Sophia Institute Press - Bible Stories for Little Children

SOPHIA INSTITUTE PRESS

Manchester, New Hampshire

Bible Stories for Little Children was originally published by Benziger Brothers (New York, 1882). This 2006 edition by Sophia Institute Press contains minor editorial revisions to the original text.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

The Creation of the World 5; The Garden of Paradise 6; The First Sin 6; Cain and Abel 9; The Flood 10; The Tower of Babel 12; The Call of Abraham 12; Joseph 14; The Famine 16; The Cup in Benjamin's Sack 17; Joseph Makes Himself Known 18; Moses Is Born 19; Moses' Flight 20; The Burning Bush 21; The Plagues of Egypt 22; The Passage of the Red Sea 24; Manna in the Desert 25; The Ten Commandments 26; The Golden Calf 28; The Twelve Spies 29; The Sin of Moses 30; The Bronze Serpent 30; The Death of Moses 32; The Israelites Enter the Promised Land 32; The Ingratitude of the Israelites 33; Samuel 34; David 36; David and Goliath 36; Solomon 38; The Division of the Kingdom 41

An Angel Visits Zachary 45; Zachary Is Punished 46; The Annunciation 47; Mary Visits Elizabeth 48; John Is Born 50; The Birth of Jesus 51; The Three Wise Men 54; The Prophecy of Simeon 56; The Flight into Egypt 57; The Feast of the Passover 58;

The Baptism of Jesus 60; The Marriage Feast 62; The Draught of Fishes 65; The Sermon on the Mount 67; The Man Cured of Paralysis 68; The Pool of Bethzatha 69; The Storm at Sea in Galilee 71; The Daughter of Jairus 72; The Loaves and Fishes 74; Jesus Walks on the Sea 75; The Transfiguration 77; Jesus, the Children's Friend 78; The Blind Man 80; The Good Samaritan 83; To Be Forgiven, We Must Forgive 86; The Lost Sheep 88; The Prodigal Son 90; The Rich Man and Lazarus 94; Christ Raises Lazarus to Life 96; Jesus Rides into Jerusalem 100; The Widow's Mite 102; The Paschal Lamb 103; The Washing of the Feet 104; The Blessed Sacrament 105; Jesus Speaks of His Passion 108; Jesus in the Garden 109; Judas Betrays Jesus 110; Jesus Before the High Priest 111; Peter Denies Jesus 111; Caiaphas 113; Pilate 114; The Scourging 114; The Crowning with Thorns 115; Pilate 116; The Way of the Cross 117; Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross 119; On the Cross 120; The Thieves 121; Jesus Speaks to Mary 122; Jesus Dies 122; Jesus Is Put in the Tomb 123; The Resurrection 124; Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene 126; Jesus Appears to His Apostles 128; Peter 129; The Promise of the Holy Spirit 131; The Ascension 131; Conclusion 133

At one time, dear children, the world in which we live did not exist. There was no land or sea or bright blue sky. There were no trees or plants or flowers. There was no person or thing but God. He always was and always will be.

Then God made the world, the land, and the water; the sun, the moon, and the stars; the birds and the fishes and all the creatures of the earth.

Last of all, God made a man and a woman, whom He named Adam and Eve.

And God is so great and powerful that He made all these in six days, and out of nothing, by His word alone.

On the seventh day God rested from His work and blessed that day. For this reason the Jews kept it holy and called it the Sabbath, which means to "rest from labor." But after our blessed Lord was crucified, the Apostles chose Sunday, the first day of the week, as their day of rest, because on that day our Savior rose from the dead.

The Garden of Paradise

The home of Adam and Eve was a lovely garden, in which sweet-smelling flowers and ripe, juicy fruits grew. Pretty birds sang in the branches of the trees, and animals of every kind sported and played together. Everything was peaceful and beautiful.

God told Adam that he and Eve might eat of the fruit of every tree in the garden, except of one, and that one they must not touch.

The First Sin

This was a very little thing to require, and, had our first parents obeyed God, they would have lived forever and would have been happy in this beautiful garden. But one day the Devil tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit and told her that if she ate it, she would become as great as God Himself.

Eve was foolish enough to believe this, and in spite of God's command she ate the forbidden fruit.

Then, not satisfied with sinning herself, she coaxed Adam to eat of the fruit also, and in this way sin was brought upon the earth.

Almighty God was angry with Adam and Eve for disobeying Him. To punish them He drove them from the garden and condemned them to spend the rest of their lives in labor and suffering, until they returned to the dust out of which they were made.

This terrible curse was to fall not only on them, but on all who would come after them. But so great is the love of God for His creatures that, even in spite of their sin, God promised that He would send a Redeemer to save mankind.

Cain and Abel

Adam and Eve had many children. The first two were called Cain and Abel. Cain was a husbandman, or farmer, and Abel was a shepherd. They both offered gifts to God, and as Abel was a good man, his offerings pleased our Lord; but those of Cain, who was wicked, did not please Him. At this, Cain became angry and jealous of his brother, and at last hated him.