"Nearly a hundred years ago, there was an eminent clergyman by the name of Thoroughgood. He was an exceedingly pious, amiable man; but during a persecution, he was imprisoned and cruelly treated. After his release, he suffered from poverty. One day he and his family were reduced to their last scanty mouthful of food. The children were hanging about their mother crying for bread, which she was unable to give them. With streaming eyes she turned to her husband and asked, 'What shall I do for my poor children?' "The good man had been greatly moved by the scene. His chin quivered; but gazing at his beloved one, he inquired, in a touching voice, 'Can you not trust in God?' "Soon after he persuaded his wife to take a walk. A robin was perched upon a bough singing a merry song. He stopped and gazed at it, saying, 'Let us learn a lesson from this bird, who sings his praises to God and trusts him, though he knows not where he shall get his next meal. Let us, my dear wife, trust to the providence of God, who counts us of more value than many sparrows.' "As they drew near the house on their return, they heard sounds of joy, where so lately there had been only cries of distress; and upon entering, a happy sight awaited them. In the centre of the room, a table was loaded with provisions sufficient to last for many days, while Martha, the faithful serving woman, tearfully pointed to the corner of the room, where stood sack of corn and a bag of flour. The children could scarcely restrain their joy, as their father gratefully raised his hands and eyes to heaven, saying, in a trembling voice, 'They who trust in the Lord shall not want any good thing.' "Thus you see, dear children, it is safe to trust in the providence of God." CHAPTER IX. THE CREATION OF THE WORLD; OR, THE PATENT OFFICE. QUESTION IX. _What is the work of creation?_ ANSWER. The work of creation is God's making all things out of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good. —————— EARLY in the week following the return of Mr. Dermott, Mrs. Lang, a sister of Mrs. Dermott, arrived at their residence to make a short visit. She was accompanied by her twin daughters, who were near Walter's age. Thursday was the evening appointed for the catechisings, and during Mrs. Lang's visit, she so often heard the children refer to these occasions, as possessing great interest, that she was induced to accept her sister's urgent invitation, and remain to witness, what now seemed to her so incomprehensible, how children could be made to understand the doctrines of the Catechism. Helen joyfully clapped her hands as Louise and Lucia made known their mother's decision, and exclaimed, "O, I'm so glad! You'll hear such a nice story; and then you'll always understand the answer when you've heard father and mother explain it!"