**Before the proof sheets of this edition leave the author's hand for the press, he would recommend a careful study of the "Notes" as preparatory to the use of the "Questions." Without this preparation on the part of the teacher, the "Questions" cannot be used with advantage, because in most cases the answers to them are supplied in the "Notes." The exact words of the "Questions" and "Answers," as here given, should not be literally adhered to. On the contrary, the teacher should adapt each question to the capacity of the scholar, and the scholar should be encouraged to answer in his own words. It is presumed that each lesson will be begun by the reading of the Gospel aloud by the scholars, verse by verse in turn.

Although the author has carefully revised this book, he nevertheless believes that there are still some inaccuracies in the references to Holy Scripture. Notwithstanding, however, its imperfections in this and in other respects, it is hoped that the book will be found practical and simple, and well adapted for that class of persons for whose use it has been prepared. J. F.

LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,

AND CHARING CROSS.

FIFTEEN centuries have rolled past since the eloquent

Chrysostom* told mothers, in one of his homilies, not to hang the four Gospels round the necks and near the beds of their children as charms. This caution, which was necessary fifteen centuries ago, might seem to be unnecessary now, at least in England; for, excepting the case of a very few persons in rural districts, faith in the power of charms has quite died out. No longer in Constantinople and Antioch, no longer in any place either in the East or the West, are the four Gospels likely to be hung round children's necks, or near their beds, as charms. Yet there is the danger that we may unconsciously treat the Bible as if it were a book of charms or a charmed

* His name was John, but in consequence of his eloquence the name Chrysostom, or Golden Mouthed, was given to him. He was born at Antioch of a noble family. In A.D. 374, although young, his reputation was so great that the prelates of the district elected him to a vacant bishopric. To shun the honour he fled to a mountain, where he dwelt four years with a hermit, and afterwards two years alone in a cavern. He then returned to his native place and became priest, which office he discharged for a period of eighteen years. He was then made, contrary to his own wish, Patriarch of Constantinople, and became distinguished for his masterly eloquence and the zeal with which he denounced the corruptions of the people, the clergy, and the court. After exercising his office at Constantinople six years a party was formed against him, and he was sent as an exile to the desolate town Cucusus in Mount Taurus, where he passed three years of his life. Our Prayer-Book contains a prayer taken from Chrysostom's liturgy.

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