3. As far as was practicable, the Lessons are ar ranged in such order, that the subject of each is an advance upon the one preceding; hence they form a consecutive series of subjects. 4. A few questions are thrown into almost every Lesson, addressed to the conscience. 5. No subject is fully exhausted. Ample room is left in each Lesson for the Teacher to introduce other questions, either of a doctrinal or practical character, and to indulge in his peculiar manner of illustration and application. The book is not a Teacher's substitute, but a Teacher's aid. 6. To each Lesson is appended a variety of Hints for the Teacher. These are designed to suggest various kinds of illustrations and trains of thought, which may appropriately be introduced in the recitation of the lesson. They are however mere hints. They do not carry out to its full extent any illustration or argument, but merely suggest what kind of one is required, and then leave it to be amplified by the Teacher. As these hints are intended only for Teachers, they are not introduced into the books which the Scholars will use. VII. A PLAN OF SALVATION NEEDED, VIII. A PLAN OF SALVATION PROVIDED, IX. PLAN OF SALVATION ETERNAL, TOPICAL QUESTIONS. LESSON I. MAN A SINNER. 1. What does the Bible say is the character of men? Gen. 6: 5, 11, 12. Ps. 14: 2, 3. Jer. 17: 9. Eccl. 8: 11. 2. What is meant by their heart being "fully set in them to do evil?" 3. Is there any exception? Eccl. 7: 20. 2 Chron. 6: 36. 1 John 1: 8, 10. 4. To which are young children the more strongly inclined, to sin or to holiness? 5. What are some of the first passions which children exhibit? 6. What is taught on this subject in Ps. 58: 3? 7. How does the past history of the world prove that men are sinners? 8. From what you have seen of the conduct of men, to which should you think they were the more strongly inclined-to evil or to good? 9. How can you prove from your own experi ence that you are naturally inclined to sin? 10. Do you sometimes feel a strong inclination to do what you know to be wrong? 11. If you were holy, is it probable that you I would have this strong inclination to sin? 12. Have you not frequently yielded to this inclination, and sinned? 13. What is sin? 1 John 3: 4. 14. What is the character of the law of God? Ps. 19: 7. 119: 128, 172, 142. Rom. 7: 12. 15. How can it be shown from the character of the law that sin is "exceeding sinful?" 16. Against whom is all sin committed? Ps. 51: 4. 17. Mention some of the attributes of God. 18. How can you show from these attributes that sin is "exceeding sinful?” 19. Your sins exhibit a disregard of all these attributes;-How ought you to feel in view of this fact? 20. What were probably David's feelings when he wrote the fifty-first Psalm ? 21. What other instances of sorrow for sin are recorded in the Scriptures? 22. Were such feelings right, or wrong? Why? 23. Suppose that a child should be habitually disobedient to his parents, and should never feel sorry on account of it; what should you think was the character of his heart? 24. What then must be the character of your heart, if all your sins against God do not make you unhappy? |