"Now, I can only give a very imperfect outline. 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. "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." "It seems the most blessed thing for us that God did make such a plan," remarked Mrs. Dermott, as her husband ceased speaking. "Yes, indeed, we can see the sad effects of the want of plan in Mr. Longworth's house; but we cannot conceive the awful results which would have followed had God been changeable; one day governing the world in one way, and the next in another way; and we must bless him to all eternity." "What does God call this plan?" asked Mrs. Dermott. "I think in the Bible it is nowhere called a decree." "No, that word is not used. In Proverbs it is called God's counsel. "'The counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.' "In Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians, he calls the plan of God his purpose. "'According to the eternal purpose, which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.' "In Romans it is called foreknowledge and predestination. "'For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.'" CHAPTER VIII. EXECUTION OF GOD'S PURPOSE; OR, THE POOR MINISTER. QUESTION VIII. _How doth God execute his decrees?_ ANSWER. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence. —————— AFTER being absent three days, Mr. Dermott wrote his wife that he hoped to be with them before the close of the week, and if they chose to put off the catechising until Saturday night, he should be most happy to go through the exercise with them. When the lady read the letter to the children, they unanimously requested that the lesson be postponed until their father returned.