Manual of Bible selections and responsive exercises for public and private schools of all grades, Sabbath, mission, and reform schools, and family worship

Front matter

2nd COPY

Chap._.;.._. Copyright No..

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Introduction

This Bible Manual is an attempt to select and arrange the plain fundamental truths of the Bible for the use of both teachers and pupils. Every selection has been subjected to at least two test questions, First, Does this passage express the same truth whether read from King James' version of the Bible, or the Douay version ? Secondly, Does this passage, read without comment, plainly teach truth accepted by all Christian believers ?

In making the selections, leading representatives of all denominations have been consulted ; and we trust the book has been so carefully and candidly prepared, that it may prove acceptable to all, and may help to solve the great question now so widely discussed, '' Shall the Bible be banished from our public schools ? " by showing how it may be retained in a true spirit and practice of Christian reciprocity.

Certain truths are common to all Christians. Certain portions of the Bible most clearly present those truths. The experience of the best teachers proves that such selections of Scripture are peculiarly adapted to the use of the young in secular schools. They are indicated by the aim we have in view, to teach the great fundamental truths of religion admitted by all., whether Protestant or Roman Catholic ; to inculcate those Bible precepts and principles which form the basis of all religious teaching.

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XIV INTRODUCTION.

The present method of using the Bible in public schools is, in many cases, a formal official reading by the teachers, without comment, to an assembly of uninterested children.

As a devotional, an instructive, or an intellectual exercise, this, in a majority of cases, is almost a failure.

At the present time, when every book or appliance of the schoolroom is subjected to the test of its usefulness^ its ability/ to help educate the present generation of children^ we cannot afford longer to use the Bible simply in an official formality, nor even just to gain for it a little reverence as a book. It must do far more than this, if we would have it sustain a permanent place and influence in our schools.

The Bible, when rigidly used., is abundantly able to bear the most searching test of its adaptation to the needs of teachers and pupils.

As every one will admit, there are parts of the Bible not adapted to school use ; yet the whole unabridged Bible, like the dictionary unabridged, should always lie on the teacher's desk for any right use he may wish to make of it ; as a book of reference, historical or reverential ; as the source and fountain from which all selections are taken.

But for devotional reading and instructive moral training a handbook of judicious selections, chosen for their adaptation to the young ^ and placed in the hands of both teachers and pupils^ is far preferable to the whole book in the hands of the teacher alone.

This Bible Manual is pure Scripture with no word of human comment. The selections are

INTRODUCTION. XV

SO arranged and classified that the various wants of the schoolroom are conveniently met.

The book contains topical Responsive Exercises, and Reading Selections, in which the great fundamental truths^ accepted by all ivho helievp in God and his word^ whether Protestant or Catholic, are brought out in such a manner as to arouse the lively interest of the young, and engage both teacher and pujnls in concert reading.

By this method of reading, the interested attention of a whole school is directed to the same topic at the same time. Thus the devotional exercise will be short, impressive, and instructive, not listless or useless, as is too often the case when only the teacher reads.

By this method some of the best practical selections will be memorized without effort, and carried as a safeguard into the struggles and temptations of life.

By this method, also, the daily morning reading, required by the statute, becomes a literary and rhetorical exercise of the highest order. And in the discipline and moral guidance of the scholars, the Bible becomes the teacher's most genial and potent helper.

In a reading exercise, in which the whole school are to take part in concert, iiniformity of text and punctuation,^ and a clearly printed page,, are indispensable. A book of a size easily held in the hand, whose bold type and clear, open page make it easy to the eye, will prove a needful help.

The Manual is, in no sense, intended to displace the Bible, but to accompanj^ it, as an aid and a guide in the right use of it ; by cumulating

XVI INTRODUCTION.

its teachings on the varied relations and duties of life, to make the Scriptures the text-book of " morals and manners," in the schoolroom ; by a thoroughly animated and interested reading, daily, in which all take part^ to render the Bible a power and a charm to the young ; thus assisting the teacher to do what the State requires ; viz., " To impress on the minds of 3^outh the principles of piety, justice, a sacred regard for truth, industry, temperance, patriotism, and all those virtues which are the basis upon which the republican constitution is founded." [Massachusetts Revised Statutes.]

It is believed that the book wdll prove equally acceptable in Sabbath Schools, both for devotional reading and in the varied services of Sabbath School concerts.

It is recommended to parents as an aid to interest their children in family devotions, or special Sabbath readings.

It is here affectionately dedicated to all who love the Oracles of God, and would have them written in letters of light upon the memory and the heart of the young ; who would give them an honored place and a living power in every school, to charm the heart of childhood and to instruct and purify the heart of youth.