Mother. things are?

But do you know what these
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

chaos, or mingled mass, in order that there might be light. On the second day he sepa

rated the waters which were above in the clouds, or above the firmament, from those which were below and surrounded the earth; and thus arose the air in which we live, and which we breathe. But as yet the earth was entirely surrounded by water. Therefore, on the third day, God ordained that the waters should collect in great and deep reservoirs, which are called seas, lakes, and rivers, so that the earth became dry land; and on this dry land he caused grass, herbs, and trees to grow. On the fourth day he created a large shining body; namely, the sun: after this, the moon and many thousands of stars. On the fifth day God created fishes to live in the water, and birds to live in the air. On the sixth day God created all the other animals and living creatures, cattle, and creeping things; and last of all he created Adam the first man, and Eve the first woman. Thus the world was created in six days.

Child.

But who assisted God in making all

these things?

Mother. Nobody: he alone created all

things.

Child. And with what did he create them? Mother. By the power of his word. He commands, he bids that a thing shall be, and behold it is. If God this moment wished to form a man from a piece of earth, it would be done immediately solely by his will and his command has every thing been created.

Child. Oh! this is surprising.

Mother. Yes, my dear child, you may well say so it is really surprising and beyond our conception. Let us therefore altogether praise, and often pray to him and worship him.

Marvellous are Thy works, Almighty Creator of all things! Heaven and earth came forth and arose by Thy mighty word and command. Whatever Thou wilt, is done in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye! Oh! how can I worthily magnify Thee, great and Almighty Being; how can my heart sufficiently praise Thee! I beseech Thee, O God, enlighten and clear up my understanding, that I may rightly know Thee, and devoutly proclaim Thy praise! Amen.

Psalm xix. 1. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handy work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

Hebrews, xi. 3. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

CONVERSATION III.

Mother. If a man were able to build in a few days, without assistance, a large house, would you not think him a very strong and powerful man?

Child. Yes, indeed, he would be very strong.

Mother. What then do you think of the power of God, who in the space of six days created heaven and earth, with every creature thereon ?

Child. His power must be very great.

Mother. If a man could lift with his hand the church, or a high mountain, and hold it up, would he not be thought exceedingly strong?

Child. Surely no man is able to do that.

Mother. Well then, my dear child, the earth is many thousand times larger than the largest mountain, nay, many thousand times larger than all the land within the reach of your eyes, and yet it is supported by the Almighty power of

God, so that it cannot fall. The sun, which appears to you so small, is ten hundred thousand, or a million times larger than the earth. Some of the stars, which seemingly are not bigger than a glimmering light, are nearly as large, and most of them far larger than our earth. And all these have been created by God, and suspended in the vast expanse of heaven. He holds and sustains them, that they do not fall nor decay. What immense power must he possess who can perform such things! Should such an allpowerful Being not be able to do any thing that exceeds all human strength and comprehension? Child. No doubt but he can do and perform every thing.

Mother. Ought we not, therefore, to depend upon and confide in the assistance of such an all-powerful God?

Child. Yes, surely.

Mother. Ought we not, on the other hand, to be afraid of giving offence to such an almighty Being? Could he not employ his power against us?

Child. Yes, certainly; and from henceforth I will be careful not to affend God, and willingly try to do whatever pleases him.

Mother. May the all-powerful God strengthen