Images de page
PDF
ePub

to order and method, that the series should be divided into fonr distinct parts and that the class should pass through the Bible four times, each time omitting all that does not belong to the part on which they are engaged.

To give a general and connected view of scripture history, it has been thought proper to introduce occasionally, some of the more important facts stated in profane history and connected with or illustrative of those mentioned in the Bible, and also to pay very particular attention to the date of the more important events. As this series is particularly designed for the use of youth and classes belonging to the Presbyterian church-as the Confession and Directory of that church are not generally to be found (as they ought to be) in its families in many parts of the church, and and as comparatively, little attention is paid to the instruction of youth in the principles, order and discipline of the church of God, it has been judged proper to add as few questions and answers on that subject under those passages which refer to it, and also a few on its general history.

This little volume, though such a work requires no great original invention, or extensive reading, will no doubt be found defective. Indeed what such a plan should embrace, and what it should exclude, is a question on which few perhaps, would be exactly agreed. As some general series of this kind is much wanted, it is hoped that each pastor as he proceeds, will so supply its defects and correct its mistakes, as that it may serve as a general guide, and both encourage and facilitate that kind of instruction which may be said in importance, to be second to none. That under God the giving to our youth, a regular and systematic course of doctrinal and practical instruction, is the most hopeful method of securing in future years the prosperity and extension of the "truth as it is in Jesus," and practical Godlines, is unquestionable. Nor can it be doubted that the proneness of multitudes to be carried about "by every wind of doctrine," and the absolute incompetency of some to distinguish between discordant opinions on important subjects, is to be traced to the criminal neglect of the Church of God in this important article.

By insulated quotations from the Bible, and mistatements of the truth, errors is often rendered plausible to those who are ignorant of scriptural facts and representations, and the young must not only know the principles of our faith, but be able to select and repeat those passages of God's word, and those inferential arguments by which they are supported: and can any christian Pastor or parent conscientiously implore, and consistently expect the blessing of Almighty God upon a lamb of his flock, or a child of his affections about to go out into the world, from under his immediate care, if this duty has been neglected. At a time when error is assuming her cunning and imposing froms it becomes all who love our Lord Jesus Christ, not only to pray for, but endea vour to use the appointed means of God to guard their youth and

children, against delusion danger and death. What can betten effect this than a thorough knowledge of the Bible?

This attempt to aid in his imperious duty and which the want of time as well as other qualifications has rendered and will render feeble and imperfect-is committed to the candour of the christian public and the blessing of ALMIGHTY GOD

B. P. SWIFT.

Pittsburgh, January 1821.

SERIES OF QUESTIONS.

PART I.

HISTORICAL.

SECTION 1.

QUESTION 1. Is it the duty of all persons to study the Sacred Scriptures ?

ANSWER. John v. 39. Rom xv. 4.

Q. 2. Who was the author, and what the design of the Bible?

A. God: see catechism, ans. to Q. 3.

Q. 3. By whom was the Bible written?

A. 2 Peter i. 20. 21. Heb. i' 1. Acts 28, 25. 26. Q.4. Were all the writers divinely inspired of God? A. 2 Tim. iii. 16. Heb, 1. 1. John v. 39.

Q. 5. How long since the world was created? A. 4004 years before Christ-and it is now 1821 years since, making 5825

Q. 6. How long after the creation did Moses write? A. About 2500 years.

Q. 7. Which books did he write ?

A.

The first five, and it is supposed Job also.
A. Gen. i. 1.

Q. 8. Who created all things?

Q. 9. Were the angels created at the same period with man A. It is supposed not.

Q. 10. How many years are supposed to have elapsed between the writing of the first and the last book of the Bible? A. About 1600.

Q. 10 Of how many years does the book of Genesis contain a history?

A It is supposed 2370.

Q. 11. How many days were employed in the work of creation ?

Q12 What was the appearance of matter when first formed

Q. 13. Mention the work of each day of the six in order ?

Q. 14. How did God create man?

A. Eccles. vii. 29. Eph. iv. 24.

Q 15. Chap 2. Where did God put the man when created?

Q. 16. How was the woman formed?

Q. 17. (Chap. 3.) What was the character of the serpent-and what did he say to the woman?

Q18. Was this Satan, speaking through the serpent? A. Rev. 20.2.

Q. 19.

What effect had this conversation upon her? Q. 20 What did Adam do when she gave to him? Q. 21. What was the consequence to him and his posterity? See Cat. and Quest. 17, 18, and 19. Bom. Jer. xvii. 9. Rom. iii. 10 to 19.

V. 12.

Q. 22. What did our first parents do when they heard the voice of the Lord, walking in the garden ? Q. 23. How did they excuse themselves?

Q. 24. serpent?

Q. 25.

Q. 26.

What was the doom pronounced upon the

What was said to Adam—and what to Eve? Who was meant by the seed of the serpentwho of the woman ?

A. By the former all the children of disobedienceby the latter, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Q. 27. Did our first parents continue in the garden?

SECTION II.

DEATH OF ABEL AND THE DELUGE,

Q. 1. (Chap. 4.) Who were the two first sons of Adam?

Q. 2. What were their occupations ?

Q. 3. What did they offer in sacrifice to God, and how were they received ?

Q. 4, What did their sacrifices seem to imply?

A. Abel's which was by the shedding of blood, discovered his reliance upon a Saviour to come-but Cain's which was of the fruits of the earth, his reliance upon his own works.

Q5. How did Cain feel and what did he do? Q 6. What was his punishment, and why was mark fixed upon him?

Q. 7. Where did he dwell?

[ocr errors]

Q. 8. What are we to understand by his going out from the presence of the Lordt?

A. His exclusion from the visible church and the family of Adam

Q.9. Who was Túbal and Tubal Cain ?

Q. 10. Had Adam another son in the room of Abel ? Q. 11. Who was Enos and what in his days begin to do?

A. To engage in the public worship of God.

did men

Q. 12. (Chap. 5.) How old was Adam when he died? 13. What was the name and age of the oldest man that ever lived ?

Q. 14.

Who was Enoch-what was his character, and how removed from the world? Jude 14 & 15th ver. Who was Noah, and what were the names of his sons?

Q. 15.

Q. 16. Who were the sons of God, and who the daughters of men? (Chap. 6)

Q. 17.

Q. 18.

19.

20

21.

Q. 22.

Q. 23.
Q..24.

What was the state of the world at this time
What did God say of it ?

What was Noah commanded to do?

Describe the ark ?

How long was it in building?

What was taken into it ?

How old was Noah when he entered it?

How long did the rain continue, and how

high did the waters rise?

Q 25

Q 26.

What became of all flesh ?

How long were the waters upon the earth? How were the waters removed and where did the ark rest?

Q. 27.

Q. 28. How did Noah discover that the waters had subsided?

Q.29. How long was he in the ark, and how old when the earb was dried?

Q. 30. What did Noah do on leaving the ark ?

« PrécédentContinuer »