BIBLE CLASS TEXT BOOK; OR BIBLICAL CATECHISM, CONTAINING QUESTIONS HISTORICAL, DOCTRINAL, PRACTICAL, AND EXPERIMENTAL. DESIGNED TO PROMOTE AN INTIMATE ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE Enspired Volume. BY HERVEY WILBUR, A. M. "Search the Scriptures.". ..JESUS CHRIST. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all THIRTEENTH EDITION. REVISED, IMPROVED, ENLARGED, AND STEREOTYPED, Boston: PUBLISHED BY CUMMINGS & HILLIARD, STEREOTYPED BY T. H. AND C. CARTER, BOSTON. ....... 1823. DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, to wit: BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the seventeenth day of March, A. D. 1823, in the forty-seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America, HERVEY WILBUR, of the said District, has deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as Author, in the words following, to wit:"The Bible Class Text Book; or Biblical Catechism, containing questions Historical, Doctrinal, Practical, and Experimental. Designed to promote an intimate acquaintance with the Inspired Volume. By HERVEY WILBUR, A. M. "Search the Scriptures."-Jesus Christ. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom."-Rom. 15. 4. Paul. Eleventh edition, revised, improved, enlarged, and stereotyped, with practical questions annexed to the answers." In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned :" and also to an Act, entitled, "An Act supplementary to an Act, entitled, An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical, and other prints." Clerk of the District of Massachusetts. JNO. W. DAVIS, To the Bible Classes in Boston and its vicinity, with their respective PASTORS, and to all the Patrons, Instructors, and Pupils of Sabbath Schools generally, this REVISED and STEREOTYPE edition of the Biblical Catechism, is respectfully and affectionately inscribed by their friend and fellow-labourer, THE AUTHOR. PREFACE TO THE ELEVENTH EDITION. IN presenting the Public with this revised edition of the Bible Class Text Book, or Biblical Catechism, the Author renews his grateful acknowledgments for that patronage of this work, which has already circulated about thirty thousand copies. He is much pleased in knowing that it is approved, and used by the EVANGELICAL of different denominations. It was his intention to give a systematic classification of Scripture 'doctrines, precepts, warnings, and promises, which have the impress of the footsteps of the flock. It was never his design to quote ALL the passages which relate to a particular doctrine or duty, but only to use some apposite texts, and such as would give the most connected answer in the language which the Holy Ghost teacheth, and thus encourage and aid the young to classify the Scriptures for themselves, as they peruse them. Some passages which it might have been expected, would have been inserted under one question, will be found under another or in the notes, and it was thought not advisable to print them twice. A regard for the interests of Zion will justify the remark, that in many places where associations of youth have been formed for the systematic study of the Scriptures in the manner recommended in this work, there has been a deep and general seriousness among the young presently manifested. The Holy Spirit has blessed the social study of ETERNAL TRUTH for giving more efficiency to a preached Gospel. Besides it ought to be known that wherever the attempt has been made to form such classes, a large proportion of the young have been easily collected for this purpose. In single Congregations from one to two hundred youths are not unfrequently engaged. The very circumstance of bringing his youth in direct contact with a serious and judicious Pastor, who tenderly loves their souls, may be a great blessing to them. The recent formation of Bible classes on conspicuous parts of Zion's walls, with the blessing of Heaven which has attended them, it is hoped will give a new impulse to their formation in other sections of the country. And as a new Edition of the Manual which has so generally been used in them, was needed, it has been carefully revised, with some enlargement. That it might be afforded in good half-binding, as low as it had before been sold, in marble covers, notwithstanding the additional amount of matter, inclu |