by Rev. James I. Good
In ePub,.mobi & .pdf formats
THIS booklet is prepared as its name indicates to aid the pastor in catechization. The Heidelberg Catechism, gives the doctrinal statement of our religion, to this it adds also the historical. On account of the peculiar circumstances in which we live in America our children do not get the thorough instruction in the Bible that is given in Germany in the public schools; so we have added to the catechism a brief Bible-history. As every catechumen ought to know the history of his own church we have also added a brief history of our Reformed church. Both are arranged in sections so that regular lessons can be assigned. If, however, this additional instruction makes the committal of the catechism too great a labor, we have also placed in the book the Shorter Heidelberg Catechism by Rev. Prof. D. Van Horne, D. D., (the best of all the abbreviations of our Catechism) so that the learning of the answers may be made easier. We are greatly indebted to Prof. Van Horne for this kindness. These various additions make it the most complete aid to our catechism that has been published. Hoping that this book will prove helpful to pastors and be a messenger of God to lead souls in our catechetical classes to Christ, we prayerfully send it forth.
Aid to the Heidelberg Catechism contains the complete Heidelberg Catechism, as well as an abbreviated version. A brief history of the Bible is included, as well as a short history of the Reformed Church, a collection of hymns, and a section dedicated to advice for catechumens. Aid to the Heidelberg Catechism was written for use in Sunday school classrooms and for teachers of young Christians.
James Isaac Good (1850–1924) was a noted church historian born in York, PA. Educated at Lafayette College and Union Theological Seminary, Good pastored Reformed churches in Pennsylvania for 30 years and also taught church history at Ursinus College. He was then promoted to the professor of dogmatics and pastoral theology, and then the dean of the school. In 1907, he moved to Central Theological Seminary where he was a professor of Reformed Church history and liturgics. From 1911 to 1914 he was president of the general synod of the Reformed Church in the United States. In recognition of his services as a Reformed Church historian, he was made an honorary member of the Huguenot Society of Germany.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
Book I: The Heidelberg Catechism
Book II: The Shorter Heidelberg Catechism
Book III: Bible History
BOOK IV: History of the Reformed Church
BOOK V: Hymns
BOOK VI: Advice to Catechumens
BOOK VII: Prayers