"It strikes me that, here in England, we greatly need more Bible
catechizing of the children of all classes. I was very much struck with
the Scotch, how vastly superior their children are to our youngsters in
the knowledge of the Scriptures. I sometimes take young men into my
institution for the ministry whose education is very deficient, and I
sometimes find these good, earnest young English brethren, though they
have read the Scriptures, [they are] not thoroughly acquainted even
with the historical parts and narratives, but often make sad blunders.
Now, though I have dealt with many Scotchmen, I never met with one who
was not thoroughly acquainted with the narrative and well-instructed in
the doctrine. I attribute that to the use of catechisms, and I think
that, if we could revive, more and more, the use of a good catechism,
or the catechetical principle of bringing home, by question and answer,
the doctrines and truths of Scripture to the lads of our villages, we
should be doing a world of good. The way to secure the masses would be
to secure them when young." -- Charles Spurgeon