FAMILIARLY

ILLUSTRATING IMPORTANT TRUTH.

FIRST & SECOND SERIES.

BY THE

REV. JOHN TODD, D.D.,

AUTHOR OF

"THE STUDENT'S MANUAL," "QUESTIONS ON THE PATRIARCHS," ETC.

New Edition,

WITH ADDITIONAL LECTURES.

LONDON:

PUBLISHED BY KNIGHT AND SON,

CEERKENWELL CLOSE.

185

270.0.357.

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

TO THE REVISED EDITION.

THIS little work, after having passed through fifteen editions in this country, and many in England, after having been translated into French, German, Greek, and many more languages, printed in raised letters for the blind, and last of all, adopted as a schoolbook for the liberated slaves at Sierra Leone, is now sent forth in a new dress, with the addition of new Lectures. The only reason why the number was not much larger is, in order to keep it a little book for little folks.

A whole generation has passed from childhood into manhood since these Lectures were first printed; and though it claims to be only a very humble instrument of usefulness, yet the author, from testimony which he has already received from many and various quarters, would rather want renown and fame among men, than be without his hope that the mission of this little work has been one of good to the lambs of Christ's flock.

PREFACE

TO THE FIRST EDITION.

IN "rightly dividing the word," it is a difficult question to decide how and in what manner we can best meet the spirit of the command, “Feed my lambs." That children are a very important class in every congregation, all admit; that ministers owe them some peculiar duties, is equally plain; and that they are a difficult part of the flock to feed, the experience of every one, who has ever tried to do his duty to them, will testify. Says a profound thinker, and one possessing uncommon knowledge of human nature,* "Nothing is easier than to talk to children; but to talk to them as they ought to be talked to, is the very last effort of ability. A man must have a vigorous imagination. He must have extensive knowledge, to call in illustration from the four corners of the earth; for he will make but little progress, but by illustration. It requires great genius, to throw the mind into the habits of children's minds. I aim at this, but I find it the utmost effort of ability. No sermon ever put my mind half so much on the stretch. I am surprised at nothing which Dr. Watts did, but his Hymns for Children. Other men could have written as well as he, in his other works; but how he wrote these Hymns, I know not." Happy that *Cecil.