PREFACE.

This little book is the seventh of a series of distinct and independent volumes* which, together, are designed to form a complete Church History, for the use of Sabbath schools and families. Each volume, however, is intended to be complete in itself; so that, if read separately, it will be useful and instructive. The title of "False Prophet," is given to this volume, merely from the character of Mohammed, who was really a false prophet; and not with the intention of designating his religion as the false proph

* 1. History of the First Christians; 2. Stories of the 2nd and 3rd Centuries; 3. Martyrs of Lyons and Vienna; 4. Stories of the Church in the 4th Century; 5. History of the Church in the 5th Century; published by the American Sunday School Union; and, 6. Great Apostasy, by the Mass. S. S. Society.

et of the Revelation ;* for the term applies with equal force both to Popery and Mohammedanism. The rise and progress of the Mohammedan delusion may very properly give a title to the little book, because it is the most prominent event of the period which it embraces. This volume may be considered as a kind of counterpart to the Great Apostasy. Its proper place, in the order of time is neither before nor after that work, but embraced within it.-The one, however, relates chiefly to the great delusion that rose up in the West, and the other to that which rose up, about the same time, in the East; both following on in the train of the great apostasy or declension of the true religion, which had been, for many years at work in the church. Thus, we see in the end, the judgments which the Lord brings upon his people for their backslidings.

It is earnestly recommended to parents and Sabbath school teachers to avail themselves of the questions, inserted at the close of each chapter, to promote, among their children and pupils, a habit of thorough reading. The subject of

* Rev. 20: 10.

these volumes renders it highly important that this matter should receive attention.

PERSONS INTRODUCED IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES.

The mother;

Samuel, a boy of 14;

Elizabeth, his sister, of 12;

Peter, a boy of 9; and

Caroline, a sprightly and inquisitive girl of 6.

THE

FALSE PROPHET.

CONVERSATION I.

About Fulgentius and the African church.-State of the church in other parts of the Roman Empire.

Samuel. Mother, I have read the History of the First Christians; the Stories of the Second, and Third, Centuries; the Martyrs of Lyons and Vienne; the Stories of the Church in the Fourth Century; the History of the Church in the Fifth Century; and the Great Apostasy; and I would very much like to know more about the church. The regular history is brought down, in these books, only to the end of the fifth Century; but some things mentioned in the Great Apostasy took place as late as the sixteenth Century. I think there must be some things interesting in the history of the church between the fifth and sixteenth Centuries, which are not mentioned in this book. I wish there