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SMALL CATECHISM;

EXPLAINED IN

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

I OB TBS DBS OF

THE CHURCH, SCHOOL, AND FAMILY.

PREPARED AND PUBLISHED IN THE NAME OF THE
EVANGELICAL HJTHi^IUN SYNOD OF PENNSYL-
VANIA AND THJO ADJACENT STATES.

PHILADELPHIA:
G. W. FREDERICK.

OF THE
U N I VER.S ITY
Of ILLINOIS

238.41

L97cEs
1863

The person charging this material is re-
sponsible for its return to the library from
which it was withdrawn on or before the
Latest Date stamped below.

Theft, mutilation, and underlining of books
are reasons for disciplinary action and may
result in dismissal from the University.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Ms o4 m

L161 — O-1096

PREFACE

By direction of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of
Pennsylvania, the following Explanation of Luther' %
Small Catechism is herewith submitted to the minis-
tew, teachers, and congregations of our Church, for
fcWr friendly examination and use. It was deemed
. Lest to postpone the publication of a stereotype edition,
anti to send forth this little volume in irs present pri
visional form, in order to afford an opportunity for tn*
" discovery of any imperfections, which may be panted
out by an actual use and trial of the book ; to elicit
the expression of wishes in regard to any changes that
may be desired , to reach a definite conclusion in refer-
ence to its adaptation to the want it was intended to
meet; and to render possible the introduction of such
changes as may appear necessary.

The object, steadily kept in view in its preparation,
is sufficiently indicated by the title. It is the aim of
t; s Explanation to render Luther's Small Catechism,
peculiar and remarkable for its wealth of matter
and condensed form, still more profitable for practical
use. It was our constant endeavor not to lead the mind
^ay from Luther's master-piece, but into a better

(iii)

i Qooo3 S

PREFACE.

comprehension and appreciation of it. But to erne1
more deeply into Luther's Catechism is, at the sarn<*
time, to enter more deeply into the Holy Scriptures —
the Word of God, the rock from which the stones, with
which Luther built, were hewn. The careful selection
of proof-texts, which are here presented as the Bible's
testimony to our confession of faith, and which, to-
gether with the text of Luther's Catechism, should, a?
far as possible, be impressed upon the memory of the
young during their school-years, and before they be-
come members of the Catechetical Class, cannot fail to
enhance the value of our little book. Those who, as
teachers in our Church, have gained some experience
in Catechetical instruction, will not fail to observe that
the various wants of our Church, and the differences
of age, knowledge, and capacity have not been lost
sight of in the preparation of this hand-book, so that
it may be used profitably by every conscientious minis-
ter, teacher, and head of a family, in the religious in-
struction of younger and older, more or less advanced
pupils, both prior to and during the Catechetical in-
struction preparatory to Confirmation. It was not,
however, our intention to relieve the teacher from
that necessary preparation which he should sAwnjn
make before meeting his pupils.

This is the proper place to make mention of the helps,
which have been used by us with a grateful recogniti u
of their merits, but also with a constant regard to
their deficiencies and our own peculiar wants. In
addition to a number of earlier and later labors of thii
tind, we would specially mention Caspan's admirable

PREFACE.

Explanation of the Catechism, which imorporares the
best results of earlier labors in this department. Its
vigorous, popular style, and original, independent
treatment of the subject are inimitable, and its fulness
of thought is in the highest degree instructive and sug-
gestive. We have made a grateful use of it, at times
even word for word, without, however, surrendering
our independence, or forgetting our duty.

And so may this little volume go forth into the
world, rinding many faithful readers and students, and
charitable judges, and accomplish much good, through
the blessing of God, and to his glory !

In the name of the Evangelical Lutheran
Synod of Pennsylvania and adjacent
States.

W. J. MANN.
G. F. KROTEL.

Philadelphia, Jicne 25, 1863.

Note. — The translation of Luther's Small Catechism, .strictly
adhered to in this volume, is taken from the edition putlished
by the Synod of Pennsylvania (by Lindsay & Blakiston, 1855),
and is the work of Rev Prof. C. F. Schaeffer, D. D.
1*

; u (i I .1

LUTHER'S

SMALL CATECHISM.

PART I.

THE TEN COMMAKDMENTS.

The First Commandment.
I am the Lord thy God. Thou shall
have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven
image, or any likeness of any thing that is
in heaven above, or that is in the earth be-
neath, or that is in the water under the
earth : thou shalt not bow down thyself to
them, nor serve them : for I the Lord thy
God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity
of the fathers upon the children unto the
third and fourth generation of them that
hate me ; and showing mercy unto thou-
sands of them that love me, and keep my
commandments.