sentences-such sentences being adapted to

their understandings."

Scripture History does not prolong the story; it does not burden the memory; you can easily remember what you hear and read.* It gives a faithful account of persons and things, of their actions and characters. It is dignified in the manner of relating things. It seems to partake of the majesty of the Creator: "Let there be light, and there was light." The lives of good men are given at large, and only a short account of the lives of the wicked. It lays down rules and gives examples for all ranks and conditions of men; kings and judges, rich and poor, husbands and wives, parents and children.

In Sacred History the characters of persons are beautifully described. What a character is given of Pharoah's chief butler-" yet did

not

*Dr. Doddridge's mother taught him several portions of Scripture History from the Dutch tiles, which were placed in the wall near the fire-place, on which many things from the Scriptures were painted.

not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him." Here we see his ingratitude and insensibility, the fatal influence of prosperity on his mind. Haman describes his own character better than any other person could, "Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate." Enoch walked with God-how beautifulwhat a character! Abraham is not only said to be the father of all those that believe, but he is called in Scripture "The friend of God." Job is said to be a man that feared God and eschewed evil; and David is said to be a man after God's own heart.

IV. It may be well also to tell you the ADVANTAGES of SCRIPTURE HISTORY.

Many important truths are better understood than if they were written in any other form. It is particularly

adapted to en

gage the attention of the young. Many parts are written in the form of dialogue, as if two or more persons were talking together, Many young persons are very fond of dialogues. It relates every thing in such a plea

sing,

sing, affecting and delightful way, that you cannot help sometimes feeling pleased,--and sometimes grieved-so much, as to weep over what you read.

Scripture History makes a deep impression on the memory. It has a powerful tendency to influence the affections, to strike the imagination, to bring the subject near to those who read. It comes home to the heart, and whether it be sin or duty, it carries convictions to the mind imperceptibly.

The truths recorded in Sacred History are attested by experience. The language of Sacred History is the language of Nature.-The stories are related in their own words, ornamented in their own dress. If I shew you a picture of any thing you have seen, you can immediately tell me what it is; and if I ask you a question concerning any thing you read yesterday, you can give me an answer, that is to say, if you paid any attention to what you were reading. As this is the first Lecture, no QUESTIONS will be put to you at this time. Remember to read over the first

Chapter

Chapter of Genesis every day, that you may be able to answer the QUESTIONS in the next Lecture, on the Creation of the World.

V. I shall now conclude with a few PRAĆ. TICAL REMARKS.

There is no history in the world so old as that of the Bible. There is no book that can give such a true and such an early account of things as the Bible.-It is the best history in the world. It contains a very great store of useful knowledge of the best kind.-It is suitable for persons of every age, but especially for the young.-It contains every thing necessary for us to know on earth. Read the word of God with prayer, and bless God for the Bible. Endeavour to find out the answers to the questions in the Lectures. Pay particular. attention to the remarks with which each Lecture is concluded. The questions are intended to rouse your attention and prepare your minds for the concluding address.-This should be applied by each one to himself. Do not think thus: this remark will suit such an one, and that remark will do for one who

is

is sitting before you, and this for one who is sitting behind you, and another for one who sits next to you. This will not do, my young friends: in this manner you will make me speak to every body but yourselves. What I say unto one, I say to all. "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."-Take heed how you hear; for the eyes of the Lord are in eve ry place, beholding the evil and the good. Let me entreat you to pay attention to Scripture History. Do not turn over the leaves of your Bible merely to read the historical parts, without imploring the Divine blessing to make you wise unto Salvation, through faith which is in Jesus Christ.-The Scriptures are a sure guide in the way to eternal bliss.-We must believe them to be true, and when the things which they contain are applied with power to your minds by the Holy Spirit, they will end in the eternal salvation of your precious and immortal souls. Consider what has been said, and may the Lord give you understanding in all these things. Amen.

B