Children of God

Westminster Assembly. The confession of faith, together with the larger and lesser catechisms. 5th edition. London: Printed by S. Cruttenden and T. Cox, at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside, near Mercers-Chappel, 1717.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism was written in 1646-47 by the Westminster Assembly, a synod of English and Scottish theologians and laymen intended to bring the Church of England into greater conformity with the Church of Scotland.

The purpose of the Shorter Catechism was to educate children and others “of weaker capacity” (according to a preface written by the Church of Scotland) in the Reformed faith. It is based on the Larger Catechism, which was intended for use by ministers in teaching their congregations. The Catechism is in question and answer format, which had been popularised by Martin Luther as a way to help children learn the meaning of Christian texts instead of merely memorising them.

Westminster Assembly. The confession of faith, together with the larger and lesser catechisms. 5th edition. London: Printed by S. Cruttenden and T. Cox, at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside, near Mercers-Chappel, 1717.
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Foirchedul aithghear, Cheasnuighe. Glasgow: Seumus Duncan, 1760.

An eighteenth century edition of the Shorter Catechism translated into Scottish Gaelic.

Foirchedul aithghear, Cheasnuighe. Glasgow: Seumus Duncan, 1760.
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Roderick Lawson (editor). The shorter catechism: with commentary and scripture proofs prepared for the use of schools. Edinburgh: Macniven & Cameron, [187-?]

Although ostensibly intended for readers “of weaker capacity”, the Shorter Catechism has in practice always proved a difficult work for beginners.

In this edition the questions are divided into short sections, so that the plan of the book can be more clearly seen. The emphatic words and clauses in each answer are marked, so that the sense may be gathered more readily. The meaning of each answer is given in a short commentary, to assist the child in answering the teacher. Proofs are added to show how each answer is based on Scripture. Finally, revising questions are added to each section, in order that matter learnt becomes more firmly fixed in the memory. Lawson’s edition is of enduring popularity and is still in use today.

Roderick Lawson (editor). The shorter catechism: with commentary and scripture proofs prepared for the use of schools. Edinburgh: Macniven & Cameron, [187-?]
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Westminster Assembly. The shorter catechism: agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster; with scripture proofs. Dunedin: New Zealand Bible, Tract, & Book Society, [ca. 1890]

This edition of the Shorter Catechism was published by The New Zealand Bible, Tract and Book Society whose head office was in Princes Street, Dunedin. The Society was a major supplier of Presbyterian Church and Sunday school literature from 1873 until the Depression era.

Westminster Assembly. The shorter catechism: agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster; with scripture proofs. Dunedin: New Zealand Bible, Tract, & Book Society, [ca. 1890]
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