PREFACE. THE design of this work is to instruct the young in the principles of the Christian religion, by a course of short Sunday services. They embrace all the subjects necessary to be known. I have strictly avoided touching on any of the minor points on which Christians disagree for two reasons, the first of which was, because I did not consider these differences proper to introduce to the notice of children—who have yet to learn the first principles of Christianity; and my second reason for avoiding these subjects was, that there should be no drawback to the general circulation. of the work, which I humbly hope, with God's blessing, will be productive of some good; and I think I may say that all may safely make use of it for their children, as throughout I have endeavoured to point to Him who is "the way, the truth, and the life," and to inculcate a love to, and reliance upon Jesus Christ as the Friend The whole service and Saviour of sinners. consists of a short confession of sin, and a prayer for help at the commencement; a portion of Scripture, a hymn (the words of which are original, and bearing on the subject for the day), an address or lecture, and a prayer at the conclusion. The prayers are intended to be repeated by the children, after the person conducting the service, and the Scripture to be read by them. The hymn can be sung or not, according to circumstances. This altogether will occupy about an hour's time, which I considered was as long as the attention of young children could be depended upon. If the ages and dispositions of some warrant it, and parents think it advisable, they can lengthen the service by expounding the Scripture, and also by offering additional remarks whilst reading the sermon. Notwithstanding the many excellent books of a religious nature already written for the young, something of this kind I imagined to be necessary. Children of respectable parents are often worse off in the matter of religious Sabbath instruction than those of the poor, the latter attend Sunday-schools, where they are addressed in a manner suited to their capacities; whereas the little ones of the former are either left at home in the charge of thoughtless domestics whilst their parents are in attendance at God's house, or they are taken there with them, where they are obliged to remain in a quiescent state for a length of time, listening to what is quite beyond their comprehension, and witnessing ceremonies the meaning of which they do not understand. In either of these positions it is easy to see they acquire no good. In the first, they often learn much evil, to which an embargo of deception to parents is frequently added by the guilty party who had charge of them, for fear of being blamed; and thus the Sunday is passed in a worse manner than any other day of the week. In the second place, where they are forced to attend the public worship of their Maker, from want of understanding what they hear, they acquire a dislike to, and disgust of what they should be made to esteem a pleasure and a privilege. I have endeavoured to prevent this by explaining, to the best of my abilities, and in as clear a manner as possible, all those subjects they must necessarily have brought before them at a Christian place of worship; this will enable them to feel an interest in God's public service, |