Number One: for Older Scholars.

[See Last Page of Cover.]

A HAND-BOOK

ON THE

INTERNATIONAL LESSONS

FOR

1881,

WITH QUESTIONS.

BY THE REV. A. F. SCHAUFFLER.

BOSTON:

CONGREGATIONAL PUBLISHING SOCIETY,

CONGREGATIONAL HOUSE,

BEACON STREET.

PREFATORY.

THERE are fewer questions in this handbook than are found in most similar works. Our experience seems to indicate that many of the questions ordinarily prepared discourage the scholar more than they help him. Some questions we have seen which would do well as conundrums, but otherwise have no practical value. Others are good, provided the scholar have a Bible dictionary on hand. But most scholars have no such book. Our aim has been to prepare only such questions as will bring out the salient points of the lesson.

The "Opening Talk with the Scholar" aims to interest him a little, beforehand in the study of the Scripture, by giving him a little insight into the land he is about to enter, or by catching up the threads of intervening history.

The "Helpful Thoughts" consist of such spiritual suggestions as are easily deduced from the lesson text. The iron necessity of extreme brevity restricts the development of these to a point far below what is really necessary for profit. Here lies really the power of the lesson as a practical force in the student's life. But all the more, on this account, will the teacher realize the necessity of passing as rapidly as possible to the applications of the lessons in the class.

The "Hints for Further Study" are such that an average scholar, with a Bible and concordance, can easily trace them out. Often a mere careful study of the Daily Readings will supply the needed clew. We have in all this aimed at the wants, not of the scholarly scholars, but of the AVERAGE scholar, who has few hours for study, and still fewer books.

The chronology adopted is that of Usher. In the Bible. Dictionary we have made use of Smith's "Bible Dictionary," in four volumes, and of Dr. Schaff's "Dictionary,” published by the American Sunday School Union. May God's blessing attend this little book!

Aug. 19, 1880.

3

A. F. S.

1. On joining your Class, greet pleasantly those who have already arrived.

2.

Of course you will try and never be late,

as that injures the School

3. As soon as the Superintendent calls the School to order, cease all conversation, and silently pay attention to what he has to

your eyes,

say!

and bow your

your

mind,

4. In Prayer, close head. Try to follow the Leader, in and make his prayer your own.

5. In singing and responsive reading, always join in heartily, it will help both you and the School

6. In Class study, pay careful attention to what Teacher your

says, if any one else tries to attract your attention away from the lesrefuse to yield to the temptation:

san;

Whether leaving or entering the School, be quiet and courteous in all your actions:

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK.

IT is made to be used. If you use it aright, you will know much more about God's Word, by the end of the year, than you ever knew before.

The best time to begin to study the lesson is on Sunday evening. If you will then read over the first of the "Daily Readings," you will find that it always covers the lesson of the following Sunday. The rest of the "Daily Readings' are very carefully chosen, and will throw much light upon the lesson itself. They are not long, and can be profitably read each day before you offer your evening prayer.

On Saturday evening take up the lesson itself. Read the " Opening talk," which forms an introduction to the lesson. Then read the Scripture text carefully, and memorize the verses in italics. (Five minutes will be enough for this.) Then