BIBLE CATECHISM, ARRANGED IN FORTY DIVISIONS: ALL THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS BEING IN THE Exact Words of Scripture: INTENDED FOR THE RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF THE Printed by Rider and Weed, Little Britain. PUBLISHED AND SOLD AT THE SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION DEPOT, IN selecting and arranging the following texts and subjects, I have been much struck with the vast variety and extent of those divine instructions on all important subjects, which God has so graciously imparted to man in his holy Word. I have always considered it the principal object of a religious instructor to lead those whom he teaches, as nearly as possible, to the fountain-head of divine truth. All human compositions are necessarily defective, and they are only excellent so far as they approximate to the divine standard. Teachers may feel a holy confidence as to the instructions they communicate, when they are enabled to declare "Which things we speak not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (1 Cor. 2. 13.) I may also observe, that the plain and nervous language used in the English version of the Bible, appears to me exceedingly well adapted for the rising generation: it is generally understood; and its simple, dignified, forcible, and venerable style, renders it a most appropriate medium for the communication of religious instruction, What knowledge can be so important to our youth as an acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures? "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way! By taking heed thereto, according to thy word." (119 Ps. 9.) "My heart's desire and prayer to God" for the young, is, that they may be blessed with a thoroughly scriptural education. May imitators of Timothy be found in all our schools, and in every family; to each of whom we may say: "From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (II. Tim. 3 15.) I have endeavoured, in the ensuing pages, to select those texts which I thought most particularly calculated for the young. It has been my study throughout, to avoid every expression which could give offence to any body of sincere Christians. I commend this little Work to the blessing of that God who has promised, "My word shall not return unto me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (55 is. 11.) I take this opportunity of remarking, that it appears to me quite unnecessary for our scholars to commit to memory the chapter and verses which state from whence the texts are selected, and which I have put in a parenthesis; it will be enough for them to learn the holy words, which are of inspired authority. In the present edition, I have endeavoured to make some of the questions plainer, and more closely applicable to the answers, and I have also added a few texts. For the benefit of those children who are not sufficiently forward to learn the whole of this Catechism, I have published an Abridgment, entitled, "The Abridged Bible Catechism," price Four pence, stiff covers; or Sixpence, bound. W. F. L. CONTENTS. 11. The Sabbath and the House of God 12. Affliction.-Persecution ........ 95 The Kingdom of Christ.-The Spread of true Religion 63 18. Meekness.-Forgiveness.-Patience.-Perseverance 19. Anger, Strife, Hatred, Malice and Revenge.-Envy 20. Love or Charity.-Benevolence or doing good.-Sym- ........ ...... I. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. The Scriptures-inspired-benefits of-duty of searching -divine help, to understand and obey them, necessary— effects of suited for the young-value of the despisers of them punished. 1. Who inspired the Scriptures? The prophecy came not of old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (II. Pet. 1. 21.) 2. For what uses is all Scripture given?' All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (II. Tim. 3. 16.) 3. How should we esteem the authority of the Bible? Not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God. (I. Thes. 2. 13.) 4. Were the Scriptures written for our good? Whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. (15 Ro. 4.) 5. Why does Christ command us to search the Scriptures? Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me. (5Jn. 39.) 6. What was the character of the Bereans? These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so; therefore many of them believed. (17 Acts, 11, 12.) |