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THE WORLD'S BIRTH-DAY.

"IN THE BEGINNING GOD

CREATED THE HEAVEN

AND THE EARTH."

(GEN. I. 1.)

A BOOK FOR THE YOUNG

BY

Louis

PROFESSOR L. GAUSSEN, GENEVA,
AUTHOR OF "IT IS WRITTEN," ETC.

PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY,

28 CORNHILL, BOSTON.

MDCCCLX.

III. 8568

Harvard College Library!

From the Library of

Rev. A. P. Peabody'

10 Oct. 1893.

AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

THE AUTHOR OF THESE LESSONS

ΤΟ

THE CHILDREN WHO HEARD THEM FOUR MONTHS AGO

IN THE CHAPEL OF THE ORATOIRE.

WHEN I dedicate to you these explanations of the first chapter of Genesis, which you heard some time ago from my lips, I am only paying a debt of gratitude which I owe to you, and returning the kind visit which I received from you eleven Sundays ago. I can never forget it.

I had scarcely recovered from the severe attack of illness which had so long kept me a prisoner in bed -I was bruised both in mind and body, and was scarcely able to support myself on my crutches-when I was requested to receive a visit. "It is impossible; I cannot," replied I. Still I was entreated to appear for a moment on the balcony of my room. I did so, and saw you all assembled, my friends, my dear young friends!

You were all standing in a circle on the grass. I felt deeply at seeing you. I heard your voices and your hymns; I received your beautiful bunches of flowers, and I spoke a few words to you from the balcony. But what pleased me more than all the rest, was the packet of cards presented to me by three of you in the name of all. On each card there was written one of your names, along with a few verses of comfort and exhortation, chosen for me by each from the word of God.

This bunch of more than a hundred flowers, gathered for me by your hands in the garden of Scripture, and for the most part very well chosen, brought to me a precious fragrance. I frequently read them. They revived and strengthened my soul, and I felt myself comforted by God. I was then unable for the slightest exertion; but I resolved that I would send you in return a passage from Scripture, as soon as my health permitted me to get the notes of these lessons corrected and copied.

I now dedicate to you the lessons on the first chapter of Genesis, which we had been considering together when I was separated from you by the hand of God. I had also explained to you the first seven verses of the second chapter; but you will not find them in this book: I have thought it better not to begin a new chapter. I present to you the first chapter only and may these thirty-one verses-which

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