On Catechising

§ 1. This is a very important branch of a minister’s office; and, if properly managed, Mrill be the means of stocking children’s minds with divine knowledge, of teaching them to improve their time, and, by exercising their memories, of considerably strengthening that faculty, — It also conciliates their affections, and cannot fail to increase the esteem of the parents; and it serves to keep our minds impressed with a due concern for the rising generation.

§ 2. I shall here offer some hints on the choice of catechisms. In general, I advise, that they be varied according to the age and improvement of the children. The Assembly’s Catechism is very excellent, but improper for very young children. — Dr. Watts is far preferable for the first, and ought to be taught children under six or seven years of age. — After this is learned through, his second should be committed to memory; — and then the Assembly’s first without, then with Mr. Some’s Exposition. — Recommend Watts’s Preservative against Sin and Folly to be read by them, rather than got by heart; and some easy familiar book of scripture history, illustrated by cuts, which may be taught children befqre they are capable of reading; and which afterwards, for the first seven or eight years of their

lives, ought to ‘be made as much as possible their diversion. — To all this should be added a confirming catechism fer those who are grown up to sixteen or twenty years of age. — A brief view ought in this catechism to be given of natural and revealed religion, and a foundation insensibly laid for answering objections. — Proofs both of the protestant religion, and the propriety of our dissent, should also be introduced; but this ought to be managed with great tenderness towards the establishment. — The nature of schism should likewise be explained.

3. The MANNER of managing this work comes next to be considered. It must be varied according to the different ages and circumstances of the persons with whom you have to do.

§ 4. For general directions take the following: — Let most of the children be catechised in private, in the vestry, on some week day.

4 5. Take a list of their names, and call it over, that you may know who are absent.

6. Have a little class of the oldest of them, to whom you may expound some catechism at large. — Begin with the Assembly’s by Mr. [Some, then explain Dr. Watts’s second catechism, which is the most excellent of the sort in our language. Let this class also learn select portions of scripture.

7. In conducting this business observe the following rules:

1. Instruct them in as plain a manner as possiblp waving all niceties of thought or ex* pressioD, and studying to make yoarselves well understood.

§ 8. 2. To keep up their attention, and try their understandings, ask them some easy questions of your own.

9. 3. Take care to lay the greatest stress upon what is most practical and afTecting.

§ 10. 4. When they answer wrong, or ap» pear negligent, do not upbraid or terrify them, but if the failure has been gross, gently reprove them, at the same time endeavouring to keep up their spirits.

§ 1 1. 5. If they do well, not only commend them, but have little rewards for them. Let Watts’s second catechism be a reward for learning the first; and Some’s for learning the second. — Besides these, present to them who do extraordinarily well Watts’s Hymns for children, Wright on Regeneration, and on the Deceitfulnessof Sin, — Jennings’s Sermons to young people, — or other proper tracts that you may meet with.

12. 6. Close these exercises with a serious and lively prayer. Go over the instructions you have given them. Here a preaching prayer may sometimes be very proper. Pray affectionately for the children. Take care you are not too long. Be and appear to be very serious.

13. 7. Contrive to hkve some grave friend if possible, with you to see that they behave well; and, if they trifle, take them home and reprove them, or make them stay longer, and talk with them when the others are gone. — Take care of the seriousness of your deport-Lect. 18.] ON CATECBISINO. 103

ment, throaghout the whole; — it may impress’ their minds.