ADVANTAGES OF THE PLAN. 1. The CONSECUTIVE ORDER of narrative is preserved without the sacrifice of paginal symmetry; the several columns are of the same length, however varying in the quantities of their matter; the page, being full and regular, can be read with ease and pleasure. 2 The CONTINUOUS HISTORY flows with scarcely more interruption than is found in a New Testament Chapter, no unsightly patches of blank, or shapeless fragments of matter interfering with the reader's attention; yet all the PARALLEL MATTER in the other Gospels appears on the page; while the SUPPLEMENTARY PARTS arrest the attention by a conspicuous type. When the first account has been carefully read, a glance at the prominent type in the remaining Evangelists gives the entire account and the complete harmony. 3. The JUXTA-POSITION principle of arrangement is secured to an extent amply sufficient to facilitate devout study, juvenile instruction, and critical observation, and to show with all needful minuteness the relations-both parallel and supplementary—of the different records to each other; but is not carried to the frivolous extreme which disfigures the page, taxes the eye, bewilders the attention, and minces the Sacred History. 4. EACH VERSE is kept distinct, and numbered at the left margin, as in the Authorized Version; thus a sense of the presence of Divine Inspiration is not dissipated but cherished. 5. THE HEADINGS of the Sections and Paragraphs have been carefully constructed so as to suggest or supply a Summary of the subjoined Contents, and to mingle condensed Exposition with successive Narration. 6. As the process of weaving four records into one cannot be made too intelligible, however skilfully managed, the text is not encumbered with additional matter of any kind. The inspired REFERENCES,-i. e., the references and quotations expressly made by the inspired Evangelists themselves—are given in one list, at the end; to which the reader can refer whenever the words, "as it is written,' as it is spoken by the prophet," &c., or similar language shall occur in the text. Parkes, Mr. S., Jun. Ratcliffe, John, Esq. Sturges, R. F., Esq. Titterton, Mr. Thomas Tomkinson, Mr. R. C., Jun... Taylor, Mr. Henry Ward, Joseph, Esq. Yates, John, Esq. Greenwood, Jonathan Stone, Daniel Taylor, Robert Williams, James Friskney Sunday School FRISKNEY SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: Awkland, Mr. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 25 Bateman, Mr. Burnett, Mr. Cowham, Mr. T. Dodds, Mr. B. Dodds, Mr. J. 1 1 1 1 1 1 Johnson, Mr. Longden, Mr. Martin, Mr. Norman, Mr. Pickering, Mr. Young, Mr. OPINIONS ON THE "SIMPLIFIED GOSPEL HARMONY." THE REV. ROBERT YOUNG, London, President of the Wesleyan Conference. "I am much pleased with the specimen pages of your SIMPLIFIED GOSPEL HARMONY,' and fully approve of your plan." THE REV. THOMAS JACKSON, Theological Tutor of Richmond College. "I like the plan of your Harmony of the Gospels, and think it well adapted to answer the very important purpose that you have in view. "Wishing you every success in this and every other good undertaking, "I am," &c., &c. THE REV. JOHN ANGELL JAMES, (Verbal, with permission to insert.) "I am highly pleased with your project; it will render essential service to the great work of introducing scriptural knowledge to the youthful mind: you have done your work carefully and well. If you decide to publish I shall have pleasure in recommending the work to my schools." THE REV. JOHN HANNAH, D.D., Theological Tutor of Didsbury College, Secretary of the Wesleyan Conference, &c. "I have examined the specimen which you have kindly sent me of the 'SIMPLIFIED GOSPEL HARMONY,' and I cannot but express my hearty approval of it, as supplying peculiar facilities and advantages. The regular continuation of the historythe arrangement and distribution of the materials which the several Evangelists supply-and the distinction of capitals, by which the supplementary parts can at once be seen-appear to me to merit especial commendation. Good success will, trust, by the blessing of God, attend this labour." THE REV. W. M. HARVARD, D.D., "Great occupancy has hindered me from earlier replying to your letter of 27th ult., which I regret greatly; but since I have had time to become acquainted with the specimen pages of your new work that you kindly sent me, they have interested me greatly. "Christianity is eminently a religion of Tracts, and those respecting Our Lord's life and ministry your indeed improved plan of Harmony has placed in view with a touching impressiveness, gathering up the fragments that nothing be lost. It is admirable both in character and in cost. I wish it the most extensive sale." THE REV. W. P. APPLEBE LL.D., "I readily add my testimony to the excellency of your plan as supplying a defect, and as presenting to the thoughtful mind a conclusive evidence of the authenticity of the records of the Evangelists; that, while circumstantial differences may be observed, still there is an essential oneness in their narratives " (Continuation of Opinions at the end of the Volume.) THE FOUR INSPIRED NARRATIVES IN HARMONY. THE GENERAL PREFACE-JOHN'S GOSPEL OUTLINE. JOHN I. 1-18. 1 The Pre-existence and Divinity of the Son of God: Creation JOHN I. 1 IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. 4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. B 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ' 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. SECTION I. THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE JERUSALEM. BAPTIST FORETOLD. LUKE I. 1-25. 1 Luke's Introduction; his object in writing; competency for it. LUKE I. 1 FORASMUCH as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word; 3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. 2 John's Parents; their religious character, lineal descent; office of LUKE 1. 5 THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous be fore God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 3 An Angel appears to Zacharias; in the temple; fear awakened. 8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, 9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of in cense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 4 Fear dismissed by joyful intelligence: a child promised. LUKE I. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. |