ΤΟ

THE RIGHT REV. JAMES MOORHOUSE, D.D.

LORD BISHOP OF MANCHESTER

THIS BOOK IS (BY PERMISSION) DEDICATED

PREFACE

WHILE it is plainly desirable that children should have a knowledge of the outlines of the Old Testament history, it is not less plain that they cannot gain it from the study of the complete text. The length and complexity of the historical books put the subject beyond their grasp; so it is usual for them either to learn the outlines from an abstract, losing all the poetry and beauty of the original narrative, or to read fragments of the text, losing all sense of continuity. This volume is an attempt to give a complete history in the words of the Bible itself, and within practicable compass. Of course many omissions, both large and small, have been necessary; and it cannot be expected that any one will think that exactly the right omissions have been made in all cases. I can only say that each one is the result of careful consideration.

Each Lesson is complete in itself: and the length of each is such as, in my judgment, is suitable for average boys and girls between ten and thirteen years of age. In a few cases the normal length has been exceeded because it seemed impossible to curtail the text further without omitting something essential.

The text is that of the Authorised Version; but a few corrections have been made, and the sacred name Jehovah has been restored to the places which it occupies in the Hebrew original.

MANCHESTER, October 6, 1890.

M. G. GLAZEBROOK.