CHAPTER XI.

PROVIDENCE; OR, THE ILL-FATED BOAT.

QUESTION XI. _What are God's works of providence?_

ANSWER. God's works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures and all their actions.

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THE morning of Thursday dawned clear and bright, and at the breakfast table the children eagerly reminded their father of his promise to improve the first fine day by teaching them to skate. At the distance of one quarter of a mile from their house, there was a large pond, which was now covered with firm, smooth ice. Mr. Dermott told them that he would endeavor to return from the city to take an early dinner with them, after which, provided their lessons had been well learned, he would accompany them to the pond.

Every thing was propitious; the children studied diligently, and, of course, recited correctly. The weather continued fine, and their father arrived in ample season for dinner. A merry party that was, consisting of father, mother, and four happy children; and a delightful afternoon they passed, filling their lungs with the clear, bracing air, as they lightly skimmed over the pond, making the woods, which lined the banks, ring with their cheerful tones and merry laughter.

"I don't believe any body in the world is as happy as I am," exclaimed the enthusiastic Helen, as she sat by the fire after tea, waiting for her parents to be ready for the catechising.

"Come, my daughter, I should like to have you tell me why you are so happy," remarked Mr. Dermott, after Walter had repeated the answer for the evening.

"Is it in the lesson, papa?" asked the child, glancing merrily into his face.

"Yes, if you choose to have it so."

"Well, it is because I have such dear, kind parents, who do every thing to make me happy; and such a darling brother, and cousin, and little sister; and O, there are ever so many reasons!"

"Go on, my dear, let us hear them all." Mr. and Mrs. Dermott gazed into her glowing countenance, radiant with life and hope, and thought, "We, too, are happy in having such a child."

"Well, then," continued Helen, "I have such a pleasant home, and plenty to eat and drink, and pretty clothes, all ready for me to wear, and nice playthings to amuse myself with. O, I can't help being very happy."

"Then you are thankful to your parents for providing for your wants?"

"Yes, indeed, papa."

"It is right you should be so, my daughter. Children seldom realize how much their parents do for them. Your mother knows, for instance, that in an hour or two from this time, your eyes will begin to grow heavy with sleep; and she has provided each of you with a comfortable bed. She is sure that when you awake in the morning, you will be hungry; and she has provided breakfast. She knows that if you are not warmly clad on such a day as this, you can take no comfort in your walks or plays; and see how carefully she has arranged for you! Each little one with a warm hood, tippet, and mittens, made by her own hands! This is only a small part of what she does, even for your physical wants. And then we endeavor to provide for your moral and intellectual improvement. We teach you, provide you healthful amusements, give you books to read, and do all in our power to fulfil aright our duty as parents.

"But what is all we do compared with the loving care of Him who giveth us life, and breath, and all things? This constant, tender, overruling care of our heavenly Father, is called his providence, and extends to the very meanest of his creatures. He watches over us, guards us from dangers often unseen by us, gives us food to eat and clothes to wear, preserves and governs us. What does the Catechism say of God's providence?"

"That it is holy, wise, and powerful," replied Walter.

"Over whom is it extended?"

"To all his creatures and all their actions."

"Yes, there is not a thought in our hearts, nor a word upon our lips, nor all action of our lives, but he notices it. David has most beautifully and comprehensively expressed his sense of the government and providence of God in these words:

"'O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my down-sitting, and mine up-rising; thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.'

"God's providence extends, also, to the angels, to the birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, the beasts of the field, and oven the little insects; over the clouds, winds, and storms; over the waves of the sea; and over the sun, moon, and stars. To each he extends his powerful protection, and has only to speak to have them perform his holy will.

"Our dear Helen acknowledged, to-night, her indebtedness to her parents for their watchful care of her. How thankful, then, ought she, and all of us, to be to that Merciful Being whose tender love watches us with more than any earthly father's solicitude, who numbers even the hairs of our heads, and whose power is able to protect us from all harm!"

"More than a dozen years ago, a gentleman by the name of Norcross was visiting Now York city upon important business. He had nearly completed it, when he received a letter from his daughter, living near Boston, saying that her little sister was ill, and her mother hoped he would return at once. He looked at his card stating the hour when the steamboat left the wharf, and found that by using despatch, he should have just time to conclude his business, and return by the first boat.

"He hurried to the store where he had made large purchases, and by great exertion, both on his own part and that of the clerks, had his goods packed, marked, and delivered to the truckman, promising to meet him at the wharf. He delayed only long enough to pass a check to the merchant in payment for the goods, and, congratulating himself that his business was so satisfactorily performed, hastened on foot to the boat.

"In consequence of his watch being too slow, he reached the wharf just fire minutes after she had started. Disappointed more than he could express, he congratulated himself that his goods were safely on board; when, hearing a sound behind him, he recognized the truckman who had them in charge. With an impatient expression, he rebuked the man for his delay. But it had been a necessary one. In passing through one of the narrow streets, it became so crowded with trucks, that for some minutes he was obliged to stand entirely still.

"Now mark the overruling providence of God. He had determined that this child of his should be spared to his family, and all these circumstances, as the not keeping his watch up to the time, and the crowd of carriages in the street, were the means by which God saved both the life and property of Mr. Norcross. That boat was the ill-fated Lexington, which was burned on her passage from New York to Providence. Had he arrived in season, no doubt he would have perished."

"Just as a mother, with sweet, pious face, Yearns toward her children from her seat, Given one a kiss, another an embrace, Takes this upon her knee, that on her feet; And while from actions, looks, complaints, pretences, She learns their feelings and their various will, To this a look, to that a word dispenses, And whether stern or smiling, loves them still;— So Providence for us, high, infinite, Makes our necessities its watchful task, Hearkens to all our prayers, helps all our wants; And even if it denies what seems our right, Either denies because 'twould have us ask, Or seems but to deny, or in denying grants."