"In "The Peep of Day Series,' Mrs. Mortimer's aim was to provide a graduated set of books for children from the age of four to the age of twelve, and the way in which she contrived to put the scripture narratives into the simplest phraseology, and to make even the histories of the Kings of Israel and Judah, and of the Captivity, attractive to the youngest of her readers, was beyond all praise." -The Publishers' Circular
This little work aims to be the very least of all;--not in size, but in the humility of its contents. It aims at the superlative degree of littleness; and in this point seeks to resemble the least watch ever made--the least picture ever painted--the tiniest flower that ever grew. It desires to be among books as the humming-bird among birds.
As soon as a child's mind is capable of receiving systematic instruction, this humble work attempts to convey it.
From a very early period a pious mother will, by casual remarks, endeavor to lead her child to the knowledge of his Creator and Redeemer; and in due time she will impart systematic instruction. It may be at three years of age--it may not be till five--that the child is prepared to listen to these little lessons. But--sooner or later--he will give evidence of his immortality by willingly hearkening to discourse concerning the Invisible--the Eternal--the Infinite.
The simplicity of the language may seem unworthy of the sublimity of the subject treated of in these pages; and some may smile at the contrast;--but the little one will not smile--except with joy to hear of his Heavenly Father, and of his Incarnate Redeemer; for the merry inmates of the nursery are capable of tasting higher pleasures than toys and dainties can afford.
CONTENTS.
Preface
1. Of the body
2. Of a mother's care
3. Of the soul
4. Of the good angels
5. Of the wicked angels
6. The world, Part I
7. The world, Part II
8. The world, Part III
9. Adam and Eve
10. The first sin
11. The Son of God
12. The Virgin Mary
13. The birth of Jesus
14. The shepherds
15. The wise men
16. King Herod
17. The temptation
18. The twelve disciples
19. The first miracle
20. Several miracles
21. The sinner and Simon
22. The storm at sea
23. Jairus' daughter
24. The loaves and fishes
25. The kindness of Jesus
26. The Lord's Prayer
27. Jesus foretells his death
28. Lazarus
29. Jesus enters Jerusalem
30. The Temple
31. Judas
32. The Last Supper, Part I
33. The Last Supper, Part II
34. The Last Supper, Part III
35. The garden
36. Peter's denial
37. Pontius Pilate
38. Death of Judas
39. The Cross, Part I
40. The Cross, Part II
41. The Cross, Part III
42. The soldiers
43. The grave
44. The resurrection
45. Mary Magdalene
46. The two friends
47. Thomas
48. The dinner
49. The ascension
50. Peter in Prison
51. John
52. The Judgment Day