The family text book, consisting of Bible subjects for every day in the year ...

reasons, some comprehensive texts have been often quoted as proof, or illustrative of various topics. This course is unavoidable and beneficial in a work of this kind. The Bible itself abounds in repetitions of the same doctrines, precepts, promises, &c. Hence its numerous parallel passages. All the subjects selected are not of equal importance, yet the very simplest of them is full of valuable instruction.

As a text book for reference, the work may be serviceable in general to all Bible readers, ministers, parents, teachers, Bible classes, prayer meetings, anxious enquirers, &c.

Some families and private Christians are in the habit of keeping always at hand a convenient religious book for daily lessons or pious meditation. To such parties in particular, and as our title page indicates, this work may be found suitable as a daily text book, ever fresh and full of the marrow of Bible truth.

Sabbath Schools were kept prominently in view while preparing the book, and the teachers of these schools may perhaps derive some assistance or suggestions from its numerous and various subjects for their important and interesting labours. It may here be remarked that the parents of children attending these schools should co-operate with the teachers, and not cast the whole burden of religious training, as many of them do, upon the teachers as their substitutes, neglecting a commanded duty to their own children. The lessons and exercises

taught in the Sabbath School should be repeated or talked over at home in a Christian, parental, and loving manner every Sabbath. This system, through the blessing of God, might become beneficial to the whole household. Solomon had no idea of Sabbath Schools when he wrote that memorable verse, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Parents and guardians of youth would do well to appropriate this heavenly message to themselves, and, through the grace of God, endeavour to give it a practical illustration at home.

It is well known that many Christian parents in town and country, from various causes, do not send their children to any Sabbath School, but, many of them at least, endeavour faithfully and dutifully to train them up in the fear of the Lord in the home Sabbath School. To such parents and others, a book of this description, with a constant supply of Bible topics for the day, or the week, or the year, might be of special advantage.

Note. For many years I have entertained the idea that there was room and need for a Scripture manual of this description on a plan somewhat new, attractive, and not soon exhausted, the substance being "the sincere milk of the word," so well adapted for constant, pious meditation. But until lately, I had not leisure enough to accomplish my object.

A few years ago, however, owing to old age, failing

strength, and after labouring in my present congregation since 1843, I made application to, and obtained permission from, the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland to retire from the active duties of the holy ministry. But I did not then nor yet, thanks be to the Lord, give up all Christian work-a work in which I was led to take some interest and delight for years previous to the date of my ministry. After the retirement referred to, and finding I had much leisure time at command, I betook myself to this favourite scheme and labour of love. The result is the production of this small volume for general circulation among the Christian community.

I am hopeful that my humble and private labours in this respect will not be altogether in vain. On the other hand, I sincerely pray and trust, that through the gracious work of the Spirit of God, this little book may be helpful to old and young people in obtaining and in enjoying a saving interest in Jesus Christ, to the glory of the Lord our God.

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