A Dialogue, between a fond father and his little son. Designed to amuse and instruct children.

A Dialogue, between a fond father and his little son. Designed to amuse and instruct children.

Table of contents

[1]

Title page

PREFACE.

A DIALOGUE, &c.

[2]

Title page

EXTRACTS, &c.

ORIGIN OF SHIPPING.

OF COMPANY.

OF POVERTY.

OF READING.

§

§

§

[Page]

[Page]

DIALOGUE, BETWEEN A Fond FATHER and his little SON.

Designed to amuse and instruct Children.

NORWICH: PRINTED BY JOHN TRUMBULL, 1798.

[Page]

PREFACE.

WHEREAS a Dialogue between a Father and Son, printed some time ago, met with a speedy sale, and was thought of some advantage, 'tis now thought that a continuation of said Dialogue, may be still more advantageous, and it is committed to the press for that purpose.

[Page]

A DIALOGUE, &c.

Father.

DEAR Son, you remember that some considerable time ago, we took a rambling walk through the orchards, fields and meadows, and close by the side of the river, where we took a view of the bridges, mills and falls, and proceeded down the stream until it emptied itself into the ocean, where the great ships traverse the main, and go round the world, which is above twenty thousand miles, or as the ships must sail, to go round the [Page]different capes of land, it will be above forty thousand miles, before they can get back to the place from whence they sat out.

Son.

I very well remember that agreeable walk, and should be glad to take another such, if you would go with me.—But I never could understand how the ships could go round the world, when there is so much land as well as water.

Father.

Dear son, it is not strange that you should not fully understand it, for there are many men that cannot fully comprehend it. But when you are older and have read some books on geography, and had an opportunity also to see a terrestial globe, where the globe is divided into land and water, and where the tract of Lord [Page]Arson and Capt. Cook, is marked out on the globe, you may easily conceive how they may go round the world, and return again to the place from which they sat out.

Son.

Truly sir, I think it would be a very pleasing study, and I hope that I shall soon be ready to begin it, for I should be greatly pleased to see how the globe is divided into land and water, and to see where the different nations of the world live, and whether they be black or white, heathen or christian, and what is the produce and manufacture of the different parts of the world.

Father.

'Tis truly a very agreeble study, and at a proper time I shall be glad to instruct you therein, but at present we will defer it, and talk of something else.

[Page]Son.

Well sir I am willing to be directed by you, as you know what will be most useful and beneficial to me.

Father.

Since the time that we took that agreeable walk, you are become older and bigger, and I hope have read and learned a good deal.

Son.

Sir I have read some little story books wrote for the instruction of children, such as the Mother's gift, the Father's legacy to his children, the Child's Instructor, and Children's Friend, &c. I have also read some little histories of the Bible.

Father.

Have you not also read the bible.

Son.

Yes Sir, I have read it through and through again, and some parts of it I have read many times.

[Page]Father.

Then I hope you remember a good deal that you have read.

Son.

I hope that I remember some, but truly my memory is so poor, that I do not remember half so much as I wish I did.

Father.

What do you remember to have read in the Bible.

Son.

I remember that in the beginning God created the world, the heavens and the earth, the sun, moon and stars, and the sea, and all in the space of six days, and rested from his labour on the seventh, which was the sabbath.

Father.

Do you not also remember that God made man.

Son.

Yes, I remember that it is said, that God made man out of the dust of the earth, and breathed into him the breath of life, and he became a living soul.

[Page]Father.

After God had made man where did he live.

Son.

We read that he was placed in the garden of Eden, which is also called the garden of Paradise.

Father.

Was he to live there alone.

Son.

No, we read that God said it was not good that man should be alone, and he caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he took out one of his ribs, of which he made a woman, and brought her to Adam to see what he would call her, and he called her Eve, for she was bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, and she became his wife.

Father.

What were they to be employed about in the garden.

Son.

We read that they were to cultivate and till the ground, [Page]and take care of the fruit trees, herbs, &c.

Father.

Had they liberty to eat of all the fruit trees in the garden.

Son.

We read that they had liberty to eat of all except one, which was the tree of knowledge and of good and evil, which they were not to eat of, upon the [...] of death.

Father.

And was they [...] as to eat of that tree, which God had commanded them that they should not eat.

Son.

Yes sir, we read that the serpent (or the devil) said unto the woman, that she should not surely die if she eat of that true, but that they should be as Gods, to know good and evil, and to she [...] to the temptation, and [...] of the fruit and did eat, and [...] [Page]unto her husband and he did eat.

Father.

And what was the consequence.

Son.

Why we read that their eyes were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and had sined, and they endeavoured to hide themselves from the presence of God, among the trees of the garden.

Father.

Did God after this suffer them to continue in the garden.

Son.

No, we read that God turned them out of the garden, and placed a flaming sword to prevent their return, and God cursed the earth in consequence of their sining, and said, that it should bring forth briars and thorns, and that men should earn their bread with the sweat of their brows, until they should again return to the earth.

Father.

Had Adam and Eve any children.

[Page]Son.

Yes, they had Cain and Abel, of whom we read that Cain was a wicked boy, and Abel a good boy, and when they were grown up Cain was angry with his brother Abel, and when they were in the field, he rose up against him and slew him.

Father.

And was not God angry with Cain for killing his brother.

Son.

It is said, that God was very angry with him, and told him that he should be a vagabond upon the earth, and that every one who sound him should slay him; and Cain said, that his punishment was greater than he could bear, and God set a mark upon him, least any finding him should slay him.

Father.

Did mankind multiply upon the earth after this.

[Page]Son.

Yes, they multiplied and [...] very numerous.

Father.

[...] as the people generally good and virtuous, or very sinful.

Son.

We read in the bible that mankind became very sinful, and by their sins and wickedness, provoked God to anger.

Father.

And what was the consequence of the world becoming [...] wicked.

Son.

We read that the great God was very angry with them, and threatened to crown the world, and destroy mankind, unless they repeated and became good.

Father.

And did not mankind in general grow better and repent after God and so threatened them.

Son.

No, we read that they still continued wicked, except Noah and his family, and God bid Noah [Page]build an Ark, by which he and his family and some of all sorts of creatures, might be preserved and saved alive, when the rest of the world should be drowned.

Father.

How long was Noah in building the Ark.

Son.

We read that he was many years in building it, for it was a very great building, with many apartments; it was three stories high, and made to accommodate all that was to be taken into it.

Father.

Was not Noah called a preacher of righteousness to the people.

Son.

Yes, he is so called in the Bible, and I suppose he preached to the people, and warned them to repent and become good, or they would all be destroyed.

Father.

And did [...] the people regard [...], and attend to his [...].

[Page]Son.

No, they went on in their old way until the fatal day in which the rain began to fall, and Noah & his family, and two and two of all creatures went into the Ark, and the doors and windows were closed, and no man suffered to go in, and so they were all drowned.

Father.

How long did the flood prevail on the earth.

Son.

We read that it rained forty days and forty nights, and the fountain of the great deep was broken up.

Father.

And how did Noah know when the waters were abated on the earth.

Son.

We read that the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days, but after 40 days Noah opened a window and let out a dove, who after flying about and finding no place to rest her feet upon, she returned [Page]to Noah and he took her again into the Art; and then he waited seven days more, and let her go out again, and after a while she returned with an olive leaf in her mouth plucked off, by which Noah supposed the waters were abated, and after seven days more be let out the dove again and she never returned, and after a while the Ark rested on a great mountain called Ararat.

Father.

How long was this flood upon the face of the earth.

Son.

We read that in the sixth hundred and first year of Noah, the first month and first day of the month, the waters were dried from off the face of the earth, and Noah and his family, and all the creatures in the Ark went out upon the dry land.

Father.

What now become of Noah and his family.

[Page]Son.

We read that God made a covenant with him, and it was confirmed by a rainbow, that the earth should not again be drowned.

Father.

After the flood, was the posterity of Noah all good, or did the people again be wicked.

Son.

We read that they again become very wicked, and thought in their pride to build a great tower, that should reach up to heaven, and God was angry, and came down and destroyed their language, so that they could not understand each other, and so they were scattered upon the face of the earth.

Father.

But was there no good people in all this time, did not God make some discovery of Christ the Saviour, who was to come into the world.

Son.

Yes, we read that soon after the fall of man, God said, that [Page]the seed of the woman should bruise the serpents head; but I never knew the true meaning of that sentence.

Father.

Why the meaning of that text is generally supposed to be, that a Saviour, the Messiah, should come into this world, and make satisfaction for the sins of man, and so destroy the works of Satan, and thereby prepare the way for man to be finally saved.

Son.

Was there any further prophecy of the Messiah, who was to come into the world.

Father.

Yes, there were many prophecies and intimations thereof, to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to David, Isaiah, and other Prophets of old, and all the sacrifices of beasts and birds, &c. that we read of in the old testament, are supposed to look forward to that [Page]great and atoneing sacrifice that should be made for sin, by Jesus Christ the Messiah, and Saviour of the world; and especially by the type of the brazen Serpent, that was erected in the wilderness, which the children of Israel were directed to look to, when they had been bitten by the flying fiery serpents.

Son.

And did the Messiah truly come into the world, agreeable to the prophecy and expectation of the people, who were looking and waiting for the accomplishment of these prophecies.

Father.

Yes, in the fulness of time, namely, at about the four thousandth year of the world, the Messiah made his appearance to the Jews and the world.

Son.

And did not the Jews, (God's ancient people,) expect him as a temporal king, and that he [Page]would be ushered into the world in great pomp and splendor, and that he would deliver them from their bondage to the Romans.

Father.

Yes, truly this was their expectations, and they were greatly disappointed when they found that he rather took on him the form of a servant, and was poor and despised in the world.

Son.

Where was Christ's first appearance in the world.

Father.

He was born at Bethlehem, and was found with his mother Mary in a stable, there being no room for them in the inn.

Son.

Was there any intimation to any body, of the Messiah being born into the world.

Father.

As the shepherds were seeding their flocks, an angel appeared unto them and told them that the Messiah who had been [Page]long expected, was born into the world; and the shepherds were disposed to go and see him, and pay their worship and adoration unto him, and also the wise men of the East, enquired where Christ should be born, and they were directed by the appearance of a star in the Heavens, that went before them, and stood over the place where the child Jesus was.

Son.

And did they find as the Angel had told them.

Father.

Yes, they found the child Jesus and his mother Mary at Bethlehem, laying in a manger, and they rejoiced and praised God that there was a Saviour born into the world.

Son.

Did not King Herod desire the wise men when they returned, to tell him where they found him, that he might also go and worship him.

[Page]Father.

Yes he did, but his design was to [...] was afraid that he would become a king and take away his kingdom.

Son.

And did the wise men of the East, return and inform the King Herod.

Father.

No, they returned another way and to disappointed him, and he was so angry that he ordered all the children from two years old and under to be [...]; but Mary with her child Jesus, went into Egypt, and so escaped his hand.

Son.

Was there any thing extraordinary that appeared in Christ Jesus whilst he was young.

Father.

We read in the Bible, that he kept with his parents, and was subject to them;—but when he was twelve years old he was found in the temple, asking questions [Page]of the doctors, and giving answers beyond what could be expected from one of his age; and he asked his parents if they did not know that he must be about his father's business.

Son.

What is said of him when he became a man.

Father.

He became a preacher, and speak as never man spake before; and he went about doing good, healing the sick, restoring the lame, giving sight to the blind; he fed many thousands with a few loaves and fishes, and raised some to life again who had been dead, and did many miracles, so that thousands flocked after him to be healed of their diseases of soul and body, and they brought little children to him, and his disciples forbad them, but he told them to come, for of such he said was the [Page]kingdom of God, and he took them up in his arms and blessed them.

Son.

What doctrine did he preach, or what advice did he give to the people that came to him.

Father.

He told them that they were sinners, and that they must repent of their sins, and believe on Jesus Christ if they would be saved.

Son.

What is meant by repentance.

Father.

You have learned your Catechism, which tells you what repentance is.

Son.

I remember it is said, ‘Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God, in Jesus Christ, doth with grief and hatred thereof, turn from it [Page]unto God, with full purpose and endeavours after new obedience.’

Father.

Don't you also remember the answer to the question, "What is faith in Jesus Christ?"

Son.

Yes, the answer says, ‘That saith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered in the gospel.’

Son.

But is this all that we are to do, in order to be saved and go to Heaven.

Father.

Truly, I believe that those who repent and believe on Christ, will not fail of being saved and going to Heaven; but they who have true faith and repentance will be disposed to good works, and to hate every wicked and false way, to do as they would be done by, and attend unto all the rules [Page]and precepts of the gospel, to fear God and keep his command, and live soberly, rationally, and Godly, in this world.

Son.

Is it not of free grace that any are saved.

Father.

Surely it is, and whosoever is saved will be ready to acknowledge, that it is all grace from the foundation to the top stone.

Son.

Truly I am obliged to you, for the good instruction given me, and I can say as King Agrippa said to Paul, thou almost persuadest me to be a Christian.

Father.

And I can as truly say as St. Paul, I wish that you was not only almost but altogether persuaded to be a Christian, that so after serving God, and your generation according to his will, you might go to Heaven and be eternally blessed and happy.

[Page]Son.

But is it worth while for children and young solks to be religious, and to put on the Christian name.

Father.

Surely it is well worth while, and it highly becomes all, both young and old, to profess and practice the Christian.—Hear what the great poet, and good man, Dr. Young, says;—

"A Christian is the highest stile of man,

"And is there who the blessed cross wipes off

"As a foul blot from his dishonour'd brow?

"If angels tremble, 'tis at such a sight:

"The wretch they quit, desponding of their charge,

"More struck with grief, or wonder, who can tell?"

Son.

I thank you for your instruction [Page]and kind advice, and hope I may have wisdom and grace to follow it.

Father.

Dear Son, if you do truly so hope, you will be willing from your heart to join in the following PRAYER.

Oh Lord God, have mercy on me in Jesus Christ thy dear Son; and for his sake pardon all my sins, and accept of me (a poor sinful child,) as righteous in thy sight. Make me a Christian indeed, and help me to live a sober and religious life, that my latter end may be that of the righteous, and my eternity happy.— AMEN.

End of the Dialogue.

§

§

§

[Page]

Entertaining Extracts, From various Authors. Worthy the perusal of every good Child.

Learning advances men of mean degree,

To high attainments, wealth, and dignity.

PRINTED February, 1798.

[Page]

EXTRACTS, &c.

THE bitterest things in religion are sweet; there is a sweetness even in reproofs; when God meets with our corruptions, and whispers unto us, such and such things are dangerous; and that if we cherish them, they will bring us to hell, the word of God is sweet to a christian, that hath his heart under his innocence; is not pardon sweet to a condemand man, and riches sweet to a poor man, and favor sweet to a man in disgrace, and liberty sweet to a man in captivity? so all that [...] [Page]from God is sweet to a christian, that hath his heart touched with the sense of sin.

ORIGIN OF SHIPPING.

And God said to Noah, make thee an ark of Gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within, and without, with pitch.

THE most ingenious and useful arts are of celestial origin; and from this chapter it is evident, that the first ship that ever floated on the world of waters, was built according to the plan, and under the regulating eye, of a divine artificer. With what amazing contrivance and oeconomy were the directions given by the Deity to Noah? How exact the architecture, and what judicious hints were hence furnished to human creatures in regard [Page]to maritime affairs! Man has always been characterised by his powers of imitation. From this very ark arose the first ideas of a possibility to pass beyond the limits of land: the scheme once projected, and the secret of its construction once imparted, it was not likely to be forgotten; so far otherwise, that we stand indebted to it, for many valuable blessings —for the advantages of commerce, the pleasure of travel, and the glory of victory. The merchant and the sailor owe to this undertaking all their benefits; and whatever desirable circumstances arise from connections with remote climates, certainly originate from an imitation of that sacred repository, which preserved from the deluge the family of Noah.

[Page]

OF COMPANY.

BE very circumspect in the choice of your company; in the society of your equals you may enjoy pleasure; in the society of your superiors, you may find profit; but to be the best in company, is to be in the way of growing worse; the best means to improve, is, to be the least there. But above all, be the companion of those who fear the Lord, and keep his precepts.

OF POVERTY.

IN seeking virtue, if you find poverty, be not ashamed, the fault is not yours. Your honour or dishonour is purchased by your own actions; though virtue gives a ragged livery, she gives a golden [Page]cognizance. If her service make you poor, blush not; your poverty may prove disadvantageous to you, but cannot dishonour you.

OF READING.

OF all the diversions of life, there is none so proper to fill up its empty spaces, as the reading of useful and entertaining authors; and with that the conversation of a well chosen friend. By reading we enjoy the dead, by conversation the living, and by contemplation ourselves. Reading enriches the memory, conversation polishes the wit, and contemplation improves the judgment. Of these reading is the most important, which furnishes both the others.

FINIS.

Information about this book

Title statement

A Dialogue, between a fond father and his little son. Designed to amuse and instruct children.

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI :

Date

2012-01.

ID [DLPS]

N36967

ID [TCP]

N36967

ID [STC]

Shipton 48411

ID [NOTIS]

APY1392

ID [IMAGE-SET]

48411

ID [EVANS-CITATION]

99028461

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Series

Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 48411.

Notes

(Evans-TCP ; no. N36967)

Transcribed from: (Readex Archive of Americana ; Early American Imprints, series I ; image set 48411)

Images scanned from Readex microprint and microform: (Early American imprints. First series ; no. 48411)

Source

— A Dialogue, between a fond father and his little son. Designed to amuse and instruct children.,

Extent

36 p. ; 13 cm. (12mo)

Printed by John Trumbull,,. Norwich [Conn.]: :: 1798.. ("Entertaining extracts from various authors. Worthy the perusal of every good child. ... Printed February, 1798."--p. [31]-36, with separate title page.)

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