Course 1, Chapter 6: Knowledge of God — God considered in his work*. Third day of Creation

1. What did God do the third day?

The third day God gathered the sea in the place which he had prepared for it; he commanded the earth to appear and bring forth the green herbs, the plants and the trees.

2. What observation do you make on the extent of the sea?

On the extent of the sea, I observe that it is neither too great nor too small. If it were greater, the earth would be an uninhabitable marsh, because we should have too much rain; if it were smaller, we should not have enough, the earth would be sterile and we would die with famine.

3. How has God prevented the water of the sea from corrupting?

God has prevented the water of the sea from corrupting by two means; the first is the ebbing and How-

ing of the sea; the sea is always in motion; during six hours it forces the waters from its centre to the shore, and during the next six it recalls them from the shore to its centre. The second means is the salt in the ocean; the waters of the sea are brackish or salty. The salt of the ocean has another advantage, it renders the water heavy and prevents the sun from drawing too great a quantity of it.

4. For what are we indebted to the sea?

We are indebted to the sea for a great many blessings. 1st. It supplies us with rain, with fish and with pearls. 2d It brings us, by the means of ships, the riches of all other countries. 3d. It facilitates the propagation of the faith among all nations.

5. What did God do after he had gathered the sea into the place which he had prepared for it V

After he had gathered the sea into the place which he had prepared for it, God made the dry land to appear, to which he gave the name of earth, that is, sterile, to show us that the blessings which it affords us do not originate from the earth of itself.

6. With what did God cover the earth?

He covered it with green herbs, because green is the color best suited to our eye; had he colored the earth red, black or white, we could not have borne the sight.*

7. With what properties did God invest the herbs?

God invested the herbs with the property of bearing seeds in order to propagate and multiply their species, and thereby provide for our subsistence and the subsistence of animals, which are ail made for our use.

8. How many parts are there in a plant?

There are four parts in a plant. 1st. The root

which fixes and nourishes the plant. 2d. The stalk

which is destined to bear the seed and the fruit. 3d.

The leaf, which embellishes, warms and nourishes it

50 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

4th. The seed or fruit which serves for our wants and pleasures, and for perpetuating the plant.

9. What do you conclude from this?

From this we must conclude, that it is sufficient to study only the smallest flower, to fill us with confidence and love for God, and make us exclaim with our Lord: Not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these; if God so clothe the grass of the field which to-day is, and to-morrow is thrown into the oven, how much more you, 0 ye of little faith.