PREFACE.
This new arrangement of the Heidelberg Catechism has been made with the view of adapting it the better for use in Sunday Schools and in the ordinary Catechetical Classes. It is well known that the Synods and Classes have for years desired the introduction of the Catechism into all Sunday Schools as the proper crown of the important work there carried forward. It is believed that in its present form, it can be successfully studied in every school where the Pastor labors personally, or where qualified teachers can be found. It is believed, too, that it will prove a material improvement upon the old form, for ordinary catechetical classes.
Its main peculiarity consists in this, that by it four distinct courses can be taken, thus adapting it to the various grades of the classes.
1. A first course of 52 questions and answers (one for each Sunday in the year) can be taken by using the questions with an (*). This course goes over the whole field of the Catechism, and is well adapted for commencing classes.
2. A second course of 52 Lord’s Days, using all the questions and answers, can be taken; in which however only a portion of the Scriptural references are recited and explained. These references are printed in full. This will be found a very great convenience.
3. A third course can be made, by using, in addition to the above, all the references printed in italics, which will have to be searched for in the Bible by the scholars themselves.
4. A fourth can be made by using all the references, which are purposely made very full.
This Catechism also renders the formulating of the questions, by the teacher, more easy, by the printing of the first references in parentheses, which at once, to the eye of the teacher, divides each answer into clauses, on each of which, questions are to be asked. J. H. G.
Tiffin, O., Oct. 1, 1879.
Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1879, by E. R. Good & Bro., in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
