Biblical Treasury of the Catechism

This book is divided into thirty-seven lessons, four hundred twenty-one questions, numbered and ordered according to the lessons and questions of the Baltimore Catechism. It is an attempt to put in a comprehensive yet concise form the Scriptural proofs of Catholic doctrine, and is the result of much painstaking research. Through the kind permission of the Bishop of Peoria, the text of the Catechism is introduced without abridgment. The questions and answers of the Catechism appear in bold-face type as headings. The passages of Sacred Scripture that confirm the doctrine of the Catechism, or in some way bear upon the question, are placed underneath and are printed in a pleasing "old style" type. For the references Arabic figures of "modern style," made prominent enough to arrest the attention, have been selected. The references are printed in the guise of fractions, and, if read as such, will be easily memorized. The Bible text used in this compilation is that of Potter's Approved Standard Douay Edition. In itself this book is a thesis proving how ample is the Scriptural basis of Catholic belief. The work is given to the public with the hope that it may be of very great value, not only to Catechumens and Converts and those outside of the fold who desire to see the Scriptural support of the old Faith, but also to all students and teachers of Catholic doctrine-especially to Priests, Seminarians and Catechists, who have taken to heart the words of st. Paul: "Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." Let us consider question 7: "Of which must we take more care, our soul or our body' "We must take more care of our soul than of our body. (See 412.) What doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul? Matt. 16/26; Mark 8/36; Luke 9/25. Be not afraid of them who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. Luke 12/4. He that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it. Matt. 16/25; Luke 17/33; John 12/25. It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing. John 6/64. For the corruptible body is a load upon the soul, and the earthly habitation presseth down the mind that museth upon many things. Wis. 9/15. o that they would be wise, and would understand, and would provide for their last end. Deut. 32/29."