From Rev. Dr. Ide, of Medway, Mass.

I am glad to see a second stereotype revision of the Scripture Manual. A work of so much intrinsic value ought to be brought as near perfection as the industry and skill of man can bring it. To make the word of God speak truly and appropriately on all the leading subjects of Christian doctrine and duty, is a great undertaking, which requires much study and care. The past revisions of this work have been more valuable than anything of the kind which I have seen before. But the author, it seems, was not satisfied with past attainments. His untiring efforts to carry forward his book unto perfection, and the sacrifice he has made to incorporate the important additions and improvements secured during the past five years into his work, are worthy of great commendation. I hope the present revision of the Manual will meet with as ready and extensive sale as the preceding one.

From Rev. Dr. Park, of Andover Theol. Seminary.

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The Scripture Manual, which has been carried by the Compiler through a second stereotype revision, evinces much perspicacity in the proposal of questions, and discrimination in the selection of answers. rangement of the topics is so logical, and the citations from Scripture are so numerous, so emphatical and in the main so pertinent, as to make the general impression of the Bible obvious even to a cursory reader. The Manual may, in my opinion, be very profitably used not only by religious teachers, but also by the pupils in our Sabbath Schools, and by the most humble as well as the most learned Christians. If benevolent persons would circulate this book throughout the infant settlements of our own land, and send copies of it to our foreign missionaries, they would render thereby an important service to the church.

From Rev. Albert Barnes, of Philadelphia.

Rev. and dear Sir- I have just received the new Edition of your Manual, for which I thank you. I have derived much aid from the copy you sent me of the previous revision, and wish you continual success in its circulation. I apprehend that the work is now so well known, and its character so well established, that it will find its own way, and needs no further notice from me.

From the Congregationalist.

This work has become too widely known, to need our commendation. It is far more copious and reliable than any other work of the kind, and the "bracket references" of this edition are of great value. The index is greatly improved also, and scarcely any topic can suggest itself, which will not be readily found. Few books have reached so high and well deserved a popularity. Nor is it an ephemeral popularity. It will increase. A better help in the study of the Bible is not accessible.

From the American Baptist.

This work presents, under an alphabetical and systematic arrangement, the teachings of the Bible in reference to such topics as have special prominence in the sacred volume. The arrangement is eminently judicious, and the execution evinces much industry, and for the most part a wise discrimination. Ministers, Sunday School teachers, and indeed all who are seeking a familiar acquaintance with the Scriptures, will find it valuable for reference

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From the New Englander.

The design of this work is, to furnish scripture proofs of the doctrines of Revela Hon, the duties of morality and religion, and of all the institutions of Christianity; and, on the other hand, to refute religious errors by the same authority.*** The sound judgment and accurate discrimination with which this plan has been car ried out, are worthy of praise. Diligent care appears to have been taken to avoid Irrelevant quotations, and to select as proof those passages only which directly assert, or at least plainly imply, the truth of the points to be established. The work is the best of the kind within our knowledge.

From the New York Observer.

This is a work which must have cost the compiler a vast amount of labor, and will therefore, as its title shows, be a labor saving machine. Such ar arrangement, executed with immense toil and much skill, must be of great assistance, both to ministers and private Christians, and we are not surprised that distinguished biblical students bestow upon the work their highest praise.

From the New York Evangelist.

The design of this volume is something like that of Gaston's Collection, though a far more complete and able work. It arranges passages of Scripture under appropriate heads, in a systematic form, covering the whole field or didactic theol ogy. It is most full on the most important points, and evinces in its arrangement a very nice skill, and great familiarity with theological systems. The author has shown great industry and accuracy in the compilation, and has a right to congrat ulate himself upon the successful performance of a much-needed and long-desired work.

From the Newark Daily Advertiser.

This is one of the most valuable volumes ever offered to the Christian reader; certainly, and beyond comparison, the most useful compilation of Scripture teachings of which we nave any knowledge. It presents, in fact, a methodical and entire system of Christian duty and doctrine, drawn exclusively from the sacred volume, without mutilation or a word of comment, and so arranged, with an alphabetical index, that the reader may see at a glance the whole teaching of the Scriptures upon the leading topics of theological and moral inquiry the doctrines and duties which are generally held to be of primary importance to us all. With this Manual in his hands, no man need hesitate for a moment as to the teaching or requirements of the Bible on any of the leading subjects affecting our religious duties and interests.

The compiler has been engaged upon the work for many years, and his labors have been carefully revised by some of the first divines of our country, who give the work now before us their most unqualified approbation.

From a Notice in the Christian Watchman, Boston.

In selecting and arranging texts of Scripture, the author has had particular reterence to the prevailing errors of the times, and has adjusted his texts to meet them, so that it is, to a great degree, a book for the times."

From the Boston Recorder.

This book has met with a measure of public favor and patronage which indicates Its value. Its preparation evinces sound judgment, as well as protracted and patient labor. It is an epitome of the Bible, and the passages illustrative of any particular subject are so arranged as greatly to facilitate the study of the Scriptures. To ministers, Sabbath school teachers, and families, the Manual will be of essential service, as the experience of many has already proved. In the notices of the work which accompany this edition, we believe all will concur who use the Scripture Manual sufficiently to know its worth.

From the Christian Intelligencer, (N. Y.)

Mr. Simmons, in executing this work, has expended a treasure of toil, and exerted much skill. The tribute he has thus paid to the doctrines of Inspiration, fully entitles him to the gratitude of all who reverence and study the Bible. It is a complete system of Divinity, exbibited in the very language of the Holy Spirit, and the collation is so extensive as to form a synopsis of sacred text. The book will be of great value to ministers of the gospel, students of theology, Sabbath school teachers and scholars, and is calculated to afford much facility to Christian families in the study of the Bible.

From the Christian Observer, Philadelphia.

This is a rich, copious, well-selected and well-arranged text book, exhibiting the results of great labor, in bringing together numerous proof texts, strictly allied in their meaning, on a very large number of subjects-so formed as to present in their beautiful symmetry the features of evangelical truth. It is justly regarded as the most valuable work of the kind ever published in our language, and we commend it to the attention of ministers, Sunday school teachers, and all persons who desire the aid of a manual in acquiring the most important knowledge.

From Dr. Nott, President of Union College.

A work in which the teaching of the Bible, on the great questions of faith and practice are fully and impartially presented, has long been desideratum. The Scripture Manual (so far as I have been able to examine it) appears in an eminent degree to be such a work; and presuming that it is so throughout, I do not hesitate to recommend it as a useful Manual, to all who desire to become acquainted with the teachings of unerring wisdom on questions of this sort; especially to Ministers of the Gospel, to Sabbath School teachers, and heads of families. From Dr. Humphrey, late President of Amherst College, April 14, 1845.

I have looked over the Rev. Charles Simmons's Scripture Manual with some care, and am free to say, I consider it eminently adapted to the use for which it is designed. I have seen no Scripture "help" of this class, which I regard as so happily conceived and admirably arranged. It bears the marks throughout, of great industry and good iudgment, in the selection and arrangement of appropriate texts, under their proper heads.

I do not know where to find any young Timothy, who has "known the Holy Scriptures so well from a child," as not to be aided and benefited, by keeping this Manual upon his table. Nor ought the help which it affords, to be confined exclusively to ministers' studies. Teachers of Bible Classes and Sabbath Schools, as well as other pious laymen in the church, who love to study the word of God, ought to possess it.

From Rev. Albert Barnes, of Philadelphia, April 11, 1845.

I have examined with some care Mr. Simmons's "Scripture Manual," and regard it as a very valuable work. It is evidently composed with great care, and much judgment has been evinced in the arrangement of the topics, and in the selection of texts of Scripture. It is incomparably superior to any thing of the kind with which I am acquainted, and its extensive circulation and use cannot but have a happy influence. It is in itself an admirable system of theology, in which there can be no error, and in which Christians may learn, in a short compass, what are the leading doctrines of religion, and what are their own duties and privileges. I have no doubt that the work will soon supersede every other of the kind, as I am clearly of the opinion that it should.

From Rev. Dr. Eddy, of Newark, N. J., April 8, 1845.

I have examined the "Scripture Manual," by the Rev. Charles Simmons, and can most cheerfully recommend it as unquestionably the best work of the kind that has been published. It will be found useful, not only to clergymen and Sabbath School teachers, but to all who seek to make themselves familiar with the truths of the sacred Scriptures.

From Dr. Cogswell, of Gilmanton, N. H.

The Scripture Manual, by Rev. Charles Simmons, is the best work of the kind I have ever seen. The subjects which it presents are important; and are well illustrated by the passages of Scripture selected. This book should be the companion of all, as it affords great facility for ascertaining the mind and will of God on the greatest subjects in morals and religion.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND STEREOTYPE REVISION.

THE Bible furnishes very ample materials for all needful moral instruction, reproof, and encouragement. In its own inimitable language, it "is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword-is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart"-" is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. But the compilation of a convenient Manual of proof texts from its pages has been unaccountably neglected. The loose manner in which Gaston, and others, have thrown together texts of Scripture for this purpose, has long been a tax upon our patience. The SCRIPTURE Manual owes its origin to a conviction of the need of a Text-Book, that should assume a more convenient order, bear more effectually against the modern forms of error and vice, and more fully and fearlessly declare "all the counsel of God." The Editor is greatly obliged to the friends of this enterprise, who have aided in the preparation or circulation of the several editions and revisions of the work. The present revision has been stereotyped sooner than was otherwise necessary, in order to embrace the improvements and additions made during the last five years. It has over one hundred additional topics, a much more full and perfect index, a triple or quadruple number of references to kindred subjects, together with no little improvement in the relevancy of its proof texts, and order of the work.

This Bible Manual of select proof texts was cut from the pages of Bibles in the most common use, and the Manual may be depended upon as accurate Scripture. The italic words are also preserved. The number of the verses is given, that the reader may discover any omission made, of passages not

in point, in any particular extract. Explanatory words are in brackets.

In selecting topics, care has been taken to embrace those which have a prominence in the Bible, and which in all ages have been considered of primary importance in theological and moral inquiry. Such manifestly are those which relate to the perfections, prerogatives, designs, providence, and law of Godthe character, rights, and destiny of man- the economy of grace, or way and terms of salvation through Christessential duties towards God and each other, and civil and religious institutions.

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Christian nations are far more indebted to the Bible for their elevation above heathenism, than is commonly believed. The revealed facts respecting God and his designs and governmentthe precepts of his law, clothed with infinite authority — the promises of his grace, and the threatenings of his justice, are the best safeguards against disgraceful and ruinous vices.

It is believed that a convenient and faithful compilation of proofs from the Bible, upon its weighty and practical subjects, may prove one of the most effective auxiliaries to the cause of Christian enterprise. The impressions made upon the public mind in favor of pure and undefiled religion, by a copious and systematic array of proof texts, in a convenient and popular form, must prove a most powerful incentive to virtue, and restraint upon destructive errors, sins and vices.

I now commit the success of this work to the overruling providence of that Being who has mercifully sustained and helped me during its preparation. If it shall tend to confirm the public mind in revealed truth, and become a guard against those errors and vices which lead to death, as is confidently hoped the labor of preparing it will not have been in vain. CHARLES SIMMONS