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OF

BIBLE HISTORY;

CONTAINING

READING LESSONS, EXPLANATIONS, QUESTIONS,
GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES, & PRECEPTIVE LESSONS.

GRADATION II.

BY CHARLES BAKER,

HEAD-MASTER OF THE YORKSHIRE INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB

AUTHOR OF THE CIRCLE OF KNOWLEDGE," IN THREE GRADATIONS;

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THE "SYSTEMATIC BIBLE TEACHER DEPOSITORY,'
15, PATERNOSTER SQUARE, E.C.

SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS.

1060. f. 21.

OX

NOTES RESPECTING THE REFERENCES.

The word or phrase in the lesson which is preceded by a dot is explained.

The name of every Place explained in the Geographical Notes, is preceded by two dots.

A Number in small type, following a word, is to indicate that such word is explained in the lesson to which the number refers.

A similar small Number after the name of a Place refers to

the lesson in which the Geographical Note occurs.

By these references much repetition is prevented, and, practically, as many explanations are added to the book as there are number references.

PREFACE.

The Series of Manuals to "The Book of Bible History" may require a few words to introduce them to those teachers who have been in the habit of using the Class Books in their Day and Sunday Schools, and to others who may adopt them independently of the Class Books.

The LESSONS are those of the Book of Bible History, the very few alterations introduced being chiefly verbal. The principle of Graduation is carried out in the Explanatory Notes, which will be found to increase in difficulty in each succeeding Gradation. The Notes, however, are not generally on the same subjects for each Gradation, but are varied so as to extend over the subject matter of the three Gradations.

The EXPLANATIONS are not confined to the mere meaning of words; they elucidate phrases, idioms, facts, customs, laws, ceremonies, prophecies, and doctrines: those of Gradation I. are very simple, those of Gradation III. convey that kind of information which is required for advanced pupils, while those of Gradation II. are of an intermediate character.

The QUESTIONS have the same practical tendency; the capabilities of pupils in different stages of advancement having been carefully studied.

The GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES in Gradation I. are chiefly designed for the Teacher's attention, that he may readily point out the localities on a map. In Gradations II. and III. such Notes are intended to form a part of the pupil's exercise.

The CONTEMPORARY CHARACTERS in Gradation III. will give scope to the exercises of the advanced pupils, and open to them an important additional subject of study.

The PRECEPTIVE LESSONS constitute the practical instructions to be derived from each subject. They are drawn up in language suitable for each degree of advancement.

The Explanatory Notes and Preceptive Lessons have been drawn from various sources, including the best commentators on the Bible History. Some are given verbatim, others have been simplified. To have placed the extracts within inverted commas, or to have given the authorities, would have encumbered the pages without any adequate advantage. It is therefore hoped that this general acknowledgment of the benefits derived from the labours of others will be sufficient.

The three Series of Explanations and Preceptive Lessons are designed for the elucidation and illustration of the truths of our holy religion from the Historical Facts of the Bible; the doctrines to be believed, the moral and social duties to be performed, and the sins to be avoided. We cannot, in learning the Facts of the Bible, refuse to draw lessons from them, any more than we can reject the instruction which a simple parable, a fable, or an event of common life conveys; the lessons we thus draw from the Bible History are the Doctrines on which our Faith is founded.

The conciseness observable throughout the Series is intentional. In the LESSONS, the pupil has the advantage of a short narrative, rather than a long one. In the EXPLANATIONS and PRECEPTIVE LESSONS, the teacher is furnished with Hints, which he may expand at pleasure. By this condensation of language much more matter is brought within the compass of a page than could have been given had the several portions been written with greater fulness and freedom. Those teachers who regard the whole as "Notes of Lessons " will easily amplify each portion as they teach it. Care, however, should be taken not to overload any subject. At the same time the Manuals are not intended for those experienced teachers who have devoted their time and thoughts continuously through years to the laborious work of instruction, but for the increasing class of domestic teachers, including mothers and governesses-for the pupil-teachers,—now becoming so numerous in our public schools,-and for the patient and self-denying body of Sunday-school Teachers, to whom teaching is only an occasional occupation.

TO THESE CLASSES OF TEACHERS, MORE ESPECIALLY, THE MANUALS OF BIBLE HISTORY ARE RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.

MANUAL

OF

BIBLE HISTORY.

PERIOD I.

FROM THE CREATION TO THE DELUGE.

B.C. 4004-B.C. 2348.

1656 years.

Containing the History of the World before the Flood:The Creation-The Fall of Man-The First Promise of the Saviour The Progress of Sin-and the Destruction of Mankind (except Noah and his Family) by the Deluge.

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