PREFACE. A few years ago the author of this series of books published a TABULAR VIEW OF THE OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY, COMprising the dates, events, places, and references to the Bible; and also a series of BIBLE EXERCISES, with detailed references, by which the elder pupils of a school might refer to the Bible for answers to the questions. A Bible History in Lessons was required, suitable for less advanced pupils; this was published some time after, together with the same Lessons in a bold type for large classes. The object proposed in the present books is to supply a Graduated Series of Reading Lessons, according to the ORDER OF EVENTS recorded in the Old Testament. Three Gradations have accordingly been prepared, which will afford, with the Exercises above referred to, Four Gradations for children of different ages in the same family, or for four different classes in Schools. The important principle of GRADUATION in children's reading books is constantly receiving new adherents. For the least advanced pupils a mere outline of the subject, drawn up in short sentences, is all that is necessary; the same subject amplifiedcomprising additional particulars-and embodied in longer sentences, is prepared for children a little more advanced; while more extended details, and new information, in addition to what has already been communicated, and in language less simple, iv supply the kind of lessons requisite for pupils whose minds are more developed. Certain mechanical aids are also advantageous, such as pictures for the less advanced pupils, and large type for imperfect readers. The This principle is not new in education. Every one engaged in teaching adopts it, but generally without method. A short History, a short Grammar, or other work, is first presented to a child's attention, and followed by works on the same subjects more and more advanced-till in mature age, the largest works, and the fullest details are required to satisfy the mind thus gradually prepared. But while the general principle has been followed, the absence of method has impaired its success. marked feature in this series of books is, that each gradation prepares for the following one-that there is no fact mentioned in the first gradation that is omitted in the second-no fact given in the second that is not to be found in the third gradation. Thus those children who go through the whole series repeat in the second, in a new form, with additional knowledge, all they learned in the first, and so on through the higher gradations. By this method of graduation every class in a school is provided with suitable lessons; and if they are studied simultaneously, the final examination of all by the master is simplified, in consequence of all having been engaged in the same subject. Thus in large schools every monitor's diligence is tested, and every pupil's progress is ascertained. The illustrative Texts and connecting observations in this Edition of Gradation I. are chiefly supplied from the New Testament, the Psalms, and the Prophets; the object being to give copiousness to the subjects of the Lessons, and in many instances to make one portion of the Scriptures explanatory of another. BIBLE HISTORY. GRADATION I. PERIOD I. FROM THE CREATION TO THE DELUGE. LESSON 1. The Creation and the Fall of Man. God created the heavens and the earth and all things in them. He created man in his own image-good and holy. He created all things in six days, and rested on the seventh day and blessed it. He placed Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. They disobeyed God, and he sentenced them to death. He then drove Adam and Eve out of Eden. Adam and Eve were created without sin; they were happy because they were holy. They sinned and became miserable. Whenever we sin we are unhappy, for sin produces misery. Lesson 2. Cain, Abel, and Seth. Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve. They offered sacrifices to God. Cain brought of the fruits of the earth. Abel brought of the young of his flock. God accepted Abel's offering and rejected Cain's. Cain was wicked; he murdered his brother. God gave Adam a son who was named Seth. He was a good man. "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous. Heb. xi. 4. Abel was faithful and obedient. Faith leads to obedience. Lesson 3. Enoch. Methuselah. Noah. The Deluge. Enoch was descended from Seth. God took him to heaven because he was good. Methuselah was the oldest man that ever lived. Noah his grandson, was a good man. When men became wicked, God destroyed all people people by a flood except Noah and his family. God saved them in an ark of wood that floated on the waters. ENOCH'S PROPHECY.-"Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him." Jude 14, 15. |