R BEL, Selections. English THE BIBLE ABRIDGED: BEING SELECTIONS FROM THE SCRIPTURES OF THE FORMING A REASONABLY COMPLETE OUTLINE OF THE FOR FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS ARRANGED BY THE REV. DAVID GREENE HASKINS, S.T.D. BOSTON: D. C. HEATH & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1890. PREFACE. In presenting to the public another edition of this work, the compiler desires to explain anew, in few words, its general character and purpose. It is a series of continuous readings from the books of the Old and New Testaments, chosen and arranged to meet the requirements of a text-book for the study of the Scriptures in schools, and for use in domestic instruction and family worship. The selections are made, without verbal changes, from the standard version of the American Bible Society. They are divided into lessons of convenient length, and, with the exception of those from the Gospels, are arranged in the order of the books in the Bible. The lessons from the Gospels, instead of being taken from each Gospel in order, which would involve repetitions, are selected from a connected chronological narrative obtained from a comparison of the Four Gospels, the narrative being in words, sometimes of one Evangelist, sometimes of another. The divisions of chapters and verses are omitted from the text throughout, but are duly noted in the margin. The lessons are numbered in course. The leading subjects and important dates are given in the titles. The titles of those lessons which refer to the closing events of the Savior's earthly career include also the day of the week, and often the hour, when the events described took placc. The chronology of this period is that adopted in the "New Harmony of the Gospels," by the Rev. Samuel Farmer Jarvis, D.D., LL.D. 55.2 177 It should be said further that these selections have not been made at random, but in accordance with a well-considered and definite plan. Selection, of necessity, involves omission. In choosing what to embrace in these readings, the writer has aimed to present a reasonably complete outline of the important events of sacred history in their proper sequence and in the closest connection practicable, including also all that is most instructive and interesting of the details of scriptural narrative and biography, all that is most sublime and elevating of inspired thought and imagination, and all that is most essential of Christian doctrine and moral teaching. In deciding what to omit from them, the rule has been rigidly observed of excluding all those portions of Scripture which have to do with mere historical or ritual details, all obscure or difficult passages, and also whatever could not be read or discussed to edification before classes of young persons of both sexes. That the writer has been compelled by the necessary limits of his work to make other omissions than those called for by this rule, has often caused him much regret. It is to be considered, however, that this book is not designed to be a substitute for the Bible, but only an introduction to it, through which the interest of young minds may be awakened in its teachings, particularly in the teachings of the New Testament concerning the birth, the life, the death, the resurrection, the ascension of our Lord, which are the fundamental facts of our religion. With this brief explanation of the character and design of the book, the compiler submits it to teachers and parents, and to the general public, in the hope that it will prove a help in the religious education of the rising generation. CAMBRIDGE, Dec. 1, 1890. |