The lure of the Book

III Book_

Copyright N°_

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT

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BY

METTA FRAZEE MILLER

THE

WINONA PUBLISHING COMPANY

Tv/o Cooies Received

iUN S0.)BU3

Introduction

The Old Testament, in the light of our present civilization and social codes, seems somewhat perplexing and incongruous to the average reader. This is not surprising, for its pages contain but a disconnected record of a laggard evolution of an Oriental people from *the depths of ignorance and slavery to the exalted heights of national and religious independence.

The intent of this book is not to deal with profound questions of theology and philoso¬ phy, but, in the absence of religious instruc¬ tion in our public schools and colleges, to set before the people a short and concise view of the main features of the Old Testament.

In but few homes, today, can be found an “ household altar ”: and “ family devotions ” have become, largely, a matter of history. With the passing of these sacred icustoms from daily life, the Bible has lost its place in the home, and, with the loss of reverence for its pages has come a repugnance to the Old Testament. Parents are averse to their chil¬ dren reading it, and public sentiment is such 5

INTRODUCTION that, sooner or later, many portions of it must become obsolete.

Bearing all this in mind, the author of this work, fortified with many years' experience in practical religious enterprise among the children and youth of our great cities, has compiled the main features and facts of the Old Testament in convenient form and has embodied them herein.

This book will be found of greatest value to busy men and women who have but little time for study; and of inestimable worth to those who teach in Sunday, Mission and Settlement Schools. Moreover, every child may read it with interest and profit, for herein are the old Bible stories told in Bible language —the stories every child should know and which will still be treasured after childhood’s days have ceased to be.