INTRODUCTORY.

Ten years have passed since this book was first published, and in issuing a
third edition it seems desirable to say a few words as to the object with
which it was written, and to explain why some additions and alterations
have been made.

The earlier chapters remain pretty much as they were, but the latter have
been recast; and the writer's original endeavour to show that the Story of
Creation is not the Story of Evolution, as set forth in many attractive but
misleading books for the young, has been more constantly kept in view.

It is hoped that by this means the end sought may be better reached, and
that the young readers may be furnished with the truth before they meet
with false teaching on this important point. The mind which has been
carefully grounded in what is true may confidently be expected to detect
and refuse what is erroneous, however fair may be its show; and if the need
for early training on the lines marked out for us in Scripture was apparent
some years ago, how much more imperative is it now, when the authority of
God and of His Word is questioned on every hand?

It has been argued, with some reason, that the early chapters of these
"Simple Talks" are "too childish" when compared with the latter part of the
book; but it may be said in excuse for this seeming inconsistency that the
wish of the writer was to furnish assistance to mothers and those who train
young children. She therefore began at the beginning, intending the early
chapters to be read aloud, with additions and omissions, as the young
listeners were "able to bear." These chapters, therefore, are full of
repetitions, of which the young mind does not weary, but which are
necessary as long as it can only receive "here a little and there a