carried out successfully. But I have no hesitation in saying that Dr. Knecht’s success is as great as his programme is vast. His work first saw the light in 1883, and since then twelve large editions have been exhausted. This fact alone speaks volumes for his success. His work marks an immense advance on anything that has been published in this country. In fact, we have nothing in any way like it; nothing that approaches it within a measurable distance. Our text-books, at their best, give but a good narrative; at their worst, I fear to say what they do. But best and worst alike have entered into an unholy covenant to give next to nothing beyond the narrative. Now, thanks to Dr. Knecht and his translator, we have a work that, in addition to a good narrative, supplies a good explanation and an excellent commentary. The very' idea that Bible History needs an explanation and a commentary will, I suspect, come to many like a bolt from the blue. But I trust that after the appearance of Dr. Knecht’s work we shall be ashamed to issue any more Bible Histories in the good old dry-as-dust style.
The narrative in the Practical Commentary is Dr. Schuster’s Bible History. This work itself has already been translated into eighteen languages, and has run into I know not how many editions. Let it, however, be noted that the Practical Commentary is not inextricably bound up with any particular form of narrative, and it will be found equally serviceable with any other narrative that teachers may prefer to take as the groundwork.
In particular, I would call attention to the excellent “Concordance between Holy Scripture and the Catechism”, as it is called, given in the Appendix. In it the teacher will find ready to hand an invaluable repertory' of Bible stories and explanations for illustrating his catechetical instructions.
In conclusion, I wish to re-echo with all earnestness the words of a writer in the Schwcizer Pastoralblatt: “I consider this Commentary the best and most useful hand-book of its kind ... I am happy to think that every day strengthens my conviction of its great worth, and I should like to see it in the hands of every priest and every teacher.” I will only add that it is indispensable to every teacher who would be abreast of his work. To priests it will be most useful, not only in the school, but also in the pulpit, as it supplies most suggestive material for courses of sermons. And I make bold to affirm that no one, be he priest or teacher, can take up without profit this excellent manual, not the least merit of which is that it has imparted a thoroughly religious character to the teaching of Bible History.
Stanley house, Eccleshall.
May 17. 1894.
