p. 60 | Untitled article by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 1, 1883

Bible Lessons, No. 5.

By Editor

THE preceding numbers of this series of Bible Lessons have several times received notice in the SIGNS. Beginning with the creation, with lessons adapted to the comprehension of very small children, they cover the whole of Old Testament history until the rebuilding of the temple after the captivity. In this book the history is continued, embracing the rebuilding of the temple; the story of Esther; the work of Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Prophet Malachi; the connection between the Old Testament and the New; the birth, parentage, and work of John the Baptist; the birth and childhood of Christ, together with his baptism and his ministry down to the time of sending out the twelve disciples to preach the gospel.

One interesting feature which the author notes in his preface is "the introduction of concise yet clear descriptions of the country in general, and particularly of the places where the scenes occurred that are described in the lessons. Instead of being put in separate notes, these descriptions are embodied in the lessons themselves, and are brought out by questions, like other parts of the lesson." Another thing that will be appreciated by every one is the pronunciation of the Scripture names. This is clearly indicated in parentheses, immediately following the words as they occur in the lesson.

We can only add that the lessons, with the accompanying questions, are written in the clear style which characterize all of Professor Bell's writings, and we know of nothing else that will give one so clear and connected an idea of Bible history. Just the thing for home study, as well as for the Sabbath-school.