There are numerous editions of the Catecliisins ; the latest arp those of the Presbgterian Board of PMica- tion (Philadelphia). They teach the Calvinistic the- ology. Among the many commentaries on the Cat- echisms, we name Green (Ashbel), Lectures on ike Shorter Catechiem (Phila. 1841, 2 vols. 8vo) ; Belpage, Exposition of the Assemblg's Catechism (Lond. 2 vols. 12mo); Fbher, Exposition of the Assemblg*t Catechism (Lond. 1849, 12mo) ; Paterson, The Shorter CateckiMm (Lond. 1841, 12mo); Vincent, The Catechism ExpUumed (Lond. 1848, 18mo) ; Boyd, The Westminster Shorter Catechism (N. Y. 1849, 18mo).
5. The Methodist ChurcL—In the Wesleyan Meth- odist Church, in England, the Catechisms in use are three, arranged in gradation, for pupils of different ages, by the Rer. Richard Watson. They are printed as The Wedegam Methodist Cateehiems. For many years these Catechisms were used also in tiie Methodist EjiB- copal Church in tlie United States, together with A Short Scriptural Catechism, prepared Uy the Rev. J. Edmondson (?). In 1848 the General Conference or- dered the preparation of a Church Catechism, which was undertaken by the Rev. Dr. Kidder (then Sun- day-school Editor), who, with the aid of other divines, prepared a series of Catechisms which were approved and adopted by the General Conference of 1852. They are published as Catechisms of the Methodist Episcopal Church, No. 1, 2, 8 (New York, Methodist Book Room). The series does not consist of three separate Cate- chisms, but of one, in three stages of development, the language of the basis being unchanged in the different numbers of the series. No. 1 is the Catechism ; No. 2 is the same, with the addition of numerous Scripture proofs and illustrations printed side by side with the several questions and answers ; No. 8 expands the an- swers of No. 1 and the proofe of No. 2 into something like a system of Ctiristian doctrine in a condensed form. The Catechism proper is taken up section by section, and a summarg is given, in comprehensive lan- guage, of the subject-matter of each section. Then follow an analysis of the section, a number of explan- atory and practical questions, and a set of definitions. The outline of topics is as follows : I. God : § 1. His Nature and Attributes ; § 2. The Persons of God. II. CasATioN: § 1. The World; § 2. Man. III. Mas's Fall and Sinful State : § 1. Sin ; § 2. Guilt, Prev- alence, and Consequences of Sin. lY. Salyatiov: § 1. The Source and Grounds of Salvation, viz.; The Love of God in Christ, and Redemption through Christ ; § 2. Conditions of Salvation ; § 8. The Fruits and Extent of Salvation. V . Tub Means of Grace : § 1. The Church and Ministry; § 2. The Sacraments: (1.) Baptism; (2.) The Lord's Supper; § 8. The Word of God and Prayer. V I. God's Law : Duties to God and Man. YII. Of Death, Judgment, and Etbbp NiTT. Appendix : The Beatitudes ; The Lord's Pray- er; The Ten Commandments; The Apostles' Creed; Baptismal Covenant; Examples of layers for the Young.
CATECHISM
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CATECHUMENS
6L The Chwrck of IUme,~-ln the Church of Borne | Cateohist, i. e. cakchiur, in the ecclesiastical the Tridentlne Catechism {CaiechUmm Romanui) is a sense, one who teaches religion to children, or ueo- book of STmbolical authority. It was prepared in phjtes, catechetically. For the derivation, see Cat- obedience to a decree of the Council of Trent (Sess. echbtics, 1. (1.) At first it was the office of the 24, de Ref. c 7), by archbishop Leonardo Marino, bishop to prepare the catechumens for baptism, as well bishop iEgidios Foecarrari, and the Portuguese Do- as to admit them into the Church by that sacrament, minican Frandfloo Fnreiro, with the aid, as later writ- ; But in course of time it became impossible for the era (e. g. Tiraboeohi) conclude, of Muzio Calini, arch- ; bishops to devote the requisite attention to this part of bishop of Zara ; revised by caidinals Borromeo, Sbrlet, ! their work, and consequently they transferred it to and Antonian ; and sanctioned by Pope Pius V. It such presbyters and deacons as they deemed compe- was published at Rome in 1566, the Latin version be- tent to the undertaking. They were called eatecheia; uig either by Panlus Manutius or Poggianus. The and their employment was considered peculiarly hon- Cmmcfl of Trent had ordered (L c.) that the Cate- ' orable, as requiring the possession and use of eminent chism, when prepared, should ** be faithAilly trans- ! talents and qualifications. But there never was a lated into the vernacular languages, and expounded | separate office or order of catechists in the Church ; to the people by all pastors.'* It was subs^uently { the work was only a ftinction, assigned, as need arose, approved by special bulls, and adopted by votes of i to persons capable of it Cyril of Jerusalem andChry- provincial synods in the various Roman Catholic coun- ! sostom (Horn. 21 ad popul. Antioch.) were originally tries. It consists of four parts : the Apostles* Creed, ' catechists. They were sometunes called by a figura-
" " " ~ i tive name, vauroXoyoh that is, those whose office it
I was to admit passengers to the ship, and contract with \ them for the &re. The Church, by a well-known fig-