Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

object the instruction of the young, not only in the things pertaining to this life, but in those things which pertain to their eternal welfare. And that they may, like Timothy, who" from a child knew the Holy Scriptures,"* be warned, instructed, comforted, and "sanctified through the truth," and be "made wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus,"

As there is no book once to be compared with the Bible, so it is to be regretted that there is no book in general, more incorrectly read. As a step towards remedying this defect, the following Selection of Passages is marked with the emphases and inflections, which a child, after a little proper instruction, will readily understand, and soon be able so to apply as to enable him to read or repeat with accuracy and propriety that which is too frequently hurried over, without regard to sense, pauses, or inflections.

With regard to the rules of Elocution, I have endeavoured so to shorten, and to simplify them, that they can be easily understood, and speedily committed to memory. As to the examples, they ought to be accurately learned, not only as being applicable to the respective rules under which they are placed, but as being the words of inspiration,

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

"acceptable words, upright, words of truth," Eccles. xii. 10.

It may be both a very interesting and a very useful exercise to make the pupils commit to memory the passages where Christ's names, titles, and characters, are mentioned; afterward to ask questions, and also educe practical lessons from them. For example, take the first name, Adam, the last, 1 Cor. xv. 45. Query, Why was the first man named Adam? Ans. Because he "was of the earth, earthy,"-the word Adam signifying earth. Q. But was Christ of the earth, earthy? A. No. "He is the Lord from heaven." Q. Why then is he called Adam? A. Because as the first Adam was our representative in the covenant of works, so the last Adam is our representative in the covenant of grace. As the guilt of the first Adam is imputed to us, because the covenant was made with him for us, so the righteousness of the last Adam is imputed to us, because our guilt was imputed to him; for "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. For he hath made him sin for us who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him," 2 Cor. v. 19, 21. Q. What practical lessons may we learn from this passage? A. 1. The danger of remaining

in a natural state, that is, still cleaving to the first Adam, "For in Adam all die." 2. The safety of those who believe in the last Adam, " In Christ shall all be made alive, For the last Adam is a quickening spirit." 3. The infinite superiority of the last Adam to the first. "The first man was of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven,"-consequently, as he is inconceivably above the first Adam both in his origin and excellency, so he ought to be proportionally precious in our esteem. Lastly, learn the blessedness and dignity of those who are united by faith to the second Adam, they have not only an infinitely better righteousness imputed to them, than they could have had, even had the first Adam not fallen,-bis being but a creature's righteousness, but now the righteousness of God is manifested, and is imputed to, and is upon, all them that believe, for they are "made the righteousness of God in him :" they have, I say, not only this righteousness to justify, but it is upon them to sanctify, for "he will beautify with salvation," Ps. clix. 4; “and as they have borne the image of the earthy, so shall they also bear the image of the heavenly," 1 Cor. xv.

The same- plan may be followed out with the List of Passages, or if they were not committed to memory, they might be prescribed as exercises

to be written out at length, drawing as above instructive lessons from them.

In like manner, lessons of the last importance, both as regards time and eternity, may be drawn from the Miracles, Parables, and Discourses of our Divine Lord, so that in reference to them it may well be said, "That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge; That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?" Prov, xxii. 19-21.

The explanation of Scripture names is calculated to be useful, as it frequently throws light upon the character of the person so named, or upon the event which gave rise to the name. Take for instance, Benoni, the affecting name which Rachael gave to Benjamin, expressive of the melancholy circumstances in which she was placed in giving birth to him. "And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni," (Gen. The son of my sorrow.

xxxv. 18.) which means,

In learning the Abstract of Scripture Geography, the passages to which references are given should be carefully read, and the pupils should

be examined concerning their knowledge of them, and what practical lessons may be drawn from them. In many of these references I have only mentioned the chapter where the circumstance or event referred to occurs, for the purpose of leading the young to exercise their judgment in finding them out, and to give them the habit of "searching the Scriptures." By these means they may, and, through the blessing of God, they will become "profitable to them for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness."

[ocr errors]

I hope that the Selection of Passages, and the other parts of this little book, may not only be useful to Schools, but to Private Families, and also to Students.

In a work of this nature where the matter is so varied, and the labour required so great, it may be expected that some errors have escaped in its progress through the press: if so, the Author trusts that with all its imperfections the reader will "deal gently."

67, GEORGE STREET, Edinburgh, August 25, 1838.

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »