of outward objects, or is prone to inward reflection,-a different discipline will be needed to produce a deep and healthy impression; for the religious susceptibility not only exists in various degrees of intensity in different minds, but is greatly modified in its character by the diversities of temperament just alluded to. The best plan will be to offer a few pregnant hints and leading directions, exhibiting the subject on all its sides, and leave a large discretion to the judgment and feeling of the individual Teacher. A copious supply of the most solemn and touching passages of Scripture, with extracts from the most beautiful and striking hymns, will prove his best aids, and most effectual instruments.

2. The second section will contain a simple Life of Christ, told in the simplest language-assigning it its place in the general history of the world, and illustrated by so much of the geography of Palestine, with the aid of a good map, and if possible of some accurate sketches, taken on the spot, as would enable the mind to realise to itself the early home of Jesus, and the scenes of his ministry. Into this narrative the most beautiful and practical of his parables and discourses, and the description of the most beneficent of his miracles, will be interwoven in the very words of the Scripture for the purpose of being committed to memory, with extracts from hymns allusive to events in our Lord's Ministry. The spiritual end for which Christ came into the world, to turn men from wickedness, to assure them of God's mercy and love, and to prepare them for the kingdom of Heaven, should be kept in view throughout this narrative above every

doctrinal or speculative consideration, and impressed on the child's heart and conscience and imagination. as constituting the great truth of Christianity. When this narrative has been once gone through, the gospel of Mark-the shortest and most picturesque of all the gospels-might perhaps be read entire with the class, accompanied by short explanations of words, allusions, &c.-passages of the gospel, with extracts from hymns, again being committed to memory. The principal events and incidents of Christ's ministry, and the most striking features of his character and teaching, cannot be too strongly impressed on the young mind.

3. The third section will treat of Palestine and its history -physical geography, climate and natural productions, with collateral notices of Egypt, Arabia, Babylonia, Assyria, Syria, and Phoenicia. Earliest inhabitants of Palestine, different races-outlines of patriarchal history-Mosesconquest of Palestine-heroic and kingly times (progressive geography, distribution of the tribes) division of kingdoms -collateral notices of Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian history-Jewish history-Greek kings of Egypt and Syria -rise of Jewish sects-Rabbis-Roman dominion-capture of Jerusalem-conquest of Palestine. Great simplicity and clearness of style will be studied in this book, and only so much matter introduced into it, as it is necessary for children to know, in order to understand the Bible. Chronology and progressive geography should accompany it throughout, and the most important dates be committed to memory.

4. In the fourth section of this course, the learner should

be introduced to a somewhat fuller acquaintance with Hebrew literature. This will be given in a small volume of extracts in two parts; the first containing the most graphic and edifying narratives of the historical books, such as passages from the life of Abraham, the story of Joseph, the Exodus, and the entrance into Canaan-the life of David-of Ruth-of Saul-Jonathan-Hezekiah-Isaiah-Ezekiel, &c., &c. In these narratives the attention of the child should be constantly drawn to the indirect illustration they afford of the character and moral government of God. They are well fitted, from their antique and picturesque simplicity, to act beneficially on the imagination, and cultivate the religious taste of a child, and to familiarise it with the imagery on which so much of our best religious poetry is founded. The second part will consist of extracts from the poetry of the Old Testament, the odes and elegies which are interspersed up and down the historical books, but especially of selections from Job, the Psalms, and the Prophets. The finest passages should be committed to memory, together with Christian hymns and portions of religious poetry allusive to the great events recorded in the Bible. In both parts of this volume, such information will be added respecting the age, authorship, contents, style, &c. of the several books from which the extracts are taken, as will make it answer the purpose of an introduction to the Bible.

5. Moral and religious views of nature and man. This is intended to excite attention to the more striking facts of external nature, and of our own organisation, as shewn by

observation, or unfolded by science, and to take advantage of the interest which such facts always excite in the young, to cultivate a refining taste for the beautiful, and to nurture the religious feelings.

6. In the sixth section, the Gospel of Luke, (with notice of parallel passages in Matthew and Mark) and the book of Acts, should be read continuously, as two parts of one work, constituting the first and second chapters of the great general history of Christianity. A good practical commentary on I.uke and Acts (as one work) will be prepared, to assist the teacher in conducting his class. A second part of the same section will be the Gospel of John, with an introduction explaining its object and character, and its relation to the three earlier gospels,-an epistle of Paul, with a similar introduction on the characteristic principles of his theology,-Epistle to the Hebrews,-Epistle of James, 1st of Peter, and 1st of John, with similar introductions. These parts of Scripture to be read and explained to the class, with free conversaion on the difficult passages.

7. A brief outline of Christian doctrine and Christian ethics, as deducible from the New Testament; noticing the modifications observable in the different writers; including a sketch of Christian evidences.

8. Outlines of the history of Christianity, with especial reference to the state of manners and the progress of opinion; and sketches of the most eminent Christian characters; the latter part particularly devoted to the Ecclesiastical History of England, the rise and growth of Non-conformity, relations

of the Church and the Dissenters, eras in the development of religious freedom, with notice of the most important Acts of Parliament for the security of religious rights; the whole largely interspersed with biographical notices of great and good men.

9. Nature and constitution of a Christian Church,—diferent theories,-first principles,-the significance, obligation, and spiritual value of Christian ordinances.

For the preparation of the books to be included in this Course, a general and central Committee has been formed to regulate and conduct the whole undertaking; the execution of the particular work belonging to each section of the Course will be entrusted to one individual, or at most two, while to each section a small sub-committee of men whose pursuits and habits of thought lie in the same direction, will be attached, for the revisal of the work belonging to that section. Lastly, with a view to secure a general uniformity of principle and execution to the whole undertaking the work of each section, after revisal by the subcommittee of that section, will be submitted for approval to the general Committee.

Johnson and Rawson, Printers, 89, Market Street, Manchester.