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NOTE

As the plan of this work has been somewhat altered since its publication began, it is expedient to make a few remarks by way of explanation. The book is formed on the supposit.on that each lesson will be accompanied by an explanatory lecture; and on this account, that the substance of what may be said, may be better retained, in some instances, particularly in the 2d and 4th parts, the heads of argument only have been mentioned; and tho some may seem, as they stand, to transcend the capacity of the youthful mind; yet it is believed that, when fully explained, they will be so far comprehended as to store it with distinct ideas and sound reasons for the principles stated. Experience has taught the necessity of giving, in doctrinal instructions, not only correct answers, but familiar arguments and illustration$— drawn as well from reason as from scripture. Where these answers re too long, it will be easy to divide them, and where they are obscure, to correct or explain them. The great want of such a book in his own charge, and the repeated solicitations of others, is the only apology which the editor offers for this publi cation; and the want of time and ability the only one for those numerous errors and defects with which it abounds, and which have often since its publication began produced a deep regret that it was ever undertaken. Defective as it may be, it has not been compiled without consulting many and various publications-without much labour in examining and arranging so many scripture referrences-and without much concern that it should so far exceed its originally intended limits.

As writers of compends, indexes and catechisms seldom ob tain the reputation of much originality-and as they perform a necessary, but not very enviable task, if they disclaim any other idea of their own qualifications for the work, than a willingness to meet its ungracious toils, they do not, deserve, for their well meant endeavours, the severe censures of those who will neither endure the labour themselves, nor be indulgent to the defects of those who would fain do it for them.

With these remarks, the principal object of this note is freely stated. It is to solicit those friendly hints from those who may use this manual, by which its plan, its arrangement, or its matter may hereafter be altered and improved-in case it should seem to answer that particular object for which it is formed. If a manual is really wanted in the church for the particular use of Bible-classes, and it shall be possible to make this such a book, all the profits that may arise to the author from the sale of it shall be faithfully paid into the treasury. and devoted to the use of the Education Society of the Presbyterian church.

Page

iv. of remarks

vdo.

24

28

ERRATA.

The reader is desired to correct with his pen the following and any other errors which he may discover.

Line from top.

37 for errors-read error.

3 for his read this.

11 for Luke xi, 23 read Luke it. 28. 12 for Angoz read Argos

62

6

for prophesy-the noun read prophecy

75

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questions in

149 and 50-The questions on repentance ought to follow those on faith and were by mistake transposed-The two! Sect. iii. part iv "properly belong to Seet. v. The letter E has aken in some cases by oversight that of A in the title Manual. It is possible that in a few cases where answers or parts of them have been quoted, the murks of references may have been by mistake omitted.

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