the passage, connect it with other parts of Scripture, or apply it to the practical business of life. A Family Bible might seem, at first sight, to be sufficient for all this; and, without making an invidious distinction in favour of any one, it may be fairly admitted, that more than one of those in circulation contain a rich store of commentary, and may be consulted throughout with edification. But what is called a Family Bible, is not, after all, a family lecture-book. From its very form, it is rather calculated for reference in solitary study; and is, in fact, more frequently consulted by the members of a family individually, than used for the purpose of reading and expounding to a family circle. Such, at least, has been the result of my own observation; and, under this impression, I have endeavoured to make the Catechist's Manual a book which may be more conveniently applied to this use. The commentary is so framed as to be easily transferred, if needful, to homelier language, and otherwise levelled to the understandings of the weak and ignorant. Occasional deviation from the manual is indeed what I should be as unwilling to prevent, if it were practicable, in the family lecturer's case, as in the catechist's and preacher's. It is a part of his duty, which may and ought to be rendered easy, but not superseded. Christianity is a social religion; and for one who is reading the Bible for the benefit of a circle of friends to give a social character to his task, he must occasionally say something that is his own— must vary or follow up the remarks of his manual, and express his assent or dissent to the views which it suggests. It may be desirable that he should even encourage and invite his hearers to contribute their share of remark, to ask for further explanation of what is not understood, and freely to communicate their own suggestions and impressions. The religious intercourse which is thus carried on, be it remembered, is not only one mode of discharging a duty which each individual owes to God; but is a bond of domestic union, which divine goodness has added to the ties of nature and of worldly pursuit; and has added, we may hope, for the express purpose of uniting a family as such for ever. When the ordinary course of society, not to mention the ruder mischances of fortune, has dispersed, after a few years of union, the party which assembled round the father's fire side, what is the natural fate of early affection, kindred pursuits, and all that mingles in the spell of home? If as children of this world only we have been united, the union may be more or less delightful, may be more or less lasting, but it must yield to this world's decaying influence. Do we wish to rivet it for ever? Do we wish to carry it on to a period, when we shall be 'as the angels which are in heaven?' We must begin, in an earthly home, the intercourse of angels; and, by exercising together a common faith and a common hope, prepare to enjoy together a common heaven. |