Child. No; they were made by somebody.

Mother. But from whence come the trees you see in the gardens, or in the forest? from whence the various kinds of fruit, vegetables, and herbs, and the corn of the field?

Child. They grow out of the earth.

Mother. But is then this earth itself a living creature?

Child. No; I cannot believe it.

Mother. Well then, the earth has no life: it does not feel or perceive any thing which may occur in or upon it; have been made by some

think so?

Child. Yes.

one.

therefore it must Don't you

Mother. You are right. Now then, my dear child, we call Him who has made the earth, and the sun, and all the heavenly bodies which you see shine by night and adorn the vast expanse of heaven, Him we call God, our Creator, and the Preserver of all. You have lived as yet but a few years on this earth, but have you not enjoyed many good things during that time?

Child. Oh! yes.
Mother. And what?

Child. I have enjoyed good food, warm clothing, comfortable sleep, nice fruit, and sweet flowers.

Mother. But from whom have you received all these?

Child. From God, who created the earth and every thing on it.

Mother. Do you not love your Papa and Mamma, or those who do you good, and from whom you receive benefit ?

Child. Yes, I love them with all my heart.

Mother. O my child, if you love your parents, and those who do you good, how much more ought you to love God, who gives you, in abundance, of all good things; who preserves your parents, and enables them to supply you with whatever you want; who restores you to health when you are sick; who provides you with food and raiment; who gives you enjoyments and pleasures during the day, and sweet, tranquil sleep during the night; who guards you from a thousand dangers that surround and threaten you when you are least aware of them. O come then, let us worship this kind and good God, and, with a grateful heart, thank him for his innumerable blessings!

We thank thee, kind Father of all, for the manifold blessings Thou hast bestowed upon us; for food and raiment; for the many happy days we have hitherto enjoyed. We acknowledge, with a sorrowful heart, that we are unworthy of thy never-ceasing love and kindness towards us; but we will endeavour, henceforth, to act according to Thy will, and to do what is pleasing in Thy sight. Assist us, good God, in fulfilling these our sincere desires and promises; and help us, that we may become each day wiser and better, and thus prepare us for the joys of heaven, which Thou hast promised to all Thy good and obedient children. Amen!

Acts of the Apostles, xiv. 17. God has not left himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

CONVERSATION II.

Mother. My dear child, did you ever observe or take notice of the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars?

Child. Yes.

Mother. But do you know what these things are? All those innumerable bodies, which we see by night, when the sky is clear and serene, are bodies as large, and most of them many thousand times larger, than our earth, and are, like our earth, lifeless or inanimate. All these have been likewise created by God, of whom we spoke, and to whom we prayed yesterday. But how and in what manner did he create them? He desired, he willed that they should be, and behold! they

were.

Child. But was there nothing before heaven and earth were created?

Mother. No, nothing but God. Should you not like to know in what manner heaven and earth were created? Do you perceive the small dust on the ground, and do you know what air, water, and fire are?

Child. Oh, yes!

Mother. When God intended to create this world, or the universe, he first created or produced those things which we call earth, air, water, and fire; and these were all mixed together, or they formed what is called a chaos. He then ordained, on the first day, that the fire and the light should separate from this

We thank thee, kind Father of all, for the manifold blessings Thou hast bestowed upon us; for food and raiment; for the many happy days we have hitherto enjoyed. We acknowledge, with a sorrowful heart, that we are unworthy of thy never-ceasing love and kindness towards us; but we will endeavour, henceforth, to act according to Thy will, and to do what is pleasing in Thy sight. Assist us, good God, in fulfilling these our sincere desires and promises; and help us, that we may become each day wiser and better, and thus prepare us for the joys of heaven, which Thou hast promised to all Thy good and obedient children. Amen!

Acts of the Apostles, xiv. 17. God has not left himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

CONVERSATION II.

Mother. My dear child, did you ever observe or take notice of the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars?

Child. Yes.