OR,

A Harmony of the Four Gospels ;

WITH VERY SHORT AND SIMPLE REMARKS ADAPTED TO

READING AT FAMILY PRAYERS,

AND ARRANGED IN 365 SECTIONS,

FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR.

BY THE AUTHOR OF THE "PEEP OF DAY," &c.

REVISED AND CORRECTED

BY A CLERGYMAN OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

Fifteenth Thousand.

"But all the children of Israel had LIGHT in their DWELLINGS."

Ex. x. 23.

LONDON:

T. HATCHARD, 187 PICCADILLY.
1858.

101.0.78.

PREFACE.

OBJECTS of little intrinsic value are sometimes of great utility. Though many learned commentaries have been written, yet this humble work may be useful in a sphere to which elaborate and elevated productions are not adapted. It does not aspire to interest the learned, or to attract the polite; but endeavours to fix the inattentive, to awaken the unreflecting, to enlighten the ignorant, and to benefit the simple minds which are to be found in ordinary households.

Familiar illustrations, and brief reflections, expressed in common words, suit such a production better than profound remarks or elegant diction, even were they (which they are not) at my command.

Aware of the paramount importance of soundness in doctrine in the humblest as well as in the greatest works, I have carefully studied the invaluable commentary of the Rev. Thomas Scott;-anxious to explain the numerous allusions to Eastern customs, I have generally consulted the Pictorial Bible: while, in the arrangement of the sections, I have taken as my guide the Harmony of the Rev. George Townsend, Prebendary of Durham.

Conscious, however, of my own insufficiency, I submitted my work, some years since, to the judgment of Christian friends; and, before I ventured to send it to the press, solicited a Clergyman to undertake its revision.

Yet, after all my own labour, extended through period of eight years-and after all the aid I have derived from others-I am aware that many defects must have eluded observation, and that many more are of a nature incapable of correction. To overlook these I must throw myself upon the indulgence of the reader. It is my comfort to know that feeble attempts may yet receive an abundant blessing from that gracious Lord whose glory I have sought, and in whose power it is to bestow or to withhold success.

And what is success? No circulation, however extensive,—no approbation, even of the wise and good,—could be deemed success, if unattended by the conversion or edification of immortal souls.

But if, at the last day, it should be made manifest that, through the means of this humble work,—some thoughtless girl, removed from a beloved home and sojourning amongst strangers, had been led to cry, "My Father, thou art the guide of my youth!"—that some ignorant boy, in times past unprofitable to all, had, like Onesimus, become profitable to his employer and to the church of God;-that some self-righteous person, faithful to her earthly master, but a rebel against the best of Masters, had been brought, in her declining years, to seek his righteousness, and devote herself to his service ;— that some unhappy wanderer, stained with secret crime, and tormented by the pangs of a guilty conscience, had been encouraged to plead for pardon, and to wash in the Saviour's precious blood;-that some little child sitting at the feet of its father, or of its mother, turning over the leaves of its first Bible, had learned to love the Friend of little children;-this,-this,-would indeed be SUCCESS. Will the reader join his prayers to mine that such a boon may be granted me by "the FATHER OF LIGHTS, from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift?"

ADVERTISEMENT.

IT is respectfully suggested that the attention of a family is best promoted by the members following, in their own Bibles, the person who reads aloud; care being taken that sufficient time be given after the announcement of the passage for every one present to find it.

The numerous italics which occur in this work have been inserted for the help of those, who, though perhaps needing no such help when alone, may yet be glad of it when conducting family prayers.

The portions of Scripture commented on being often very short, an attempt has been made to supply the deficiency, by a selection of chapters for reading in the evening. In preparing this selection the compiler has endeavoured that each chapter shall afford some illustration, or confirmation, of the morning subject.