Kidder, D. P. Curious and Useful Questions on The Bible: Designed for Sunday Schools and Families. New-York: Sunday-School Union [Methodist Episcopal], 1849. [7866]
Printed wrappers, small 3 1/2 x 5 1/4 inches, wrappers soiled and stained, 36 pp. plus 12 pp. publisher's catalogue, complete. Leaves have pencil writing in a child's hand, soiling and staining of varying degrees.
"The object of these questions is, to awaken in the minds of the young an appropriate and active curiosity respecting the contents of the Book of books. Such a curiosity, once aroused, will lead to study, observation, and thought, and thereby secure the acquirement of useful and saving knowledge." - Preface.
Daniel Parish Kidder (1815-1891), Methodist clergyman, b. in Genesee County, N.Y. From the age of fourteen he taught school, attended country academies, read books, and earned his living. From Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N.Y., he entered Hamilton College in 1833 as a sophomore, transferring to Wesleyan University, where he was graduated in 1836. That year he taught French, mathematics, and ancient languages in the Amenia (N. Y.) Seminary and began to preach. He was eager to go to China as a missionary, but the way was closed and he joined the Genesee Conference and received a charge in Rochester, N. Y., whence he was drafted in 1837 for a new Methodist mission in Brazil. From Rio de Janiero he traveled extensively, distributing the Scriptures and Portuguese tracts, and preaching wherever a Protestant could command a hearing. In 1840, on the death of his wife, Kidder returned to the United States serving churches in New Jersey. In 1844 his denomination elected him, at the age of 28, secretary of its Sunday School Union and editor of the literature of its Sunday schools. After twelve years in this office Kidder entered the service of theological education. He taught practical theology in Garrett Biblical Institute, Evanston, Ill., 1856-71, and in Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, N. J., 1871-81. Kidder authored several books, was an innovator in the Sunday-school systems, and contributed greatly to the influential literature of the Methodist church. – Adapted from DAB.
