Transcriber's note:

Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed.

New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.

GOD AND MANKIND.

VOLUME I.

THE FAMILY CATECHISING.

THEOLOGY IN ROMANCE:

OR,

The Catechism and the Dermott family.

BY

MRS. MADELINE LESLIE

AUTHOR OF "HOME LIFE" AND OF "MRS. LESLIE'S JUVENILE SERIES"

AND

REV. A. R. BAKER

AUTHOR OF "THE CATECHISM TESTED BY THE BIBLE," ETC.

————————

BOSTON:

JOHN P. JEWETT AND COMPANY.

CLEVELAND, OHIO: H. P. B. JEWETT.
PHILADELPHIA: WM. S. & ALFRED MARTIEN.

1859.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by
JOHN P. JEWETT AND COMPANY,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

ELECTROTYPED AT THE
BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY.

DEDICATION.

THE VOLUMES OF THIS WORK

ARE MOST AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHORS
TO THE

Y O U N G C O N V E R T S

IN THE

G R E A T R E V I V A L O F 1 8 5 8,

IN THE HUMBLE HOPE OF AIDING THEIR PROGRESS IN

CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE AND GRACE.

INTRODUCTION.

TEN years have completed their course since one of the associate authors of these volumes published his first edition of "THE CATECHISM TESTED BY THE BIBLE." It was sold in a few weeks. That work, in two 18mo. volumes, was revised and stereotyped the same year; and two corresponding volumes, with the same title, but more simple and explanatory, and therefore better adapted to young children, were prepared and published with them.

Of these four books, recently revised, put into two, one for children, the other for adults, and issued in a new stereotype edition, more than two hundred thousand impressions have been printed. They have been translated into several foreign languages; as into the Arabic by Rev. H. M. Calhoun in Syria, where, by the blessing of God, they contribute to the fulfilment of prophecy, and are helping to "turn Lebanon into a fruitful field." In the Sandwich Islands, we are informed, they are used by government authority as national text books, assisting to confirm those who were so lately idolaters in "the faith which was once delivered to the saints." They are "helps" at various missionary stations, and have been widely circulated in the United States, the British Provinces, and several transatlantic countries.

From highly respectable sources, the author of that work has received applications for other volumes, in illustration of the doctrines and duties of Christianity, as set forth in the admirable compend thereof, drawn up by the Westminster Assembly, and entitled "The Shorter Catechism." The first suggestion of this kind was received years ago in an interview with Rev. T. H. Gallaudet, of Hartford, Conn., whose numerous and popular works for the young demanded for his judgment grave consideration. It was then that his rare gifts as a writer awakened the hope of his future aid in the preparation of these volumes—a hope the realization of which his death has precluded.

But Providence has kindly enabled the author of the former treatise on the Catechism to avail himself of the efficient aid of his wife, whose "Home Life," consisting at present of "Cora and the Doctor," "The Courtesies of Wedded Life," and "The Household Angel," and whose "Juvenile Series," of which four volumes, "The Motherless Children," "Play and Study," "Howard and his Teacher," and "Trying to be Useful," have been very favorably noticed by the press and received by the public. Two other volumes of the same series, "Striving and Thriving," and "I'll Try," are in press, and will shortly be issued.

The explanations and illustrations contained in the present volumes exhibit the method, and in part the results, of her weekly catechising of her own children, and of her instruction in Sabbath schools, also of her husband's catechetical exercises with the children and youth of his pastoral charge, for a long course of years.

They comprise the sum of their united experience, reading, and observation, together with such anecdotes and fables as they have found interesting and useful in this department of Christian nurture.

Each catechetical answer has been analyzed, and the subjects it contains carefully studied by us individually. Then we have unitedly agreed upon the method of explaining, illustrating, and enforcing its truths. For the theology and ethics of these little volumes the author is mainly responsible; but the background, drapery, and shading of the picture, on which much of the interest and utility of the work depends, is to be ascribed mainly to the authoress, whose nom de plume is associated with his name upon the title page.

After a careful revision and preparation for the press, the work is given to the public in the hope that it may aid parents, Sabbath school teachers, and pastors in the religious education of the dear children committed to their care, and may enable the rising generation better to understand these subjects of divine knowledge, and more tenaciously to "hold fast the form of sound words."

CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.
———————————

[CHAPTER I. MAN'S CHIEF END; OR, LITTLE LOTTY]

[CHAPTER II. THE BIBLE; OR, THE SAILOR BOY]

[CHAPTER III. THE DIVINE RULE; OR, AOLA]

[CHAPTER IV. THE CHARACTER OF GOD; OR, PRAYER IN THE ASSEMBLY]

[CHAPTER V. THE UNITY OF GOD; OR, THE MISSION HOUSE]

[CHAPTER VI. THE GODHEAD; OR, THE SILENCED INFIDEL]

[CHAPTER VII. THE PURPOSE OF GOD; OR, THE NEW HOUSE]

[CHAPTER VIII. EXECUTION OF GOD'S PURPOSE; OR, THE POOR MINISTER]

[CHAPTER IX. THE CREATION OF THE WORLD; OR, THE PATENT OFFICE]

[CHAPTER X. THE CREATION OF MAN; OR, THE WAX DOLL]

[CHAPTER XI. PROVIDENCE; OR, THE ILL-FATED BOAT]

[CHAPTER XII. THE COVENANT OF WORKS; OR, THE FIRST WEDDING]

[CHAPTER XIII. THE FALL OF MAN; OR, THE MYSTERIOUS BOX]

[CHAPTER XIV. THE NATURE OF SIN; OR, THE CONVICT]

[CHAPTER XV. THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT; OR, THE BROKEN RULE]

[CHAPTER XVI. THE BROKEN COVENANT; OR, THE FAMILY OF THIEVES]

[CHAPTER XVII. MAN'S FALLEN STATE; OR, THE DEPOSED MINISTER]

[CHAPTER XVIII. MAN'S SINFULNESS; OR, THE DISEASED FAMILY]

[CHAPTER XIX. MAN'S MISERY; OR, THE BATTLE FIELD]

[CHAPTER XX. ELECTION AND REDEMPTION; OR, THE NEW HOME]

[CHAPTER XXI. CHRIST, THE REDEEMER; OR, THE PARDONED REBELS]

THEOLOGY IN ROMANCE.

[CHAPTER I.]

MAN'S CHIEF END; OR, LITTLE LOTTY.

QUESTION I. What is the chief end of man?
ANSWER. Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.

——————

IT was truly a pleasant scene; the cheerful fire burned brightly in the grate, as the little group gathered around their mother, their eyes sparkling with the eager anticipation of pleasure. The hour so much longed for had arrived; and Mrs. Dermott, taking in her hand a nicely-bound volume of the Catechism, proceeded, in fulfilment of her promise, to explain and illustrate it to her youthful audience.

Addressing her eldest son, a bright, active boy of twelve summers, she asked, "Walter, what is the chief end of man?"

In a low but distinct voice, he replied, "Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever."

"What is the meaning of chief end?"

"Principal object or business."

"Yes; Isabelle is just beginning to attend school. Can you tell me, Helen, what her chief end is while there?"

"To learn to read and spell."

"I learn geography, too," lisped the little one, "and can tell which is my right hand, and which is my left hand."

Mrs. Dermott and the children smiled, while she continued: "If Isabelle should go to school some day, and spend all her time in whispering or drawing pictures on her slate, what would be her chief end?"

"To play."

"Yes. She would be like a great many men, women, and children, whom God has sent into the world to glorify him, but who pass their whole lives in seeking their own pleasure. Would that be right?"

"No, mamma. It would be very wicked."

"The great object, business, or end, then, for which mankind were sent into the world, is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. How can little children glorify God?"

"If they love him and keep his commands," replied Anna, seriously.

"How can little children show that they love God, and that their chief end is to glorify him?"

Anna blushed, and glanced at Walter, who replied for her. "If they are serious and devout in church and Sabbath school. If they listen attentively to what their teachers say about God, and are not thinking about their plays, toys, or fine clothes, but are trying to learn how to please him, I think that would be glorifying God."

"Yes, my dear boy," replied Mrs. Dermott, gazing with moistened eyes upon the flushed, eager countenance of her first-born. "God would see in that child's heart a desire to attain the chief aim of his existence, and He would send his Holy Spirit to aid, comfort, and guide him, and at last would take him to the full enjoyment of himself in heaven."

"Between two and three thousand years ago," added Mrs. Dermott, "there lived in Greece a great many wise men, called philosophers. These were divided into numerous sects, as Christian people now are into different denominations. The search of all these was for the highest good, or 'the chief end' of man. One sect claimed it was to be found in ease; another in pleasure; and still another in fame and renown. Some claimed the greatest good consisted in luxurious meats and drinks; some placed it in one thing, some in another. Their wisdom was but folly. None of them attained the true idea which God in the Bible has revealed to little children, and which this answer of the Catechism so beautifully and summarily expresses. But an incident will explain my meaning.

"There once lived a sweet little girl who was noticed by her mother to go to her chamber many times in a day; and, curious to know what led her there, the lady softly followed. As she approached the door, she heard the voice of her child talking, as she supposed, with some one within; but listening more attentively, she perceived that Lotty was asking her heavenly Father to bless her.

"With a grateful, rejoicing heart, the mother returned to the parlor, where Lotty soon followed, and, taking up her doll, resumed her play. She dressed and undressed the baby, tried on a little bonnet and sack given her by her aunt, all the while closely watched by her mother, who soon saw her place Dolly safely in the tiny bed, and, having tucked her in, retire to her chamber again. Surprised and delighted, Mrs. Kidder only waited for her child to return to her play, before she questioned her as to the cause of her frequent absence.

"'Come here, Lotty,' she said, affectionately, as the little girl made her appearance.

"'May Dolly come too, mamma?'

"'Yes, dear.'

"'Why do you leave your play so often?'

"'O mamma, I love God so!' was the touching reply, as, with her sweet face flushed with holy joy, she turned to gaze into her mother's countenance. 'Every time I go into my room, it seems just as if God was glad; and he makes my heart so warm. I think he loves to have me pray to him.'

"For two years more Lotty was spared to her father and mother, and all the time the love of God was growing in her heart. It was the whole business of her life to love, honor, and glorify him. By and by her heavenly Father called her to his mansion above the skies, where she will enjoy his love and presence forever and ever.

"When the physician, who had been hastily summoned, told her weeping mother that a few hours would terminate her life, Lotty, though suffering acutely, pressed her little hands together, exclaiming, 'O, I long to be there. I shall see my dear Saviour, and live with him forever. Don't cry, mamma,' she pleaded, as her mother's tears flowed afresh. 'Jesus has forgiven all my sins, and he will take care of me. I will ask him to send for you and papa; and then we'll sing praises to him forever and ever.'"

This little girl glorified and enjoyed God.

[CHAPTER II.]

THE BIBLE; OR, THE SAILOR BOY.

QUESTION II. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
ANSWER. The word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.

——————

ANNA SHERWIN was an orphan child of Mrs. Dermott's deceased brother. For a year she had been residing in the family of her aunt, who treated her with all the tenderness which she manifested for her own children. With the buoyancy natural to youth, Anna had ceased to mourn her parents' loss, though she loved to call to mind their instructions, and to govern her conduct as she thought would please them.

With the enthusiasm of a child, she looked forward to "the catechising," as her cousins had styled the teaching of their mother, and was the first to take her seat and to be in readiness for the second question. When the others were in their places, Mrs. Dermott requested Anna to repeat the answer given at the head of this chapter, and then asked, "What volume contains the word of God?"

"The Bible, or 'The Book.'"

"How do we know it is the word of God?"

"Because—because—" The little ones looked at each other, but could not answer the question.

"I will ask another question. How do we know, Walter, that the Shorter Catechism was written by the Westminster Assembly?"

"Because we have always heard so," replied the boy. "I suppose people who lived then told their children, and they told theirs, until it has come down to us."

"I once saw an old gentleman," remarked the mother, "who told me some interesting circumstances respecting that most remarkable body of men. His father had told him that his great-great-grandfather was a member of the Assembly; that he knew and had conversed with those who wrote the Catechism, and that he had related many interesting facts, which, with letters and other papers, were now preserved in an antiquarian library.

"In the same manner we know that the books of the Bible were written by the men whose names they bear, and can distinctly retrace them to their authors, both by history and tradition. Besides, God enabled them to perform many miracles, such as healing the sick, opening the eyes of the blind, raising the dead to life, to prove that they had received authority from him. Ha also enabled them to foretell many events which have since taken place, and thereby has set his seal to their commission.

"A poor negro was once asked, 'What reasons have you for believing the Bible to be the word of God?'

"'Me have no reasons, massa,' was the good man's artless reply. 'Me want no reasons. Me read the precious book, and me feel it in here,' putting his hand upon his heart. 'Me know God wrote it for poor creatures just like me.'

"The Bible carries its own arguments with it. Its writers often refer to this internal evidence of its truth. 'He that believeth shall know of the doctrine.' 'Be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God.'

"Multitudes have in this way learned the divine truth and power of the Holy Scriptures.

"Many years ago I read of a pious widow who lived in the northern part of England. She had one son. This boy, whose name was Charles, from being her pet and darling, became her scourge and her cross. He loved bad company, and at length declared his intention of going to sea. His mother, with many tears and sad forebodings, bade him farewell; but as she did so, she put into his hand a New Testament inscribed with her name and his own, solemnly and tenderly entreating that he would keep it and read it for her sake. Year after year elapsed, bearing to heaven the record of her prayers and tears, and still no tidings of her boy!

"At length her maternal anxiety could brook no longer delay. She set out alone for London, where she went about making inquiries concerning the vessel in which Charles had sailed. She one day mot a sea captain, who told her the ship had been wrecked long before, adding, 'They were a wicked crew, especially a cabin boy by the name of Charles—. He was so depraved and profligate, that it were a good thing if he and all like him were at the bottom of the sea.'

"Pierced to her inmost soul, this unhappy mother withdrew from the house, and hastened to her retired home. The language of her heart was, 'I shall go down to the grave mourning for my son.'

"Some years elapsed, when one night, a half-naked sailor knocked at her door to ask relief. He had seen great perils in the deep, had been several times wrecked, but, said he, 'I have never been so dreadfully destitute as I was some years back, when I and a fine young gentleman were the only ones saved of a whole ship's crew. We were cast upon a desert island, where, after seven days, I closed his eyes. Poor fellow! I never shall forget him;' And here the tears stole down his weather-beaten cheeks.

"'He read day and night,' continued the sailor, 'in a little book which he said his mother gave him, and which was the only thing he saved from the wreck. It was his companion every moment. He wept for his sins; he prayed; he kissed the volume; he talked of nothing but this book and his mother; and when he died, he gave it to me, with many thanks for my poor services.

"'There, Jack,' said he, 'take this book, and keep it and read it, and may God bless you; it's all I've got.'

"And then he clasped my hand, and died in peace."

"'Is this all true?' said the trembling, astonished mother, hope whispering to her heart that the dying youth was her own Charles.

"'Yes, madam, every word of it.' And then, dragging from his ragged jacket a little book, much tattered and time-worn, he held it up, exclaiming, 'And here's the very book too.'

"She seized it, descried her own handwriting, and beheld the name of her son coupled with her own upon the fly leaf. She gazed, she read, she wept, she rejoiced. She seemed to hear a voice saying, 'Thy son liveth;' and from her heart she was ready to exclaim, 'Now, Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.'

"'Will you part with that book, my honest fellow?' said she, anxious to possess the precious relic.

"'No, madam,' was the answer, 'not for any money—not for all the world. He gave it to me with his dying hand. I have more than once lost my all since I got it, without losing this treasure, the truths of which have, I hope, been blessed to my soul; and I will never part with it till I part with the breath out of my body.'

"The Bible," continued Mrs. Dermott, "has this transforming power, because holy men wrote it as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. God put into their hearts what they wrote, and he renders it effectual to our salvation. What other names do we sometimes give to the Bible?"

"The Scriptures, or Testaments," replied Walter, quickly.

"A testament is a will or writing, such as persons leave to tell what they wish to have done with their property after their death. How many Testaments are there in the Bible, Helen?"

"Two; the Old Testament and the New Testament."

"Do you see why these two portions of the Bible are called Testaments?"

"No, mamma."

"It is because in them God has revealed to us his will. In them he tells who shall be heirs to his vast possessions."

"I should think every body would want to read them, then," exclaimed Walter in an animated tone.

"Yes, my son. If a book were now to be published, telling how any one who wished might inherit a crown, and be heir to an immense estate, how eagerly would the volume be perused! And how exactly would the directions be followed. But here is a book which God has given as a rule or guide to lead us to heaven, where a crown of glory, which cannot fade, is awaiting us, and where we may be co-heirs with Christ to an eternal and immortal inheritance. Alas, that so many should neglect it!"

"A little boy was once sent by his mother to a small shop to buy a bar of soap. The shopwoman took it from the shelf, and having received the money from the child, took a thick book from the floor, and was just about to tear out some of the leaves, when the boy exclaimed, 'Is not that the Bible?'

"'Yes; but what of that?'

"'O, do not tear the Bible! It is so precious.'

"'Pshaw! It is only fit for wrapping paper.'

"'O, will you not give it to me?'

"'Yes, if you will give me its weight in waste paper.'

"Leaving his soap, the boy ran swiftly home, and rushing up to his mother, exclaimed, 'O mother, the shopwoman will give me a Bible, a whole Bible, if I can get as much waste paper as it will weigh.'

"With his mother's consent, he then searched the house; but the quantity he obtained was far too scanty for him to procure the prize. Determined, however, not to give up, he went round among the neighbors, told them his story, and soon obtained a supply. He then carried it to the shopwoman, and watched her with breathless interest as she placed the precious Bible in one scale and the old newspapers in the other, gave a bound of joy as he saw the former was more than balanced by the latter, and received the precious volume in his arms.

"'It is my own Bible. O, what a treasure!' he exclaimed, pressing it repeatedly to his breast.

"We can easily imagine with what delight the dear boy sat down to peruse the sacred pages; how joyfully he adopted it as the lamp to his feet and the light to his path, as his only rule of faith and practice."

[CHAPTER III.]

THE DIVINE RULE; OR, AOLA.

QUESTION III. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
ANSWER. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.

——————

MR. DERMOTT was the wife of a merchant residing in the suburbs of a large city. Her husband was frequently called from home for several months together; and she, in accordance with his wishes, had taken up the doctrines and duties of Christian faith, with the endeavor to render them both simple and attractive to her children. Thus far her efforts had been attended with unusual success, and the little ones looked forward with impatience for the evening when the lessons should be continued.

All being in their places, and the answer repeated with which this chapter commences, the lady inquired, "Did you notice, Walter, into how many parts the teachings of Scripture are divided in this answer?"

After a moment's hesitation, the boy replied, "Into two parts: what we are to believe, and what we are to do."

"Very well, my dear. In the first place, the Bible teaches us to believe; or it presupposes the existence of God, the Creator of all things. He made the world and all that is therein; the sun to rule the day, and the moon and stars to rule the night. The beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, even the little insects which swarm in the air, were all fashioned by his forming hand.

"But what is of more importance to us than all else, is the fact contained in Scripture, that God sent his only Son to provide a way of salvation for poor, guilty sinners.

"This is what we are to believe concerning God. The duties required of us are comprehensively and beautifully summed up in the ten commandments. These relate both to our duties toward God and our duties toward our follow-creatures.

"The Bible teaches little children to whom they are indebted for life and all that makes life pleasant, and it also teaches them to obey their parents, and how to treat each other."

"The Bible says, 'Little children, love one another,'" urged Helen, speaking quickly; "now, mother, will you tell us a story?"

Mrs. Dermott smilingly assented, and commenced. "Far, far away among the Rocky Mountains, many hundred miles beyond where the foot of the white man had ever trod, there once lived an Indian maiden, the daughter of a sachem. She married one of the young warriors of her tribe, and for many years followed him from one hunting field to another, her heart kept warm by her love for him and for her papooses. This is the Indian name for children, of which she had four.

"At length her husband grew sick, and, according to the custom of the poor, deluded tribe, Nola presented offerings to their idols in his behalf. But, notwithstanding her sacrifices and her prayers, the warrior grew rapidly worse, and soon died.

"Aola was now a widow, and had no one to draw the bow for her, except her eldest son. In a few months, he returned hurriedly from the chase to his mother's wigwam, and throwing himself upon his father's hunting robe, said, 'I am sick.'

"'This time,' said Aola, 'I will surely appease the wrath of our gods.'

"She deprived herself of many comforts to offer more costly sacrifices; but all in vain: her first-born soon breathed his last.

"Before twelve moons had waxed and waned, two more dear ones, precious remembrances of her past joys, had sickened, and in spite of her agonizing prayers to the idols, had passed forever from her sight.

"At length her sweet little Lola, who, in her repeated trials, had entwined herself closer and closer to her heart, grew wan and pale, like the others who had preceded it to the world of spirits. Aola, in her anguish, beat her breast. Suddenly she grew more calm, and, taking Lola in her arms, hastened to a huge pine tree near her wigwam. She seated herself on a little mound at the foot of the tree, and began to look into her own heart."

"I will pray to the God of my Lola."

"'Aola,' she asked herself, 'where is the God who gave you your papoose?'

"She gazed far into the deep, dark forest, then up toward the bright blue sky, and a voice whispered to her soul, 'I am God, who made the heavens and the earth. Plead your cause with me.'

"With streaming eyes Aola replied, 'I will no longer bow down to the gods who would not hear my prayers. I will pray to the God of my Lola.'

"She then laid her babe upon the soft grass at her feet, and prostrating herself upon her knees, with her lips touching the ground, her cries and her supplications ascended to the Most High. He heard her prayer; and when Aola returned to her wigwam, it was with a smile of hope upon her lip.

"Fourteen years later, when Mr. Kingsbury, one of the first missionaries to the Indians, reached her tribe, and began to talk about the white man's God, Aola, catching her child by the hand, led her to the good man, exclaiming, in her native language, 'White man's God my God, Lola's God too.' And then began to tell him that for fourteen years she had prayed to the good Being who had whispered to her heart, and who had saved the life of her child.

"A station was subsequently established at that place, and Aola was received into the Christian church. Lola was taught to read the Bible; and O, how eagerly did her mother drink in the precious words which revealed to her so fully the greatness and goodness of that gracious Being, whom, not knowing, she had loved!

"But her history is very unlike that of most of the heathen. It teaches us of what the power of conscience and the light of nature are capable, and confirms the words of the apostle:

"'The invisible things of God, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.'

"The multitude of them have 'changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.' They need the Bible to teach them what they ought to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of them."

[CHAPTER IV.]

THE CHARACTER OF GOD; OR, PRAYER IN THE ASSEMBLY.

QUESTION IV. What is God?
ANSWER. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.

——————

ISABELLE DERMOTT was a lovely child. She had just attained her seventh year. From her birth she had occasioned her parents groat solicitude on account of the peculiar delicacy of her constitution. Her mind was precocious; and until within a few months, she had been withheld from mental labor. Now, however, she had commenced attending school, and was advancing rapidly in her studies.

When the question for the day had been asked and answered, Mrs. Dermott began the lesson by the inquiry,—

"Anna, what is that within you which thinks and feels?"

"My soul."

"Yes, your soul, or spirit. Can we see it?"

"No, mamma," replied Helen, gravely.

"Do you remember that dreadful thunder shower last summer, when Isabelle was so much alarmed?"

"I do!" "And I!" "And I!" called out one and another.

"You know, Helen, I told you to look for the next flash of lightning. It came as I was speaking, and almost blinded you. The air was full of electricity, which causes the lightning; but you could not see it until it flashed. Just so it is with God, who is a Spirit. He is everywhere, and makes himself known by what he does. He is in the air we breathe, in the sunshine and in the storm, in the merry warbling of the birds, in the pleasant gurgling of the brooks, in the sighing of the forest, and in the blooming of the tiniest flower. It is God who swells the buds in the spring, clothes the trees with foliage, forms and ripens the pleasant fruit, causes the sun to shine, and the rain to fall.

"'He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man . . . The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.'

"Can you tell me, Walter, the meaning of the word infinite?"

"Yes, mamma; father explained it to me. God is infinite because he extends through all space, and without limit."

Mrs. Dermott rose, and drawing up the window curtain, called her young audience to view the beautiful stars which spangled the sky. Fixing their attention upon one brighter than the rest, she said, "Isabelle, does not that seem a great way off?"

"O, yes, mamma."

"Well, if you could approach it, and look out just as far beyond, you would only be looking upon the beginning of the infinite space filled by God.

"Eternal means the same with regard to time as infinite does with regard to space. When we have lived hundreds of thousands of years in the eternal world, we shall be not one minute nearer the end of our existence. God never began to live, and he never will cease to live.

"Helen, the other day you were complaining that the rules or regulations of your school were so often changed that you could not remember them. You can never complain thus of God, for he is unchangeable. The apostle James says,—

"'Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.'

"God says of himself,—

"'I am the Lord; I change not.'

"What a wonderful blessing is this attribute of God! With what certainty we can rely upon his promises! We can be sure that his designs of mercy toward the children of men will never, never fail.

"We learn by this answer that God is without bounds as to space, and as to time, never varying in himself, nor in the counsels of his mind.

"Can you tell me, Walter, the meaning of the word wisdom?"

"I suppose it means very skilful, and able to do a great many things."

"Yes, Solomon says,—

"'The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth.'

"God is infinite not only in wisdom, but also in power. He can not only devise wonderful things, but he can accomplish whatever he pleases. Luke, in his Gospel, says of the Jews,—

"'And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.'

"They had been witnessing the miracles he had wrought, and their hearts were filled with wonder and awe.

"Anna, can you think of any thing which we call holy?"

Anna hesitated a moment, and then replied, "The Sabbath is holy, because it is God's day."

"God is unchangeable in holiness.

"'Who is like thee, glorious in holiness?'

"He is also immutable in justice.

"'Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne.'

"He is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, also, in goodness and truth.

"'The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.'
"'Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.'"

"In 1643, the Westminster Assembly, of one hundred and fifty-one laymen and divines, met by order of Parliament. One committee of that body framed a Catechism which expresses the common faith of the reformed churches, and is adapted to general use. When they came to the question, 'What is God?' an awful solemnity fell upon them. Who could venture to express in words the momentous truth? All shrunk from the too sacred idea.

"At length it was resolved, as an expression of the committee's deep humility, that the youngest member should make the first attempt. He consented, but begged that the brethren would first unite with him in prayer for divine enlightenment. Then, in slow and solemn accents, he thus began his prayer:

"'O God! Thou art a spirit, infinite, eternal, unchangeable in thy being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth!'

"When he ceased, the first sentence of his prayer was immediately written down and adopted, as the most perfect answer that could be conceived; as, indeed, in a very sacred sense, God's own answer, descriptive of himself."

[CHAPTER V.]

THE UNITY OF GOD; OR, THE MISSION HOUSE.

QUESTION V. Are there more Gods than one?
ANSWER. There is but one only, the living and true God.

——————

BEFORE the evening on which the next lesson of the Catechism occurred, Mr. Dermott unexpectedly returned home. He was welcomed by the children with almost boisterous affection.

And after relating many incidents which had occurred during his absence, Helen exclaimed, "O papa, we do have such nice times at the catechising! I never liked the Catechism before, because I did not understand the meaning of the words. But now you may ask me any question that you like. I mean about those mother has explained to us."

"Indeed!" cried Mr. Dermott, with an arch smile. "I must obtain permission to join this wonderful class; for I confess there is much that I could learn about these sublime truths. What is the lesson for to-night?"

"We don't have to look out any of the references, as we did at the Sabbath school," exclaimed Walter, earnestly. "We only commit the answer to the question; and when it's Belle's turn, mother lets her read it from the book."

Helen, having easily obtained permission for her father to be present, gayly seated him between Isabelle and herself, and clasping his hands affectionately, informed her mother they were ready for her to commence.

Anna having repeated the answer to the question in course, Mrs. Dermott asked, "What are the gods of the heathen called?"

"O mamma!" cried Isabelle. "Ask father first; he is the oldest!"

The lady smilingly nodded assent, and Mr. Dermott replied, "I think it is the prophet Jeremiah who calls them idols and images."

"Of what, Walter, do the heathen make their idols?"

"Of wood and stone."

"That great one, we saw at the Mission House was made of gold," cried Helen, "and another was made of some old straw, stuck all over with elegant red feathers. Some of them were worn off, and I peeped inside. It was an ugly-looking thing."

"Here is an idol made of brass," added Mrs. Dermott, rising and taking from the mantel a small calf, about an inch in length. "Dreadful as it may seem, this little image has had a human sacrifice offered to it. This was afterward given up to the missionaries, who sent it to me. Probably this was made in imitation of the golden calf which the Israelites worshipped; the sight of which caused Moses such wrath that he threw down the tables of stone upon which the commandments were written, and broke them."

"Beside images of every imaginable shape and size," remarked the gentleman, "the poor deluded heathen worship many objects in nature, such as the sun and moon, very many kinds of animals—cows, dogs, crocodiles, and even mice. When I was in India, I saw the Hindoos engaged in offering sacrifices to the sun. Early in the morning, men, women, and children gathered together in an open field, carrying fruits, sweetmeats, pigeons, kids, &c. These were all set in a row, and a small pot of water placed by each person's offering, around the edge of which they wove a kind of wreath in imitation of the sun. They also had a small vessel of coals for incense, and a lamp, which was kept burning all day, by each sacrifice. At sunrise they walked four times around the whole row of offerings, with the smoking censers on their heads; after this they returned to their former station, where, I was informed, they stood erect all day, occasionally throwing a little incense into the fire, but without tasting food. About sunset, when I was told their ceremonies would be concluded, I returned. They again took their censers, and walked three times around the field. The pigeons were thrown into the air, and scrambled after for food, when each one threw his lamp away, and hastened home. This was merely a senseless and foolish idolatry. The next day one of the missionaries invited me to the hook swinging, in which the deluded Hindoos had iron hooks fastened into the flesh of their backs, and swung through the air, to appease the wrath of their gods. I had no heart to witness so cruel an exhibition. But no matter where I went, in every part of India there were idols of wood, stone, and clay; some ornamented with silver and gold, others in forms the most hideous and repulsive."

"How can they be so silly as to worship idols?" inquired the impulsive Helen. "I stuck a pin through that old feather god, and it could feel nothing; it only kept grinning with its two rows of ugly teeth; and I might have screamed in its ears all day, it could never have heard me."

The children smiled, but Mrs. Dermott said, gravely, "In contrast with these senseless images, which have eyes, ears, and hands, but can neither see, hear, nor dispense favors, how great and glorious appears the one living and true God, whose throne is in the heavens, but who is so condescending that he stoops to listen to the earnest prayer of the humblest child!"

"Walter," inquired Mr. Dermott, "is there no duty we owe these poor heathen?"

"Yes, sir; we ought to send Bibles and missionaries to teach them about our God; and then they would throw away their idols, as the Sandwich Islanders did."

"Yes, my child; and we ought to pray for them, that their hearts may be enlightened to see the folly of their worship."

"I pray for the heathen every night," faltered Isabelle, with tearful eyes, "and I mean to save all my pennies to send them Bibles."

"A missionary," said Mr. Dermott, "once gave an account of a poor man who came into his house. 'When he had sat down, he took up a book of missions which lay upon the table, in which were plates of heathen idols, hideous and ugly in their appearance.'

"'What game is this?' he asked my daughter.

"'They are not game,' replied the little girl; 'there are nations who worship those things.'

"'O,' said he, 'how you tell fibs!'

"'No, I am not telling fibs. My mamma said so, and she does not tell fibs.'

"'Well,' he said again, 'tell me what games they are.'

"'They are things that people worship, just as we worship Jehovah and Jesus. If you do not believe it, go and ask papa.'

"He then came to me, and said, 'Look at that!' And repeated what Mary had told him. 'Is it true?' he asked.

"'It is,' was the reply.

"Having gazed at me for a moment, in astonishment, he said, 'I know you do not lie; but how can it be?'

"And laying the book down upon a piece of timber I was planing, he looked at it, putting his hands to both sides of his head, and waving it backward and forward.

"Presently he asked, 'Have those people that make these things of wood and stone, heads like me?'

"'Yes.'

"'Have they got legs?'

"'Yes.'

"'Can they talk and think? Can they explain a difficult thing? Can they speak in a public meeting, like our senators?'

"'Yes.'

"'Then never say that our people are foolish or ignorant.'

"Taking from his neck a whistle, made of ivory, and carved with some device, perhaps a man's face, he nodded his head to it in a most solemn manner, and said, 'If my people should see me worshipping my whistle, which looks much better than those monsters, they would think I was mad. They would throw me over a precipice, and cover me with stones.'"

[CHAPTER VI.]

THE GODHEAD; OR, THE SILENCED INFIDEL.

QUESTION VI. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
ANSWER. There are three persons in the Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

——————

"I DON'T believe this lesson will be as interesting as the last," whispered Helen to her cousin Anna, as they sat together an hour or two before the exercise commenced.

"I'm sure I can never understand about the Godhead. I hope mother will tell us a good, long story."

"O, I dare say we shall understand it," replied Anna, promptly. "Aunty makes it so clear and plain; and then uncle will be here too. What a dreadful thing it is to worship idols, as he saw the poor heathen in India!"

"Children, are you ready for the lesson," called out Mr. Dermott, taking a seat near the fire.

The mother smiled as she saw how eagerly her young audience arranged themselves in order, and, having listened to a correct answer of the question in course, asked, "Anna, what name do we commonly give to the Son of God?"

"Jesus Christ."

"Can you think of no other?"

"Yes, ma'am; Saviour and Redeemer."

"And what name do we generally apply to the Holy Ghost?"

"The Spirit—the Holy Spirit," responded Walter.

"That is right; and the Bible teaches us that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, are three persons, not separate, but united in one God, and that they are equal in substance or nature, in power and glory. What is the union of these three persons called?"

The children not being able to reply, Mr. Dermott answered, "The Godhead."

"We cannot understand how these three distinct persons can be one God," continued the lady; "but neither can we understand a thousandth part of what we see every day, and believe to be true. For instance, we do not know, when an acorn is put into the ground, how a little sapling springs up, which, in due time, becomes a tall, giant oak; nor why, on the same stalk, a green leaf and a red rose should grow; neither can we fully understand the framework of our bodies, the curious mechanism of the arteries, and veins, and nerves; nor the structure of our minds; how we can think, and weep, and rejoice; how we can call to mind events long passed. Still less can we understand the silken cord which unites the body and soul. But we do not hesitate to believe that these things are so.

"Now, in the word of God we are expressly taught that 'the Lord our God is one God;' and we are also taught that Jesus Christ is God.

"'Unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.'

"Then, in the sad story of Ananias and Sapphira, Peter said to the former,—

"'Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost. Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.'

"The Bible abounds in passages teaching this doctrine, such as these: Christ says,—

"'I and my Father are one.'

"Paul writes to the Philippians,—

"'Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus; who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.'
"'God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name, that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.'"

"And it is equally explicit with reference to the Holy Ghost," added Mr. Dermott. "John says,—

"'There are three that bear record in heaven,—the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost,—and these three are one.'

"He is called 'the Comforter, who will teach all things,' knowing 'the mind of God,' preserving and governing the world."

After a moment's pause, the gentleman added, "I remember to have heard an account of an infidel which well illustrates the point your mother has explained, that though we cannot understand, we must believe spiritual and experimental truths. This infidel was sitting with many others in a public room belonging to a hotel. At length he began to talk upon the absurdities of the Christian religion, quoting these expressions—,'I and my Father are one;' 'I in them and thou in me;' and 'three persons,' 'in one God.' Finding his auditors were not disposed to applaud his blasphemy, he turned to one gentleman and said, with an oath, 'Do you believe such nonsense?'

"'Tell me,' asked the gentleman, in reply, 'how that candle burns.'

"'Why,' answered he, 'the tallow, the cotton, and the atmospheric air produce the light.'

"'Then they make one light, do they not?'

"'Yes.'

"'Will you tell me how they are one in the other, how the three unite and form but one light?'

"'No, I cannot.'

"'But you believe it?'

"He could not say he did not.