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. God 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. EXPLANATIONS. QUESTIONS. our | Who created all things? God-our Maker, and disobeyed did that which God had forbidden them to do. sentenced-condemned; God is our Judge, as well as our Maker. death the punishment for Adam and Eve's siu. What is meant by created? How was man like God? parents, Adam and Eve ? Eden-supposed to have been situated near the Persian Gulf. PRECEPTIVE LESSONS. Adam was created holy, then he was happy. Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God, and became miserable. As long as we do good we shall be happy, but if we do wrong we shall be unhappy. God blessed the sabbath day—that is, he made it a happy day, which it is to all who observe it. 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 'firstlings of his 'flock. God accepted Abel's offering and rejected Cain's. Cain was wicked; he killed his brother. God gave Adam another son who was named Seth. He was a good man. EXPLANATIONS. Eve? QUESTIONS. What did they offer? Cain-the elder son; Abel, the | Who were sons of Adam and second son. offered-presented before God. sacrifices-gifts; portions of their goods, which were burned on an altar, or a table of stone. fruits-productions; such as ears of corn. the earth of that part of it which he had cultivated. firstlings-the first-born. flock a number of sheep, goats, &c. accepted-pleased with. rejected displeased with. killed-put to death violent blows. by What was Cain's offering? What sad proof of wickedness What sort of man was he? › PRECEPTIVE LESSONS. Cain was envious of Abel and slew him. He then became a miserable and restless man. Abel was faithful and obedient to God, and God loved him. Seth was a good man; all good people are children of God. God punishes all who sin; he loves and accepts all who are obedient to him. 3. Enoch. Methuselah. Noah. The Deluge. Enoch was descended from Seth. He pleased God, and God took him to heaven. Methuselah was the oldest man that ever lived. Noah, his grandson, was a good man. When men became very wicked, God destroyed all people by a flood except Noah and his family. God saved them in an ark of wood that floated on the waters. EXPLANATIONS. QUESTIONS. descended-born in the same | Who was descended from family. pleased he did right himself, and reproved the ungodly. took him-bore him away from earth to heaven. Noah-means 'comfort.' grandson-the son of any one's child. wicked-cruel, filled with unholy thoughts, forgetful of God, and proud. destroyed-caused to die. flood-a great body of water poured over the land. family his wife, and his sons, and their three wives. ark-a house like a ship. floated-rose on the surface. What is said of Enoch? What became of him? Who was Noah? What do you mean by grand- What does Noah mean? In what were they saved? PRECEPTIVE LESSONS. Enoch believed God's promises; his work on earth was finished, and his faith was rewarded. Noah warned the wicked people of their danger, but they would not hear him. When they were destroyed he was saved. God will save the righteous, but he will punish the wicked. PERIOD II. FROM THE DELUGE TO THE DEATH OF JOSEPH. B.C. 2347-B.C. 1635. 712 years. Containing the History of Noah after the Flood;--The Building of Babel-The Dispersion of Mankind-The Call of Abram-The Destruction of Sodom-The Offering of Isaac-The History of Job-of Esau and Jacob-of Jacob's sons-of Joseph-and the death of Jacob and of Joseph. 4. History of Noah after the Flood. When the waters were dried up, Noah and his family left the ark. Noah offered thanksgivings to God, and God promised never again to destroy the earth by a flood. The rainbow is the sign of that promise. Noah planted a vineyard, drank of the 'wine and was drunken. His son Ham 'mocked him, and Noah foretold that his descendants should be servants to their brethren. EXPLANATIONS. dried up by the wind which respect. QUESTIONS. What was the cause of the What did Noah do? What promise did he make? What did Noah plant? What is wine? What did his son Ham do? Then what did Noah foretel of his descendants? PRECEPTIVE LESSONS. We should always acknowledge with thankfulness God's goodness and mercy to us, as Noah did. Ham was undutiful to his father; his brothers Shem and Japheth were dutiful sons. The descendants of Ham were punished for their father's sin. If we honour our parents God will bless us, as he has promised. |