ELECTION AND REDEMPTION; OR, THE NEW HOME. QUESTION XX. _Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?_ ANSWER. God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into a state of salvation by a Redeemer. —————— THIS year the old adage was verified. March had come in like a lion, and it went out like a lamb. The air was warm and soft, and the children could hardly believe that there would still be cold weather, which would injure their seeds if they put them into the earth. In the middle of the day, the ground for their little gardens was so soft that Walter, who went out to make a survey, as he called it, was glad to hobble into the house, leaving one shoe sticking fast in the mud. This satisfied him that he had better follow his father's advice, and wait until the frost was out of the ground, and the water had had time to drain off or dry up. He changed his stockings, therefore, and began to think what he should do until tea time, when, seeing the Catechism lying upon the table, he looked at the answer, and committed it to memory for the evening. "You all seem to like to hear about Edward," remarked Mr. Dermott, when they were ready for the lesson; "and perhaps it would be well for me to illustrate the meaning of this answer by a continuation of my parable." Helen clapped her hands, while the countenances of the others expressed their pleasure. "We will suppose, then," added the gentleman, "that Edward's rich uncle returned to India soon after his nephew's accident, and that he had only occasionally heard rumors of the sad consequences of his disobedience. "There he married, and had one son, Joshua, to whom he often related the sad story of Edward, and whose love, sympathy, and pity were greatly moved toward his relative. When he attained his majority, his father settled upon him a large portion of his vast estate. About this time, however, both father and son returned to the land of their ancestors, and, bringing with them their vast treasures, they built a splendid palace,—which they adorned with all that art or money could obtain,—and then, when Edward was reduced to the last extremity of poverty and wretchedness, his cousin went to visit him. "'My dear friend,' he said, gazing with tender compassion upon the sunken eyes and hollow cheeks of the once bright and rosy youth, 'my heart aches to find you reduced to such a state of misery. For a long time I have had a purpose of mercy toward you; indeed, I have satisfied for your offence, propitiated my father's favor, prepared a home where every comfort and happiness shall be yours. Leave this wretched abode; come and share with me; I will provide for you forever.'"