INTRODUCTION.

 

   
   
 

' HE brief historic lessons contained in this book, were at
first prepared for the instruction of an unfortunate young
person, who was deprived of all opportunity for the
acquisition of knowledge by his own unaided efforts. The
successful result suggested the idea of publishing them for
the benefit, not only of those who may be subjected to like
unfortunate disabilities, but for others, whose circumstances
have been such as to admit only of a very limited degree of
intellectual culture. The simplicity, that will be perceived in the
composition of the lessons derived from the historic Scriptures,
will be accounted for by the circumstances connected with their original design.
This quality, however, will, it is believed, impart a value and charm to the
book, that will commend it not only to the young and the unlearned, but to
Bible readers of mature years and liberal culture.

As an Inrropucrion to the following collection of Scriptural Lessons, it is
proposed to offer some REASONS, showing the superior claims of the Bible to
the earnest attention, study, and belief of all classes, whether learned or un-
learned, young or old; inasmuch as all are equally concerned in the momentous
truths and teachings it reveals. The community is inundated with reading
matter, journals, magazines, romances, histories, philosophies, &c., and the ten-
dency is to neglect the Holy Word of God, as though its mission were ended,
and the mighty themes, of which it treats, were obsolete. "Whatever is done,
therefore, to render Bible reading more attractive, and to revive an interest in
the sublime truths of Divine Revelation, will be regarded with favor by all
who believe in these truths, the knowledge of which surpasses in real impor-
tance all other kinds of knowledge.

The BrsLte embraces a collection of books, written, as is claimed, by holy
men, who were inspired of God. It includes both the Old and the New Tes-

taments. The contents of this Sacred Book come under a two-fold division,
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