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NOTICES OF THE WORK.

From Dr. Nott, President of Union College.

A work in which the teaching of the Bible, on the great questions of faith and practice are fully and impartially presented, has long been a desideratum. The Scripture Manual (so far as I have been able to examine it) appears in an eminent degree to be such a work; and presuming that it is so throughout, I do not hesitate to recommend it as a useful Manual, to all who desire to become acquainted with the teachings of unerring wisdom ou questions of this sort; especially to Ministers of the Gospel, to Sabbath School teachers, and heads of families. From Dr. Humphrey, late President of Amherst College, April 14, 1845.

I have looked over the Rev. Charles Simmons's Scripture Manual with some care, and am free to say, I consider it eminently adapted to the use for which it is designed. I have seen no Scripture "help" of this class, which I regard as so happily conceived and admirably arranged. It bears the marks throughout, of great industry and good judgment, in the selection and arrangement of appropriate texts, under their proper heads.

I do not know where to find any young Timothy, who has "known the Holy Scriptures so well from a child," as not to be aided and benefited, by keeping this Manual upon his table. Nor ought the help which it affords, to be confined exclusively to ministers' studies. Teachers of Bible Classes and Sabbath Schools, as well as other pious laymen in the church, who love to study the word of God, ought to possess it.

From Rev. Albert Barnes, of Philadelphia, April 11, 1845.

I have examined with some care Mr. Simmons's "Scripture Manual," and regard it as a very valuable work. It is evidently composed with great care, and much judgment has been evinced in the arrangement of the topics, and in the selection of texts of Scripture. It is incomparably superior to any thing of the kind with which I am acquainted, and its extensive circulation and use cannot but have a happy influence. It is in itself an admirable system of theology, in which there can be no error, and in which Christians may learn, in a short compass, what are the leading doctrines of religion, and what are their own duties and privileges. I have no doubt that the work will soon supersede every other of the kind, as I am clearly of the opinion that it should.

From Rev. Dr. Eddy, of Newark, N. J., April 8, 1845.

I have examined the "6 'Scripture Manual," by the Rev. Charles Simmons, and can most cheerfully recommend it as unquestionably the best work of the kind that has been published. It will be found useful, not only to clergymen and Sabbath School teachers, but to all who seek to make themselves familiar with the truths of the sacred Scriptures.

From Dr. Cogswell, of Gilmanton, N. H.

The Scripture Manual, by Rev. Charles Simmons, is the best work of the kind I have ever seen. The subjects which it presents are important; and are well illustrated by the passages of Scripture selected. This book should be the companion of all, as it affords great facility for ascertaining the mind and will of God on the greatest subjects in morals and religion.

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From Dr. Krebs, of New York.

I have examined and used the Scripture Manual, and I am sure it will be a valuable auxiliary to all who engage in the systematic study of the Scriptures.

From Rev. Dr. McEwen, of New London, Ct.

In order and symmetry, I think the Scripture Manual is not surpassed by any other work. The importance of the book, and the ingenuity of the author in treating articles of theology, and prevalent questions in ethics, will be more and more apparent to the reader, as he progresses in reading the volume.

From Rev. Dr. Spring, E. Hartford, Ct.

The Scripture Manual is one of the few books which I can heartily commend. It is an able and judicious arrangement of those passages which teach the doctrines and inculcate the duties of the word of God. To the diligent, and especially to the systematic reader of the Bible, and to the Sabbath school teacher, the aid it will render is above price.

From Professor Goodrich, of New Haven.

I have examined your Scripture Manual, and am pleased with the plan. There is a great deal of judgment and discrimination in the selection of topics, and the development of truth. You have succeeded excellently in avoiding the trammels of human systems, and bringing out the mind of God on almost every important topic.

From Rev. Dr. Edwards, of New London, Ct.

The Scripture Manual is remarkable for its order, its adaptedness to the times, and the practical aspect in which it presents the great truths of God's word. On all important subjects it is an ample concordance of the Scriptures, and a clear and authoritative commentary of the Bible upon itself; and in the selection and arrangement of its topics, it goes further than any similar work towards presenting the teachings of Revelation as a well-digested science. I know of no work of the kind as thoroughly and judiciously prepared, or as well fitted to interest and profit in the study, the closet, the family, or the Sabbath School.

From Professor Stowe.

I like your plan, and think it far preferable to Gaston's. In this day of unbelief and fanaticism, of death slumber and convulsive fits, I hope your book will be an efficient help in bringing men back to the only God-given rule of faith and practice, the BIBLE.

From Rev. Calvin E. Park.

The somewhat careful attention which I have had occasion to pay to the Scripture Manual has convinced me of its great utility. Its superiority to other works of a similar character, is, to my own mind, very apparent. The clear light in which it places the most important truths of religion, the ample evidence it exhibits in their favor, and especially the prominence which is given to the duties of religion, together with the close connection which is made to apppear between the doctrines of the gospel and its practical precepts, are striking excellences of the work. My earnest wish is, that it may have a wide circulation

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EDITORIAL NOTICES OF THE SCRIPTURE MANUAL

From the New Englander.

The design of this work is, to furnish scripture proofs of the doctrines of Revelation, the duties of morality and religion, and of all the institutions of Christianity; and, on the other hand, to refute religius errors by the same authority.*** The sound judgment and accurate discrimination with which this plan has been carried out, are worthy of praise. Diligent care appears to have been taken to avoid irrelevant quotations, and to select as proof those passages only which directly assert, or at least plainly imply, the truth of the points to be established. The work is the best of the kind within our knowledge.

From the New York Observer.

This is a work which must have cost the compiler a vast amount of labor, and will therefore, as its title shows, be a labor saving machine. * **Such an arrangement, executed with immense toil and much skill, must be of great assistance, both to ministers and private Christians, and we are not surprised that distinguished biblical students bestow upon the work their highest praise.

From the New York Evangelist.

The design of this volume is something like that of Gaston's Collection, though a far more complete and able work. It arranges passages of Scripture under appropriate heads, in a systematic form, covering the whole field of didactic theology. It is most full on the most important points, and evinces in its arrangement a very nice skill, and great familiarity with theological systems. The author has shown great industry and accuracy in the compilation, and has a right to congratulate himself upon the successful performance of a much-needed and long-desired work.

From the Newark Daily Advertiser.

This is one of the most valuable volumes ever offered to the Christian reader; certainl7. and beyond comparison, the most useful compilation of Scripture teachings of which we nave any knowledge. It presents, in fact, a methodical and entire system of Christian duty and doctrine, drawn exclusively from the sacred volume, without mutilation or a word of comment, and so arranged, with an alphabetical index, that the reader may sec at a glance the whole teaching of the Scriptures upon the leading topics or theological and moral inquiry - the doctrines and duties which are generally held to be of primary importance to us all. With this Manual in his hands, no man need hesitate for a moment as to the teaching or requirements of the Bible on any of the leading subjects affecting our religious duties and interests.

The compiler has been engaged upon the work for many years, and his labors have been carefully revised by some of the first divines of our country, who give the work now before us their most unqualified approbation.

From a Notice in the Christian Watchman, Boston.

In selecting and arranging texts of Scripture, the author has had particular reference to the prevailing errors of the times, and has adjusted his texts to meet them, so that it is, to a great degree, a book for the times.

From the Boston Recorder.

This book has met with a measure of public favor and patronage which indicates its value. Its preparation evinces sound judgment, as well as protracted and patient labor. It is an epitome of the Bible, and the passages illustrative of any particular subject are so arranged as greatly to facilitate the study of the Scriptures. To ministers, Sabbath school teachers, and families, the Manual will be of essential service, as the experience of many has already proved. In the notices of the work which accompany this edition, we believe all will concur who use the Scripture Manual sufficiently to know its worth.

From the Christian Intelligencer, (N. Y.)

Mr. Simmons, in executing this work, has expended a treasure of toil, and exerted much skill. The tribute he has thus paid to the doctrines of Inspiration, fully entitles him to the gratitude of all who reverence and study the Bible. It is a complete system of Divinity, exhibited in the very language of the Holy Spirit, and the collation is so extensive as to forin a synopsis of sacred text. The book will be of great value to ministers of the gospel, students of theology, Sabbath school teachers and scholars, and is calculated to afford much facility to Christian families in the study of the Bible.

From the Christian Observer, Philadelphia. This is a rich, copious, well-selected and well-arranged text book, exhibiting the results of great labor, in bringing together numerons proof texts, strictly allied in their meaning, on a very large number of subjects-so formed as to present in their beautiful symmetry the features of evangelical truth. It is justly regarded as the most valuable work of the kind ever published in our language, and we commend it to the attention of ministers, Sunday school teachers, and all persons who desire the aid of a manual in acquiring the most important knowledge.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND STEREOTYPE REVISION.

THE Bible furnishes very ample materials for all needful moral instruction, reproof, and encouragement. But the compilation of a convenient Manual of proof texts from its pages has been unaccountably neglected. The loose manner in which Gaston, and others, have thrown together texts of Scripture for this purpose, has essentially defeated their aims. The SCRIPTURE MANUAL owes its origin to a conviction of the need of a Text-Book, that should assume a more convenient order, bear more effectually against the modern forms of error and vice, and more fully and fearlessly declare "all the counsel of God." The Editor is greatly obliged to the friends of this enterprise, who have aided in the preparation or circulation of the several editions and revisions of the work. The present revision has been stereotyped sooner than was otherwise necessary, in order to embrace the improvements and additions made during the last five years. It has over one hundred additional topics, a much more full and perfect index, a triple or quadruple number of references to kindred subjects, together with no little improvement in the relevancy of its proof texts, and order of the work. Happy would it have been for the purchasers, had all these additions and improvements been secured at an earlier period. But this was impracticable. To atone in some measure for this evil, I will instruct my publishers and agents to exchange copies of the present improved and somewhat enlarged revision, for copies of former editions, on very favorable terms, with those who desire it.

The copy for this work was cut from the pages of Bibles, lately issued from the American Bible Society, and the Manual may be depended upon as accurate Scripture. The italic words are also preserved. The number of the verses is given, that the reader may discover any omissions made, of passages not

in point, in any particular extract. Explanatory words are in brackets.

In selecting topics, care has been taken to embrace those which have a prominence in the Bible, and which in all ages have been considered of primary importance in theological and moral inquiry. Such manifestly are those which relate to the perfections, prerogatives, designs, providence, and law of God— the character, rights, and destiny of man- the economy of grace, or way and terms of salvation through Christ — our essential duties towards God and each other, and civil and religious institutions.

Christian nations are far more indebted to the Bible for their elevation above heathenism, than is commonly believed. The revealed facts respecting God and his designs and governmentthe precepts of his law, clothed with infinite authority — the promises of his grace, and the threatenings of his justice, are the best safeguards against disgraceful and ruinous vices.

It is believed that a convenient and faithful compilation of proofs from the Bible, upon its weighty and practical subjects, may prove one of the most effective auxiliaries to the cause of Christian enterprise. The impressions made upon the public mind in favor of pure and undefiled religion, by a copious and systematic array of proof texts, in a convenient and popular form, must prove a most powerful incentive to virtue, and restraint upon destructive errors, sins and vices.

I now commit the success of this work to the overruling providence of that Being who has mercifully sustained and helped me during its preparation. If it shall tend to confirm the public mind in revealed truth, and become a guard against those errors and vices which lead to death, as is confidently hoped, the labor of preparing it will not have been in vain. CHARLES SIMMONS.

North Wrentham, Mass., April, 1850.

NOTICE.

Travelling and Sabbath School agents, and especially those who may desire this book by the quantity for gratuitous distribution, will do well to communicate with me by mail.

C. S.

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