1st Stage.-Place before each verse of the chapter selected, the initial letter of the virtue, vice, or sentiment which forms the subject of the verse.

2nd Stage. Next, collect those sentences into the same paragraph which refer to the same subject, and, if possible, arrange them according to their natural sequence.

3rd Stage. Omit those clauses and members which are mere repetitions of some previous clause. Let the remaining sentences be so constructed, as to secure an easy flow and compact dependence throughout the paragraph.

60. a. Example illustrating the three stages.

1st Stage.

Proverbs, chap. 10. verse 1-14.

w. s. 1. A wise son maketh a father glad: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother..

wick. 2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

right. 3. The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. dil. 4. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand : but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

w. s. 5. He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causes shame.

:

just. 6. Blessings are upon the head of the just but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

just. 7. The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

wise. 8. The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

right. 9. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

folly. 10. He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

right. 11. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life : but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

hate. 12. Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

wise. 13. In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

wise. 14. Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

3. The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish.

6. Blessing is upon the head of the just.

7. The memory of the just is blessed.

9. He that walketh uprightly, walketh surely.

11. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life. 3. Diligence.-4. The hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Vices.

1. A foolish son.—1. A foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. 5. He that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

2. Wickedness.-2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing.

3. The Lord casteth away the substance of the wicked.

REMARKS.-The sentences in the previous paragraphs are placed in juxta-position, that by this contrast, the virtues and vices may be more evident, and better adapted for the 3rd stage.

61. 3rd Stage.

Should the pupil be of competent age, his Essay should be re

3. Idleness. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand. He that sleepeth in

harvest is a son that causeth shame.

4. Folly. The mouth of the foolish is near destruction, his prating shall cause him to fall. A rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

5. Hatred.-Hatred stirreth up strifes.

EXERCISE.62. Arrange the following proverbs in the 3rd Stage, according to the preceding directions.

Proverbs, chap. x. verse 15-32.

15. The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

16. The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

17. He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction; but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

18. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

19. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

20. The tongue of the just is as choice silver; the heart of the wicked is little worth.

21. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

22. The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

23. It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

24. The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him; but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

25. As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

26. As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

27. The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

28. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectations of the wicked shall perish.

29. The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be the workers of iniquity.

30. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

31. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

32. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable : but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

LESSON 26.

63. Arrange the following proverbs in the third stage, according to the directions in Lesson 25.

Proverbs, chap. xi. verse 1—22.

1. A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.

2. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

3. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

4. Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

5. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

6. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.