There is, perhaps, no country in the world where the teacher may be allowed to do so much toward leading his pupils to fear God and to obey his commands, with the cordial consent of parents, as he can here.[3] [Footnote 3: In speaking of this common ground, and in commenting upon it, I wish not to be understood that I consider these truths as comprising all that is essential in Christianity.

Very far from it.

A full expression of the Christian faith would go far in advance of all here presented.

We must not confound, however, what is essential to prepare the way for the forgiveness of sin with what is essential that a child should understand in order to secure his penitence and forgiveness.

The former is a great deal, the latter very little.] The ground which I have been laying out is common all over our country; in particular places there will be even much more that is common.