EDITORIAL NOTE

TO THE SIXTH EDITION.

THIS volume is reprinted at the request of the Ladies' Commission on Sunday-School Books, after an interval of more than twenty years since the last (the 5th) edition was issued, during most of which period it has been out of print. These twenty years have been marked by more than usual activity of thought upon this great subject, and it was at first proposed to have the book revised, so that it might be enriched and perhaps amended by what later scholarship has contributed towards the better understanding of the Life of Christ. But it has seemed on the whole unnecessary to do this. The volume is the interpretation of the lessons of our Saviour's life and teachings, given by one who eminently possessed the qualifications for such a task; and the repeated call for it has sufficiently proved that

it has earned a permanent place among the many similar works to which such study has led, and which the Christian faith accepts as helps and guides.

BOSTON, JAN. 1, 1868.

PREFACE.

THE principles adopted in the arrangement of the present history are sufficiently explained in the course of the work. That they will be universally satisfactory is not to be expected. The essential difficulties of constructing a harmony of the evangelical historians are such as to forbid the expectation. But I cannot persuade myself that I am mistaken in thinking that the system here adopted has greater probabilities in its favor than any other which has been suggested. A full statement of the reasons on which it rests is incompatible with the limits of the work.

I would suggest to my readers, that they will find the instruction and interest of the volume greatly increased by carefully examining in connection with it the passages referred to at the bottom of the pages. Indeed, much of the perti

nency of many remarks and illustrations will be otherwise unperceived. The most convenient mode of doing this will be by using the Harmony of the Gospels, mentioned in the note on the 44th page.

I am aware that many things will be found unexplained which need explanation, and that defects and omissions will be perceived by others which have escaped my own observation. But I hope that, notwithstanding these, I have not altogether failed in the attempt to unfold to young minds some of the interesting points in our Saviour's history, and to excite in them a desire to be more intimately instructed in its wonderful and beautiful records. It would be a great happiness to believe that I had aided in bringing any to a true admiration and faithful love of our blessed Lord.

CAMBRIDGE, JAN. 4, 1833.

NOTE

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

I HAVE availed myself of the call for another edition of this work to make several additions and some changes in various parts of the volume. None of these are of much moment, except an additional chapter at the close of the work, and the exclusion, from the first chapters, of what was drawn from the apocryphal histories. This change is made at the suggestion of several friends, and I trust will be disapproved by none.

CAMBRIDGE, OCT. 8, 1883.