PREFACE. THE object of this work is, to provide select passages of Scripture for all the Sundays in the year, particularly suited for the young to commit to memory; so rightly divided as to give them a portion in due season, 2 Tim. ii. 15; Luke xii. 42; 1 Cor. iii. 1, 2; Heb. v. 11-13. I fear some teachers have paid very little attention to suitable selections, and that sometimes the scholars have been left to make their own choice: while in other cases, whole books have been learned through without discrimination, as a mere exercise of memory. Teachers should explain the lessons before they are learned: I strongly recommend them to adopt this plan, and always to make the words and the scope of the passage clear and plain to their scholars before it is learned by heart: this will help them greatly, and keep their understandings employed as well as their memories. I hope the brief notes I have given will afford some assistance to the scholars; and that teachers will add such further explanations as they may find needful. I recommend that the marginal references be diligently consulted by the teachers, and for this purpose advise them to procure the Pocket Paragraph Bible of the Religious Tract Society, price 4s. After the lesson is committed to memory, the learners should be re-examined as to its meaning; and the subject be closely applied to their hearts, consciences, and conduct. W. F. L. N. B. A Second Series is published, price 2d., Averaging about six verses. SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS. SUBJECT I. The value of the Scriptures. The apostle Paul thus writes to Timothy: Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them, and that 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. All Scripture is given by inspiration § of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.-2 Tim. iii. 14-17. *Timothy had been taught from the Old Testament by his pious grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. See 2 Tim. i. 5. + To be saved from sin and woe. Believing God's word, trusting in God taught holy men Teaching God's will, Christ with all the heart. what to write in the Bible.. Well instructed. II. The duty of children to their parents. Children, obey your parents in the Lord:* for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition § of the Lord.-Eph. vi. 1-4. As commanded by the Lord. + The promise in the fifth commandment. Obedient children have a reward in this life. Discipline, correcting that which is evil. ? Instruction, teaching them to fear the Lord, and mind his word. III. Christ the Messiah foretold. Behold my servant, whom I uphold; He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. Nor cause his voice to be heard in the street And the smoking* flax shall he not quench: Till he have set judgment† in the earth: And the isles shall wait for his law.-Isa. xlii. 1-4. * Dimly burning, Margin. His righteous rule. See Matt. xii. 17-21, where Christ applies this prophecy to himself. |