Scripture lessons for the deaf and dumb

Preface

This little work was designed as a part of a series of elementary books prepared with a view to the wants of a peculiar class of learners. In the instruction of the deaf and dumb, the combined lights of philosophy and experience teach us to begin with the simplest possible forms of language, to avoid wholly at the outset, and as much as possible for some time, idiomatic phrases, and to proceed by slow and gradual steps from the simple to the more complex. The ordinary reading books, for children who hear, fulfil none of these conditions. Their use would involve the necessity of introducing serious difficulties of construction long before the pupil is prepared for them, and thus the benefit of a well-arranged course of instruction would be in a measure lost.

Still, it is not always possible, if we would write English, to express certain indispensable circumstances, in a narrative, or description, without an occasional resort to idiomatic expressions. In such cases, the word or phrase is printed in italics, to denote that it requires more particular explanation and illustration from the teacher.

The necessity of expressing the first few lessons in ii PREFACE.

the present tense only, and only with nouns, verbs, and adjectives, has been one of the considerations which determined the order of arrangement.

"Without attempting to decide between the theory which would lay the foundation of religious belief in the convictions of the understanding, and the practice which lays it in the pure and confiding heart of childhood, it has been held sufficient, that the order here adopted admits of introducing the Scripture Lessons at an earlier stage of the course, and of making them correspond more fully to the order in which the difficulties presented by the etymology and syntax of our language are to be met and overcome.

In the present work, it has been the aim of the author to make the narrative concise, yet clear and interesting. That in these points his long experience as an instructor has enabled him to be in some degree successful, he is inclined to believe, as well from the expressed approbation of competent judges, as from the results of actual trial in his own school. Having in this, and other instances, assumed the responsibilities of authorship solely in the hope that his labors might be useful, he will feel himself suffl ciently rewarded if that hope is not disappointed.

H. P. P.

Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, New York, October 24, 1846.

PREFACE

SECOND EDITION.

The first edition of this little work having met with unexpected favor, not only with teachers of the deaf and dumb, but with the public at large, the best return the author can make is, by diligently revising the present edition, and endeavoring to make it still more acceptable. Some of the sections have been rewritten, and two new sections added.

The questions in several of the sections have also been remodelled, to agree better with the order of the text. The author would, however, observe, that the object of the questions should be, not so much to draw out, by leading questions, the repetition of the text as a mere effort of the memory, as to test whether the pupil understands what he has learned, and to invite him to independent reflection.

In a book for children, the pictorial illustrations are not merely an attractive, but an important feature. They help to make the task of explanation i v PREFACE.

more easy, and if well executed, they make the lessons much more impressive, and thus fix the leading facts more firmly in the memory. In the present edition, greater attention has been paid to this point. The series of cuts will assist the parents and teachers of deaf-mute children to communicate to them the leading facts of Scripture history, thereby affording early and salutary exercise for their faculties, and preparing them betimes for that fuller instruction which they will receive from the word of God.

Section I. God

" II. Where is God? ...

" III. What should we do ? .

" IV. The soul is immortal, " V. God made all things, " VI. The Creation, " VII. The works of God are wonderful,

10 12 13 16 19

Part II

Section I. Adam and Eve, II. Cain and Abel,

III. The Flood,

IV. Abraham and Isaac, .

V. Lot, . .

Rebekah,

Jacob's dream,

Jacob meets Rachel at the well,

Joseph, ....

Moses, ....

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

X.

XL

XII.

The Ten Commandments,

CONTENTS.

Page.

Section XIII.

Joshua, .....

" XIV.

The Judges, ....

" XV.

Ruth, Samuel, and Saul,

" XVI.

David,

" XVII.

Absalom, .....

" XVIII.

Solomon,

" XIX.

Ahab,

" XX.

Elijah and Elisha,

'< XXI.

Daniel, .

" XXII.

Esther,

" XXIII.

Jonah, . .

" XXIV.

The Birth of Jesus Christ,

" XXV.

The Wise Men, and the Massacre of the Children,

" XXVI.

The Baptism, Preaching, and Miracles of Christ,

" XXVII.

Judas betrays Christ,

" XXVIII.

The Crucifixion,

" XXIX.

The Resurrection, ...

« XXX.

The Apostles and first Martyrs, .

PART I.

SECTION I.

GOD.

1. Some men are strong.

God is almighty.

Some men are wise.

God is all-wise.

Some men are learned.

God is omniscient.

"We are weak, foolish, and ignorant.

God is almighty, all- wise, and omniscient.

2. Men are often weary.

God is never weary.

Men often sleep.

God never sleeps.

Men often err.

God never errs.

SCRIPTURE LESSONS.

Men often forget.

God never forgets.

Men often change.

God never changes.

God is never weary. God never sleeps. God never errs. God never forgets. God never changes.

3. Men are often wicked.

God is holy.

Men are often unkind.

God is good.

Men are often deceitful.

God is true.

Men are often unjust.

God is just.

Men are often cruel.

God is merciful.

God is holy. God is good. God is true. God is just. God is merciful.

Good men do wrong sometimes. God always does right.

4. All men have been children.

God has always been God.

All men will die.

God will never die.

God has never been young.

God will never be old.

God is eternal.

QUESTIONS.

2. Does God ever sleep ? Does God ever err ? Does God ever forget ? Does God ever change ?

3. Does God ever do wrong?

4. Will God ever die?

Section II. Where Is God?

5. God is in heaven and everywhere. We cannot see him. He is a spirit. The angels see him. Good men will see him in heaven.

6. We cannot see God, but God sees us always. He sees us in the dark. He knows all we do. He knows all we say. He knows all we think.

7. God loves and will reward the good. God

hates and will punish the wicked. We cannot

hide from God. We cannot deceive him. We

cannot escape him. We must fear and obey

him.

GIUESTIONS.

5. Where is God ? Can we see God ? What is God ? Who see God ? Where will good men see God ?

6. Does God see us? Does God need light to see us? Does God know what we do ; say, and think ?

7. Whom does God love and reward? Whom does God hate and punish? Can we hide from God? Can we deceive or escape him ?

Section III. What Should We Do?

8. We have all sinned. We have been proud and envious. We have been unkind and selfish. We have been deceitful. We have been unjust. We have been angry. We have been disobedient. We have been dishonest.

We must repent. We must pray to God. We must confess our sins. We must be sorry for our sins. God is merciful. He will forgive us.

9. We should be humble. We should be contented. We should be patient. We should be sincere. We should be kind. We should be just. We must obey our parents and teachers.

QUESTIONS.

8. Have all men sinned? What sins have we been guilty of? ";•

What must sinners do? Will God forgive repenting sinners.

9. What should we be ?

SCRIPTURE LESSONS. H

10. We must not lie. We must not steal. We must not swear. We must not fight. We must not hurt ourselves. We must not hurt others. We must do to others as we wish others to do to us. We must not be revengeful. We must forgive our enemies and love them. If we do not forgive our enemies, God will not forgive us.

11. Our parents and friends love us. They work for us. They take care of us when we are sick. We must love them. We must not grieve them.

God gives us food and clothes. God gives us health and happiness. God gives us friends and teachers. God gives us the Bible. We must love and obey God. We must worship him. We should fear to offend him.

QUESTIONS.

10. What must we not do? What must we do to others ? What must we do to our enemies ?

1 1 . What do our parents and friends do £b us ? What must we do to them ?

Who gives us food and clothes ? What other blessings does God give us? Whom must we love and obey? Whom must we fear and worship ?

Section IV. The Soul Is Immortal

12. Man has a body and a soul. Spirits have no bodies. Animals have no souls. The body feels hunger, thirst, heat, cold, pain, and sickness. The soul hopes and fears. The soul loves and hates. The soul thinks, knows, remembers, and learns. The soul wills. The soul sins. The soul repents. The soul is happy and unhappy.

The body dies. The soul never dies. The souls of the good will be happy in heaven. The souls of the wicked will be miserable in hell. If we are kind, honest, and industrious, we shall be happy in this life. If we are good and pious, we shall be happy after death, in heaven with the angels for ever.

QUESTIONS.

12. What beings have no bodies ? What beings have no souls ? What beings have both body and soul ? What does the body feel ? What does the soul do ?

Have you a soul ? Will your soul ever die ? Where does the soul go after death? Do you wish to go to heaven when you die ? What must you be to be happy in this life ? What must you be to go to heaven ? Who will be your companions in heaven ?

Answer. 1. Angels and the souls of good men,

Section V. God Made All Things

13. A man made this table. It is made of wood. A woman made this dress. It is made of calico. Men made the calico. It is made of cotton. This handkerchief is linen. Linen is made from flax. Bread is made of flour. Flour is made from wheat. Men and women make many things of wood, of cotton, of flax. Can men make wood ? Can women make cotton ? They cannot. Wood grows in trees. Cotton, flax, and wheat grow on plants. Trees and plants grow from the ground. Men can plant seeds, and raise trees, and cotton, and flax, and wheat.

Men cannot make seeds. The seeds grow on old plants. God made the first trees and plants. He caused them to bear flowers, fruit, and seeds.

QUESTIONS.

13. Who made this box? Who made that dress? Who made that basket ? Who built that sloop ? Who built that bridge ?

What is this basket made of? What is that stool made of? What is this paper made of? (Cotton rags.)

What things are made of flour? What things are made of wood ? What things are made of cotton?

Can you make a dress ? Can you make a sled ? Can you make a basket ? Can you make calico ? Can you make paper ?

Can you make wood ? Can you make wheat ? Can you make grass? Can you make apples? Can you make seeds ? Who made the first plants and trees ?

How do men get wood, cotton, flax, and wheat ? Where do we get seeds? Can men make seeds? Who made the first plants and trees ? Who caused plants to bear flowers, fruit, and seeds?

14. A man made this shoe. It is made of leather. Leather is made from the skins of oxen, cows, calves, and other animals.

Men and women made this coat. It is made of cloth. Cloth is made of wool. Wool grows on the backs of sheep. This dress is made of silk. The silk-worm makes silk. This comb is made of tortoise-shell. This hat is made of fur. Fur grows on the bodies of beavers and other animals.

Candles are made of tallow. Butter is made from milk. Men cannot make skins, or wool, or silk, or fur, or shells. They cannot make tallow, or milk. These substances grow on animals, or within animals. Animals are born from old animals. God made the first animals.

dUESTIONS.

Who made these boots ? Who made this vest ? Who made that hat? What are saddles made of? What is harness made of? What are muffs made of? What are ribbons made of? What is cheese made from?

What things are made of leather ? What things are made of wool ? What things are made of bone ?

Can you make butter? Can you make shoes? Can you make a coat? Can men make wool? Can men make horns, or bones, or shells? How are animals continued on the earth ? Who made the first animals ?

15. This slate is a stone. Men dug it out of the ground. Men polished it, and put it in a frame. Men cannot make the stone. God made it long ago.

This house is built of bricks. Bricks are made of clay. Cups and plates are made of fine clay. Clay lies in great beds in the earth. Grod made the clay.

This watch is made of steel and silver. A cunning man made it. Men melt steel and silver from ores. Men dig ores out of a deep mine. Men melt them in a very hot fire. Iron and steel, copper and zinc, lead and tin, silver and gold, are all melted from ores. Men cannot make ores. Some men search for ores and mines. They are glad when they find a new mine. They must work very hard and spend much money to get ores. God alone can make ores.

QUESTIONS.

15. What is this slate made of? Where is the stone found ? Who made the stone ?

What is this house built of? What are bricks made of? What are teacups, plates, and pipes made of? Where is clay found? Can men make clay ?

What is this watch made of ? Who made it ? How do men get metals ? How do men get ores ? What are the names of the most common metals ? Is it easy to get ores ? Who made ores ?

Section VI. The Creation

16. God made the earth. He made the hills, rocks, and mountains. He made stones and ores. He made earth, sand, and clay.

God made the water. He caused it to flow from springs. The springs flow into brooks. The brooks run into ponds, rivers, and lakes The rivers run into the sea. The sea is very deep and very great. It covers three-fourths of the earth. God made it.

17. God made the grass, and herbs, and flowers. He made corn and fruit. He made many kinds of plants and trees. He made them grow from the ground and bear seeds. The seeds fall to the ground. The old plants die, and new plants grow from the seeds.

God made the sun, and the moon, and the stars. He made the air, and the wind. He commanded the water to rise in mists. The mists form clouds, and fall in rain, or snow, or hail. The sun and rain make plants grow. God sends the rain and sunshine to cause the grass to grow and the flowers to open.

QUESTIONS.

16. Who made the earth? What things do we find in the earth ? Who made the rocks and mountains ?

What does water flow from ? What do springs flow into ? Where do rivers run ? How much of the earth does the sea cover? Who made water and the great sea?

17. Who made plants and trees? How are plants multiplied ?

Who made the sun, moon, and stars ? How are clouds formed ? What makes plants grow ? What makes the beautiful flowers open? What ripens the pleasant fruit ? Who sends rain and sunshine ?

18. God made insects, and reptiles, and fishes, and quadrupeds. He made some with wings to fly in the air. He made some with fins to swim in the water. He made some without legs, and some with little legs to crawl into holes. He made some with strong legs to run on the ground. He made some with claws to climb trees. He gave them food. He made most with eyes to see with. He made some without eyes to live under ground.

God made the first man and the first woman. He made them upright. He gave them dominion over all animals, and over all the earth.

QJJESTIONS.

18. What animals fly in the air ? What animals crawl into holes ? What animals swim in the water ? What animals run on foot ? What animals climb trees ? What animals have no eyes ? Who made all these different kinds of animals ?

To whom did God give dominion over the earth and over all animals ?

Section VII. The Works Of God Are Wonderful

19. The eye and the ear are wonderfully made. The bodies of men and animals are wonderfully made. The earth, and the trees, and plants, and flowers, are wonderfully made. The most cunning man cannot make a little plant. The most skillful doctor cannot give life to a dead fly.

The moon and stars are wonderfully made. The moon is large like many mountains. It does not fall from the sky. God upholds it. God causes it to move round the earth. It gives light by night.

The sun is very great. It is very far off. It is very bright and glorious. It gives light to all the world. It warms the world. Plants cannot grow without the sun. Men and animals cannot live without the sun. How wonderful and glorious are the works of God ! He is all- wise and almighty.

All those things will be destroyed, but the soul of man is immortal. It is the most wonderful of the works of God.

QUESTIONS.

19. Can the most cunning man make a plant ? Can the most skillful doctor give life to a dead fly ?

How large is the moon ? Who upholds the moon and stars ? What gives light to the people of the world ?

Can we live without the sun? Can plants grow without the sun and rain?

What becomes of the bodies of men and animals? Will plants grow for ever ? Will there always be animals on the earth ? Will the sun give light for ever ? Which of the works of God will last for ever ?

Why is the soul the most wonderful of the works of God ? (Because it is immortal.)

PART II

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

Section I Adam And Eve

Adam was the first man. He was alone. God caused Adam to sleep. God took one of his ribs and made Eve. Eve became Adam's wife.

Adam and Eve lived in a pleasant garden. They were innocent. They did not suffer pain. They were never sick. They were very happy. God gave them all the fruit in the garden, except one tree. God forbade them to eat the fruit of one tree.

The serpent tempted Eve. She ate the forbidden fruit. She gave it to Adam, and he ate likewise. God saw them. He called them. They were ashamed, and hid among the trees. God drove them from the garden. God commanded them to till the hard ground.

All men are the children of Adam and Eve. They must suffer pain, and at last die, because Adam and Eve disobeyed God.

God pitied Adam and Eve. He promised them a Saviour. Jesus Christ will save all penitent and believing sinners.

The Creation was almost six thousand years ago. Adam lived nine hundred and thirty years. He died about five thousand years ago.

aUESTIONS.

Who was the first man? Who was the first woman? Of what did God make Eve? Where did Adam and Eve live? What did God forbid them to do? Who tempted Eve ? What did Eve do ? Who gave the forbidden fruit to Adam ? How did God punish them ?

If we disobey God, will he see and punish us ?

Why must all men suffer pain, and at last die ?

What did God promise Adam and Eve ? Who will save penitent and believing sinners ?

How long ago was the Creation ? How long did Adam live ? When did Adam die ?

Section II. Cain And Abel

Adam and Eve had many children. Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam. Abel was a good man. He loved and worshipped God. Cain was a wicked man. He was envious and passionate. Cain hated his brother Abel, because Abel loved and obeyed God. Cain talked with his brother in the field, and became angry and killed Abel. This was the first murder. God saw Cain. He called him. Cain was afraid, but he could not hide from God. God punished him. Cain became a fugitive and a vagabond.

"We must fear to be envious and angry. We may become like Cain.

aUESTIONS.

Who was the father of Cain and Abel? Who was their mother ? Had Adam and Eve any other children ?

What was the character of Abel? What was the character of Cain? Why did Cain hate his brother? Why should we fear to be envious and angry ?

Do you wish to be like Cain? Was Cain happy ? Is Abel happy ?

Section III. The Flood

Men grew and multiplied. The world was full of people.

Men became very wicked. They oppressed and killed each other. They did not pray to God. They did not fear or love God. God was angry. God determined to destroy the wicked people.

Noah was a good man. He loved and obeyed God. God commanded Noah to build an ark. The ark was like a very great ship.

Noah built the ark. Noah and his wife, and three sons and their wives, entered the ark. God caused two of every kind of beasts and birds to enter the ark. God shut the door. The wicked people could not enter the ark.

God caused it to rain forty days. All the hills and mountains were covered with w r ater. All the wicked people were destroyed. Only Noah and his family were saved.

After six months the water began to abate. The ark rested on the mountains of Ararat. After nine months the mountains were seen. After ten months Noah opened the window

SCRIPTURE LESSONS.

and sent forth a raven. The raven did not return. Then Noah sent forth a dove. The dove found no place to rest her foot. She returned to the ark. After seven days Noah sent the dove again. She returned with a green olive-leaf in her mouth. Then Noah knew the waters were abated. Noah and his family were a whole year in the ark.

Noah and his family came -^j^a^ -^-~ % ,fgout of the ark. The beasts and the birds camepjjll|| out of the ark. The j§ earth became green and jjHilll! pleasant again.

Noah built an altar, and sacrificed lambs and other animals to God. God was pleased with Noah. God blessed Noah and his sons; and said to them, " Multiply and fill the earth." God gave them the animals for food.

God promised not to destroy the world again by water. He appointed the rainbow as the token of this promise.

At the last day the world will be destroyed by fire.

The flood was about four thousand years ago.

QUESTIONS.

What did men do before the flood ? What was the character of the people before the flood ? What was the character of Noah ? What did God command Noah to do?

What was the ark like ? How long did it rain ? How high did the water rise ? What did the dove bring in her mouth ? How long were Noah and his family in the ark? How many people were saved in the ark? How were the beasts and birds preserved ?

What did Noah do when he came out of the ark? What did God say to Noah and his sons ? What did he give them for food ?

Will the world be destroyed again by water ? What is the token of God's promise? How will the world be destroyed at the last day ? How long ago was the flood?

SCRIPTURE LESSONS.

Section IV. Abraham And Isaac

The three sons of Noah were Shem, Ham, and Japhet. They had many children; men multiplied, and the earth was again full of people.

Men forgot the flood. They forgot God. They became very wicked. The strong men oppressed and killed the weak men. They worshipped idols. Some worshipped the sun, moon, and stars. Some worshipped beasts, birds, and insects. God was angry. He shortened their lives. Before the flood, men lived about nine hundred years. Now, they live only eighty or ninety years.

Abraham was a good man. He loved God and trusted in him. God called him to leave his brethren and friends. He obeyed God, and went to Canaan with his family.

Sarah was the wife of Abraham. They were very old, and they had no children. God promised them a son. Abraham believed God, but Sarah laughed. Afterwards Sarah had a son. They called him Isaac. His parents loved him exceedingly.

God wished to try Abraham. He commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham obeyed. He went with Isaac to a mountain. He made Isaac carry wood. He laid the wood in a pile. He bound Isaac and laid him on the wood. He lifted the knife to kill Isaac. The angel of the Lord called from heaven. He told Abraham not to hurt Isaac. He blessed Abraham, because he obeyed and trusted in God. Abraham looked, and saw a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. He sacrificed the ram instead of Isaac.

QUESTIONS.

Who were the sons of Noah ? What was the character of the people after the flood ? W T hat false gods did they worship ? How did God punish them ? How long did men live before the flood ? How long do men live now?

What was the character of Abraham ? Who was the mother of Isaac ? Why did God command Abraham to sacrifice Isaac ? Where did Abraham go with Isaac ? What did Isaac carry ? Why did Abraham take wood and lay it in a pile? (Because sacrifices were burnt.) Did Abraham kill Isaac ? What prevented him ? Why did God bless Abraham? Should we obey God and trust in him like Abraham ?

Section V. Lot

Lot was Abraham's nephew. He came to the land of Canaan with Abraham. He was a good man. He lived in Sodom, because the land was fertile. The people of Sodom were exceedingly wicked. God determined to destroy them all.

God talked with Abraham concerning Sodom. God said he would spare Sodom, if there were ten righteous persons in it. But there was only one righteous person, Lot. Abraham pleaded for Lot. God sent two angels. They warned Lot to leave Sodom with his family. The wicked Sodomites heard that there were two men in Lot's house. They came round the house at night to seize them. But the angels made them blind, and they could not find the door.

Lot went out at night, and warned his sons-in-law. They would not believe him. In the morning the two angels took the hands of Lot, and of his wife, and of his two unmarried daughters, and led them out of the city, and said to them, " Escape for your life ; look not behind you." But Lot's wife was unwilling to obey God. She wished to return to Sodom. She looked back, and became a pillar of salt.

God sent fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed five cities of the Sodomites. Abraham rose early in the morning, and looked towards Sodom. He saw the smoke of the country go up as the smoke of a furnace. But God remembered Abraham, and saved Lot and his two daughters alive.

QUESTIONS.

What was the character of Lot? Who was Lot's uncle ? Where did Lot live ? Why did Lot choose to live in Sodom ? What was the character of the Sodomites? On what condition would God spare Sodom? Whom did God send to warn Lot ? How did the people of Sodom behave ?

Why did not Lot's sons-in-law escape from Sodom ? Who led Lot and his family out of the city ? How did God punish the Sodomites ? Why did Lot's wife become a pillar of salt? What did Abraham see when he looked towards Sodom?

Section VI. Rebekah

The people of Canaan were wicked. They worshipped false gods. They sometimes sacrificed their children to idols. Abraham was grieved. He forbade Isaac to marry the daughters of the idolaters.

Now Abraham was very old. He had many servants and much cattle. His wife Sarah was dead. He wished to see Isaac married before he died. He did not wish to part with Isaac. He kept Isaac at home, and sent his chief servant Eliezer to fetch a wife for his son. Abraham had a nephew named Bethuel. This Bethuel lived in Mesopotamia, many days' journey from the land of Canaan. Eliezer took ten camels, and travelled many days. In the evening he stopped at a well near the city where Bethuel lived. He prayed to the Lord to favor Abraham and Isaac. While he stood at the well, God caused Rebekah to come there with her pitcher to draw water. Eliezer said to her, " Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water out of thy pitcher." Rebekah said, " Drink, and I will draw water for thy camels also." Eliezer asked whose daughter she was. She said she was Bethuel's daughter. Then Eliezer gave thanks to God. He spoke to Bethuel and his son Laban. They said, " It is the Lord's will." Rebekah's mother wished her to stay a few days ; but