Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed.
_GOD AND MANKIND._
VOLUME I.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.