A mendatory notices of her works from the religious papers of all denominations of Christians, both in this country and in England, which they could insert here, if deemed necessary. But her works are now too well known and too extensively circulated to need any such aid. " The Religious Spectator," of February 8th, 1845, in a review of one of her works, has happily ex- pressed the views which are contained in the nu- merous notices, alluded to above ; and we insert here an extract simply as a specimen of the opinions of the press. •' If Charlotte Elizabeth were not one of the mos? attractive and useful writers of the age, we might perhaps be ready to say that she was in danger of surfeiting tlfie public appetite by her numerous pro- ductions; but as it is, we are constrained to say, thsr oftener she shows herself as an author the better. Her works never tire; and we are never even in doubt in respect to their usefwl tendency." See Religions Spectator, Feb. 8lh, 1845, PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS, 1 vol. 18mo. ..... 50 FLORAL BIOGRAPHY, 1 vol. I8mo. 5» HELEN FLEETWOOD, 1 vol. 18mo. 5a THE SIEGE OF DERRY, 1 vol. ISmo. . 50 LETTERS FROM ICELAND, 1 vol. 18mo. 50 JUDAH'S LION, 1 vol. 18mo. . . 50 THE WRONGS OF WOMAN, 1 vol. 18mo. 50 PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS, 1 vol. 18mo. . . . . .50 THE ROCKITE, I vol. ISrno. . . 50 JUDEA CAPTA, 1 vol. ISmo. . . 50 CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH'S POEMS, 1 vol. ISmo. . . . .50 FALSEHOOD AND TRUTH, ETC., 1 vol. ISmo. . . . .50 ENGLISH MARTYRS, 1 vol. ISmo. . 50 N. B. The above are bound in uniform style, in fine English cloth, with gilt backs and are sold in sets or separate volumes at 50 cents a volume. A liberal discount to the trade and to Sunday Schools.. This series will be continued and will include, when completed, all of Charlotte Elizabeth's larger works. Charlotte Elizabeth's Juvenile series, containing THE CHURCH VISIBLE IN ALL AGES, 1 vol. ISmo. ... 50 GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 1 vol. ISmo. . . . . .50 TALES AND ILLUSTRATIONS, 1 vol. IBmo. ..... 50 THE SIMPLE FLOWER, 1 vol. ISmo. . 50 THE FLOWER OF INNOCENCE, 1 vol. 18mo. ..... 50 ALICE BENDEN, 1vol. 18mo. . . 50 PHILIP AND HIS GARDEN, . . 50 BACKBITING AND LETTER WRI- TING, 1 vol. 18rao. ... 37 FEMALE MARTYRS, 1 vol. ISmo. . 37 The above are in uniform binding, in the same style as her larger series, and are sold in sets or separate volumes, and at a liberal discount to the trade and to Sunday Schools. N. B. This Juvenile series is not included in her larger works, and are not published by any other house. This series will also be continued to include' when complete, all of Charlotte Elizabeth's Juvenile works. PASSING THOUGHTS, by Charlotte Elizabeth, 1 vol. ISmo. ... 37 CONFORMITY, 1 vol. ISmo. . . 37 FALSEHOOD AND TRUTH, 1 vol. ISmo. ..... 37 THE CONVENT BELL, 1 vol. ISmo. . 37 IZRAM, a Mexican Tale, 1 vol ISmo. . 37 OSRIC, a Missionary Tale, 1 vol. ISmo. . 37 PROMISING AND PERFORMING, 1 vol. ISmo. ..... 25 THE STAR, 1 vol. ISmo. . . .25 THE GOLDEN IMAGE, 1 vol. 18mo. . 25 LETTER WRITING, 1 vol. 18mo. . 25 BACKBITING, 1 vol. 18mo. . . 25 THE LITTLE PIN HEADERS, 1 vol. ISmo. . . . . .25 THE FORSAKEN HOME, 1 vol. ISmo. . 25 THE LACE RUNNERS, I vol. ISmo. . J5 DRESS MAKERS AND MILLINERS, 1 vol. 18mo. , ... 25 J. S. T. & Co., also publish the following in- teresting v/orks for children, by Charlotte Elizabeth, in paper covers, suitable for premiums. Price 50 cts. a dozen. THE TWO SERVANTS. THE FAITHFUL STEWARD. THE BEE. THE SWAN, THE BOAT. THE BOW IN THE CLOUD. THE RED BERRIES. THE WILLOW TREE. ANNE BELL ; OR THE FAULTS. THE ROSE-BUD. THE BIBLE, THE BEST BOOK. THE HEN AND HER CHICKENS. THE HATED TASK. THE FORTUNE TELLER. WHERE ARE YOU GOING T THE VISIT. LITTLE OATHS. GOOD AND BAD LUCK. THE TWO CARPENTERS. THE WAY TO DO GOOD. THE LITTLE NESTLINGS, THE PREMIUM. THE GLOW WORM. THE DYING SHEEP. THE BIRD'S NEST. FATAL ERRORS. N. B. We think it proper to state, that our series of the works of " Charlotte Ehzabeth," contains eighteen volumes, including forty-seven works ; making 3652 pages of interesting matter which is not to be found in the so called " complete works of Charlotte Elizabeth, 2 vol. 8vo." THE PEEP OF DAY, or a series of the earliest religious Instruction, the Infant Mind is capable of receiving, with verses illustra- tive of the subjects, 1 vol. 18mo. with engravings, r . . .50 LINE UPON LINE, by the author of "Peep of Day," a second series, . 50 PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT, by the author of " Peep of Day," etc., a third series, . . • . .50 This is probably the best and raost popular series of Juvenile Books ever published. The publishers refer with the most entire confidence to all parents and teachers who have introduced these books into their families or schools, who will testify as to the useful and correct religious instruction which they contain. THE ADOPTED CHILD, or the neces- sity of Early Piety, by the author of Emma, or the Lost Found, 1 vol. 18mo. . 31 THE STORY OF GRACE, the Little Sufferer, 1 vol. 18mo. . . .31 ADOLPHUS AND JAMES, by the Rev. Napoleon Roussel, translated from the French, 1 vol. 18mo. . . .31 THE LILY OF THE VALLEY, by Mrs. Sherwood, . . . .31 SHANTY, THE BLACKSMITH, by Mrs. Sherwood, . ... 50 THE TRAVELLER, or the Wonders of Art, 1 vol. ISmo. . . . .38 MEMOIR OF TELLSTORM, the first Swe- dish Missionary to Lapland; with an Appen- dix giving an account of the Stockholm 8 Mission, by the Rev. George Scott, 1 vol. 18mo. ..... 31 SKETCHES OF NEWPORT AND ITS VICINITY, with Notices respecting the History, Settlement and Geography of Rhode Island, illustrated with numerous en- graving's, 1 vol. 12mo . . .75 A TALE OF THE HUGUENOTS, or Me- moirs of a French Refugee Family ; trans- lated from the Manuscripts of James Fon- taine, by a lady — with an introduction, by Francis L. Hawkes, D. D. 1 vol. ]8mo . 50 POETRY FOR THE YOUNG, in two parts, Moral and Miscellaneous, 1 vol. 18mo. . 37 THE WORLD'S RELIGION, as contrasted with genuine Christianity, by Lady Col- quhoun, 1 vol. ISmo. . . .50 ROCKY ISLAND, and other Parables, by Samuel Wilberforce, M. A., 1 vol. ISmo. . 37 THE LITTLE WANDERERS, by Samuel Wilberforce, M. A., 1 vol. ISmo. . . 25 THE KING AND HIS SERVANTS, by Samuel Wilberforce, M. A., 1 vol. ISmo. . 25 THE PROPHET'S GUARD, by Samuel Wilberforce, M. A., 1 vol. ISmo. . . 25 ADVICE TO A YOUNG CHRISTIAN, by a village Pastor, with an Introduction, by Rev. Dr. Alexander, (new edition,) 1 vol. 18mo. ..... 38 FLOWEK FADED, by Rev. John Angell James, 18mo. . . . .37 MEMOIR OF MARTHA, by John Angell James, 1 vol. 18mo. . . .25 MEMOIR OF CHARLES LATHROP WINSLOW, 1 vol. IBmo. . . 31 CLOSING SCENES OF THE LIFE OF SAMUEL WISDOM, illustrating the use- fulness of Tract Distribution, and Sabbath School Instruction, 1 vol. IBmo. . . 31 THE SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHER'S PATTERN, AND A WORD FOR ALL, by John Angell James, . . .31 eOUNSELS TO THE YOUNG, by Rev. A. Alexander, D. D., . . . 31 SELF CULTIVATION, by Tryon Edwards, 31 EARLYPIETY, by Rev. Jacob Abbott, . 31 THE CHRISTIAN POCKET COMPAN- ION, selected from the works of President Edwards and others. . . .31 (The above five pocket volumes are bound to match in elegant English cloth, with gilt backs and gilt edges. The same books in plain cloth, 25 cents each.) HEROINES OF SACRED HISTORY, by Mrs. Steele, 1 vol. 18mo. . . ,50 10 A SUMMER JOURNEY IN THE WEST, by Mrs. Steele, author of " Heroines of Sacred History," 1 vol. 12mo. . . 75 MEMOIRS OF MRS. SARAH LOUISA TAYLOR, by Rev. Lot Jones, A. M. Fifth edition, 18mo. . . . bO EMANUEL ON THE CROSS, AND IN THE GARDEN, by R. P. Buddicom. 1 vol. 12mo. . . . . .75 THE FAMILY OF BETHANY, by L. Bonnet; with an Introductory Essay, by the Rev. Hugh White, 1 vol. ISmo. . . 38 BIOGRAPHY OF THE SAVIOUR AND HIS APOSTLES, with portraits done on steel, 1 vol. ISrao. . . . .50 OBLIGATIONS OF THE WORLD TO THE BIBLE, by Gardiner Spring, D. D., 1 vol. 12mo. . . . . ^1 GO THE CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS, and other Fragments, from the Study of a Pastor, by Gardiner Spring, Pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church, in the city of Nev/ York, 1 vol. 12mo, . . .50 THEOPNEUSTY, Or the Plenary Inspira- tion of the Holy Scriptures, by S. R. L. Gaussen, Professor of Theology in the new Theological School of Geneva, Switzerland. Second American, from the second French 11 edition, revised and enlarged by the author. Translated by the Rev. Edward Norris Kirk, 1 vol. 18mo. . . . .50 AIDS TO PREACHING AND HEARING, by Rev. Thos. H. Skinner, D. D., 1 vol. 12mo. . . . . . 1 00 MEMOIR OP THE LATE REV. WM. NEVINS, D. D., 1 vol. 12mo. . . I 09 CHRISTIAN RETIREMENT, or Spiritual Exercises of the Heart, by the author of "Christian Experience." Fourth Ameri- can, from the eighth London edition, 12mo. 1 00 CHRISTIANEXPERIENCE,bytheauthor of " Christian Retirement." Illustrated with an elegant steel plate Frontispiece, 1 vol. 12mo. . . . - . 1 00 LECTURES ON UNIVERSALISM, by Rev. Joel Parker, D- D., President of the New York Theological Seminary, 12mo. 'fS JACOB WRESTLING WITH THE AN- GEL, and SOLOMON THE SHULA- MITE, by Krummacher, author of Elijah the Tishbite, 1 vol. 12mo. . . . '75 CORNELIUS, THE CENTURION, by Krummacher, 1 vol. 12mo. , . 50 SERMONS ON REVIVALS, by Rev. Al- bert Barnes, with an Introduction by Pwev, Joel Parker, D. D., 1 vol. 18mo. . . 38 13 B^AtJBIGNE'S HISTORY OF THE GREAT REFORMATION, abridged by the Rev. .Edward Dalton, 1 vol. 18mo. 447 pages, . . . . .50 A VOICE FROM ANTIQUITY, To the Men of the Nineteenth Century ; or, Read the Book. By J. H. Merle D'Aubigne, author of the " History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century," 1 vol. 18mo. . 25 THE VOICE OF THE CHURCH ONE, Under all the Successive Forms of Christi- anity ; A Discom-se, pronounced at the opening of the Theological School at Gene- va, by J. H. Merle D'Aubigne, D. D., 1 vol. 18rao. . . . . ♦25 PUSEYISM EXAMINED, by J. H. Merle D'Aubigne, D. D., author of the "History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Cen- tury." AVith an Introductory Notice of the author by Robert Baird, 1 vol. IBmo. . . . . .25 THE CONFESSION OF CHRIST, by J. H. Merle D'Aubigne^ D. D., 1 vol. IBmo. . . . . .25 FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE, by J. H. Merle, D. Aubigne, D. D., 1 vol. IBmo. . 25 THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER, Or The Soul rising out of Time into the Riches of Eterni- IS ty, by "Wm. Law, -A. M., author of "Law's Serious Call," etc., 1 vol. 18mo. . . 31 A PROTESTANT MEMORIAL, Com- prising a Concise History of the Reforma- tion, by Thomas Hartwell Home, B. D., author of "Introduction to the Bible," etc.^ etc., i vol. 18mo. . . . .38 DANGER AND DUTY, Or a Few Words on Popery, Puseyism, etc., by Rev. Richard Marks, author of the "Re- trospect," etc., etc., 1 vol. 18mo. . 3i A VISIT TO NORTHERN EUROPE, Or Sketches, Descriptive, Historical* Poetical and Moral, of Denmark, Nor- way, Sweden and Finland, and the free cities of Hamburgh and Lubeck ; con- taining notices of the Manners and Customs, Corrimerce, Manufactures, Arts and Sciences, Education, Literature and Religion of those Countries and Cities. By the Rev. Robert Baird, with Maps and numerous Engravings, 2 vols. 12mo. . 2 00 A NEW TRIBUTE to the Memory o James Brainard Taylor, composed of wri- tings distinct from those embraced in the Memoir, 1 vol. 12mo. . . 1 00 THE CHRISTIAN CITIZEN, by the B 14 Hev. A. D. Edd^, of Newark, 1 vol. 12mo. ..... 50 HISTORY OF THE SANDWICH ISL- ANDS, by the Rev. Shelden Dibble, Mis- sionary to those Islands, 1 vol. 12nio. . 75 GENEVA AND ROME, by S. R. L. Gaus- sen, 1 vol. 18rao. . . .25 REFLECTIONS ON FLOWERS, by Rev. James Hervey, author of Meditations among the Tombs, 1 vol. 18mo. . . 31 SERMONS, by Hugh Blair, D. D., to which is prefixed the life and character of the author, by James Finlayson, D. D., 1 vol. 8vo. . , . . . 2 59 TRANSPLANTED FLOWERS, Or Me- moirs of Mrs. Rumff, and the Dutchesse de Broglie, with an appendix by the Rev. Robert Baird, 1 vol. 18mo. . . 38 HINTS FOR MOTHERS, by a Lady, 1 vol. 18mo» . . . .31 THE BACKSLIDER, by Andrew Fuller, with an introduction by the Rev. John Angell James, 1 vol. 18mo. . . 31 THE ELEMENTS OF ASTRONOMY, designed as an Introduction to the Study, 1 vol. 18mo. - . . .25 THE SHORTER CATECHISM of the 15 Reverend Assembly of Divines, with proofs thereof out of the Scriptures, in words at length, 18mo $5 per 100. D'AUBIGNE'S HISTORY OF THE GREAT REFORMATION, abridged by the Rev. Edward Dalton, 1 vol. 18mo. 447 pages. Price, . . ' . .50 Probably no book of modern date has obtained such a wide-spread popularity, and been so ex- tensively read as D'Aubigne's History of the Great Reformation of the sixteenth century, in Germany, Switzerland, &;c. Engrossing and enduring as must be the interest connected with the details of the historical incident of the Great Reformation, the author of this work has invested them with all the charm and fascination of romance. The Abridgement retains most of the attractions of the larger work, and brings it within the means, as to time and expense, of a still larger body of readers. Of the faithfulness with which this Abridgement has been made, the following testimonial from the New York Observer of Oct. 21, is abundant and satisfactory evidence. It is from the pen of a distinguished clergyman of New York, whose opinions on such subjects are entitled to universal confidence. ♦' I have read the Rev. Mr. Dalton's Abridgement ^ 16 of D'Aubigne's History, as reprinted by Mr. Taylor, and have fully compared it with Mr. Carter's edition of the original work. I am free to say that I think the abridgement is made with great fidelity and sound judgment. It consists almost wholly of the author's own words, and embraces those parts which are of most prominent interest. Doubtless those who can command the time will prefer to read the original work; but those who wish to have the substance of the work in less compass, will here find it faithfully condensed by one who entered into the true spirit of D'Aubigne. Both editions, I believe calculated to be eminently useful, and I wish to both the widest circulation.' The work is printed on good type, contains 447 pages,- and is sold at the exceedingly low price of 50 cents." rFrom the American Protestant. I D'Aubigne's History of the Reformation Cheap edi- tion. Abridged by the Rev. Edward Dalton. Second edition. John S. Taylor &; Co., Brick Church Chapel. 145 Nassau street. This edition of D'Aubigne, abridged by a skilful hand, has received the commendations of the press, and of men of talent, for the rare merit it presents in the present form. It is admirably adapted for Sun- day School and Com.mon School Libraries, and for .|J| 17 the. family. None of the important facts of the original history are omitted, or even mutilated; while all that is extraneous and common-place, has been dropped. It is useless to talk about the ad- vantage a child will reap from the reading of the full edition ; the same argument should hold good for all purposes, and we would have to banish books wholly from our School Libraries — for, of the historical portion of those Libraries, hardly a single volume can be found, that is not an abridgement of a more voluminous work. Children must have the facts, and the stirring interest of unbroken narrative ; their age, and their unripe minds, imperatively demand them, and we might as well forbid them to study Astronomy except through the barren formulas of La Place, as to forbid them to read history except in the philosophic voluminousness of original pro- ductions. THE CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS, and other Fragments from the study of a Pastor, by Gardina Spring, D. D., Pastor of the Brick Pres- byterian Church, in the city of New York. — New York, John S. Taylor, S^ Co. The following notice of Spring's Fragments is ex- tracted from the New York Commercial Ad- vertiser. The first piece, entitled the "Church in the Wil- ^ 18 derness," is one of the most beautiful sketches in our language. It is in every respect a finished pro- duction — a picture complete in all its parts, that for the time captivates the affections, enchains the pow- ers of the mind, and fills the soul with the most ex- alted conceptions. The Church is represented, under the various circumstances of her earthly allotment, leaning on the arm of her Beloved, and deriving all her strength from this unfailing source. The chastened but glowing fancy, elegance of diction, and purity of thought, conspire to give beauty to the image, and make us dwell upon it with delight. The other pieces in the collection are scarcely of inferior merit. " The Inquiring Meeting" poptrays with great vividness some of the phases which the human heart exhibits, when under the influence of religious excitement. The " Letter to a Young Clergyman" abounds in instructions of inestimable value. It may perhaps be doubted whether the author attaches sufficient importance to pastoral visitation. "The Panorama" is an affecting delinea- tion of the employment of men as they usually appear on the stage of active life. " The Useful Christian" contains sound practical suggestions for informing the mind, regulating the heart, and in- spiring energy of action. A MEMOIR OF MRS. SARAH LOUISA TAYLOR, PUBLISHED BY JOHN S. TAYLOR AND CO. Brick Church Chapel, 145 Nassau Si. NOTICES. From the Christian Mirror. Memoir of Mrs. Sarah Louisa Tailor: or an Illustration of the work of the Holy Spirit, in axoaken- ing, reneiving, and sanctifying the heart. By Lot . Jones, A. M., New York : John S. Taylor, pp 324. Price 50 cents. Memoirs of individuals have become so common, that not a ievf may be ready to ask, Why publish another ? We have no fears that the above question will be asked by any one after reading this volume. If he does not feel 'reproved, corrected, or instructed in righteousness,' it will be because he has made pre-emi- nent attainments in scriptural knowledge, and holy, flseful living ; or else because his conscience has lost b 20 its susceptibility. In Mrs. Taylor religion appears with dignity as well as grace, in power as well as beauty.- Hers was the faith which " works by love, purifies the heart, and overcomes the world." Its fruits were choice and abundant. Nor were her vir- tues cancelled, or their influence more than destroyed by gross defects and blemishes. She had uncommon symmetry and harmony of character. With a uni- form and controlling desire to do good, she never lack- ed the means and opportunity; and did much, in the best and highest sense of the expression. She won not a few to righteousness. Her religion was a religion of diligence and energy, rendering her •' stead- fast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord ; " and her labor was " not in vain." AVe see in Mrs. T. the same religion, in its essential elements, and in its more important developments, which glowed in and beamed forth from the " great cloud of witnesses ; " — the same faith, the same hu- mility, the same dependence on atoning blood, the same susceptibility to the constraining mfluence of Christ's love : " We thus judge, that, if Christ died for all, then all were dead ; and that he died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live unto them-selves, but unto him who died for them." We see deep religious experience, but no extravagance — strong feelings, but no fanaticism — absorbing devo- tion, but no cant — firmness of principle, but no party d 21 bigotry. We have here, not only holiness in its priu' eiple, but the beauty of holiness adorning and perfect- ing the character. Mr. Jones was greatly favored in the subject of his narrative ; and he has wrought up his materials with great skill and judgment. Nothing has been inserted, which would have been better omitted ; and nothing appears to be wanting, which was necessary to a just appreciation of her character. We unhesitatingly commend this Memoir to all females, in all ranks of society. The most refined and best educated will rise from its perusal, improved in literary taste, intellectual expansion, and correct thinking ; and the less favored will learn from it what it is in their power to become by diligence, by prayer, by studying the Scriptures, by a whole- hearted devotedness to the duties which they owe to God and their fellow men. From the Boston Recorder. Memoir of Mrs. Sarah Louisa Taylor; or, an Illustration of the work of the Holy Spiriij in awakening, renewing and sanctifying the Jieart. By Lot Jones, A. M. It is not possible to do justice to this captivating and instructive volume within the compass of the few lines to which our notice must be confined. And 22 perhaps it is best to desist altogether from an attempt to convey a correct impression of it to our readeis ; for it must be confessed that our own emotions on the perusal of it are too strong to permit the exercise of the most cool and deliberate judgment as to its in- trinsic merits. To follow a lovely youth through the scenes of childhood and ripening years; to mark the various traits of intellectual aud moral character, as they are developed in all the relations of the child, the sister, the friend, the wife, the mother, the teacher and the disciple of Jesus : and then to group the whole, and contemplate the triumphs of faith over natural affection, and the heart's corruptions, and the power of death itself; cannot fail to excite very strong emotion in any bosom not petrified, even though the execution of the work were marked with many imperfections. But Mr. Jones has not failed in the fulfilment of the task he has assumed. The simplicity and clearness of his delineations ; the richness and fulness of evangelical sentiment dif- fused through the whole, and arising naturally from his subject, the dignified tenderness of style, and the accurate discrimnation made between spurious and genuine religion in his incidental remarks, show him to be a workman that needeth not be ashamed, and leave an impress on the volume that will render it very precious to every evangelical reader. Any Christian who desires above all things to grow in. 33 grace; to learn the nature of the Christian convict, and to use successfully the weapons that shall give him the victory over his spiritual enemies ; or, in one word, to learn "the mind of the Spirit" on these points, will do well to study this volume. From the Episcopal San.laySciiool Visitor. Sometimes the usefulness of religious biography is lessened by a redundancy of ornament in the style ; by too many digressions, v/hich are continually breaking into the interest which the reader feels in the narra- tive, and driving away the profitable reflections which it suggests to the mind. It is very seldom that we meet with a book so entirely free from blemishes of this kind, as the one before us. It is the simple portrait of an amiable, enlightened and devotedly pious Christian, drawn by a most judicious and faithful hand. The young Christian, who is just commencing his course, and v.hoss temptations and trials are some* times leading him to despondency, will read this book with thankfitlness.; and those who are yet strangers to vital religion may be induced, from this lonely instance of its powerful effects in sustaining the soul, under the heaviest afflictions of life, and in the hour of sickness and death, to seek, for themselves. an interest in the Lord Jesus Christ. Mrs. Taylor evidently possessed a fine and culti- 34 t^ated rnihd. Of this the beautiful fragthents of poetry^ which are given in the course of the book, and the extracts from her correspondence, are evidence. Had those talents been cultivated for the world and its approbation, she might, perhaps, have attained all that this vi'orld can give — fame — ap- plause — and celebrity. But what would they avail her now? She has chosen the belter part, which cannot be taken from hen It would be injustice to the publishers not to notice the beautiful manner in which the work has been executed. The paper and type are excellent, and the engravings good : but still the matter of the book is its main recommendation. From the Episcopal Recorder. This is a new work just issued from the press, and well worthy the attention of Christians. It describes mainly from her own writings, the character of a Christian, whose experience of the power of sin and of the power of grace, was deeper than is usual, and whose example of usefulness to others gives beauti- ful evidence of the reality of her own principles of character. We have been much interested in look- ing over this volume, and rejoice to recommend it to our readers. They will find it an uncommonly interesting and iustructive biography, worthy of its excellent author, and adapted to be eminently useful to themselves^ 25 From the Christian Intelligencer. This well-written biography of an amiable and devoted Christian, who pleasantly and beautifully exhibited the Christian character in the different re- lations of life and in her early death. The reader will be pleased with the spirit and sentiments of het correspondence introduced and scattered throughout the volume. It is calculated to be useful and edify- ing, and we freely commend it to o"ur readers. It is published in a beautiful style. From the Christian Watchman. The interesting subject of this memoir was born at East Haddam, Conn., January 18, 1809, and died August 2, 1836. Books of this description are sure to obtain readers, and therefore we sincerely wish they always combined as much solid instruction with affecting and irileresting narrative, as we find in this volume. " He that winneth souls is wise*'' Every endeavor, therefore, to secure so important an object, which is not at variance with the principles and the spirit of revelation, is wise also. As the author fer- vently prays, so we sincerely hope that this work " may subserve the interests of our holy religion, and be the means of leading many to the fountain of eter- nal life." It is a lamentable fact, but one we suppose no one will venture to deny, that there are persons who though they cannot be prevailed upon to read a few 26 pages of a book of this kind, would need no persua- sion to sit down and peruse any of Bulwer's novels^ from the preface to the finis, without suffering their attention to be interrupted. A person can hardly read this volume without feeling that, for the time at least, he is a wiser and a better man. The author has pro- duced a book alike creditable to the powers of his mind and to the devotional feelings of his heart ; and which, in our opinion, justly entitles him to the thanks of the religious public, among whom we sin- cerely hope it will obtain an extensive circulation and an attentive perusal. From the iTew York Evangelist. In the memoir of Mrs. Taylor, the reader will see chiefly " an illustration of the work of the Holy Spirit in awakening, renewing, and sanctifying the heart.' He will see an humble female, born in Connecticut, and reared under the genial influence of that blesaed atmosphere so prevalent in the land of the pilgrims, becoming first a teacher of youth in her native state, then in New York city. With a mind well cultivated and of a very respectable order of talent, with a heart formed for friendship, and keenly alive to the purest and tenderest sensibilities; she was such a one as almost any one would wish their daughters to be. Her piety was of a high order, even from the first, and no wonder; she had been an object of the prayers and exhortations of Harlan Page. The closing scene? 27 exhibit, in no small degree, the triumphs of Christian faith. The biographer has done his work well, inter- weaving, page by page, in an easy, natural manner, delightful lessons from real life. The book is a beautiful specimen of the printer's art, and shows also, in the portrait prefixed and the vignette title-page, the engraver's skill. The book will be read, and seldom, we hope, without profit. From the Christian Advocate and Journal. This memoir is an illustration of the work of the Holy Spirit, in awakening, renewing and sanctifying the heart. Mrs. T. was in many respects an extraor- dinary woman ; and her biographer has performed his task in a style of great excellence. The narrative of her conviction and contrition, which is here given, is deeply affecting and instructive, by reason of its protracted character, as well as the circumstances which kept her so *long without the "joy in believ- ing," which she afterwards found to have been her privilege. That her's was the true " godly sorrow which worketh repentance unto salvation," no one can doubt; and yet she was for many years, the subject of its anguish and mental agony, before she received the "spirit of adoption," or had the " witnesses in herself" of which the apostle speaks. Subsequently, her enlightened piety, her growth in grace, and her experience of the fulness of the 28 blessing of the Gospel of peace, made her a "burn- ing and shining Hght." In these days of degeneracy, her memoir is a most timely publication, showing, as it does, an eminent example of Christian ex- perience and practice, unsophisticated by any of the dogmas of scholastic divinity. Mrs. Taylor was an humble, sincere, fervent and consistent Christian, in sickness and in health, living and dying, exemplifying the truth, power and preciousness of our holy religion. Intellectu- ally, she was a woman of a high order ; and her early and devoted piety, her patience and resigna- tion in affliction, her victory over death, all de- monstrate that she was a witness of the washing and regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Ghost. Would that our young ladies would read her memoir, imbibe her spirit, share her enjoyments, and participate in her blessedness here and here- after. From the New York Observer. The Adopted Child, or the Necessity of Early Piety. By Charles Burdett: Author of Emma, or the Lost Found. NewYork, J. S.Taylor& Co. ,1845 A very taking story, very well told ; the plot is ra- ther too strange for fiction or truth, but the tale is wrought out with good effect, and the perusal of it will deeply impress the youthful mind with the fact 29 that happiness and virtue are always in company ; that vice leads to shame, and religion is the surest guide to present and eternal bless. From the Baptist Advocate. JUDiEA CAPTA. By Charlotte Elizabeth. John S. Taylor & Co. 145 Nassau street. 1845. A brief description of Jerusalem as it was, is fol- lowed by a circumstantial detail of the principal events that occurred in the capture of the city by the Romans. The history is written with almost glowing eloquence. The peculiar enthusiasm of the writer respecting the personal restoration of the Jews and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, leads her to throw her heart into all that she writes concerning this ever memorable city and people. Many facts are here collected which are not found together in any one author, and the whole is exhibited in so interesting a light, that the reader unavoidably catches something of the enthusiasm of the writer. The book contains 222 pages. It is unnecssary to recommend it. From the New York Observer. JUDiEA CAPTA, one of the most interesting and thrilling sketches which we have read in the pro- ductions of this gifted lady. 30 From the New York Evangelist. JuDJEA Capta. By Charlotte Elizabeth. John S. Taylor & Co. An edition uniform with the other works of this authoi published by this house, of her latest works. It is agraphia sketch of the capture of Jerusalem by Titus, in which the mistakes and slanders of Josephus are corrected, sometimes with caustic severity, and the bravery and endurance of the Jews strikingly set forth. It is very attractive and useful, as the subject is one with which young readers should be acquainted, and the moral reflections which are interwoven adapt- ed to impart strong salutary impressions. NK"W-irORK lUVENILE AND SUNDAY SCHOOL BOOK DEPOSITORY, Brick Charch Ohapel, No. 145 Nassau Street, JOHN S. TAiriiOB, Agent. JOHN S. TAYLOR & CO. Theological, Sunday School and Juvenile Publish- ers and Booksellers, Brick Church Chapel, No. 145 Nassau street, (opposite the American Tract Society's House,) have on hand a choice selection of Miscella- neous works, suitable for Sunday School Libraries ; together with Theological, Classical, Moral and Re- ligious Books, Stationary, &c., all of which they will sell at the lowest prices. Publications of the American Tract Society, the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, and American and Episcopal Sunday School Unions supplied at the same prices as sold at their respective Depositories. All orders from the country will be immediately attended to, and books forwarded according to direc- tions. — Should the selection of books for Sunday Schools be left with J. S. T. and he should forward any which should not suit the purchaser, they may be 32 returned, and the money will be refunded, or other books given in exchange. J. S. T. having been engaged several years past in selecting books for Sunday Schools, presumes he can give satisfaction to those favoring him with orders. N. B. Any valuable books to be had in New- York furnished by J. S. T. & Co. at the lowest cash 2)ric€s. Date Due