Juv 18:36, 40 HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY GIFT OF JULIUS R. WAKEFIELD 02.1932 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1836, by C. B. SHUTE, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. It is doubted whether any person can read this unpretending little volume, without being greatly pleased, both with its plan and execution. Its professed object is to adopt some of the most remarkable incidents and narratives of the Old and New Testaments, to the tastes and capacities of children, by omitting all those details which seemed little suited to their comprehension; or least likely to interest their feelings. In carrying this design into effect, the author has judiciously adopted the story-telling style, as best allied in its structure to that simplicity of composition which is one of the distinguishing features of the Holy Scriptures. The style is plain, correct, and in no small degree, sweet and flowing. What was said of another similar work, by a distinguished critic, may justly be said of this. "There is a soberness and propriety of style, a clearness in the narrative, and impressiveness in the moral instructions, and a tenderness in the persuasive and admonitory parts, that are well suited to the capacities and feelings of the young. It is no little praise to say, that nothing is over-wrought. No false lights are thrown on the subjects for the sake of effect. A proper demand is made on the sympathies of its little readers, but all is done with a chastened and moderate aim. The stories are never warped from their purpose, for the sake of an ingenious explanation; nor ever exaggerated to display the eloquence of the expositor. The author has gently and gracefully descended to the level of his youthful readers he first awakens their attention by the selection of his story, and then satisfies the judgment by a judicious reflection, or touches the heart by an affecting appeal.' These stories are such as any parent, of any evangelical denomination, may safely put into the hands of his child; and that they are carefully directed to the religious as well as moral culture of the youthful mind, he will find satisfactory evidence. Hoping that parents will find this little volume well suited for interesting and instructing the juvenile branches of their families, and praying that it may make wise unto salvation, that large and interesting class of readers for whose use it was designed, it is respectfully submitted. CONTENTS. What Moses saw from Mount Pis- gah. 14. What a Wise King asked of God. 36 15. How the Dying People were cured. 39 16. How the Sun and Moon stood still. 44 had more than all which they could really want. Indeed they were very happy,—and the gracious God himself sometimes came down from heaven,and talked with them. But one day, a wicked spirit, whose name was Satan, got into this charming spot, in the form of a serpent,—and he found Eve near the forbidden tree. And he told her to take and eat of it. He assured her, that if she and Adam should do so, so far from dying, they would become even as God. We This was a dreadful falsehood. should not forget, that whatever any one may say, contrary to what God has declared in his holy word, cannot be true. And they were so foolish, and wicked, as to take and eat of the fruit of the tree, which the good God had strictly forbidden. And did they gain any thing? O no. No one ever did, or ever can, gain any thing by sin. They were very unhappy: for Sin always makes people miserable. Their consciences told them how shamefully they had acted towards the good God. They used to hear the voice of their Maker with joy; but now, when he came into the garden they were filled |