THE CHILD AND THE BOOK: A Manual of Method FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND OTHER RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTORS. BY ROBERT DUNNING, AND JOSEPH HASSELL, A.K.C. LOND., Second Thousand. LONDON: SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION, 56, OLD BAILEY. T. NELSON & SONS, 53, BLEECKER STREET, NEW YORK. 141. K. 440. "THE CHILD AND THE BOOK" contains nothing new to you; it is only the embodiment of those principles so long promulgated by yourself, and which we know you desire to see further extended. It is written for every section of the Christian Church, and is thus in keeping with that catholicity which has marked your long career of Christian philanthropy. With deep sentiments of respect and esteem, We are, Dear Sir, Your faithful Servants, THE AUTHORS. PREFACE. FOR some years past training and preparation classes have been carried on with great success. Through their instrumentality a large number of teachers have had their minds directed to the art of teaching. At the same time they have been taught that whilst the Bible is able to make men "wise unto salvation;" that whilst God as a Sovereign can-and sometimes does convert the soul without the aid of human instrumentalities, He nevertheless generally works through means, and allows effort and success to go hand in hand, and the degree of success to bear a relation to the skill of the effort. To assist the Sunday school teacher in making this skilful effort, and thus to become a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, is the object for which the book has been written, and the writers trust that those into whose hands the book may fall will carefully study its con tents. "THE CHILD AND THE BOOK" is addressed to, and especially designed for, Sunday school teachers. At the same time it is well calculated to help all who love the Lord Jesus Christ to communicate intelligently and successfully the knowledge of that Saviour whom they love. Every section of the Christian Church may use it. Those who teach formularies will find some hints on the time to introduce them, and the method of dealing with them; while those who do not use formularies will find what may take their place. Where ministers not only prepare their Sunday school teachers in expounding and enforcing the portions taken up in the school, but feel anxious to aid or guide them aright in the communication of that instruction, they will find much help in this manual, and we venture to point out how they may use it. We would suggest that they should read and expound in succession, Parts I., II., and III. to their teachers at the meetings for preparation. And in those cases where the subjects prepared by the Sunday School Union and Church Sunday School Institute are not used, the lesson we have given in the fourth part of the book will supply abundant matter for permanent courses of instruction. We commend the work to the kind and indulgent consideration of all those who are, like ourselves, engaged in the noble cause of Christian education, and we pray that the Master may bless our efforts to promote His own glory. PREFACE TO THE SECOND THOUSAND. THE sale of a thousand copies of this work in three months is a gratifying proof that the public appreciate the labours of the Authors. It has been most favourably received; and that it supplies a want which is very extensively felt has been freely admitted. The more abstruse and difficult part, wherein the "Child" is described, will be rendered easy if the Clergyman or Superintendent will only use the book as a manual to be expounded to the Sunday School Teachers in the weekly preparation Classes. There can be no intelligent and uniform practice without a knowledge of principles; they throw light upon the road which a Teacher has to take, and guide him in it. These principles are derived from the laws that regulate the mental and moral nature of a child, and necessitate a knowledge of them. It is a matter of gratification to the authors that they have had the privilege of giving the amateur Teacher the benefit of a professional training, as far as such can be accomplished through a book; it is also pleasing to them to have received many testimonies from Teachers, both of Day and Sunday schools, expressing their admiration of and gratitude for a volume which will render them efficient aid in the preparation for their work. |