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This made Bishop Hall complain—‘No one thing I regret so much, as not having given more tune to the public exercises of Catechizing. ‘Oh!’ (said Dr. Doddridge), ‘could I spend more of my time in catechizing children, in exhorting heads of families, and addressing young people .’ Chap. viii. Mr. Brown of Haddington observes of himself—‘I lament, that I have not been more diligent in catechizing and exhorting the children in my congregation. I am persuaded, that these exercises are some of the best means which Ministers can use for promoting the welfare of souls.’ Life and Remains, p. 38. Dr. Owen remarked to the same effect—that ‘more knowledge is ordinarily diffused, especially among the young and ignorant, by one hour’s catechetical exercise, than by many hours’ continued discourse.’ Mr. Charles of Bala declared, ‘Catechizing children has taught me more divinity than any other human means.’
