Mus- 492.158 HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY 24 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852, BY E. H. PEASE & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Northern BS 591 STEREOTYPED BY THOMAS B. SMITH, 216 William St. N. Y. INTRODUCTION. AMONG those who believe in the divine authority of the Scriptures, there can be no difference of opinion as to the importance of their gaining a lodgment in the memory, as well as an influence over the heart. And in order to this, it is of no small moment that there should be adopted, at an early age, some systematic course, by means of which the mind shall be constantly drawing from this great storehouse of divine truth. The plan proposed by the author of this work seems admirably fitted to secure this end. Without laying a tax upon one's time that is worthy of any consid eration, it keeps the mind in constant contact with the living word, enlarging constantly the boundary of its scriptural knowledge, and adding as constantly to the materials for devout meditation. In addition to this, it is fitted to aid in the formation of an excellent mental habit—a habit of both attention and recollection; and though it may seem a small matter, it cannot be prosecuted perseveringly and successfully, without ministering to one's intellectual growth. The great recommendation of this book is, that while it reduces the leading truths of the Bible to some degree of system, it is nevertheless, the Bible, and nothing but the Bible, of which it is composed. No religious denomination need have any fear for its distinctive features, provided they will stand the test of the simple word of God. The author's grand aim is to induce people to commit the Bible to memory; and having done so, he leaves it to them to call it Calvinism, or Hopkinism, or Arminianism, or whatever else they will. It seems an exceedingly fitting service that my venerable friend has rendered to the church, in putting forth this work, in the waning of his bodily vigor, and in the prospect of soon passing off the stage. It will be obvious to any one that it is the result of the most mature and laborious examination of the Scriptures, and I think every candid judge will pronounce it a highly judicious and successful effort. If this should prove the last of his more formal labors in the cause of his Master, it is worthy to be the last. May it be a witness for him both on earth and in heaven, long after the place of his grave shall be forgotten! ALBANY, May 11, 1852. 8 W. B. SPRAGUE. |