Part 1

CAPTIVATING

BIBLE STORIES

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

WRITTEN IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE

BEGINNING AT THE CREATION OF THE WORLD IT TAKES THE READER THROUGH THE BIBLE IN FIFTY-TWO LESSONS, EACH LESSON COMPRISING THREE READINGS FOR EACH SABBATH OF THE YEAR, WHILE A SERIES OF QUESTIONS WITH EACH READING HELP TO IMPRESS UPON THE YOUNG MIND THE TRUTHS OF THE HOLY BIBLE.

DESIGNED TO

PROMOTE GREATER INTEREST in the SACRED SCRIPTURES

AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR TEACHINGS

INCLUDING

ALL THE IMPORTANT HISTORICAL EVENTS DESCRIBED IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS

By CHARLOTTE M. YONGE

The Noted Author and Missionaries' Friend

EMBELLISHED WITH MORE THAN =200= SUPERB ENGRAVINGS BY JULIUS SCHNORR VON KAROLSFELD OF SCENES DESCRIBED IN THE BIBLE

ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS IN THE YEAR 1913, BY

GEO. W. BERTRON

THE OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS, AT WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A.

The Illustrations in this work being from original drawings and protected by copyright, their reproduction in any form is unlawful, and notice is hereby given that persons guilty of infringing the copyright thereof will be prosecuted.

PREFACE.

THE great number of Bible story books that have been published show how many attempts have been made to supply the want which has long been felt of a work containing a carefully written story of the Scripture narrative for young people.

In this great work which is written in simple language, the captivating story of the Bible is told in a style that will cause it to be read over and over again, and the thrilling truths and beautiful lessons it contains will never be forgotten.

It takes the reader through the Bible in fifty-two lessons, each lesson comprising three readings for each Sabbath of the year, while a series of questions following each reading, help to impress upon the young mind the truths of the Holy Scripture.

The work begins with the marvellous Story of the Creation, describing the beauties of the Garden of Eden, and the awful disaster of the flood; it relates the thrilling scenes in the life of Abraham and the other Patriarchs, and furnishes a great panorama of the wonderful events in the dawn of history.

This is followed by the delightful story of Joseph, who was sold by his envious brethren and hurried away to Egypt, where he was adopted into the king's family, and finally made ruler over that country. The lessons of his life should be read by every boy and girl in the land. He was one of the noblest characters spoken of in the Bible.

Next, we have a glimpse of Moses in his little life-boat, found and cared for by a Royal Princess. We see him growing to the fullness of manhood, becoming leader of his people, and finally breaking their chains and bringing them out of captivity. He stands at the burning bush; he opens a fountain in a rock; he goes up among the clouds of Sinai and receives the tables of the law. This part of the Bible story is full of instruction.

Then grand old Joshua comes forth upon the scene, and the reader follows him through his stormy conflicts and brilliant triumphs. Here, too, is a graphic description of the magnificent achievements of Gideon, telling what wonders he wrought and what valor he displayed. Who has not been fascinated by the delightful story of Ruth? This humble but charming woman was an ancestor of our Lord Jesus and all are interested in the story of her life.

Every young person follows eagerly the thrilling account of King Saul and King David. We see the strong, misguided yet mighty Saul, and also the ruddy shepherd boy whose swift sling slew a giant. Then comes Solomon in all his glory, and along in this part of the Old Testament Story we see that grand man of the desert, Elijah, and follow him through his startling experiences until, in a chariot of fire, he is borne away through the clouds to heaven. We also read of that young patriot Nehemiah, who left the splendors of a palace to rebuild the shattered walls of Jerusalem. He accomplished wonders, teaching the great lessons of devotion and energy.

The Bible is a rich store-house of instruction and entertainment. How captivating is the story of Queen Esther. She presents a striking example of those great crises in which the scale has been turned by the power and influence of woman. Other narratives come in thick succession. The young are always interested in the story of Daniel. Why should they not be? His strong and beautiful character has a peculiar charm, and there are few names in history that shine so resplendently. Let his brilliant record be studied by all, whether old or young.

How eagerly young people read the charming story of Bethlehem--the story of the angelic choir; of the wondering shepherds who heard the heavenly anthem of Peace and Good-Will; of the Holy Child laid in the humble manger; of the burning star that lighted the wise men of the East to the feet of the infant Prophet, Priest and King; and the thrilling incidents connected with His life. It would not be possible for human pen to depict more vividly those majestic events, at once awful and fascinating, which form the closing chapter of our Lord's life upon earth.

We venture, in conclusion, to hope this volume will be the means, with God's blessing, of endearing to many young hearts "the sweet story of old," making them to love from childhood that book which in after years will truly be a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their path.

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

ADAM AND EVE DRIVEN OUT OF THE GARDEN OF EDEN 23

AFTER THE BANISHMENT FROM EDEN 24

SACRIFICE OF CAIN AND ABEL 25

RETURN OF THE DOVE WITH THE OLIVE BRANCH 27

NOAH AND HIS FAMILY LEAVING THE ARK 30

NOAH'S SACRIFICE AFTER THE FLOOD 30

ABRAM SEES THE PROMISED LAND 32

MELCHIZEDEK BLESSING ABRAM 33

ABRAHAM ENTERTAINS THREE ANGELS 35

LOT AND HIS FAMILY FLEEING FROM SODOM 37

ABRAHAM OFFERING ISAAC AS A SACRIFICE 39

ABRAHAM'S SERVANT MEETING REBEKAH AT THE WELL 40

REBEKAH SEES ISAAC COMING TO MEET HER 40

ISAAC BLESSING JACOB 44

JACOB'S VISION OF ANGELS 46

JACOB MEETING RACHEL 48

LABAN HIRING JACOB 48

JACOB'S DEPARTURE FOR CANAAN 49

JACOB AND THE ANGEL 50

THE MEETING OF JACOB AND ESAU 50

JOSEPH SOLD BY HIS BRETHREN 52

POURING OUT A DRINK OFFERING 56

JOSEPH INTERPRETING PHARAOH'S DREAM 58

JOSEPH PROCLAIMED RULER OVER EGYPT 60

JOSEPH MAKES HIMSELF KNOWN TO HIS BRETHREN 61

JOSEPH MEETING HIS FATHER 62

LEATHER BOTTLES 63

PHARAOH'S DAUGHTER FINDING MOSES 65

THE ISRAELITES MADE TO WORK HARD IN EGYPT 67

AARON'S ROD CHANGED TO A SERPENT 68

THE PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS 71

THE FEAST OF THE PASSOVER 74

DEATH OF THE FIRST-BORN OF EGYPT 76

EGYPTIAN JUDGMENT SCENE 77

PHARAOH'S HOST DESTROYED IN THE RED SEA 79

AARON AND HUR HOLDING UP THE HANDS OF MOSES 82

KORAH AND HIS ASSOCIATES SWALLOWED UP 83

AARON'S ROD THAT BUDDED 85

THE HOLY PLACE 86

MOSES BRINGING WATER FROM THE ROCK 88

THE BRAZEN SERPENT 89

PRIEST--HIGH-PRIEST--LEVITE 91

BALAAM MET BY THE ANGEL OF THE LORD 94

HIGH-PRIEST WITH SIN OFFERING 98

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS 100

MOSES RECEIVING THE TABLES OF THE LAW 101

MOSES DESTROYS THE TABLES OF THE LAW 103

ANCIENT MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 105

MOSES BRINGING THE NEW TABLES OF THE LAW 107

THE SPIES RETURNING FROM CANAAN 109

TABLE OF SHEW BREAD--ARK--GOLDEN CANDLESTICK 110

MOSES GIVING HIS CHARGE TO JOSHUA 112

MOSES VIEWING THE PROMISED LAND 113

THE DEATH OF MOSES 113

CARRYING THE ARK OVER JORDAN 117

THE WALLS OF JERICHO 118

THE ANGEL APPEARING TO JOSHUA 119

FALLING OF THE WALLS OF JERICHO 120

JOSHUA CAPTURING THE CITY OF AI 121

JOSHUA COMMANDING THE SUN TO STAND STILL 121

DIVIDING THE LAND AMONG THE TRIBES 122

SOUTH-EAST VIEW OF THE TABERNACLE 123

SISERA SLAIN BY JAEL 125

GIDEON'S OFFERING BURNT BY FIRE FROM THE ROCK 127

GIDEON'S VICTORY OVER THE MIDIANITES 128

JEPHTHAH MEETING HIS DAUGHTER 129

SAMSON SLAYING A LION 129

YOUNG SAMUEL BROUGHT TO ELI 130

HANNAH'S PRAYER 131

GOD TELLS SAMUEL OF DESTRUCTION OF ELI'S HOUSE 134

THE DEATH OF ELI 136

SAMUEL ANOINTING SAUL 138

ANCIENT SHOES 140

RUTH AND NAOMI 141

RUTH GLEANING IN THE FIELD OF BOAZ 142

SAUL TEARING THE ROBE OF SAMUEL 144

DAVID ANOINTED BY SAMUEL 145

DAVID SLAYING GOLIATH 148

SAUL CASTING HIS JAVELIN AT DAVID 149

THE PARTING OF DAVID AND JONATHAN 150

DAVID AND ABIGAIL 150

THE DEATH OF SAUL 153

DAVID ANOINTED KING OVER ISRAEL 153

DAVID MOURNS THE DEATH OF HIS CHILD 155

SHIMEI CASTING STONES AT DAVID 156

THE DEATH OF ABSALOM 158

DAVID'S THREE MIGHTY MEN 160

SOLOMON ANOINTED KING 163

SOLOMON IN ALL HIS GLORY 164

THE JUDGMENT OF SOLOMON 166

THE BUILDING OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE 167

THE QUEEN OF SHEBA VISITING SOLOMON 170

IDOLATRY OF SOLOMON 171

REVOLT OF THE TRIBES 172

ELIJAH FED BY THE RAVENS 177

THE WIDOW'S SON RESTORED TO LIFE 178

ELIJAH SLAYING THE PROPHETS OF BAAL 181

THE DEATH OF KING AHAB 186

ELIJAH TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN 187

THE SHUNAMITE'S SON RESTORED 189

JEZEBEL EATEN BY DOGS 197

A CITY CAPTURED AND THE INHABITANTS LED AWAY CAPTIVE 200

RABSHAKEH BEFORE SENNACHERIB 202

THE ANGEL SLAYING THE ASSYRIANS 204

THE BOOK OF THE LAW FOUND 206

AN ASSYRIAN KING 207

JERUSALEM BESIEGED AND PEOPLE TAKEN CAPTIVE 209

ASHTORETH 210

THE LORD COMMANDS JEREMIAH 212

TWO PAGES OF AN ANCIENT SCROLL OF SCRIPTURES 214

JEREMIAH MOURNING OVER JERUSALEM 224

THE BREASTPLATE 227

EZEKIEL'S VISION 229

DANIEL INTERPRETING THE WRITING ON THE WALL 238

RETURN OF THE JEWS FROM CAPTIVITY 241

BUILDING OF THE NEW TEMPLE 243

THE JEWISH CAPTIVES CONDUCTED BEFORE DARIUS 245

DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN 246

BABYLONIAN BRICK 247

QUEEN ESTHER CROWNED 250

TRIUMPH OF MORDECAI 251

NEHEMIAH ARMETH THE LABORERS 252

A SOLEMN FAST AND REPENTANCE OF THE PEOPLE 254

THE ANGEL APPEARS UNTO ZACHARIAS 256

THE ANGEL APPEARS UNTO MARY 256

THE PROPHECY OF ELIZABETH AND OF MARY 257

THE BIRTH OF JOHN 258

THE ANGEL ANNOUNCING THE BIRTH OF JESUS 259

THE BIRTH OF JESUS 260

THE BIRTH OF JESUS PROCLAIMED BY THE SHEPHERDS 261

THE VISIT OF THE WISE MEN 264

JOSEPH COMMANDED TO FLEE INTO EGYPT 265

THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT 266

KILLING THE MALE CHILDREN UNDER TWO YEARS OLD 267

JESUS TEACHING IN THE TEMPLE 268

JOHN THE BAPTIST PREACHING IN THE WILDERNESS 271

THE BAPTISM OF JESUS 272

THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS 273

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD 276

JESUS CALLING HIS DISCIPLES 277

THE MIRACLE IN CANA 278

JESUS TEACHES NICODEMUS 279

JESUS AND THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA 280

JESUS HEALS THE SICK OF THE PALSY 280

JESUS RAISES THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS 283

JESUS GIVES SIGHT TO THE TWO BLIND MEN 283

SERMON ON THE MOUNT 284

JESUS RAISES THE WIDOW'S SON 285

JESUS SLEEPS DURING THE STORM 285

SENDING FORTH THE TWELVE APOSTLES 286

DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST 287

JESUS FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND 288

JESUS SUPPORTS THE SINKING PETER 289

THE WELL OR FOUNTAIN AT NAZARETH 290

THE TRANSFIGURATION 292

THE GOOD SAMARITAN 293

JESUS AND THE SISTERS OF BETHANY 293

THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON 294

THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS THE BEGGAR 295

THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN 297

THE RAISING OF LAZARUS 297

MARY ANOINTS THE HEAD OF JESUS 299

CHRIST ENTERING JERUSALEM 300

JESUS DRIVES OUT THE MONEY-CHANGERS 302

JESUS WASHING HIS DISCIPLES' FEET 304

THE LAST SUPPER 305

JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE 306

JUDAS BETRAYS JESUS 309

CHRIST BEFORE CAIAPHAS 310

PETER DENYING JESUS 311

JESUS CROWNED WITH THORNS 313

CHRIST BEFORE PILATE 314

THE END OF JUDAS ISCARIOT 315

JESUS FALLS UNDER THE CROSS 317

THE CRUCIFIXION 318

THE BURIAL OF JESUS 320

AS IT BEGAN TO DAWN 321

THE RESURRECTION 322

THE WOMEN AT THE TOMB OF JESUS 322

MARY MAGDALENE AT THE SEPULCHRE 323

JESUS APPEARS TO MARY MAGDALENE 324

JESUS APPEARS TO TWO OF HIS DISCIPLES 326

THEN SAID JESUS UNTO THEM, BE NOT AFRAID 327

JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES AT THE SEA OF TIBERIAS 329

THE ASCENSION 331

TONGUES OF FIRE RESTING ON THE DISCIPLES 334

THE CHILD CHRIST, MARY HIS MOTHER AND JOSEPH 345

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT 361

FINDING THE LOST SHEEP 376

RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON 378

CHRIST BLESSING LITTLE CHILDREN 381

THE WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS 388

THE CRUCIFIXION 396

THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES 399

CONTENTS.

FIRST SUNDAY.

CREATION OF THE WORLD 17

SECOND SUNDAY.

HOW SIN BEGAN AND THE FLOOD CAME 22

THIRD SUNDAY.

THE RAINBOW 29

FOURTH SUNDAY.

ABRAHAM AND LOT 36

FIFTH SUNDAY.

JACOB'S JOURNEY AND DREAM 43

SIXTH SUNDAY.

JOSEPH IN EGYPT 51

SEVENTH SUNDAY.

JOSEPH'S BROTHERS 57

EIGHTH SUNDAY.

THE CALL OF MOSES 64

NINTH SUNDAY.

THE PLAGUES OF EGYPT 70

TENTH SUNDAY.

THE PASSOVER 75

ELEVENTH SUNDAY.

THE GAINSAYING OF KORAH 81

TWELFTH SUNDAY.

ISRAEL IN THE WILDERNESS 87

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY.

BALAAM AND BALAK 93

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY.

THE GIVING OF THE LAW 99

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY.

THE GIVING OF THE LAW 106

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY.

THE DEATH OF MOSES 111

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY.

ISRAEL IN BATTLE 116

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY.

THE JUDGES OF ISRAEL 124

NINETEENTH SUNDAY.

SAMUEL 130

TWENTIETH SUNDAY.

KING SAUL 137

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY.

THE REIGN OF SAUL 143

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY.

KING DAVID REIGNING 152

TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY.

PREPARING FOR THE TEMPLE 159

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY.

SOLOMON IN ALL HIS GLORY 164

TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY.

SOLOMON'S FALL 169

TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY.

THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL 174

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY.

ELIJAH AND AHAB 180

TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY.

ELIJAH AND ELISHA 185

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY.

ELISHA'S MIRACLES 191

THIRTIETH SUNDAY.

THE RUIN OF AHAB'S HOUSE 196

THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY.

HEZEKIAH AND JOSIAH 201

THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY.

JEHOIAKIM'S CRUELTY 208

THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY.

JEREMIAH'S PROPHECIES 211

THIRTY-FOURTH SUNDAY.

THE TAKING OF JERUSALEM 217

THIRTY-FIFTH SUNDAY.

THE FALL OF JERUSALEM 222

THIRTY-SIXTH SUNDAY.

THE JEWS AT BABYLON 228

THIRTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY.

DANIEL AT BABYLON 233

THIRTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY.

THE RETURN FROM BABYLON 240

THIRTY-NINTH SUNDAY.

TROUBLES OF THE JEWS 248

FORTIETH SUNDAY.

THE COMING OF THE LORD 255

FORTY-FIRST SUNDAY.

THE CHILDHOOD OF OUR LORD 263

FORTY-SECOND SUNDAY.

THE PREPARATION FOR THE MINISTRY 270

FORTY-THIRD SUNDAY.

THE CALLING OF THE DISCIPLES 275

FORTY-FOURTH SUNDAY.

THE MINISTRY 282

FORTY-FIFTH SUNDAY.

WONDERS OF OUR LORD'S WORKING 291

FORTY-SIXTH SUNDAY.

GOING UP TO JERUSALEM 298

FORTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY.

THE EVENING OF THE BETRAYAL 303

FORTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY.

THE TRIAL AND CONDEMNATION 308

FORTY-NINTH SUNDAY.

THE CRUCIFIXION 316

FIFTIETH SUNDAY.

THE RESURRECTION 321

FIFTY-FIRST SUNDAY.

THE ASCENSION 327

FIFTY-SECOND SUNDAY.

THE WAITING TIME 333

THE NEW TESTAMENT STORY IN VERSE 337

First Sunday.

_CREATION OF THE WORLD._

FIRST READING.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."--_Gen. 1:1._

IN the Bible we are told God made the earth we live on. Sunday is the earth's birthday, for on the first day of the week the Creation began.

The world was one mass--dark, empty, and shapeless--till God made the light by His Word, and saw the light was good. Without light we could not live: even the very trees and flowers would die. When we have been in the dark how glad we are to see light come back, even if it be only one grey line beginning in the sky! This shows how blessed is this gift. It was good, too, that we should have quiet dark night for rest and stillness.

The second great change enclosed the earth in an outer ball of air, which we call the sky or firmament. That is the deep blue into which we look up and up. The mist and fog rise up from the earth and make the clouds that take strange shapes, sometimes dark and full of rain to water the earth, sometimes shining white, or pink and golden with morning or evening light.