Lesson 1--On the End of Man Lesson 2--On God and His Perfections Lesson 3--On the Unity and Trinity of God Lesson 4--On Creation Lesson 5--On Our First Parents and the Fall Lesson 6--On Sin and Its Kinds Lesson 7--On the Incarnation and Redemption Lesson 8--On Our Lord's Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension Lesson 9--On the Holy Ghost and His Descent upon the Apostles Lesson 10--On the Effects of the Redemption Lesson 11--On the Church Lesson 12--On the Attributes and Marks of the Church Lesson 13--On the Sacraments in General Lesson 14--On Baptism Lesson 15--On Confirmation Lesson 16--On the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Ghost Lesson 17--On the Sacrament of Penance Lesson 18--On Contrition Lesson 19--On Confession Lesson 20--On the Manner of Making a Good Confession Lesson 21--On Indulgences Lesson 22--On the Holy Eucharist Lesson 23--On the Ends for which the Holy Eucharist Was Instituted Lesson 24--On the Sacrifice of the Mass Lesson 25--On Extreme Unction and Holy Orders Lesson 26--On Matrimony Lesson 27--On the Sacramentals Lesson 28--On Prayer Lesson 29--On the Commandments of God Lesson 30--On the First Commandment Lesson 31--The First Commandment--On the Honor and Invocation of the Saints Lesson 32--From the Second to the Fourth Commandment Lesson 33--From the Fourth to the Seventh Commandment Lesson 34--From the Seventh to the Tenth Commandment Lesson 35--On the First and Second Commandments of the Church Lesson 36--On the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Commandments of the Church Lesson 37--On the Last Judgment and Resurrection, Hell, Purgatory and Heaven PREFACE It must be evident to all who have had experience in the work of our Sunday schools that much time is wasted in the classes. Many teachers do little more than mark the attendance and hear the lessons; this being done, time hangs heavily on their hands till the school is dismissed. They do not or cannot explain what they are teaching, and the children have no interest in the study. The Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism is intended for their use. The explanations are full and simple. The examples are taken from Holy Scripture, from the parables of Our Lord, from incidents in His life, and from the customs and manners of the people of His time. These are made applicable to our daily lives in reflections and exhortations. The plan of the book makes it very simple and handy. The Catechism is complete and distinct in itself, and may be used with or without the explanations. The teacher is supposed, after hearing the lesson, to read the explanation of the new lesson as far as time will allow. It may be read just as it is, or may be learned by the teacher and given to the children in substance.