This was his plan: He would read a story, or a part of one, very slowly and thoughtfully, oftentimes aloud. When every detail of it was clear in his mind, he would close the book, take pencil and paper and write the story for himself, using as many of the Bible words as he could remember, and trying always to tell the story as well and as completely, and yet in as few words as the Bible.

He tells us his stories were never quite so clear, so brief, and yet so perfect, as those of his model. But he did learn to command its simplicity, its strength, its brevity, and its imagery.

Try Lincoln's way, using the following selections:--

A Cowardly Deed.[91 H.T.], [92 H.T.], [95 H.T.], [96 H.T.]
An Old Fable.[333 H.T.], [334 H.T.]
The Story of the Shepherd Boy Who Became King.[382 H.T.], [385 H.T.], [386 H.T.]
The Passing of David.[451 H.T.]
The Wise Men.[41 L.J.], [42 L.J.]
The First Miracle.[78 L.J.]
The Good Samaritan.[88 L.J.], [91 L.J.]
The Man Let Down through the Roof.[127 L.J.], [128 L.J.]
The Miracle at Nain.[130 L.J.]
The Story of the Sower.[133 L.J.]
Learning to Serve.[143 L.J.]
The Story of the Lost Sheep.[202 L.J.]
The Story of the Prodigal Son.[203 L.J.], [204 L.J.]

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HISTORY AND THE BIBLE

1. The World in Bible Times

The following great empires of the world held first place duringdifferent periods of the history of the Jews. Can you recall Israel'srelationship to each of these great powers? [488 T.J.]
Babylon
During the time of what Hebrew captive was Babylon in the ascendency? [183 T.J.]
Assyria
During what king's reign did the hordes of Assyria, under its greatest king, Sennacherib, descend upon Jerusalem? [299 T.J.]
Persia
What great Hebrew statesman was associated with the splendor of the Persian court? [212 T.J.]
Greece
In the time of what brave men was the attempt made to force Grecian customs and worship upon Palestine? [418 T.J.], [496 T.J.]
Rome
During what time did Rome rule over all the lands of Western Asia, including Palestine? [19 L.J.]

How did the capture of Babylon by Cyrus, in 538 B.C., affect the Jews? [397 S.A.]
What was the effect of the captivity in Babylon upon the Jewish people? [397 S.A.]
By what name was the great king Xerxes known in the Bible? What historical estimate of his character is supported by THE BIBLE STORY, and how? [60 T.J.], [488 T.J.]

[{39}]

From your knowledge of general history, link up the stories of Daniel, Esther, and Nehemiah in point of time, remembering that:--