on each for their neglect, as excommunication once was deemed; whether, I say, she means only their being made to repeat some portion of this Catechism by rote, deserves consideration. Sure I am, catechising in its original, true sense, implies something more than the bare running over an old form, though that consists of proper questions and answers, and contains whatsoever is needful either to belief or practice; and though our own be generally plain, clear, comprehensive, and in many respects as good as most; yet is there still room for several intermediate questions and elucidations, before every point of doctrine be rightly understood, and well digested.”

There is another aspect in which the continued and prolonged study of the Church Catechism, upon some such plan as has been recommended, appears of great importance. Bishop Hall, in assigning to preaching and catechetical instruction, (or "preaching" that is "catechistical,") their respective merits, says of the latter:-"This lays the grounds, the other raiseth the walls and the roof. This informs the judgment, that stirs up the affections. What good use is there of those affections that run before the judgment? or of those walls that want a foundation?" Now if the instructions of the Catechism be the foundation of our Christian knowledge, (and they may with great propriety be so called, both from the period of life at which they are generally acquired, and from the importance of the truths which they inculcate,) is it proper to forsake that foundation when the time comes to rear our superstructure? Is it not important to cherish and train up to full maturity the fruits of that good seed often sown in the heart by the Holy Spirit during the instructions of childhood and youth? Certainly, if early impressions be often the best and most lasting, if early instruction be the most influential and important, as it is generally and justly admitted to be, upon these impressions and that instruction the lessons of advancing years should be grafted. There should be one uniform, progressive, and uninterrupted system of advancement in the knowledge of Christ, from childhood to old

age," till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."

*

It is also important to remember, although it is scarcely necessary to advert to the fact, that to be "sufficiently instructed" in the Catechism is required by the Church as a pre-requisite for confirmation. This appears a small matter to many, but when we remember that the Catechism contains a summary of Christian faith and practice, and that any instruction in it which is merely received into the memory, which does not influence the heart and the life, is insufficient for any good purpose whatever, surely it cannot be said that such instruction is sufficient for the purposes and requirements of the Church. To obtain sufficient instruction in the doctrines and duties set forth in the Catechism, it must not be put aside with the things of childhood, but retained as a guide in youth and a companion in mature age. He who can meditate at any period of life upon this unadorned and undisguised exhibition of scriptural truth, without feeling the insufficiency of his apprehensions and the unworthiness of his affections towards Divine things, must be either far better, or much worse, than most of those "who profess and call themselves Christians."

Should the work now presented to the American public tend to promote the important ends for which the Church Catechism was designed, or the more proper and profitable use of the means which it provides for their attainment, the editor will be amply rewarded for the labour which he has devoted to its revision.

Philadelphia, March 21, 1836.

* What Bishop Law admirably remarks with respect to Confirmation, is equally applicable to the Catechism as a test of preparation for it :

"That any thing of a religious kind should become matter of form, is ever of bad consequence. When any appointment, how wise and excellent soever at first, dwindles into an empty piece of pageantry, it turns to no small detriment; it introduces an habitual neglect of, and disregard for, sacred things, infects the minds of men with indolence, teaches them to look on all other things in the same light, and pass them over in the like formal, lifeless way."

THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE

TO THE FIRST EDITION.

THE substance of the following little volume was originally compiled for the use of an extensive Sunday-school.* Each section formed the subject of a monthly examination of the scholars, who were previously furnished by their teachers with the Scripture proofs it contained, and expected to quote them in answer to questions put to them by the superintendent. The plan has been pursued for three years, and has been found to promote their progress in religious knowledge more effectually than any method which had been previously adopted; as well as to have the happy effect of increasing their attachment to the school, by rendering their pursuits not only profitable but pleasing. The teachers have also participated in its advantages, and found the part which devolved upon them to conduce much to their mental improvement.

With such encouragement from experience, the work is now submitted to the public, in the hope that similar benefits may result to other schools from adopting the same mode of instruction. It is equally calculated for general use, and will answer the purpose of a Manual of Divinity for young persons.

It will be by no means necessary that the whole of the Scripture references in each examination should be committed to memory. But as the passage which appears most striking to one person may not seem equally so to another, a sufficient variety of texts has been inserted, to give every teacher an opportunity of making choice of such as he considers most appropriate.

* At Leeds.

The references to the Prayer-book will, it is hoped, be par ticularly acceptable, being well calculated to familiarize the minds of youth with the doctrines and spirit of the church in which they are educated, and to point out their accordance with Scripture: as well as to furnish them with proper expressions for their private devotions.

In one respect the present work will be observed to differ materially from most other publications of the kind. Though the questions are such as may properly be proposed to children, the answers are not always those which they might be expected to return. This is occasioned by its being designed not merely to exercise the memories of young persons, but to supply their instructers with the means of examining them as to the extent of their knowledge. It is recommended to those teachers who put the book into the hands of their scholars, to mark the portions to be committed to memory, which will of course vary with the age and proficiency of the pupil.*

The work has little claim to originality; but it possesses perhaps a better recommendation, in containing the substance of a number of valuable works on the various subjects it embraces; besides nearly 4000 Scripture references, to illustrate and enforce the doctrines it teaches, and the duties on which it insists.

Leeds, 31st July, 1819.

*The following is from the preface to the second edition. The substance of the remaining part, relating to alterations, additions, &c., has been noticed in the preceding preface.

"It may not be deemed here impertinent to remark, that as an interesting and familiar mode of instruction on the Sunday evening, this has been found peculiarly adapted to keep awake the attention of that part of a family, who, from their active employments through the week, are frequently too apt to become drowsy, during the reading of a sermon or an essay. Besides which, the opportunity afforded for enlargement on any particular text or circumstance of sacred history, will be many times found to admit the placing of Scripture truth and doctrine in its most forcible points of view."

SCRIPTURAL EXAMINATIONS

ON THE

CHURCH CATECHISM.

CHAPTER 1.

ON OUR STATE BY NATURE.

WHAT is a Catechism?

A Form of Instruction, by way of question and answer. Catechisms were drawn up by the early Christians for the purpose of teaching young persons and others, the first principles of Christianity. The Church Catechism was compiled by the venerable Reformers of the Church of England, with the same design, and ought to be learned by every person before he be brought to be confirmed by the Bishop."

"What is your Name 2" N. or M.

Why are you asked this name ?

66

To remind me of the engagements which were entered into on my behalf, when this name was given me; and which, from being given in Baptism, is called my Chris

tian name.

"Who gave you this Name ?"

66

My Sponsors in Baptism, wherein I was made a member of Christ, the child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of Heaven."

What occasion was there for your being made a member of Christ?

Because, I was "by nature born in sin;" so that I am naturally under the power of a corrupt nature, as a child of fallen Adam.