Madeline Leslie

“ For there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.'
"God's providence extends, also, to the angels, to the birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, the beasts of the field, and oven the little insects; over the clouds, winds, and storms; over the waves of the sea; and over the sun, moon, and stars. To each he extends his powerful protection, and has only to speak to have them perform his holy will.
"Our dear Helen acknowledged, to-night, her indebtedness to her parents for their watchful care of her. ”

“ God is a being of wondrous power, and he knew exactly who would love this dear Saviour whom he had sent into the world. He knew from all eternity that there would be this catechising this evening, and what would be the thoughts of each one of our hearts. Yes, he made a plan of it all, though it seems as insignificant as the planning where a little screw should go in one of our door handles; and he determined, or ordained, beforehand,—or foreordained, as the Catechism has it,—that whatsoever should come to pass should be for his own glory. ”

“ 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. ”

“ After a moment's pause, the gentleman continued: "We are the rebels against God, the king. Jesus Christ is our prince, who has offered his life a sacrifice for our sins, that we may obtain pardon and peace. Those of us who receive him as our Saviour are his elect, whom he carries in the life-boat of salvation to the kingdom of his Father in heaven."
Dear children, who have all of you violated God's holy law, and are living afar off, having incurred his displeasure, will you not confess and forsake your sins, joyfully embracing his Son as your Prince, your Saviour, and Redeemer? ”

“ Won't you please to try me in some way, and see if I don't exactly obey your orders.' Then he'd have seen one boy that could walk right up to the mark." Walter drew up his form, and stood resolute and determined.
His father gazed at him with a sad smile; and Anna wondered to see her aunt wipe a tear from her eye.
"What did Edward say?" asked Helen.
"He said nothing. He had no voice in which to utter his thanks; the proposition was beyond what he could realize, from his utter, forlorn, and hopeless wretchedness, to free, full, and entire bliss. Indeed he was lost in wonder, love, and praise. ”

“ Anna repeated the answer in course, and then Mrs. Dermott asked, "Who were our first parents, my dear?"
"Adam and Eve."
Mr. Dermott having taken his seat, said, "Walter, what is it to be left to the freedom of one's will?"
"I always thought," replied the boy, "that it meant you might do a thing or not, just as you chose."
"A very good definition, my boy! When God had placed Adam and Eve in their beautiful home, he said,—
"'Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat. ”

“ A merry party that was, consisting of father, mother, and four happy children; and a delightful afternoon they passed, filling their lungs with the clear, bracing air, as they lightly skimmed over the pond, making the woods, which lined the banks, ring with their cheerful tones and merry laughter.
"I don't believe any body in the world is as happy as I am," exclaimed the enthusiastic Helen, as she sat by the fire after tea, waiting for her parents to be ready for the catechising. ”

“ There was a time when all these did not exist, and another time when they began to be God's children. Jesus Christ, as the son of man, began to exist almost two thousand years ago. But Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, never began to exist. Unto his Son God said,—
"'Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever. A sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.'
"'And let all the angels of God worship him.'
"These two natures, that of the Son of God, and that of the son of man," added Mr. Dermott, "he unites in the office of the only Redeemer of God's elect. These will continue forever." ”

“ 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. ”

“ There would have been no need of the spilling of a Saviour's blood, for man would have been at peace with his Maker. No; the world would present one glorious scene of holiness, and happiness, a heaven upon earth, the delight of angels and of God himself. The joy of one would make more complete the bliss of all. The beasts of the field, instead of preying upon each other, would find their appropriate food growing spontaneously upon the earth. ”

“ Was this covenant, Walter, made for themselves alone?"
"It was made for all mankind."
"Where do we learn this?"
Mrs. Dermott turned to Paul's Epistle to the Romans, and read,—
"'For as by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.'
"Is it common for God to join children with their parents in his covenants?" ”

“ Walter held down his head as he softly answered, "No, sir."
"No, many poor guilty sinners would do so if they could earn the right to this happy home. Some do, indeed, think they earn it by outwardly conforming to his requirements, while their hearts are alienated from him; others by loudly professing to be his friends, and to be very zealous in his cause; while still others are so deluded that they lie upon beds of thorns, or scourge themselves with small cords, or go on painful pilgrimages, wearing small stones in their shoes. ”

“ God decreed, or planned, or determined, that when Adam was formed, he should be a holy being; but as he wished to try him, and see whether he would obey God's holy laws, he decreed that Satan should tempt him to eat the forbidden fruit; and, as he knew that neither Adam nor Eve would resist the temptation, but would fall from holiness to sin, he formed a wonderful plan of redemption through his own Son, who should suffer for the guilty race, that those who accepted him as their ransom, might be saved, and, at length restored to holiness and happiness. ”

“ Paul, in his Epistle to the Corinthians, says,—
"'For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? what communion hath light with darkness?'
"We have seen, too, how Adam and all mankind are under God's wrath and curse, and so are made liable to all the miseries of this life—to profaneness, idolatry, and other sins. Even the tilling of the ground, which before the fall was a recreation and delight, now became laborious and painful.
"Mankind are liable also to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever. ”

“ How important, then, that when we view the hills and vales, the moon and stars shining in their splendor, the trees and flowers, the birds and beasts, and every other work of creation, we should remember God, the Maker and Giver of all these blessings, and that our hearts should flow out toward him in gratitude and praise! ”

“ 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?" ”

“ Helen caught her mother's hand, and pressed it enthusiastically to her lips.
"Then I went to her father's house," added the gentleman, "and we stood up together and were married, and that was called a wedding. We promised to love and cherish each other as long as we lived. The Bible has rules for persons who live together as we intended to, and we promised to try to live according to them. Now, Walter, can you tell me what relation Adam was to Eve?" ”

“ 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. ”

“ We teach you, provide you healthful amusements, give you books to read, and do all in our power to fulfil aright our duty as parents.
"But what is all we do compared with the loving care of Him who giveth us life, and breath, and all things? This constant, tender, overruling care of our heavenly Father, is called his providence, and extends to the very meanest of his creatures. ”

“ How thankful, then, ought she, and all of us, to be to that Merciful Being whose tender love watches us with more than any earthly father's solicitude, who numbers even the hairs of our heads, and whose power is able to protect us from all harm! ”

“ Dear children, though I hope you have never been guilty of any outward transgression, such as this poor youth committed, yet have you not often, yea, every hour of your lives, been guilty of sins of omission, such as the neglect of prayer, and of choosing Christ to be your Saviour; cherishing a carnal mind, which is enmity against God, not subject to his law, neither indeed can be; and, also, want of conformity to his laws, such as a disinclination to obey him and all his requirements? ”

“ Helen's face was crimson, and she quickly replied, "I didn't begin the quarrel, mother."
"Well, you called me names," replied Walter, looking very much ashamed.
"Stop at once!" exclaimed Mr. Dermott. "Or we will discontinue the lesson."
"Do you understand, Anna," inquired Mrs. Dermott, "what is meant by the fall?"
"No, aunt, not exactly."
"You know Adam and Eve were created in the image of their Maker, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness. By their disobedience they were cast down from their high estate; and this is called the fall. ”

“ Then God entered into a covenant, here called a covenant of life,—perhaps you would call it an agreement,—with the newly married pair, that if they would render perfect obedience to his one command, and not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they might enjoy all the pleasures of the beautiful garden, and a whole eternity of joy and bliss. ”

“ How much better would it have been for them to cast themselves down at the feet of their Maker, and confess their guilt! How unkind for Adam not to try to shield his wife! But such were the early fruits of sin. ”

“ 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?" ”

“ Helen was more nearly like himself—active, enthusiastic, and energetic. Belle was quiet, and though affectionate, yet not demonstrative. She rarely lost her temper, and gained many friends by her readiness to oblige all who were in need of her services. She was very fond of hearing stories, especially those contained in the Bible; and Walter could at any time attach her to himself by the promise of story.
Since the lessons in the Catechism had commenced, he had often been called upon to repeat the stories which had illustrated them. ”

“ 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 ”