CHAPTER X.
THE CREATION OF MAN; OR, THE WAX DOLL.
QUESTION X. _How did God create man?_
ANSWER. God created man, male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over his creatures.
——————
IT so happened that Helen's birthday, which was on the twelfth of February, occurred on Thursday following her aunt's visit. When she came down to breakfast in the morning, a high chair, which had in turn been used by all the children, was drawn up to the table, and in it was seated a beautiful wax doll. It had long, flaxen ringlets, and blue eyes, which could be made to open and shut, beautiful red cheeks, a white neck and arms, and taper fingers. It was dressed in a sky-blue merino, with a dainty silk apron, with tiny pockets, while its feet were covered with pink silk stockings and gaiter boots. This was papa's birthday present to his little daughter; and what a shout of joy rung through the house, as he took it from the high chair, and placed it in her arms! There was little breakfast eaten that morning by either of the children, for Helen's excitement communicated itself to the others, and the time was consumed in asking and answering questions.
Helen understood now why it was her mother had so often, within a few days, requested her to play in another room. She was making the dresses for Dolly, and wished to give her little girl a pleasant surprise.
"O, what a good time we will have!" cried the happy miss, as they rose from the table. "You shall play with it half the time, Anna, and I'll take yours. Perhaps mamma will let us take your birthday present of cups and saucers, and play 'come and see.'"
Her little cousin's cheeks were as rosy, and her smile as bright, as if the doll had been presented to her.
After Helen had given her father and mother another kiss, and thanked them for making her so happy, Anna followed her to their chamber, where, with the little Isabelle, they passed an hour in the happy sports of childhood.
In the evening, when they were drawn up in a circle around the fire, Dolly had her seat between the cousins, Isabelle having pulled an ottoman to her mother's side, where she could see if the beautiful stranger conducted herself with steadiness and decorum.
"Isabelle," said her father, "what was the name of the first man?"
"Adam."
"What was the name of his wife, Anna?"
"Eve."
"Who was created first?"
"Adam," replied Helen.
"Out of what did God create him?"
"Out of dust," answered Walter.
"In whose image was Adam created, my son?"
"God created man in his own image."
"Over what was he to have dominion?"
"Over all other creatures."
"On what day were they created?"
"The sixth."
"Can you tell me the meaning of the word Adam?"
"No, sir."
"It signifies red earth. All along on the banks of the river, where the garden of Eden is supposed to have been, the earth is red; and being created from that, he was called Adam, or the red man. It is said,—
"'The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden.'
"I suppose it is hardly possible for us to conceive the luxuriant beauty of the place.
"It was the sixth day of God's work of creation. The beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, fresh from his forming hand, had appeared before their Maker, who pronounced them 'very good.' And God said,—
"'Let us make man in our image,'—
"And behold 'earth into flesh transformed, and clay to man.'
"'Adam, arise, since I to thee impart A spirit warm from my benignant breath Arise, arise, first man, And joyous let the world Embrace its living miniature in thee!'"
* * * * * *
"'Man, be thou lord of all that now the sun Warms, or the ocean laves; impose a name On every thing that flies, or runs, or swims.'" *
* Gio. Battista Andreini, Italian poet, from whom Milton drew for his "Paradise Lost."
"'God brought every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air, unto Adam, to see what he would call them; and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.' 'But for Adam, there was not found a helpmeet for him.'
"And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and from one of his ribs made fair woman's lovely form. And Adam awoke from his sleep, and beheld that 'marvel most sublime.' We can imagine with what rapture of delight he pressed this new and cherished being to his breast, exclaiming,—
"'O Eve, Sole partner and sole part of all these joys, Dearer thyself than all. Under a tuft of shade, that on a green Stood whispering soft, by a fresh fountain's side, They sat them down; and to their supper fruits they fell. Nectarine fruits, which the compliant boughs Yielded them, sidelong as they sat recline. On the soft, downy bank damasked with flowers, The savory pulp they chew, and in the rind, Still as they thirsted, scoop the brimming stream.'"
* * * "'About them frisking played. Sporting the lion ramped, and in his paw Dandled the kid: bears, tigers, ounces, pards, Gambolled before them; the unwieldy elephant, To make them mirth, used all his might, and wreathed His lithe proboscis.'" *
* Milton's "Paradise Lost."
"Thus, dear children, were formed the parents of our race, made in the image of their Creator, and endowed with knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. How different would have been our condition had they never fallen from that high estate!"