CHAPTER I.

MAN'S CHIEF END; OR, LITTLE LOTTY.

QUESTION I. _What is the chief end of man?_

ANSWER. Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.

——————

IT was truly a pleasant scene; the cheerful fire burned brightly in the grate, as the little group gathered around their mother, their eyes sparkling with the eager anticipation of pleasure. The hour so much longed for had arrived; and Mrs. Dermott, taking in her hand a nicely-bound volume of the Catechism, proceeded, in fulfilment of her promise, to explain and illustrate it to her youthful audience.

Addressing her eldest son, a bright, active boy of twelve summers, she asked, "Walter, what is the chief end of man?"

In a low but distinct voice, he replied, "Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever."

"What is the meaning of chief end?"

"Principal object or business."

"Yes; Isabelle is just beginning to attend school. Can you tell me, Helen, what her chief end is while there?"

"To learn to read and spell."

"I learn geography, too," lisped the little one, "and can tell which is my right hand, and which is my left hand."

Mrs. Dermott and the children smiled, while she continued: "If Isabelle should go to school some day, and spend all her time in whispering or drawing pictures on her slate, what would be her chief end?"

"To play."

"Yes. She would be like a great many men, women, and children, whom God has sent into the world to glorify him, but who pass their whole lives in seeking their own pleasure. Would that be right?"

"No, mamma. It would be very wicked."

"The great object, business, or end, then, for which mankind were sent into the world, is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. How can little children glorify God?"

"If they love him and keep his commands," replied Anna, seriously.

"How can little children show that they love God, and that their chief end is to glorify him?"

Anna blushed, and glanced at Walter, who replied for her. "If they are serious and devout in church and Sabbath school. If they listen attentively to what their teachers say about God, and are not thinking about their plays, toys, or fine clothes, but are trying to learn how to please him, I think that would be glorifying God."

"Yes, my dear boy," replied Mrs. Dermott, gazing with moistened eyes upon the flushed, eager countenance of her first-born. "God would see in that child's heart a desire to attain the chief aim of his existence, and He would send his Holy Spirit to aid, comfort, and guide him, and at last would take him to the full enjoyment of himself in heaven."

"Between two and three thousand years ago," added Mrs. Dermott, "there lived in Greece a great many wise men, called philosophers. These were divided into numerous sects, as Christian people now are into different denominations. The search of all these was for the highest good, or 'the chief end' of man. One sect claimed it was to be found in ease; another in pleasure; and still another in fame and renown. Some claimed the greatest good consisted in luxurious meats and drinks; some placed it in one thing, some in another. Their wisdom was but folly. None of them attained the true idea which God in the Bible has revealed to little children, and which this answer of the Catechism so beautifully and summarily expresses. But an incident will explain my meaning.

"There once lived a sweet little girl who was noticed by her mother to go to her chamber many times in a day; and, curious to know what led her there, the lady softly followed. As she approached the door, she heard the voice of her child talking, as she supposed, with some one within; but listening more attentively, she perceived that Lotty was asking her heavenly Father to bless her.

"With a grateful, rejoicing heart, the mother returned to the parlor, where Lotty soon followed, and, taking up her doll, resumed her play. She dressed and undressed the baby, tried on a little bonnet and sack given her by her aunt, all the while closely watched by her mother, who soon saw her place Dolly safely in the tiny bed, and, having tucked her in, retire to her chamber again. Surprised and delighted, Mrs. Kidder only waited for her child to return to her play, before she questioned her as to the cause of her frequent absence.

"'Come here, Lotty,' she said, affectionately, as the little girl made her appearance.

"'May Dolly come too, mamma?'

"'Yes, dear.'

"'Why do you leave your play so often?'

"'O mamma, I love God so!' was the touching reply, as, with her sweet face flushed with holy joy, she turned to gaze into her mother's countenance. 'Every time I go into my room, it seems just as if God was glad; and he makes my heart so warm. I think he loves to have me pray to him.'

"For two years more Lotty was spared to her father and mother, and all the time the love of God was growing in her heart. It was the whole business of her life to love, honor, and glorify him. By and by her heavenly Father called her to his mansion above the skies, where she will enjoy his love and presence forever and ever.

"When the physician, who had been hastily summoned, told her weeping mother that a few hours would terminate her life, Lotty, though suffering acutely, pressed her little hands together, exclaiming, 'O, I long to be there. I shall see my dear Saviour, and live with him forever. Don't cry, mamma,' she pleaded, as her mother's tears flowed afresh. 'Jesus has forgiven all my sins, and he will take care of me. I will ask him to send for you and papa; and then we'll sing praises to him forever and ever.'"

This little girl glorified and enjoyed God.