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OOMPIHO PBOM AUTHENTIC SOUBCES FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. ^Vi mtn. 3J. Satrlicr. *y MONTREAL: B. & J. SADLIER & CO. 1876. 8^6 Oh S33 v^frr^'l'^*^''^*"^ ^"^ ^"^ **' Parliament of Cai..da." :u th. A^^ADLiEB. in the Office of tho Minister of Agriculture. PREPACK The Catechism of Sacred Hibtoby now presented to the Catholic public will be found, it is hoped, a useful little book for the lower classes in Catholic schools. There were, it is true, other Catechisms of Sacred History in use in our schools, but none of them answered exactly the pui-posc for which this was intended, some being too large, and too elaborate for junior classes, whilst others had the answera entirely too long, so &s to fatigue the memory of the young learner. The Catechism now offered baa been care- fully compiled from authentic sources, and has been made as complete compendium of Sacred History, and in as simple a form, as could well be effected. It will be seen that, in order to complete the history of the New Teslament, a short account, of the labors and ,death of the several apostles has been added to the Scriptural narrative, so as to bring out more fully and more clearly the connection between ancient Sacred History, as contained in the Bible, and modern Sacred History, which is that of the Church, commonly called Ecclesiastical History. New York, June 22d, I86i. . \. CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. Q. "What is Sacred History? A. Sacred History is the history of our Religion. Q. What does Sacred History teach us? A. Sacrod History teaches us the greatness of God, •nd the wondci*s He has wrought for us. Q. In. what book are these wonders recorded f A. In the Bible, the most ancient book in the world. Q. What does God show us in the Bible ? A. God shows us in the Bible, in a manner equft plain and certain, what He is, what we are, and what He has created us. Q. What advantages has Sacred H istory over Profane History ? A. Sacred History has two great advantages over Profane History— its certainty, and its antiquity. Q. la what does the certainly of Sacred History consist? A The certainty of Sacred History consists in that it has been written by Prophets and other holy men in. spired of God O. In what does the antiquity of Sacred History consist? A. The antiquity of Sacred History consists in its having been written at a much earlier period than any other history. 10 CATKCRI8M OF SACRKD HI8T0RT. Q. Ho«r do you prove t!,o antiquity of Sacred History ? book, of oacred History, lived h tho:<»and years before Ilerodof „, the fimt writer of Profane Hist -y «nt'\; v^ n'.^'*^ Testament, I onde-Btand tlie coven- ant vh,ch God ,nade of old with the IsraeliteB, i„ Z "g then the law of Moses. By the New Testau.! t understand the covenant which Jesus Christ has"' "ot W.U. one peopie alone, but th all mankind h givmg them the Gospel Law. ' Q! mat do these two Testaments together form ? A. These two Testaments together form the Bible the most sacred, as it is the most ancient of books THE OLD TESTAMENT. FIRST EPOCH, EMBRACING 1«S6 YEARS. Q. How did God create the world ? Q. In what spac-e of time did God create tho world t A God created the world in six iiays. CATECUISBfi OF SAORED HI8T0RT. 11 Q. What did God create tbo iir«f day ? A. Tho first day God created li^bt; he 8»id : lei there be light, nnd immediately light was made. Q. What did God make the becond day ? A. The second day God made the sky, or firmament, to winch he gave the name of heaven. Q. What did God do on tho third day ? A. On the third day, he gathered into one place tho waters that covered the earth, and this great collection of waters he c lied the sea. He then commanded the earth to yield piants and trees of ever^ kind, Q. What did God make ou the fourtli day? A. On the fourth day ho made the sun and moon, ftnd all the stars of the firmament. Q. What did God create on the fifth day ? A. On the fifth day, God created tho birds tLut fly in the air, and the fishes that swim in tho water. Q. What did God make on the sixth day ? A. On the sixth day, after having created tho beasts of the earth, God made Adam, the first man, after his own image and likeness, and he gave him dominion over the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and \ the fishes of the sea. Q. How did Gk)d create man ? A. God created man by forming his body of the slime of tae earth; his soul he created by brcathiug into his nostrils, and he became a living souL Q. What ia a living soul ? A. A being capable of knowing and loving God. 18 CATBCHISM or SAcncD msxoBV. li i bel^M^, ""'^' "' *^' """^ -y other «.Uonal being .other ora„.„U^r4^^^ Adam, dunng a deep sleep which the Led cast npo; Q. In what state were Adam and Eve created ? Q- Did tliey remain always there ? ♦>.„-^°' !''*'•'' ""'" ''°'*'"t«d their right to dwell therem, and were ignominonsly expelled lom it nf fl"J t^^ ']""' *'•'"■ '■«•" *° P«'-«'li«e by cntin.. InH^fl . , i' of every tree in the garden, save one ctit?4,ti::i!"'---'-^er;ai„on:: Q. Why did God give them this command? diete ^*'' ''* *" *"" '■" "•■''•'^ *° ""'^ "'<'■■'• "l-o- Q, Uow did they come to transgress the command? A. The devjl who had already been cast out of heaven m pnn.shment for his rebellions pride bein« ifTi , ^J'^PP'"- of °- fi-t parent, d! rf possible, to destroy them and their posterity. Q. How did tlie devil effect his purpose ? -rr------^« vv r.yi3 uQcier I'le iigurc of a serpent^ CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. 18 r\ and persuaded her— she being the weaker — that if they eat of the furbidden fruit, their eyes should be opened, and they should bo as God, knowing good and CTil. Q. Did Eve eat of the fruit ? A. Yes, she eat of it, and persuaded Adam, her hus- band, to eat of it also, which he did, in order to please his wife. Q. What followed this violation of God's commaadment? A. Their eyes were, indeed, opened, but in a diflfer- ent way from what they expected ; they saw, when too I late, the good they had lost, and felt the shame of their [transgression. Q. How did God puaish the disobedience of Adam and Eve ? A. God summoned the guilty pair to his presence ; [reproached them with their crime ; cursed the serpent, [whom he condemned ever after to creep on the earth, md condemned man to cam his bread, thencefor- ^vard, by the sweat of his brow, until he should return the dust whence he had been taken. Thus was leath introduced into the world as the punishment of |in. Q. TVhat else did God do in punishment of the sin of our lirst ireuta ? A. He cureed the earth for their sake, and declared hat it should thenceforward bring forth but thorns and histles; whereas it had before produced of itself all hat was necessary for the sustenance of man. ~-' " " ~ ' ■■"" ■'^■'I'l-J i-".'.!i : A. God then drove them out of the terrestrial Para^ 14 OATKCHISM OF SACRED lUSTORT, disc, and placed at t'm entmuce tbereof au augol with tWlhT"* '"°'*^' "' "^^"^ ^ P'""'*"* *'"^''' ^''"'"' Q. Did God leave our first parents altogether without hope? shot,] hA ^T'"^ ""*" *''** •" *''« '»•"»" should be born a Saviour, who was to crush the head o» the .nfemal serpent, which means, to destroy the power of the Evil One, and deliver mankind from the bondage of sm. Q. Ifow loDs before Christ was that promise made ? Clitist. ""'"^ "'^^"^ ^"""^ thousand and four years before Q. Wlmt children had Adam and Eve? A. Adam and Eve had several children, but the Sacred ecnptnre mentions particularlj only three, Gain. Abel, and Seth. broSerT*"^* ^'^^* ^""""^ "^ committed by Cain, the elder A. Cain, being joalous of his brother Abel, whose sacnhces he saw were more acceptable to God than his own, conceived a deadly hatred towards him, and killed hnn, m the year three thousand eight hundred and seventy-six before Christ Q. How did God punish him for this heinous crime f A. By making him a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and the father of a race as wicked as himself Despairing of forgiveness for his crime, he refused to repent, or have recourse to the Divine mercy, and died impenitent. u angel with their return nthoul hope ? Vihe woman sh the head destroy the id from the ade? ^^cars before OAflCHtSM or BACRED t^^dfORT. u n, but the three, Cain. a, the elder bel, whose >d than hia and killed adred and 38 f rer on the s himself. •efused to and died Q. Wlmt became of the children of Adam after his death? A. Seth, his third son, succeeded him in the oflSca of Patriarch, and imitated the piety and virtue of his broth ar Abel. It was his son, Enos, who firet began to invoke the Lord by public worship, and Enoch, one of his descendants, lived so hoHly, that he was taken up alive to heaven, whence he is to be sent at tlie end j of tlio world, to prepare men for the final coming of jlln! Redeemer. Q. Tn what year did this event occur? A. It occurred in the year three thousand and seven- [teen before Christ. Q Did the race of Seth always continue feithful to the [Lord? A. For a long time they did, and were known on the [earth as the children of God ; whereas, the descendants of Cain, following in the footsteps of their progenitor, were called the children of men. But in course of time, the two races began to form alliances, and marry I one with the other, when the children of Seth soon I became corrupted, and forgot the duty they owed to God. Q. What men were born of these alliances bctweop the two racea? A. Men whom the Scripture calls giants, on account I of their enormous stature. They were an exceedingly wicked race of men, and from them, corruption became ^■so ffeneraL that God found bu^*- q^a i'ls* man /mi t^^ earth i m I I ! H CATSCHISM OF SACRED HISTOHT. <^ Who was this just man ? A. He was called Noah. Q, What did tho Lord do then to punish the wickedness of the world ? A. He resolved to destroy all mankind, with the ex- ception of Noah and his family. Q. How was this accomplished ? A. The Lord commanded Noah to build an Ark, according to the directions which he gave him. Noah was a hundred years in building the Ark, and during all that time he warned men of the purpose for which it yas designed ; but they would not believe him. When the Ark was completed Noah shut himself in it, with his family, consisting of eight persons, and a pair of every species of animal. ^ Then the flood gates of heaven were opened, and the rain fell for forty days on the earth, and the waters covered the tops of the highest mountains, so that every living thing was de- stroyed, except those which were in the Ark. Q. Where did the Ark rest ? A. The Ark rested on Mount Ararat, in Armenia, when Noah and his frmily, with all the animals, went out, the earth being again dry ; they had been nearly ft year shut up in the Ark. * Q. Of what is the Ark a figure ? A. The Ark is a figure of the Church, out of which Hone can bo saved. CATB^'HISM OF SACREP HISTORT. 11 wickedness of SECOND EPOCH. EMBRACINQ 439 YEARS. Q. What was Noah's firet act on leaving the Ark ? A. Noah's first act was to cfPer sacrifice to God, in lanksgiving for the great mercy ho bad shown him- ielf and his family, in saving them from the general lestraction of mankind. Q. Did the Lord accept Noah's sacrifice ? A. He did, and in token thereof he promised Noah that the earth should never again be destroyed by ^ater. Q. What sign did the Lord ^ve Noah of the perpetual Iblfil- lent of this covenant? A. The Lord gave Noah, as a sign of the covenant, lis bow which he placed in the clouds, and which we ill the rainbow, that seeing it, mankind should always [emember God's covenant with Noah. Q. What was the conduct of Noah's sons towards their father ? A. One of them named Cham, acted in such a mau- ler as to draw down on himself his father's maledic [on, and also that of God. The other two, Sem and iphet did not participate in his guilt. Q. What waa the particular offence by which Cham incurred jie divine displeasure ? A. The particular offence of Cham was ridiculing neyard, when the grapes were gathered in, drank i I 18 CAIKCHISM OF 8ACBBD HISTORY. froely Of their juice, and not knowing ite effect, becamJ h.ra in that state, ran to call his brothew, iaughing a„d making n.erry over the old man', condition. ^ ' Q. What did SemaadJaphet? , ^«rh.t did Noah, on awaking and beipg told what h«l| S.mo"" -"?'' P"""-'" ••" « fidehty no would mako of hi.„ a g,oat nation J that Lc would bless n,m, and magnify lis name; and t mt ,n hiin all the nations of the earth shonld l.J blessed. Q. Did Abraliam believe Iho word of God? i A. Yus, Abraham believed the word of God ; and trnsting ,mp!,citly in his divine guidance, departed from' h>8 country, and we,.t into the promised land with h=s wife Sara, and his nephew Lot. ' ' Q. mat wcs Abnmam's life in the land of Canaan 7 A. Rogardi„ghi,.,selfasastranger and a pilgrim on the earth, the holy patriarch continued to live intents- but not so his nephew Lot, who i„,prudently went to take up h.s abode in Sodom, a wicked and corrupt | Abr^hfnf?^' "■""""" '" "™ '° P"^ »''" ■'■■' «'=P""«»" from A. No, the land wherein he had setttled was i„. vaded by Cogs, and Lot with all the chief men of t,,at country, combined their strength to oppose them. A puched battle was fought between the contending forces, m the valley which is now covered by the waters of the Dead Sea. ^ Q. Who gained tho battle ? A. Tho ynv^An^, -^•-. > c«\AVt O gaiiicu the batiie, and drove the T. CATBCHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. 23 a lie called hir «8 a rew^idl p-cat nation ,, i name ; and h shonld ImJ ' God ; and, parted from nd with his I lan? pilgiim oni v'o in tents ; tly went to nd corrnpt Jaration from ^*cl was ill- nites, with ef men of pose thoni. lontcnding id by the drove the people of the country before them into the monr tains. They then advanced, plundered the cities, and carried off a number of captives, amongst whom were Ijot and I his family, with all his flocks and herds. Q. "What did Abraham do when ho hoard of Lot's misfortune ? A. He immediately gathered together a!l his sor- jvants and all the neighboring shepherds, and pursued the invaders. They came up with them at Bin, and after a sharp conflict, defeated them. Lot was then rescued by his uncle Abraham, and the invaders pur- jsued to Hoba, on the way to Damascus. Q. By whom was Abraham met on hia return home? A. He was met by the king of Sodom, and by Mel- Ichisedech, king of Salem, and a pncst of the Lord, who bringing forth bread and wine, offered them in [sacrifice, and blessed Abraham, saying — "Blessed be Abraham by the most high God, who created heaven and earth, and blessed be the most high God, by whose protection thine enemies arc in thy hands." Q. What did Abraham then do ? A. He gave tithes, or the tenth part, of all the spoils he had taken, to Melchisededi, the priest of God, Q. What befel Sodom in punishment of Jta wickedness ? A. It was consumed by fire from heaven. Q. Can you relate the circumstances preceding the destruc- tion of Sodom ? A. Tlie Lord having apprised Abraham of his in- I tention to destroy Sodom, Abraham, knowing the great mercy of God, besought him to spare the guilty city u\ w ?* CATECHIS:! OF SACRED HISTORY. in case there were fifty just men foun.l in it ; to thii the Lord con'^ented, when Abraham again asked if forty just men would not save it. Again the merciful God consented, and even promised, at Abraham's hum- ble supplication, that if ten just men were to bo found in Sodom, he would not destroy it. Q. Were there ten juat men found in the city '; A. No, there wer^ not ten just men found in the whole city of Sodum, and accordingly the Lord sent down ^re from heaven to consume it off the face of the earth. 9. How did Lot escape with his larclly from the flames of Sodom? A. Two angels, under the appearance of men, came to Sodom in the evening. Lot seeing them, invited them to enter hh house and lodge there over nit^ht • this charitable act saved him and his family from the general destruction that came upon the doomed city. Q. "Wliat occurred whilst the angels were in Lot's house ? A. Some of the wicked inhabitants of Sodom came to the house for the purpose of insulting the l^vo strangers. Lot going out to dissuade them from their evil purpose, thoy begau .u al use hiip. pud threatened him with bodily hann, .. t ca tje Rugels, taking him by the hand, drew him into the house. At the same time they struck with blindness those that were without, ^ that they were unable to find the door. Q. What followed? A 'TPnA ort/vnlfi +^1>4 T ^i. *.! J. i.T _ _; i j^ _ t T"r-r T. ss-_- K,iZ^^i= «Vi;i .kJ\J' wiiMV vUkJJ WoJOOCllt tU Clt'' fcroy ^dom, vi wisli •ity. i >t' wha voiild :iade ] vheii I nd to iquall) •Iain. Q. ^ leaving A. ' )ack o >y all )rogre This n lear tl Q. I A. I jidit ] Q ^ rilh A A. .brail >v th^ nom { a ^ A. n it ; to thii isked if forty [nerciful God iiam's hum- to be found mind in the I J Lord sent! the face of the flam^ of men, camej lem, invited )ver nijorht: ly from the I >med city. u's house ? odom came g the t\vo from their threatened Ing him by same time svithout, b 2# 10 ue*-iroy ^dom, and that if he had any relatives or friends whoiu ,.3 wished to save he iuu»t take them in haste out of liie» •ity. Lot went to inform his two intended bons-in-law >t' what was to happen, but they lauglied at him, and Aoiild not believe him. Next luouiiug, the angtla 2iade Lot leave the city with his wife and danghterfs ivUen a shower of brimstone and fifv fell from heaven lid totally destroyed Sodom, with tlireo othoc citie*s qually guilty. These were called the citief of the Iain. Q. What befel Lot and hU fomiiy immediately aftef iheb leaving Sodom ? A. They had been warned by the angels not to look )ack on the accursed city ; this injunction waa followed >y all except Lot's wife who, looking bad: to sec the H'ogrcss of the flames, was changed into a pillar of salt. ^1iis monutncntal pillar is still recognized by travellers lear the shore of the Dead Sea. Q. In wliat year was Sodow destroyed ? A. Sodom was destroyed in the year one thousand, jiorht hundred and ninetv-seven, before Christ. Q. What was the mark of the covenant which God made rilh Abraham? A. The mark of the covenant which God made with Lbraham was circumcision, a rite ever after observed )y the Jews, and by which they were distinguished from all the other races of men. Gl Why la Abraham etvled fiither of iho faitliful? A. Abraham is styled father of the faithful on ac- 3 m CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. ^^"i<-" the Messiah was lo come. ^ * » Q. Who was Ishmael ? A. Ishmael was the so,, of Abmham, by a seco,.! « f'. vLo was a LomWoman of his wife Sam J„ the. eaty dajs when ,be worW w„s still bu hi„; iiave more tlian one wife. borttf Al!''f '"'T','''"' '"" ""^ I^'-oe, miraculously born to Abraban, of Lis wife Sara, i„ bcr old age to si t ;f, ''"' 'l'?"' •°^'^'*"^'' '•"i"-*^'d Abraham to send the boy and his mother away, which ho did i„ order to preserve the peace of his bo-nsehold. ' mLT"' ''''^' '''"''•'"'" '^''"""■■' '""» desert whither they cxl,au ted the j.ov is.or.s Riven them by Ab.abam at tl .r dopartu., Ag.r a.d ber son werc^ in da Z o ta r. ""'"'"'>' "'"""•^' ""d ««"^»>g a fonn. o ter t"f l"V"' "' ""^ •^"■'''' S"- '- b-H and loiu iicr to tak(i hor t/^n o„,i i... _^. .• . «. . _ ' ^ to sbonid be the fatl.er of a great people. CATBCHISM OF SACRED HISTORT. ^§1 Q. Wliat people aro tho dcscendanta of Abraham's Hon lalimael? A. Tlio Arab tribes of tlic desert, who still live in tents, and lead to-day the wandering life which their lather IshMiael led of old. Q How did God try Abraham's faith? A. G«xl iriod Abraham's faith by commanding him to take his only son, Isaac, to the top of Mount Morin, wiiere tho temple of Jernsalem was afterwards built, and there sacrifice him to the Lord. Q. Did Abraham obey this so harsh command ? A. Yes, Abraham obeyed without any hesitation, and t/ikiug his son to the mountain, ho caused him to carry up its steep side the wood that was to make tho fire for con3un)ing the victim. Isaac was thus a figure of Christ bearing his cross up the hill of Calvary. Q. Did Abraham complete tlio sacrifice? A. No; when he lad bound his son and laid him on the altar, ready to strike him dead, a voice from heaven told him not to slay his son, for that God, well pleased with his submission, had provided a victmi ; turning round, Abraham saw a ram with his horns entangled \n the bushes, and him he sacrificed instead of his son. Q. How was Abraham rewfirded for his submission to tho diviae will ? A. Ho was rewarded by s renewal of tho promise made to him so long before, that the Saviour of tho world should be born of his race. (^. In what way did Abraham and the other patriarchs live? A. They lived as shepherds and husbandmen, having 38 CATECillSM OF SACRED IIISTORr. abu:iJancc of flocks and herds, and living in great plenty, but, at the same time with great frugality and simplicity. They wciO entirely independent of an}] earthly power, subject only to God, each family or tribe forming in itself a little state, whereof the fathrr w:J lie.". 1, and ruled as king. Q Who was ih will the birthriorht avail muJ C-4I -,11111. XJKJ. i. Ui« ai ...1- Ktll c were tvvol CATECHISM OF SACRED UI8T0BT. 1^ Q. How did Jacob maaage to obtain the paternal blessing; instead of Esau, who was their father's favorite ? A. Esau was told by his father to go out hunting, nnd bring him of the venison he took to make a savory mess thereof, promising him his blessing when he brought him the meat ; for he knew ho was soon to die. Rebecca hearing this, and loving Jacob more than EsMu, prepared some venison in the way that Isaac de- sired, gave it to Jacob, and told him to take it to his father, who, being blind, was made to believe that Esau, not Jacob, knelt before him. lie, therefore, gave his blessing to Jacob. Q. What did Esau, on his return ? A. Finding that Jacob had fraudulently obtained the blessing that was meant for him, he was much enraged, and made a resolution to kill his brother after their father's death. Q. How was Jacob saved from his brother's anger? A. He was saved by the prudent care of his mother Rebecca, who, having learned Esau's design, sent her younger son to dwell for a time with her brother Laban, in Mesopotamia. Q. How was Jacob employed while in that country? A. He was employed in tending the flocks of bis uncle Laban, who gave nim in marriage first his daugh- ter Leah, then his younger daughter Rachel, whom Jacob loved most tendorlv. Q. How many sons had Jacob, also called Israel? A. Jacob had twelve sons, from whom arc descended 80 CATSCBISM 0» SACRED HISIORV. tl.e twelve tribes of Israel. Tl.ese sons were named Jssaclm. Zabnlon, Josepli, and Benjamin. After re with l„s whole family ,„to the land of Canaan. Q. What ,,„ppe„ed to Jacob on Im return l.on.o? A. H,s brother Esau, hearing of his approach wett o «eet ln„, witb fo„r hundred armed non U,! e o encounter such a force, Jacob was at Z alarmH .uti, hn„, eavmg hnn the victory. The an-el there i^l^GoZ n ° "r"° <'""-'• -hich signifies'' ; 3'"!/ f "''• .*«"■"? !'•=« «t the same time that he who prevmlod agamst God need not fear men. Q. What effect had this vision on Jacob ? A. it .Kouraged him to meet his brother whom etjid hi 'I' T"f ''''"' ' "-'' "><'-d, whent: hatl? r , '^'' ^'"'°^ »''^«"'='"S t°-ards him, his hatred d.ed away, and he saw in him only Lis long lo brother retnrning to his home. ^ ^ Q. At what time did Jacob rptnm «.««, \t . . land of Canaan ? """^ Mesopotamia to tho jot SoV'S.' """ '"""•"*' """ *•'"•'>-'■- Q. How old was Isaac when he died ? by h,s sons, Esau and Jacob, in the family bnrial-place a Jfambro near Hebron, which Abraban had boll t' and where Ln nnrl Snt,o i.:., ...•/• , i^^ugiir, - - .--...«. ii.o v.iic, woio already burled CATECHISM UF BACRED DISTORT. 31 Q. What was Esau's history nfter his father's death ? A. After the death of Isaac Esau removed with Iiis I family and all the wealth ho possessed, to Scir, the country around which was called from him Idiimea, (^ Kdom, which signifies red, and was the name given him from the color of the pottage for which he sk i his birthright. Q. Was Esau prosperous in his undertakings ? A. Yes ; he became rich and powerful ; liis ^ns were styled dukes, and a number of kings of his race reigned in Edom, before the kingdom of Israel was ostabiisiied. Q. What remarkable personage is supposed to have been a (joscyiulaiit of Esau ? A. The holy man Job, known to all times and na- tions as the model of patience, is supposed to have been a king of Edom, of tlie race of K«.au. Q. Which of his twelve sons did Jacob love the most ? A. Joseph, the son of Rachel, his best beloved wife; Josci.h and Benjamin were the sons of Jacob's old a^o ; Joseph, the elder of the two, being born when his father was ninety years old. Q Vihy did the other sons of Jacob hate Joseph ? A. Because of his being their father's favorite, and a.^0 because of certain dreams which ho related to them, denoting his future superiority. Q- How did they revenge Ihemsolvos on Joseph ? A. When Joseph was sixteen years of age, his fatlier »eiit him to a field at some distance from home, where sa CATECHISM OF SACRED lilSTORT. ! ! his brethren were tending their flocks. When they «aw him coming they determined to kill him, hopinc, thus to prevent the fulfillment of his dreams. Q. Did they accomplish their evil purpose ? A. No ; on the interposition of Reuben, the elder brother, they threw him into a pit, and, a little while after, Reuben being absent, they sold him to some Egyptian merchants who chanced to i ass that way. Q. How did Josepli's brethren represent the matter to their father ? A. They dipped the boy's coat in the blood of a kid, and, taking it home, told their father that a wild beast had devoured Joseph. Q, How did the Egyptian merchants dispose of Joseph? A. They sold him to Potiphai-, an officer iii tife household of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Q. What befel Joseph in the hcuse of Potiphar ? A. He was falsely accused of a great crime, and thrown into prison. Q. Tfhat happened to him whilst in prison ? A. It so happened that the king's chief butler and chief baker were both in prison at the same time. Each of them had a remarkable dream, which they asked Joseph to interpret. He did accordingly, and what he predicted from those dreams came to pass exactly as he had foretold. The chief baker was hung and the chief butler restored to his place in ino kin^r's bQii«p.bf>1rl. I CATRCflISM OF SACRED lIISTOnV. 83 natter to their I Q. How did Joseph obtain Ins roleaso from prison? A. Some time after the chief butler's relejlsc, it so happened that king Pharaoh himself had some strange dreams, which he could find no one amongst all his wise men to interpret The butler then remembered |..)scph, and told the king of what Lad occurre(i while he was i.. prison. Joseph being sent for, interpreted tiie kincn- IjHinin. The old man was much grieved at what lia [heard, and declared that he woukl never permit Benj ;- inin to leave him, fearing lest evil should bcfal him like liis brother Joseph. Q. Did Jacob keep tliis resolution ? A. No ; the following year, when all the corn nought from Egypt was eaten up, and the ftiminc still L'ontinued, Jacob was forced to permit Benjamin to go kith his brethren into Egypt, so that a fresh supply might be obtained, and their brother Simeon released from prison. Q. "What did Joseph when they returned with Benjamin ? A. lie released Simeon ; invited them to eat at his ^^vn table, and treated them with marked distinction, jf^pecially Benjamin, his brother by the same mother; mt when they were leaving, Joseph ordered his silver jupto be placed in Benjamin's sack, as he wished to, [ivo his brethren one more trial. Q. How did Joseph's brethren receive the honors paid tliem ? A. They were much astonished by the treatment loy received, and knew not what to think of it; they \iiYQ still more amazed when, having gone a little way b their homeward journey, they were overtaken by a K'SSenffer from tho frn'vcr^^n\' nf l?,ovrvt. /•l^ornnnfr ilmm it;i havmg stolen his master's silver cup. . f 86' CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. Q. Wliat liappenod ihen ? A. Tho sons of Jacob /ere sorely troubled by such an accusation, and told the officer to seari.h their sacks, saying, that if the cup were found in any of thoin, tht' owner thereof should remain as the king's slave. Thff were all brought back as prij-oners. Q. Wliat imppencKl whcu the cup wua found in Bcnjamin'a sack ? A. His brethren were grieved beyond measure, and one of them, Juda, who had gone security to their father for the boy's safe return, declared that he would remain in captivity im Benjamin's place, as he covld not bear to return withoit him to their aged father. Q. What wns tlio consequence 7 A. Joseph hearing this was so much affected, that ho resolved to discover himself at once to liis brethren ; and sending all others from the room, he told them that ho was their brother Joseph, whom they had sold into Egypt. Hearing thv3 they were sore afraid, but Joseph told them to fear nothing, for that in what liad beffdlen liim, he saw only the hanedite their journey, he ordered wagons to be sent for • Jie women and children. Q. How did Jacob receive the intelligence that his soiii [Joseph Btill lived? A. L'^ first he refused to believe it, but on seeing tho • jwagons and the rich presents sent him from Egypt, he ; Iwas convinced, and being eager to see again his most. Ibeloved son, prepared at once to set forward on his I journey. Q. What occurred to Jacob, or Israel, on his way to Egypt 7 A. He had offered sacrifices to the Lord, at a place - illcd Bersabee, when, having fallen asleep, he had a ^ rision, and heard the voice of God saying, "I am the lost mighty God of thy father ; fear not, go down into '^gyp^ ^or I will make a great nation of thee there, will go down with thee thither, and will bring thee ■ )ack again from thence ; Joseph also shall put his- hands on thy eyes." Q. What was tho number of Jacob's family when they en**- [ercd into Egypt ? A. They numbered seventy souls. Q Where d>d Joseph meet his father? A. He met him at Gessen, the place intended by >seph for the dwelling of his kindred, and of whick icob was put in pobsessio<;i by order of the king. 1 m l^M 1418 CATECfllSM Oi- SACF.3D UiBTOHl ' Q. Relate what passed between Jacob and the king ? A. When Joseph brought his father, the oldshep.! t hci'd, to present him to the king, Jacob blessed Pha^j I raoh, and the king asked him, '* How many arc thcl days of the years of thy life?" and Jacob answered,! ' ** The days of the years of my pilgrimage are a hundred i •• and thirty years, few and evil ; and they are not comej ' «p to the days of the pilgrimage of my fathers." Q. How long did Jacob livo after going to dwell in Egypt ? A. Seventeen years ; he was one hundred and forty- > seven years old when he died, after blessing his sons] J and their descendants. Q. To which of his sons did Jacob give his choicest and mos{| » ipecial blessing ? A. To Juda and Joseph. To the former, he prom- ised that his seed should hold dominion over all thcl • others, and that froir it should spring the desired of • nations, meaning the promised Messiah. To Joseph he assigned a double portion, and blessed and adopted his two sons, more especially Ephraim the younger. Q. Why was it not to Reuben, his eldest son, that Jacob pro-] i :iiiised such great things ? A. Because Reuben, had forfeited his birthright byl : liis sms. Q. Did Joseph execute all his father's commands? A. Yes, he had his body embalmed after the mannerl cf the Egyptians, and when the seventy days allotted! for mourning had expired, iie conveyed it with grcatl pomp to the land of Canaan, where it was interred, hA CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. 39 kiog ? he old flliep* I blessed Pha- aany arc the >b answered,! re a hundred ire not come I hers." jII in Egypt? id and forty- ing his sonti ccst and mosil r, he prom- over all thcl e desired of > Joseph be adopted hisj nger. lat Jacob pro* rthright bj Is? the mannerl iys allotted with great] ntcrred, bjl the side of Rachcrs grave, according to the patriarcli's last injunction. Q. Wliat did Joseph's brctlircn fear, after their father's death 1 A. They feared that Joseph would punish them for tlioir former iniquity, now that their father was dead. Q. riow did Joseph ro-assuro them ? A. lie wept, and told them not to fear, for llint grcai. good, instead of evil, had come to him through their act, and that he had been made the saviour o! many ,; bi also renewed his promises of protection to them and their families. In this conduct of the holy patriarch Joseph, we find an admirable example of that divine vi/tue, forgiveness of injuries, and returning good for evil. Q. What did Joseph prophesy to his brethren a little before his death ? A. Ho prophesied that God would visit them after his death, and put them in possession of the land which he had promised to their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Q. "What promise did ho roquiro of them ? A. That they would carry his bones with them whcu they went to take possession of the promised land. Q. How old was Joseph at the time of his death ? A. He was a hundred and ten years old, eighty >-ears of which he luid been governor of Egypt. Q. What have you to remark of Joseph ? ^. -liiat ijo IS considered one of the types of our divine Lord, of whom several arc found under the old 40 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. lispensation. The principal circnmstar. es of Joseph'i iifc coiTcspond exactly, but of course figuratively, with the life of our bit sed Redeemer. Q. What befel tho diildrea of Israel after Joseph's death ? A. Pharaoh the friend of Joseph having died also, there was a new king in Egypt, and he being jealous of their rapid increase in numbers and in riches, treated them with great severity, endeavoring to repress their growth as a nation, by the heavy burdens he imposed upon them. Q. pid he succeed in weakening them bj these means? A. Ko, on the contrarj^, the more Pharaoh oppressed them, the more a great deal did Almighty God prosper and strengthen them. Q. What did Pharac h do, on seeing this? A. Ho commanded the Egyptian midwives to kill all the male children of the Hebrews as soon as they were born ; but finding that this cruel order was not generally obeyed, lie decreed that all the male cliildrer of the Hebrews should be drowned in the river Nile. Q. "Wliat remarkable Hebrew personage was rescued when au infant, from tho waters of the Nilo ? A. Moses, whom the Lord had appointed to be the deliverer of his people from Egyptian bondage. Q. How was Moses preserved ? A. His mother had succeeded in hiding the infakii. for three months after his birth, but finding that she a basket of bulrushes, which she carefully cemented so CATECHISM OP SACRED HISTORY. 41 as to keep out the water, and placed it, with her infant in it, amid the long grass by the river side, sending hia sister to keep watch over the child at a little distance. The basket and its precious contents were discovered by the king's daughter, who had gone thither to bathe with her maidens, and by her pitying kindness the fiitiiie law-giver of Israel was saved. Q. What did the princess do, on discovering the child? A. She desired the sister of Moses, who then came forward, to procure her a nurse, whereupon the girl ran for her mother, to whose care the infant was cn- tnistcd, the princess adopting him as her son, and giv- ing him the name of Moses. Q. Where did Moses spend the eariier portion of his life ? A. The first forty years of his life he spent at the court of Pharaoh, where, as the adopted son of tlie king's daughter, he was instructed in all the learning of the Egyptians, who were then, and for many agee after, the most polished nation on the earth. Q. What was the cause of his leaving Egypt? A. He fled from Egypt, fearing the wrath of Pha- ach, because he had killed an Egyptian, whom he saw striking « Hebrew. Q. Whither did Moses retire ? A. To the country of the Madianites, where he found Jethro, a priest of the true God, to whom he attached himself, and having married his daughter Senhora. had bv hnr twr> kotir, nnmnfl rJorcam anA riiczer. 42 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY". Q. How long did Moses remain in Madlan ? A. He remained there forty years, when lie was admonished from ou high in a miraculous manner to return to Egypt. Q. Relate the occurrenco. A. Moses having charge of the flocks of Jethro, his father-in-law, had driven them far into the desert, in the vicinity of Mount Iloreb, when suddenly the Lord appeared to him in a burning bush, and commande besides women and children. * Q. What did tiiey carry with them ? A. The bones of the holy patriarch Joseph, which, according to his dying injunction, they -noant to bury in the kuid of Canaan, with those of his father Jacob and his mother Rachel. Q. flow lou by him tlirected to a tiee, tlie wood of which, when thrown into the water, rendered it sweet. Q. "Wbat was the next prodigy wrought for the people ol Israel ? A. They had reached the desert of Sin, when they began to murmur, as usual, against Moses and Aaron, because they had no bread. Then Moses and Aaron promised thera that the Lord would provide food for tbem in abundance. That same evening a vast multi- tude of quails covered the camp, and on the following morning, the ground all around was covered with a white substance called manna which had fallen from the heavens during the night; this the Israelites, by the command of Moses, formed into delicious bread. Q. How long were the children of Israel fed with this manna ? A. Forty years : that is to say, till they eat of the corn of the promised land. Q. "Were the Israelites grateful for this heavenly food ? A. For a time they were, but they soon became dis- Batisfied at having nothing else to eat, and thought with greedy longing of the flesh-pots of Egypt. Q. Of what was the manna a type ? A. Of the blessed sacrament of Christ's love, the adorable Eucharist, wherein he gives us the true bread fiorn heaven. LlJ hI^ 'f i f ■"! Hi ml tm r\ 1-^i im CATECHISM OF SACRED IIISIORT. T,r*^'i ^'!','".°"'" P™''!?? did ilosea work for tl.o pcouie of laraol whilo in iho desert ? '^^ A. Wlien tlicy were suffering from tl.o want of water in ll,c Jcsert of Rapl.idi,,,, Moses wa. commanded by God to strike tlie rock Uorob with Lis miraculous rod and immediately a plentiful stream issued from the liai'cl rock. OS.2 ^^^ ^7^'-J^ab]e circurrstance took place on another oc- casion, when tljo people murnmred for want of water? A. Moses being coimnanded to strike a rock, struck It twice mth his rod, whereat God was angry, because lie had secuied to doubt that water wouhj come ou the first stroke. In punishment of his momentary hesita- tion, or want of confidence, the Lord told him and Aaron that they should not lead the people into the land of promise. Q. What people attacked the Israelites in the desert? A. Ihe Amalekites, a warlike people, wliom they overcame by the prayers of Moses. Q. Canyon tell how tins occurred? A. Moses remained on a hill at a little distance, bo.clmg 'he miraculous rod upraised between his Lands; it was observed that. when his hands sank lower tfom fatioMie, the Amalekites seeme . prevail, where, upon Aaron and Ilur lield them up until the bat^ toflTIr^''"'''^ ^^'^^'' Israelites, and the enemy put Q. When and where did God give hfs law to the Israelites? A. In the third month after their going forth frora CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. 61 lEgypf, the law was given them from the top of Mount Sinai, amid thunder and lightning that struck the peo- plo with foar. This was in the design of God, to fill them with awe of his almighty power, and make them (Iread tho consequences of disobedience. With tho sound of trumpet, tho Lord himself proclaimed his Ton ICoinmandments, Q. "What did tho people in their terror? A. Lying prostrate on the ground, afraid to raise I their eyes, they begged of Moses to speak alone with God, and that they would faithfully observe the Com- mandments transmitted through him. They could not bear to hear the voice of God, or behold the awful I splendor of the scene. Q. Did Moses go up accordingly to tho mountain ? A. He did, and remained there in communion with God forty days and forty nights, during which he nei- ther ate nor drank. Q. How were the people engaged during his absence? A. They already forgot the invisible God who had wrought such wonders for them, and compelled Aaron, to make theui v^f the ornaments worn by their wives and daughters, a golden calf, I worship as an idol, around which they danced and sano-, crying, " These be thy Gods, Israel, that brought thee out of the laiid of Egypt 1" Thus were they occupied when Moses descended from the mountain with the law of God, written on two tables of stone. Q. What did M^ses on g?eing this shameful sight ? K, lie throw uown tbe tables of the law, which kit ,,m 52 CATECHISM OF SACRED IIISTOaY. il were broken to pieces in tlie fall. The idol he BeizedJ and having bruised and beaten it to powder, so as to show the unhappy idolaters what manner of idol they had been woi-shipping, he put the powder into water, of which he made the people drink. The sternly ro.| buking Aaron for conniving at their wicked folly, he I called on all who still remained faithful to the Lord, to range themselves beside him. Q. "Who were thej that did so ? A. The whole tribe of Levi, to which Moses and Aaron belonged. Q. What did Moses then do ? A.' He commanded the sons of Levi to draw their swords, and march through the camp to and fro, put- ting to death eveiy soul they met on their way. Q. How many of the idolatrous Hebrews perished that day? A. About twenty-three thousand. These were slain to expiate the sin of all. Q. What did Moses then do? A. He prostrated himself before God, beseeching him to pardon the sins of his people, and renew his^-uove- nant with them. Q Did God hear liis supplication ? A. He v^id ; and commanded him to hew two other tables of stone, and to take theni up to the mountain, where the finger of God again wrote the Command- ments, and Moses remained forty days and forty nights as before. CATEOHISII OF SACRED HI8T0\!T. 63 Q. What change was visible in Mosos after tliia his second I iescent from the mountain? A. His face shone with such resplendent brigbtr Iness, that the people feared ^o look upon him, and ho covered his face with a veil, vhich he wore ever after, loxccpt when he went to communicate with God in the I Tabernacle. Q. What was the first act of Moses or cc-ning uown from the I mount? A. To have the people comiv ce the Ark of the I Covenant and the Tabernacle, according to the direc- tions given him by God. Q. What was the Ark of the Covenant ? A. It was a bor composed of the most precious I woods, covered witbin and without with the purest gold. In it were kept iha te;i Commandments, or the new I covenant of God with men. Q. What was the Tabernacle ? A. A portable tent, all covered with the richest stuffs. It was divided into two parts, the inner of which was called the Holy of Holies, and in it was placed the Ark of the Covenant. Q. What tribe was appointed by God to take charge oi the Tubernacle, and all that belonged to the divine service? A. The tribe of Levi, whom God set apart for him- self, instead of the first-born of all the tribes of Israel. Q. Whom did God choose from the tribe of Levi to ministei to him as priests ? A. He cfaose Aaron and his sons to be his prieati 5ar ever. 6* ^ -^ 54 CATECHISM OF SACRED UlSTOiir. Q. Wero the priosts distinguished by auy particular dross? i A. i cs, the Lord liimself gave particular dircctio J tor making the priestly vestments some of which werJ common to all the priests, others to be worn only by the higb priest. ^ ^^ Q. Who ^vere Nadab and Abihu, and what was their oflence^l A. JVadab and Abihu were the sons of Aaron pnests like liimself ; their offence was, offering strange hre m their censers, insf^ad of that prepared for the purpose. ' Q. What was their punishment ? A. They were instantly struck dead by fiio from heaven ; and, by the command of Moses, their bodies wei^ thrown outside the camp, clothed as they were, in their priestly gar ents : moreover, their father and their brethren were ot permitted to mourn for them. Q. Whore was sacriflco alone to be offered ? A Beforo the door of the Tabernacle, and bv the hands of the priest. ^ Q. When the children of Israel resumed their march for t)ie promised land, did they cease to murmur against God? A. No they relapsed agam and again into the same state of discontent; on one of these occasions, afire was sent from heaven that consumed a great number. Mary, or Miriam, the sister of Moses, wa. stricken with leprosy for the same offence, but was healed at the prayer of Moses, after seven days' banishment from tae cauip. Q. Wh iiised lane A. lie h'scripti Q. Wh A. AI •(tun tof ■('[)t two IS ;i nicsl sued tlK inter the lie in tli Q. Wh A. In udo, he cnco , bn ;on(l( :mn lie d CBCl ivr.d ( 'hIc I )eii* chil Q. Ii()\\ U'COUIlt of A. Th Q. Did ^ r the pro A. Til ^•i!l of G Q. Wha A Coi CATBCHISM OF SACRE5 HISTORY. 50 Q. Wljat did Mosea na tho Israelitos approached iho pro* iiised land ? A. lie sent tiiitlier *.wclvo spies to bring him back a icsciiption of the country, and what they saw there. Q. What followed? A. Althongli the spies gave a most favorable ac« I'ount of the huul, its beauty and fertility, they all ex- '('[)t two, Josue and Caleb, represented tho inhabitants IS ii most fierce and formidable people, which sofright- jucd the limid children of Israel t^- at they feared to inter the land of promise, declared they would rather [lie in the wilderness, and talked of returning to Egypt. Q. What did tho Lord thou threaten ? A. Tn punishment of their obstinacy and ingrati- ludo, he threatened to slay tho entire people by pesti- lence, but at the intercession of Moses, he forgave them, tondcimning them, nevertheless, to wander forty years in llio dcBort, adding that none of them save two, Josue pd ( 'alcb, should enter the land of promise, but that Iheii' children should take possession of it. Q. How wcro the ten spies punished who had given a falae iccouiit of tho stancsts reached the middle of the river, lliey stood still • '«ui the Ark till all had passed ovci-, and as soon aa 6 f^li ¥ 3, I. Vi 82 CATECHISM OF SACRED HIST0IIY« the Ark was carried to the river's bank, the watef flowed ajjain into its wonted channel. Q. What monument did Josue cause to be erected in remem- brance of this prodigy ? A. He caused twelve large stones to bo taken from the spot whereon the priests had stood in the middle of the river, and piled together in the midst of the camp, at Galgal in the land of promise. Q. What place in that country was first taken by the Israo*- ites? A. The city of Jericho. Q. How was it taken ? A. By the same niiracnlons interposition of divine power. The Israt^Iites were instructed to march in pro- cession once a day for six days ai'ound the city, the priests bearing the Ark, and on the seven! )« day to inarch seven times around it, and shout at a given sig- nal All this being done accordingly, as they shouted and blew their trumpets the walls of Jericho fell to the ground, and they entered without difficulty. Q. Were all the inhabitants put to deidh? A. All, except a woman named Rahab, with her family, she having saved the lives of the spies sent to view the place. Q. What remarkable circumstance occurred at tho taking of Hai? A. The Israelites, on attacking it, were at fii-st de- feated with some loss, and when Josue complained in i_i-. prayer that God had forsaken ins people, ine iiimigui; CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. 63 n remem' iold liim that it was because of the sin of ono man, who was to be found out by lot next day, and burned, with all that belonged to him. Q. Who was this man, and what was his oflfenco? A. Ills name was Achan, a man of the tribe of Juda f) 1(1 liis offence wa3 that, in violation of the express (•i.:ii:ti:ii!dmynt of God, he had secretly saved for him- sj!t' at the takino- of Jericho, a scarlet robe with some g.)ld and silver, whereas all that belonged to the idola- ters should have been destroyed. Being found out by lot he confessed his crime and was put to death, as God had directed. Q. Wns the city then taken ? A. Yes, the Lord, appeased by the death of Achan, delivered it to the Israelites, and permitted them, more- over, to divide its spoils among them. Q. What did Josue afler the taking of Hai ? A. He built an altar of unhewn stone, and offered on ft holocausts and peace offerings as Moses had com- manded, wrote the law on stone, and divided the coun- try into two districts for the people, placing the Ark in the midst, then repeated for them all the blessings tha^ should come upon them if they remained faithful to tne iaw of him who had done such great things for them, and the curses that should follow their infidelity, Q. Did the native inhabitants of the land of Canaan submit quietly to the Israelites A. No, they all leagued against them, with the single I fi.H \.n it ■ v|t' 64 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. )i. '■ i exception of the Gabaonites, who submitted, and wore made by Josuc the servants of the Israelites. Q. "Wcro the other idolatrous nations displeased witli Iho Gabaonites for thus submitting to the Israelites ? A. Tlicy were, and combining their forces once more, they made war on the Gabaonites, who sent word to Josue, and that great leader marched to their assist- ance. Q. "What great miraclo occurred during this battle? A. As the day was well spent, and the victory not yet complete, Josue ordered the snn to stop in his course; the sun obeyed, and stood still in the heavens till Josue iiad routed the enemy, and cut them to pieces. Q. Was Josno successful in all his undertakings ? A. Yes, he was so successful that in jfive years after crossing the Jordan, he had conquered all the hostile nations and the children of Israel rested in peace. Josue then divided the land amonijst the nine tribes and the half tribe of Ephraim. Q. Why was the land divided only amongst nine and a half of the twelve tribes ? A. Because two and a half were already settled b^'yond the Jordan, and the tribe of Levi had no land apportioned to it, being set apart for the service of God, and supported by the joint offerings of the other tribes. Q. How did Josue reward the two and a half tribes from CATECHISM OF SACKED HISTORY. 65 beyond the Jordan, who had assisted their brethren to conquer Uio promised land ? A. Ho sent them home with rich presents to their families and possessions. Q. Wiiat did they do on reaching their possessions ? A. They built a high altar as a testimony that they and the tribes beyond the Jordan were one and the same people. Q. IIow old \7as JoRUO when he died, and how long had ho governed the people of Israel ? A. Josue was a hundred and ten years old when ho died, and lie had governed the Israelites twenty-five vcars. Q. "Whom did God appoint to load the Israelites to battle, after tlie death of Josue ? A. He appointed Caleb, prince of the tribe of Jnda, a brave and faithful man, who had been sent with Josue, by Moses, to view the promised land. Q. How long did the Israelites remain faithful to the Lord after the death of Josue ? A. They remained faithful to the Lord, and to t/iioir promise solemnly given to Josue at his death, so ■oiii' as the ancients lived aaion<>'st them who had seen !!.e great wonders of the Lord, but after the death of those venerable men they fell into idolatry like the nations by whom they were surrounded. Q. What was the consequence of their lulling into idolatry ? A. They were visited with mariy temporal calami- y 4««« -.^„ i. _i.T 1 • '1 • 1*1 j.l_ I m4 s - ,4/ ' ^-1 6* 60 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. trito of Benjamin was nearly exterminated, and about one hundred thousand Israelites were cut off; they were also grievously oppressed by the surroundin:,' nations. Q. By what crime lind tho Benjamites incurred tlio Hpoiia\ displeasure of God ? A. By entering into a league with the idolatrous Jcbusites, for tho rebuilding of Jerusalem, biirned by Caleb, after a great victory over that people. The city had fallen to the lot of the Benjan^ites who en- tered, as we have said, into a league with the people of the country for its re-building, Q. what form of government did God appoint for Hit Israel- ites after they then returned from idolatry ? A. He appointed wise and venerable iften, called judges, to rule over Israel. Q. "Who were the principal of these judges ? A. The principal of these judges were, Gideon, Jephta, San^-on, Heli and Samuel. Q. Wliat remarkable person did the Lord raise up about thia time to deliver tho Israelites? A. Deborah, the prophetess, who judged Israel forty years. She had for her general, Barac, a valiant wnr- rior of the tribe of Nephtali, who, with the subliint'. inspiration of Deborah's prophetic spirit, conquered all the enemies of Israel. Q. Who was Gi son ? A. lie was a man of the tribe of ManassGS, of hiim* CATECHISM OP SACRED HISTORY. 67 U^ ^. What command did Gideon receive from God ? A. To destroy the altar of Baal, and cut down tho g»ine that surrounded it, and to offer holocausts to (Jod. Q. What did the i'^olatersof that placj when they discovered next day what Gideon had done? A. They assembled in great numbers, 4ind going tc Gideon's house, demanded that his ^athcr should give him up, that they might put him to death as an ex- piation of liis crime against their God Baal. Q. Did Gideon's father consent to givo him up ? A. No; he refused to do so, saying, "I/ct Baal re- venge himself, if ho bo able." On this account, Gideoi was sur nailed Jerobaal. Q. What remarkable circumstance occurred on ono occaaiou when Gideon was going forth with the l3i-*elites to encounter a iDUcli larger force of idolaters ? A. lie besought God to give him as a sign of vic- trry that the fleece he laid on the ground might be witurated with dew, whilst the ground about it remained (irv. He found in tho morning that his prayer had bjcn granted; but desiring yet another proof, he beg- U(!il of God that next morning the fleece might be dry, ;tnd the ground wet, which was also done as he de- y.ired, Q. What did Gideon then do ? A. Being fully assured by these two miracles thai l!i'3 God of Israel would assist his people, he fearlessly hd his army against the enemy's host* h % 58 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. 'i-^^^ Q. Did God permit Gideon to take his whole army, 32,000 strong? A. No ; being desirous to show the Israelites that it was not by their own strength they conqncred, but by his omnipotent power, he only permitted three hun- dred men to follow Gideon to the field, and this little band routed the immense army of the pagans without a blow, but merely by the continued sounding of their trumpets, their battle-cry being, " The sword of the Lord and Gideon." Q. What is related of Jcphla, one of the judges? A. When called by God to :ead the army of Israe'i against the Ammonites and Philistines, he vowed that if he obtained a victory, he would offer as d holocaust to the God of battles the first who should .come forth from his house to meet him on his return. Q. "What was the result ? A. Ho defeated the enemy with great slaughter, and returning home, it was his only daughter who came forth to meet and welcome him ; in fulfilment of his vow, he was forced to offer her in sacrifice to the Lord, the price of his great victory. Q. Who WPS the next remarkable person that ruled Israel as jud^'e ? A. Samson, of the tribe of Dan, who was consecrrted to God from his birth, and was a man of great strength. Samson judged Israel twenty years. Q. What were the most famous exploits of Samson ? A. On one occasion he encountered a furious lion, und, though wholly unarmed, tore him to pieces. At CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORF. 69 another time, when surroiindcd by an army of Philis- tines, ho seized the jaw-bone of an ass, and slew a thousand of the enemy, putting the remainder to fliglit. On another occasion, when the Philistines had offcieJ 8oine new insult to the people of God, Samson cauglit three hundred foxes, and tying lighted torches to their tails, sent them in amongst the corn and vine- vards of the Philistines. Q. How did Samson die ? A. Being wickedly betrayed into the hands of the Philistines, and having lost x.is strength by the cutting af his hair while he slept, he was imprisoned, and had his eyes pulled out. As his hair grew, however, his strength r^urned, and being brought forth by the Philistines for the amusement of the company assem- bled in a vast hall, he laid hold of two of the great pillars which supported the roof, and praying to God, " Let nie die with the Philistines," he shook the piL lars, the roof fell, and Samson, with three thousand of the enemy, was buried under the walls. Q. Who ruled Israel after the death of Samson ? A. The high priest Heli. Q. What have you to relate of Heli ? A. Heli was remarkable for his piety and virtue; but he had two sons, Ophni and Phinees, who became, by the too great indulgence of their father, very depraved, Rnd gave grievous scandal to the people of Israel. Q. Was God displeased with Heli for his criminal indulgence / A. He was ; and in punishment thereof^ he per 10 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. mittcd the Jewish army to be utterly defeated ; the Bons| of Heli, who carried the Ark, to be slain, with thirty thousand Israelites, and the Ark itself to fall iato thci hands of the Philistines. Ou hearing these disnial lid- ino-s, the affcd Heli fell backwards, and broke his neclv, being then ninety-eight years old. Q. What became of the Ark ? A. It was placed by the Philistines in the temple ol Dagon, but next day they found their idol broken on the ground. The Philistines were, at the same time, so grievously afflicted by the hand of God, that they were' glad to get rid of the Ark, and sent it back to the Israelites. It was placed in the house of a Levito named Aminadab, upon whoso family it drew down all| manner of blessings. Q. Who was the last judge of Israel ? A. The prophet Samuel, who had, 1" J Samson, been consecrated to God from h:«^ youth. He governed Israel with great wisdom, acting ever in accordanc«| with the Spirit of God. Q. Who ruled in Israel after Samuel ? A. Saul, the first king of Israel. Q. Why did the people desire to have kings instead ofl jficlges ? 1 A. When Samuel had become very old the govern- ment devolved on his two sons, who administered jus.| tice unfairly, and took bribes for their decisions, wherci upon the people began to demand a king to rule ovefj them as other nations had. CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY n Q. Was Goii pleased with their demand? A. No ; he commanded Samuel to represent to them how much greater and more despotic -would be the power of a king, and how heavily ho might oppress them ; but finding that they still persisted, he instructed Samuel to anoint Saul, son of Cis, of the tribe of Be]> jamin, as their first king. Samuel then assembled the people to draw lots for the sovereignty, when the choice tell on Saul. Q. Was Saul's reign prosperous ? A. The first three years were very prosperous. H# dcfcatod the Ammonites and the Philistines, also tha Amalekites, but having, contrary to the express com- mand of God, spared Agag, the king of the Amale- kites, with the finest of the flocks of that people, Sami^el announced to him that he was rejected by God, and that his family should not continue to reign in Israel. Q. What remarkable word-s did Samuel make uso of on that occasioti ? A. Sanl having said, in order to excuse himself, llir.t he had only kept the flocks of the Ainalekites tor t!io purpose of offering them in sacrifice, Samuel dechircd to him that obedience was b.etter than sacrifice, and repeated the decree of God against him and his family. Q. What cor"raand did God give to Samuel whilst ho mourned for the sin of Saul ? A. He commanded him to go to Bethlehem, and uuoint as king, a youth nairied David, the voungesi ot T2 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. seven brothers, of the tribe of Jiula, who was found hj the prophet tending his father's sheep. Him did Samuel anoint as king, and the Spirit of God, forsaking Saul, came upon David. Q. What affliction then befel Saul ? A. lie was seized with an evil Spirit, which only the sound of music could soothe, and David being recom- mended as an excellent player on the harp, was sent for, and so charmed the king by the harmony of music that he made him his armor-bearer. Q. What great exploit ^-as achieved by David soon aflor this appointrtient ? A. When the army of the Philistires and that d the Israelites, lay encamped opposite each other, pre- paring for a decisive battle, a Philistine named Goliah, a man of gigantic size, advanced between the two armies and scornfully challenged any man amongst the Israel- ites to meet him in single combat, and thus decide the contest. This challenge he repeated for forty days, and, no one having courage to accept it, Saul proposed u/ give his daughter in marriage to him who would en- coimtcr the giant Goliah. Thereupon David accepted the challenge, fought with Goliah, and killed hun, thoucrh armed only with a sling. Q. What did David say when Goliah, seeing him advance, ridi- culed his youth, and the simple weapon that was his cnly defence ? A. David said, " You come to me, trusting in your armor, but VI come to you in the name of thi^ Lord oi Hosts." CATECHISM OF BACHED HISTORY. 9^- Q. How did David slay Goliah T A Putting a stone in his sling, he struck the giani: on the forehead, ^vllcn he fell to the ground, and David ! cut off his head, seeing which the whole army of thf - Philistines fled in dismay. Q. IIow did Saul requite this great sorvico ? II. He requited it ly the blackest ingratitude, and . was so filled with envy by the fame David had acquired that ho sought occasion to put him to death, Q, Were Saul's family all actuated by the same feeling to- • wards David? A. No, Jonathan, the son of Saul, loved David as au brother, and they swore perpetual friendship to each other. Q. Did Saul give David his daughter in marriage, according r to promise ? A. He did, but not his eldest daughter, whom he married to another, and it was only after several extra- ordinary feats of valor that David succeeded in ob- taining the hand of Michol, the younger daughter of; Saul. Q. Did Saul then bocomo reconciled to David ? A. No, he still secretly plotted against his life, M' I that David had many narrow escapes from the emi«- I varies of his vindictive father-in-law. Q. Did David cherish the same hatred towards Saul ? A. No, David, being a man after God's own heart, Ipitiod Saul, instead of hating him, and took every op- portunity that offered of returning him ;ood for evil.. I r^i CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORV. ' Q. Mention one instance of David^s magnanimous fo^giro ; moss ? A. At one time Saul happened to enter alone a cavo ' Iwrhere David lay concealed witb his followers, who ^ urged him to kill his enemy and thus got rid of him • At once, but David would not suffer them to la}' hands «n the Lord's anointed, and merely cut off a small • piece of the king's garment, which, calling after him : he showed, in order to prove that he bore him no ill will. This was not the only occasion on which David ■ saved the life of Saul, whom he knew to be his deadly foe. I Q. Did this generous conduct on the part of David soften ; Saul towards him ? A. No, he still pursued him with unrelenting ani- • mosity, so that David was at length obliged to take : refuge with Achis, king of the Philistines. Q. How did Saul die? A. He died fighting against the Philistines, he and I . his two sons, at the famous battle of Gilboe. Q. How was David affected by the news of Saul's death ? A. He was much grieved, and ordered the man whol brought the news, to be put to death, because he said he had killed Saul, hoping to please David. Q. "Was David aclcnowledg id as king by all the Israelites ? A. Ko, for the space of over seven years, he was en- lyaiyed in a contest vsltli Isboseth. a son of Saul. wLoI was made king, by Alner, general of SauFs army.j CATECHISM OP SACRED HISTORY. ^5 David soften Isboseth and Abner being both sla^'n, however, David was acknowledged a- king by all the people. Q. Who was general of David's army? A. Joab, a brave and loyal man, but harsh and itn- perious even to his king. Q. What place did David choose for his royal residence ? A. The castle of Sion, in Jenisalem, which he had before taken from the Jebusites ; around this strong- hold he built a city which he called the city of David. Q. i id David overcorno the Philistines ? A. Yes, by the assistance of God he gained a de- cisive victory over t .^m, so that they were never able to trouble him more. Q. What nras David's first care on finding himself in peace- able possession of his kingdom ? A. His first care was to promote the glory of God, and establish divine worship with becoming splendor! He, theiefore, intended to convey the Ark from its temporary resting-place to the royal city. Q. Did ho accomplish this design ? A. No ; he was deterred from doing so by the Mo of a Levitc named Oza, who, during the removal of the Ark to Jerusalem, seeing it leaning to one side fV'ared that it might fall from the chariot whereon \l was placed, and, in violation of the law, put forth his liand to sustain it, whereupon he was struck dead in rent of the Ark. David, seeing this, feared to receive the Ark into his Dalacn. hnf. r^lan^A ;f „♦ +i.« u .* ^Jbededom. n li, 1 re CATECHISM OF SACRED IIISTORT. Q. How long did tho Ark romaia in the house of Obededom t A. It remained there three months, when David, hearing of the wondeiful blessings it had drawn down on Obededom and all his house, was encouraged tc bring it to Jerusalem, according to his former in- tention. Q. What design did David form in order to honor God more effectually and more lastingly ? A. He formed the design of building a temple to God, as it grieved him to think that the Ark of the Covenant rested in a Tabernacle covered with skins, whilst \iQ himself dwelt in a palace of cedar. Q. Who was his counsellor in this matter ? A. The prophet Nathan. It so happened, however, that the Lord spoke to Nathan by night, and admon- ished him to tell David that the building of the Tem- ple was reserved for his son Solomon, whoso reign was to be one of unbroken peace. Q, What war did David afterwards wage? A. A war against the Ammonites, during which war he made himself guilty of the double crime of adultery and murder. Q. Whom did the Lord send to rebuke David Sn tkese crimes ? A. He sent the prophet Nathan, who having brought him to sincere repentance, announced to him on the part of God that his sins were pardoned, but that, nevertheless, lu^ should be punished for them by severe temporal afflictions. CATECHISM OP SACRED HISTORT. 7J Q. How was this prediction fulfilled? A. By the continual warfare in which David spent the remaining twenty ycare of his life ; by the rebel- l.on and violent death of his favorito son Absalom, which was followed by another rebellion of a Benia! nnto named Siba, who withdrew all the tribes except that of Juda from their allegiance to David. Iho't.Jorn^T """ ''^'" '^'^°"^ '■» "'« '""d, what folly on 11.0 pa. t of Dand incurred the divine displeasure ? A. Uivid through a motive of vanity, issued orders or a general census, being desirous t. know the num. ber of his people. Q- How was David punished? A By a plague which the Lord sent amongst tho Itnd^Uzr '^^ ^" '''-' "^^^ '^■■"^^ ---y himself before God, beseeching him to pour down hi. pooofe wh ° "" "'""" S""*^' ^"' *" «?«■■« hi« people who were innocent. Q. Did the Lord hoar David'a prayer ? A. Yes ; the Lord ever merciful to tho repeutir.'? «'nner, commanded the destroying angel to etop. Q. Where did the angel stop? A. Over the threshing-floor of Arenna, the Jebusite. on the top of Mount Moria, in Jerusalem, where Z;^ -J uoas command, erected an altai- of sacrifice !<>.,' 1* i^i u 78 CATBCHISy OF SACRED HISTORY. thi» spot was afterwards built the great Temple o( Q. iij whom waa David succeeded oq the throne of Tsrael ? A. David was succeeded by his sou So!oinon, whom ho caused to be anointed and proclaimed king. He then comnicndod his son to the faithful and loyal scm- vice of all his friends and courtiers, and obtained tlioir promise to assist him in the great work of building tlio Temple, for which he had himself collected vast nuv* terials. Q. Did Solomon encounter any opposition ? A. Yes; one of his brothers, named Ad ouias, would have himself made king, being lupported in his unjust pretensions by the valiant Joab ; but, after a second attempt on their part, Solomon, having forgiven the first, he ordered both to be put to death, after which he reigned in peace. Q. Whom did Solomon marry ? A. He married a daughter of Pharoah, king of Egypt, very soon after his father's death. Q, For what was Solomon chiefly remarkable ? A. For his great and supercmincnt wisdom, which was a special gift from God, at his own earnest request. So great was the renown of his wisdom throughout all the East, that the queen of Saba came from the far- thest part of Ethiopia to see for herself if his wisdom irere such as it was represented. CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. 7r ; - FIFTH AGE OF THE WORLD. EMBRACING ABOUT 470 YEARS. Q. What was the great work of Solomon's reign ? A. The building of the Temple projected by bit father David, and whicb Solomon commenced in the foiirth year of liis reign, four hundred and eighty yeai's after the entrance of the Israelites into the land of promise. Q. How was the Temple constructed ? A. It was constructed on the plan of the Tabernacle made by Moses in the desert, and none but the most costly materials were employed in its erection. The Temple, like the Tabernacle, was divided into two parte. The Sanctuary and the Holy of Holies, wherein waa placed the Ark of the Covenant. In the middle of the inner part called the Holy of Holies, stood an altar of i^old, called the altar of perfumes. Q. Describe the Holy of Holies ? A. It was lined throughout with the finest ^old, and .n-er that pa: in which the Ark was placed, were two < iierubim covered with gold, with extended wings, and <>i' such a size that the outer wing of each reached to ^1)0 wall, whilst the other two joined in the centre over I lie Ark. Q. How long was Solomoa building the Temple ? A. Seven yeai's : during^ which time two hnndriMl ^ CATE0HI8M OP SACRED HISTORY. .( thousaiMi men wcro constantly employed, and vast snrag were expended on the work. Q. Who wag permitted to enter tue II0I7 of Holies ? A. The high priest only, and ho but once a year, jind after many legal rites. Q. Of what was tliis entrance of the high priest iuto the Holj of Holies a figure ? A. It was a figure of the groat atonement of Oui Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the oblation of whose precious blood was prefigured by the offerings of the blood of victims. Q. Wliat did Solomon when the Temple was finished in all its parts ? A. He assembled the princes of Israel, the ancients, and the bends oi families to assist at the dedication, and the solemn translation of the Ark to the place destined for its reception in the Holy of Holies. Q. In what way did the Lord manifest his acceptance of the homage paid him on that solemn occasion ? A. When the priests came out from the Sanctuaiy, after placing the Ark in the Holy of Holies, and all had nnited in singing a canticle of praise, the glory of the Lord filled th« whole temple as a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister. Q. "What wore the characteristics of Solomons reign? A. The characteristics of Solomon^s reign were uni. versal peace, and great abundance, not only of the no- •efisaries of life, but of all manner of luxuries, gold wives, ai their go< forijetful li;ul so A^ his poop Q. Hoi A. B3 greater j and only scendant layed til father Dj Q. Ko\ A. So death of Q. By^ A. By who so aiicc witl tribes rev The tribe jcct to hi Q. Did CATECHISM OF 8ACRKD HISTORY 81 n of Oui ' whose of the in all ita icicnts, ication^ J place e of the ctuaiy, all had of the bat the ? re iini« the nc' J, ffold and silver Im so common that thoy were of littlo vaUio amo r^t uoe people. Q. Did f:oi. always continue faithft;! to God ? A. No in »i8 advanced life he marri'^d idolatroni wives, anc' t please them built temples and altars to their gods, to which he himself even offered incense, forgetful of the great God of heaven and earth who had so wonderfully manifested his power on behalf of his people and his house. Q. How did God punish this groat sin of Solomon's ? A. By permitting his kingdom to be divided, the greater part give., to Jeroboam, a servant of Solomon, and only a smr-.l po/tion to remain subject to ^ is de- 8cen' ^ I! -f . Sf4 CATECHISM OP SACRED HISTORY. Q. Did Jemboam continue to worship the trae God after ob- taining the sovereignty of the t?*^ tribes? A. No, be soon forgot the Lord who had exalted him, banished the Levites by his oppression of them, and set up idols, for whkh he made priests, and at whose altars he sometimes oflSciatcd himself; by his ex- ample he drew the greater part of his people into idolatry which drew down upon them the divine ven- geance, and so caused tbcir ruin. Q. By what act did Jeroboam still further excite the wrath of God against him? A. Fearing that his people might return to their al- legiance to the royal house of David, if suffered \o go to Jerusalem for sacrifice, Jeroboam set up two golden calves, one in Dan, the other in Bethel, to which he offered sacrifice with the same solemnities as those used in the Temple of Jerusalem^ and told the people to go no more to Jerusalem, for that these were the gods who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. Q. How was Jeroboam's wickedness punished? A. A prophet of God predicted that his race shouM be exterminated, which occurred about a year after Ins death when his son and successor Nadab was put to death with his whole family. Q. Who succeeded the good king Josaphat on the throne of Juda ? A. His eldest son Joram, a wicked and impious prince, who married Athalia, daughter of Achab, the #»/-wnfnrnnnrQrv Irinor of Tsrafil. aild with hcr bcCamC all CATECHISM OP SACRED HISTORY. 85 B the wrath idolater. He slew all his bi-ethren, and established idolatry in his kingdom. Q. Whom did the Lord send to rebuke Jorara for his grievous iniquity, and foretell his approaciiing doom ? A. The prophet Elias, who foretold that he was soon to die of a painful and lingering disease, which came U) pass in the eighth year of his reign. Q. Where was Jorara buried ? A. He was buried in the city of David, but without Ivonors, and not in the royal sepulchre of the house of David. Q. Who was Joram's succossor on the throno of Juda ? A. His only surviving son Ochozias, as wicked and impious as his father ; he reigned but one year, being cut oflf v/ith all his attendants, by Jehu, when on his way to visit his idolatrous kinsman, the king of Israel. Q. What did Athalia, the mother of Ochozias, after the death of her son ? A, She ordered all his children to be slain, and took pofjsession of the throne of Juda. Q. Was t is wicked queen suffered to reip^n in peace? A. No; th'3 Almighty, having a care over the house of Da ^^' md in order to perpetuate the rac "^jm wliich tho Messiah was to come, saved one ^f uic chil- d' HI of Ochozias, named Joas, from the general mas- aiicie. This prince, by the aid of i e high piiost and other ^>oweiful friends, succeeded in recovering tho throne of Juda, and the unnatural mother of his father '_• ft "*„» - 86 CATECHISM OF SAOHED HISTORY. Q. Did Joas remain faithful to the Lord ? A. He did remain faithful so long as Joiada tho high priest lived, but after Joiada's death, Joas chose evil counsellors, and unhappily fell into idolatry. Q. What ungrateful and wicked act was done by Joas .sooa after the death of tho high priest? A. Zacharias, the son of Joiada, having admonished Joas of liis sin in forsakinor the service of God for that of idols, the wicked king caused him to be stoned to death in the court of the Temple. Q. What was the end of Joas? A. lid was murdered by two of his own servants, after a long but troubled reign, during the latter pari: of which God permitted him to be harassed by the Assy- rians, because he had forsaken his service. Joas, like his grandfather Joram, was rot buried in the royal sepulchre of Juda. Q. What kings reigned in Israc ng tho time that Josaphat, Joram, Ochozias, and Joas reigned in Juda ? A. Achab, Ochozias, Joram, Jehu, and Joachas. Q. Who was tho wife of Achab ? A. A very wicked woman named Jezabel, and Achab was no better than his wife, for what none of his pre- decessors had dared to do, he began to worship Baal. Q. What was the end of Achab and Jezabel ? A. Achab was killed in battle, and Jezabel, thirteen years after, was thrown from a window by the ordera of Jehu, and devoured by dogs in the place where she fell, ar. of which had been predicted for them by tho CATECHI3M OF SACRED HISTORY. 87 n prophet Elias, when senfc by God to rebuke them for their crimes. Q "What did the prophet Elias, when he saw tlmt idolatry was prevailing in the land of Israel whore. he dwelt ? A. By his prayers, he prevented rain from falling lor three whole years, so that a famine came upon the laud, and there was much sufiering amongst the people. Q. Hw was Elias fed during this famine? A. He was at first miraculously fed by ravens, that carried him food morning and evening, and afterwards by a poor v/idow, inspired by God to do so. Q. Whither did Elias flee to avoid the vengeance of Jezabel, when, by his command, the people had put her false prophets to death? A. He fled to Mount Horeb, by the direction of an angel, who gave him miiaculous food which enabled him to walk for forty days and forty nights across tho desert. Q. Of what was this miraculous food a type ? A. It was a type of the blessed Eucharist, whicli alone gives strength and courage to our -souls during the trials and vicissitudes of our earthly pilgrimage. Q. Did Elias die? :i. lio ; he was taken up alive into heaven in a fiery chariot, and is to come down before the end of tho world to bear testimony of God and his Christ, and assist the faithful in their struggle against tlie powei of Antichrist* 1 . 4 88 CATECHISM OP SACRED HISTORT. Q. On whom did the spirit of Elias descend ? A. On his disciple Eliseus, on whom he let his cloak fall as he ascended into heaven. Like his master Elias, Eliseus worked many splendid miracles, one of which was raising a dead child to life, the son of a poor widow. Q. What have you to relate concerning the bones of the pro- phet Eliseus? A. A dead man was raised to life by being accident- ally placed in contact with the bones of the holy pro- phet in his sepulchre. Q. Who succeeded Joas in the kingdom of Juda? A. His son Amasias, who, like his father, served God during the earlier part of his reign, but fell into the same sinful ways in his later years. Q. What befel Amasias? A. He had been prosperous so long as he served God, but having forsaken him for the idols of the nations whom he conquered by his divine aid, he was deserted by God, and signally defeated by Joas, king of Israel, who demolished part of the walls of Jerusalem, and carried off tho treasures of the Temple. Q. What great prophet lived during the reign of ^masias, ttnder Jeroboam II., king of Israel ? A, The prophet Jonas. Q. What is related of Jonas ? A. He had been commanded by God to go preach to the idolatrous people of Nineveh, and threaten their city with destruction, unless they repented and did CATECHISM OP SACRED HISTORY. 89 penance for their crimes. Jonas, being afraid to un- dertake this dangerous mission, thought to avoid it by saihng to Tharsis ; but the ship in wliich he embarked had scarcely set sail, when a great storm arose, and the crew, having cast lots to sec who on board had ex- cited the wrath of God, the lot fell on Jonas, who was immediately thrown into the sea. Q. "What then hefel Jonas? A. He was swallowed by an enormous whale, in whose belly he remained three days and three nights, during which time he ceased not to bewail his dis- obedience, and invoke the mercy of God, who gra- ciously hearing his prayer, caused the whale to cast him on shore. Q. Did Jonas then obej the Lord's command ? A. Yes, he obeyed, and going to Niniveh, preached so efficaciously to the people of that great city, that from the king to the meanest of his subjects, they all did penance in sack-cloth and ashos, whereupon God, who only desired their conversion, forgave them their manifold oflfences, and spared their city. Q What was prefigured hj the imprisonment of Jonas in tlie whale's bellj, and his miraculous coming forth after throe clajs ? A. The burial of our divine Lord in the Scpulchi-e, and his glorious resurrection on the third day. Q. What remarkable occurrences took place during the twf^U'o years of an interregnum that followed the death of Amazias ? A. Nabuchodonosor, first king of Niniveh, having founded the empire of Assyria, by the conquest of 00 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. nmny nations, elated with success, nndortook to bring the people of God also into subjection. For this pur- pose he sent Holofernes, the general of his armies, with a hundred thousand men, to besiege Bethulia, a city of Juda. Q. By whom was Holofernes slain ? A. By Judith a young and wealthy widow of Be- thulia, a woman of extraordinary piety and virtue. Seeing that her people were about to yield to the mighty power of the Assyrians, Judith conceived the design of slaying Holofernes, the Assyrian genera), which she accomplished by means of an ingenious stratagem, and cutting off the head of the tyrant, brouffiit it under her cloak to Bethulia. Q. What was the result of Judith's perilous exploit? A. Encouraged by the sight of the head, and the exhortations of Judith and the chief men of their city, the Bethulians determined to resist, and, aided by God, they fought the Assyrians and totally defeated them, leaving their camp, with all its luxurious wealth, to the victorious people of Juda. Q. What king reigned next in Juda ? A. Azarias, sometimes called Osias, the son of Ama- zias; he was only sixteen years of age when he as- cended the throne, but he reigned fifty-two years, dur- ing which time he fortified Jerusalem, built several eities, and prospered in all his undertakings. Q. Did this prosperity continue? A. No, Osias,* elated with his great prosperity, in. CATECHISM OF BACRED HJ.STOEY, 01 »') sisted on offering incense liimself, in the temple, con- trary to the earnest advice of the high priest ; there- upon he was immediately stricken with a leprosy from which he never recovered. Q. What kings reigned in Israel whilst Aranzias and Osias •vcnpied t Ijo throne of Juda ? A. Joas, Jeroboam IT, Zacharias, Sellum, Manahem, and Phacoia. With Sellum ended the race of Jehu, to whom God had announced by one of his prophets that his family should rule in Israel to the fourth gen- eration. Q. Who succeeded Osias (or Azarias) king of Juda ? A. Ilis son Joathan, a good and pious king. Dur- ing a prosperous reign of sixteen years he built a num- ber of cities, ornamented the temple, and brought the \varlike Ammonites into subjection. Q. By whom was Joathan suco^ ^ed? A. By his son Achaz, wl , unlike his father was a \vick«d and idolatrous king. He removed the sacred vessels from the Temple, which ho closed, and built -iltars to idols in various parts of the city of Jerusalem. In punishment of his crimes he was grievously ha- ::issed by the surrounding nations, and died impeni^ ttMit after a reign of sixteen years. Q. Who was the next king of Juda ? A. Ezechias son of Achaz, a prince of extraordinary virtue and piety, and wholly devoted to the service of God. lie re-opened the temple which hia impious fi I 92 CATECHISM OP SACRED HISTORY. father had closed, caused it to be purified, and invited all the children of Israel to celebrate the Pasch. Q. Did the people of Israel unit*, with their brethren of Juda in that solemn act of worship ? A. Many of them did, although the majority of them mocked the holy king, and despised his invita- tion ; but all Juda joined with one heart in the cele- bration, and the Pasch was solemnised with more iplendor than it had been from the d- vs of Solomon. Q. "What else did Ezechias to promote true religion and re- establish divine worship ? A. He assembled the priests and Levitcs, who had been totally dispersed, and restored tlie ancient obser- vances of religion according to the divine ordinance. Q. "Was the reign of Ezechias a prosperous one ? A. It was exceedingly prosperous. The people of Juda encouraged by their king's example, and guided by his wise precepts, obtained peace and tranquillity at home, whilst al road their arms prevailed, the cities they had lost were all recovered, and their country shook off the heavy yoke of the Assyrians, under which it had groaned from the time of Achaz. Q. What kings reigned in Israel during the reign of Joathan and the first years of that of Ezechias in Juda ? A, Phacce and Osee ; the former of these reigned twenty years. Q. "What remarkable event occurred during the reign of Phacee? A. Theglathphalasar, king of Assyria, invaded Israel and carried away a great number of captives. CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. Ud Q. Who was the next and last king of Israel ? A. Osee, who had raurdeied Phacec nino years before. For the last six years of his unhappy reign, Osee was the contemporary of the good king Ezechias. Q. Can you tell how the kingdom of Israel came to an end 7 A. Osee, having attempted to throw oft* the yoke of the Assyrians to whom ho had ber i obliged to pay tribute, was deprived of bis kingdom by Salmanasar, who invaded the country, took Samaria, its chief city, after a siege of three years, and utterly abolishing the kingdom of 1 ael, led its people into captivity in Nini- veh and in Media. Q. How did Salmanasar re-people the land of Israel? A. By sending idolaters from Babylon and other parts of his vast dominions; by the advice of his coun- sellors, he sent priests to instruct these people in the law of Gou, but they uniting the worship of the true God with that of their idols, their descendants worship- ped both, and the Jews were forbidden to hold com- munication with them. Q. How long had the kingdom of Israel existed? A. Two hundred and sixty years, counting from the secession of the ten tribes under Jeroboam, till the final destruction of the monarchy and the Assyrian cap- tivity, in the ninth year of the reign of Osee. Q. "What had been the prevailing sm of the kings and people of Israel ? A. Their prevailing sin was the heinous o'f*3 of idola- try, which, from the first foundation of the monarchy, If I IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. k i.c /J 5^- 1.0 I.I 1.25 HIM m If- ^ 12.2 us. 11112.0 1.8 LA. 111.6 V Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 10 ^ H CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. i'' by Jeroboam, had been openly professed, and all but universally practised. Q. Were there no truo believers amongat the people of Israel aP»r their separation from Judo ? A. Yes; but they were at all times comparatively few ; for, more than n century before the fall of Israd, there wore only seven thousand worshippers of the true God to be found in all the land. Q. Did Almighty God utterly abandon these revolted trihea of the Israelites to their own evil ways ? A. No ; being desirous to save them if possible, on account of their fathera Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, he raised up amongst them at divers times holy men^ pro- phets, whom he sent to rebuke them for their iniqui- ties, and ^'arn them of the terrible punishment whicli their continued infidelity would draw down upon them ; \)ut they would not hear the prophets. Q. "What prophets lived in Juda and Israel from the reign of Amazias in Jud% and Jeroboam II. in Israel, to the Babylonian captivity ? A. Jonas, Amos, Osee, Isaias, Micheas, Joel, and Abdias. Osee and Isaias prophesied for nearly an hiin- dred years: Osee in Israel, Isaias in Juda. All the others lived and prophesied, some in Israel and somo in Juda. Q. Of what did Isaias prophesy ? A. Amongst other things, he foretold the Assyrian captivity, and of all the propnets, he most clearly pre- dicted ihe coming of our Divine Redeemer, his life, and also his passion, even its most minute details. CATECHISM CF BACKED HISTORY. is molted trii)e3 and somo Q. What holy maa lived in Israel at the lime of the cap- tivity 7 A. Tobias, whose family history is preserved in one of the books of the Old Testament, which bears his name. Q. Who was Tobias? A. Tobias -was a just and holy man of the tribe ot l^ephtali, who had never defiled himself with idolatry or superstition, was faithful to God from his youth up. wards, and went every year to Jerusalem to offer sac- rifice. His wife and their only son, called, like his father, Tobias, were as faithful as himself in the service of God, and their piety drew down miraculous favors from heaven upon their house. Q. How did God iaterpose his almighty power between the good king Eaechas of Juda, and the Assyrian army under Sen- nacherib ? A. Moved by the prayer of the holy king, the Lord sent an angel into the camp of the Assyrians, and slew in one night one hundred and eighty-five thousand of their bravest soldiers, including all their chief officers. Q. Did this save Jerusalem ? A. Yes J Sennacherib was obliged to fly in haste with the remnant of his army, and was soon after slain by his own sons in the temple of his idol at Niniveh. Q. What great prophet was counsellor to Ezechias ? A. Isaias, who began to prophesy in the reign of Azarias, and continued during the reigns of Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias. Ezechias having fallen danger- ously ill, prayed earnestly to God that^'his life might 90 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. be spared, when the Lord commanded Isaias to tell bim that he had heard his prayer, and that his life should bej prolonged for fifteen years. Q. "What fligu did God give in proof of the I Jfilhnent of tbia promise ? A. At the prayer of Isaias, the Lord made the sha- dow go back ten degrees on the siin-dial. Q. What imprudent act did Ezechias commit soon after? A. Ambassadors being sent to him from the king of Babylon, to congratulate him on his recovery, Ezechias took^ occasion, through pride, to display his treasures before them. Q. What was the result ? A. Isaias was sent by God to announce to Ezechias that those very treasures should be seized and carried to Babylon ; but at the earnest supplication of the king the sentence was not executed in his day. Q. By whom was Ezechias succeeded ? A. By his son Manasses, an impious and cruel prince, who built up again the idolatrous temples which his father had destroyed, and carried his audacious impiety so far as to erect idols in and around the Temple; he also put to death a great number of just persons. Q. What eminent personage is said to have been amongst tiieso victims of the cruelty of Manasses ? A. The great prophet Isaias, who, according to Jew- ish tradition was sawed in two by order of this wicked prince, for having reproached him with his enormous crimes. CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. 01 Q. Did Manasses continue his wicked courses to the end oj lijs life ? A No, being taken at length and carried captive to l>alKJon, where he was made to undergo much suflfer^ n.g and humiliation, Manasses began, in his distress, to !::voke the assistance of God, and becoming sincerely contrite for his sins, the merciful God heard his prayers and restored him to his kingdom, when he cast out all tae idols, and re-established the worship of God. Q. Who succeeded Manasses ? A. His son Amon, who imitated his father in his wickedness, 1 -it not in his repentance or expiation. Q. Who followed Amon on the throne of Juda ? A. Josias, a good and pious prince, who not only restored the worship of God in his own dominions, but succeeded even in destroying idolatry in the neighbor- ing kingdom of Israel, whither he went in person, and demolished the aitar erected by Jeroboam to the goldeu calf. Q. Who were the remaining kings of Juda, and what was tae: r character ? A. The four last kings of Juda wore Joachas, Joa- ki!!, Jechonias, and Sedocias. They were all prof ne viid wicked men, abandoned to tlieir own evil ways and despising the warnings and admonitions sent them* by God through the prophet Jeremias, who lived in inoso latter days of the kingdom of Juda. The con- sequence was that they each and all died miserable and at leno-th the A * ^ ■ "" !f;i i i i, {■ "* * a * " f ' 'I m Rsvnan 08 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. kingdom and carried their people into captivity, ai already related. Q. Who was king of Assyria about this time ? A. Nabuchodonosor, whose remarkable history is recorded in scripture. Q. Can you relate some portion of Nabucbodonosor'a history? A. Having conquered the IMedes, a powei-ful people, Nabuchodonosor formed the ambitious and silly pro- ject of making all nations subject to himsilf, and even to make them adore him as a god, instructing his gen- cral, Holoferncs, not only to subdue all tribes and na- tions, but to destro} their temples and their idols, so that he might be worshipped as the god of all. Q. Did all nations submit to this tyrannical and irapioua pro. |ect? A. The Jews alone resisted; notwithstanding tlie| vast inferiority of their means and forces, they deter- mined to defend the temple of the Lord at all hazard6,| and in order to prevent the Assyrian army from reach- ing Jerusalem, Jiey occupied all the mountain passes,! fortified their towns, and took the still more efficaciou8| means of propitiating God by fasting and prayer. Q. Did Holofernea succeed in reaching tho holy city ? A. No, he had only commenced the conquest o( Juda, when at Bethulia his career was brought to i sudden close by the wisdom and courage of Judith, before related, and that heroic woman called to the! watchmen on tho gate-towers of Bethulia, when shij CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY*. 99 impious pre returned with tlw3 head of Folofernes, « God is with us, who has shown his power in Isnel." Q. What titles did the liigh priest confer ou Juditli when bt her n>ean3, not only Bethulia, but all Juda was delivered ? A. Coming from Jerusalem, with all the anoicnts, to s.'c and congratulate Judith on her glorious victory, ';::• vc]KMa!>]c pontiff honored and addressed her m '*T!io glory of Jerusalem, the joy of Israel, and tho lienor of the people." Q. What great miraclo was wrought in Babylon about this time ? A. Nabnchodonosor having caused a golden statue of himself to be made and erected on a plain near the city, ordered that all the people should assemble, and at a given signal fall down and adore him, under pain of being cast into a fiery furnace. Three young Hebrews having refused to worshij) the statue were cast into tlie fiery furnace, and, although the men who threw them in were consumed by the fire, these three gene;- ons confessors of the true faith walked unh art in tho midst of the fire, Almighty God having sent an angel to make the place cool and pleasant for them. Q. 'What strange i^nd awful punishment was inflicted on Nabuchodonosor for his impious assumption of divine honors? A. He was compelled to walk on his hands and feet, and to hold companionship with beasts, for seven years, as had been foretold by the prophet Daniel. ^ Q.^Was he ever restored to the dignity and the society of A. Tes, at tho end of seven yeara, he was restored T "i 100 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. to reason, and humbling himself before the mighty God of the Hebrews, acknowledged the justice of the terrible punishjaent he had received, whereupon the Lord, ever willing to hear the prayer of the penitent sinner, restored him to his kingdom with more glory and majesty than ever. Q. What have you to relate of Balthazar, the successor of Nabuchodonosor ? A. He had given a great banquet to a thousand of his courtiers, generals and nobles, and had caused the sacred vessels that were taken by his father from the temple of Jerusalem to be brought forth for the use ol himfeelf and his guests. Q. "What was the consequence of this sacrilegious act? A. Scarcely had Balthazar and his guests begun to drink from the sacred vessels, when the fingers of a hand were seen writing on the wall ; all were terrified, but none could decipher the mysterious characters, till at length the prophet Daniel was brought, and he ex- plained the dread enigma. Q. What was Daniel's explanation ? A. He told the king that the words written on the wall by the hand of God himself, were Mane, Thecel, Phares — ihdX Mane meant "God hath numbered thy kingdom, and it is at an end ;" Thecel meant, " Thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting ;" and Phares signified "Thy kingdom is divided, ari given io the Modes and Persians." Q. When was this prediction fulfilled •* A That very night. Cyrus, afterwarJs called the CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORT. ixn Great, took the city of Babylon, and, putting tbe king to death, possessed himself of all his treasures, and also of his kingdom, which thenceforward formed part of the great Persian empire. Q. What occurred to the prophet Daniel in the reign of Da- n>is, first king of Persia and uucle to Cyrus ? A. By the intrigues of the courtiers who hated him because of the favor he enjoyed with the king, Daniel was thrown into a den of lions, but the lions licked his foct, and did not harm him in the least ; and whilst he was there, an angel carried Habacuc, another prophet a stranger to Daniel, with some food he had prepared for himself, to the den where Daniel sat amongst tbe lions, and so gave him to eat. Q. How long Uid the Babylonian captivity of the Jews last ? A. It lasted seventy years, according to the predic- tion of the prophet Jeremiah. - X- SIXTH AGE OF THE WORLD. FROM THE END OF THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY TO TTTIi BIKTH OF CHHIST, EMBRACING A PERIOD OF ^YE^RS Q. By whose decree was the Temple of Jerusalem rebuilt? A. It was rebuilt by the decree of Cyrus, in the first year of his reign. The seventy years captivity foretold by Isaias being ended, Cyrus gave permission for the Temple to be rebuilt, and he restored the sacred ves- 102 CATRCHISM OP SACRED HISTORT. sels which had been taken from it by Nabichod- onosor. Q. Did the Jews avaU themselyes of this permission ? A. Yes; the principal families of Juda and Benja- min, with the priests arid Levites to the number of forty- two thousand three hundred and sixty, with seven thousand three hundred and sixty servants marched to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zorobabel, grandson of king Joachim, accompanied by their high pi-icst Josuc, and the prophets Aggeus and Zachaiias. Q. Wlio opposed the rebuilding of the Temple 7 A. 'The Samaritans. At first they were willing to assist in its leconstruction, but their services not being accepted, they did every thing they could to impede the progress of the work, and by their influence with the kings of Persia, kept back the rebuilding of the Temple for a period of sixteen years. But at length the prophets Aggeus and Zacharia« induced Zorobabel and the people to proceed with the work, and the king of Persia himself contributed large sums to aid the Jews in rebuilding their Temple. ' Q. "What befel meanwhile the Jews who remained in cap- tivity ? A. They were grievously persecuted by a wicked and powerful man named Aman, by whose malice ''^'»y were in great danger of being entirely cut oflf. Q. "Whom did God raise up to protect, his oppressed people ? A. Esther, a beautiful and virtuous ^voman of their 0wn race, whom Asaeurus the king had made his wHe, CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY, I OS By the powerful influcnco of this fwr nnd holy qncon peace was reBtored to the Jews iu Babylon, and ,nany wbo had feared to acknowledge themselves Jews, now cpenly professed their faith, and worshipped the tru« God. Q. Who conducted a number of the Jews to Jerusalem abou eight years after Zorababel's return thither ? A Esdras, the priest, being sent by Artaxerxes the king to carry presents to the Temple, was empowered to appoint judges and magistrates, and to establish law and order in Judea. Esdras governed that country ia «.e name of the Persian king for thirteen yeara, when Nohemias was sent with a new commission from tho King. Q. Who was Nchemias, and what was his charaotev A. JNehemias had been cup-bearer to Artaxe' ' Imvnig earnestly petitioned the king to have U of Jerusalem rebuilt, ho was appointed governoi, sent to have that work accomplished. He was an up. "gl. and God-fearing man, and by his wisdom and good government did much to ameliorate the condi- tion of the Jewish people. Nehemias is honorably jtioned in Scripture as a great benefactor to the Q. What prophet lived after the rebuilding of the Temple? A. Malachias, the last of the propheH lived after W rebu,ld,ng of the Temple. There was no prophe , f'o... his fme till that of John the Baptist^^ho^ coming he foretold. ^ ^ i ^' ia4 CATECHISM or SACRED HISTORY, Q. How many of th« prophcta uro now known by their pro. pheoies? A. Sixteen in all : tliey are divided into two classes, Liiown as the great and the minor prophets, from the greater or lesser extent of their prophesies. Q. Which are called tbo great prophets ? A. Isaias, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Q. Nam© the twelve minor prophets ? A. Jonas, Oseo, Amos, Abdias, Michcas, Np.hum, Joel, Sophonias, Habacuc, Aggeus, Zacharias, and Malachias. Qj How did Nohemias obtain consocrated fire after the ro- buildins of the Tomple ? A. He sent some descendants of the priests, who had concealed the sacred fire by coramfind of the prophet Jeremiah, to seek it, but they findirin: only thick water, Bohemias directed them to bring him soma of it, and having sprinkled therewith the altar and the victim, it ignited, and consumed the sacrifice. Q. How was the kingdom of Juda governed after the death of Nehemias ? A. By tho high priests, of whom a regular succes- sion had been maintained from the days of Aaron. Q. To whom was Judea then subject? A. It was subject to Persia, nnder whose kings the people of God enjoyed comparative peace in the undis- turbed exercise of their reliHon. Q. Did the people of Israel continue in a communion of wor- ihip during that time with their brethren of Judea? A. No ; owing to the intermarriage of a priestly y their pro> vo classes, from tLo f Np.huin, iriaS) and iler tho ro- *, who had prophet ick water, of it, aud victim, it }r tho death iaj succes- Laron. kings the the iindis- lion of wor- a priestly OATECHIBfit 0!f SACRED HISTORY. 106 family with oDe of Samaria, hi Israel, contrary lo tbo Jewish law, a schisni arose, end a schismatic tempio was cren'ed on Mount Gaiizim, in Samaria, in opposi^ ion to that of Jen saleni. Q. Who was Seloucus ? A. A king of Asia, who, by tho connivance of a wicked man named Simon, overseer of the Temple, sent bis commissary Ileliodo^as, to seize immense sums of money which had been deposited in the Temple. Q. Dd HeKodorus succeed in obtaining this treasure? A. JNo ; the good high priest, Inias, with all the peo- pic earnestly besought God to save the Temple from profanatici, and God, hearing their pious prayers, sent his angels visibly to protect the sanctuary. Q. WiiO was Aatiochus ? A, A most wicked king of Asia, the .accessor of beleucus, who grievously oppressed the Jewish nation. Un one occasion, he took and sacked Jerusalem, kill- \Hg eighty thousand of its people in three days, and making forty thousand prisoners; forty thousand more he sold as slaves. ^a What sacrilegious act did Antlochus commit on that oo- A. Being conducted to the Temple by the impious Menelaus, who had usurped the office of high priest Antiochus laid sacrilegious hands on the treasures therein contained, and robbed the Temple. A. To oppress and afflict the people ; and he after. u .■.■■■) 100 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORT. wards sent his general Appolonius with a largo army^ to kill all the men of the Jewish nation, and sell th« women and children as slaves. Q. What other proof did Antiochus give of his haUed to th« Jewish rehgion ? A. He commenced a violent persecution against tie professors of that religion, placed an idol in the temple, defiled the altars, and put a great number of persons to death because they would not deny the one true God, and bow the knee to idols. Q. Mention some of the victims of the persecution of Antio chus ?( A. Elcazer, one of the chief scribes, a holy old man who was ninety years of age, and a whole family, com- monly called the Maccabees, consisting of seven brothers and their pious mother, all of whom suffered Hiartyrd':^m with heroic foi-titude. Q. In what other way did Antiochus show his hatred of tlie trae religion ? A. He destroyed what he could of tho sacred writ- ings, and put to death those with whom any of them were discovered. Q. "Whom did God raise up at that time to assist his people? A. A holy priest named Mathathias, who with his feimily and kindred were all most faithful to God, and determined to die rather than renounce their allegiance to him. Q. What have you to relate of Mathathias 7 „M- if^ i.\Hiiisi-\i : .Kfiis V %ik aaaiy-'ili vtnn lHa iiiUiiiji CATEcmsM OF SACBED insiont. jot tors; ho tt on V ZhT !. ^ '."^""''"'"^ to the idola- idols, mJiZt:z:^7o ' r '^"'""^ *° wlIiY'' ''' "^*«*- «>" ^0' the sorvic of Goa aud A. He placed himself at the head nf tl,. ageous Jews, attacked the enemv Id T' '""■ victories over the vUUtlT 7?^' ^ ^amod several when dyinrSt In ,„ ' r'""'^''^ '^'" ""^"^ »'"', eially hfs rJtdas ZtZT^ ""' ""' "'^'^- lives to th„ service of gIT.T' n '=°"^«<=''ato their before him. °''' "'"^ ''^^"^ "''^ays faithfuHjr Q. now many sons had ifathathias ? A Judas Machabens, tho youncrest b" ♦!. . ;^^_^;^-..ho bad been faLd^r';:^^^^^^ Q- Was Judas victorious over the onemv ? A. Yes; notwitstandinir the vast .„.„..•„_•. -"T-a forces, tho valiant Judas"dX't;7Th:it f 108 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. every engagement, and finally drove the idolaters out of Jiidca. Q. What did Antiocbus Epiphanea when ho heard of tho V'ctoriea of Judaa Machabeua ? A. Ho immediately set out for Jerusalem, with an intention to destroy the whole Jewish people. Q. Did ho accomplish this wicked design? A. No, when on his way to Jerusalem he fell from hia chariot, and was grievously injured by the fall ; Almighty God struck him, moreover, with a horrible disease so that worms swarmed from his body, tho stench whereof became intolerable to his whole army. Q. Did he then ropent of his manifold sins ? A. He did, to a certain extent, inasmuch as he saw the misery they had brought upon him ; ho humbled liimself before God, and promised to do great things for his temple and his people if he were only cured, but his repentance being only from a personal motive was of no avail before God, and he died in his sins, in that wretched condition. Q. What was the first care of Judas Machabeua after ho had driven the enemy from his country ? A. His first care was to purify the temple, which ho then rep-aired and refurnished, erected a new altar of holocausts, collected tho sacred writings scattered abroad daring the war, and caused the sacrifices anj all other religious observances to be faithfully jn'actised, as of old. lie also strongly fortified Mount Sion. ■KTonliol-iona nannllv nrPinaro for battle? •^•wiiic ■nj.-ar^-i A. By fasting, prayer, and humiliation, which drew CATKCHISM OF BACKED HISTORY. lOft. down upon Lim and his arms the blessing of God, and ■ enabled Lun to defeat, with only a small force, the vast ' armies brought against him, which he did on many occasions. ^ A. That of sending money to Jerusalem after his . ' battles, o have sacrifice oflFered up for the souls of his ■ deceased soldiers. . ^- '^"t ^°^ *« Holy Scripture say with regard to this pious act of JudaaMaohabeus? ' A That he "thought well and religiously concern- ing the resurrecuon," and « that it is a holy and wholo^ some thought to pray for the dead that they may be , loosed from their sins." J } "" Q. How did Judas Maohabeus dio? A He died gloriously, as ha had lived, fighting ati the head of a small band of devoted followers a vast army of idolaters, under Bacchides. The battle ad ccntinued from morning till night, when the Jews lost their valiant leader. k-.ly'"" ■'"'''^ ^^ ^"^^ Maohabous make to those who. A. He said, « If our time bo come, let us dio man--- % for our brethren." This heroism was the Ze oraa Ubie as the greater part of his own army h>»d «ed through fear, leaving Judas only eight hundr«l 110 CATECHISM OP SACRED HISTORY. Q. "V^ho waa chosen as successor of Judas Maclmbcus in th« «.. government of Judea ? A. His brother Jonathan, who was equally bravo : and equally devoted to tlio interests of religion. Q. llow did Jonathan succeed in warring against the enemies ■ df his country ? A. Uo twice defeated Baccbides, with whom ho vthen concluded a treaty, which secured peace to . Judea for nearly fourteen years. So honored was . Jonathan at home and abroad that kings, we are told, - sought his friendship, and the high priesthood was V coi)ferrod on him by Alexander, son of Antiochus. Q. How wai this poaca disturbed ? A, Dometrius, the rival of Alexander, being killed • in battle with the latter, his son who succeeded him, . appointed Apollonins, the known enemy of the Jews, . as his general. ApoUonius entered Jude:i at the head . of a laro-e army, but was met and defeated by Jona- ; than. Q. With what nations did Jonathan renew treaties of peaco ; and friendship? A. With the Pwomans and the Lacedemonians. V Q. What befel Jonathan soon after ? A. lie Avas treacherously taken prisoner by an nnv :biUou3 man named Tryphon. His brother Simoi:! . hearing of what had befallen Jonathan, sent to Jcml . . salem, assembled the people, and offered himself ai .their leader, in place of his brother, which ofTer tlicjj ■ rrladlv accepted, and promised to obey him in * things. Q. T" ftf Jude A. J walls, 1 Q. \i inf,' to al A. 1 Jonathj liostaofc Q. W A. Y his po^ Judea w Q. Wi A. Fi attacks, j Q. ITo\ A. Ni complete menced f built v/ha restored former sj jfiWoad, ar |»nd Romj Q. How A. He Icontrivanc ibcus in the ally bravo on. the enemies wbouV ho peace to 10 red was c are told, tliood was oclius. eing killed )eded him, the Jews, I t the Lead; I by Jona- Lies of peacflj liaiis. by an tm her Siinoi:| it to Jcni' himself ai] offer tlicyj bim in CATECHISM OF SACRED IIISTOBT. Hj »aiis, and place a garrison in Joppa i... to Yult!'/''"" ""^° ■'^ '•""■"• «>«' S™- was prepa. '.o.a,c.a„aa,re;;rj2„rpr.iS^^ Q. Was this done f A. Yes, but Tryphon, when ho got the two song in .s power, refused to liberate the M,er, and enter d Jndea w.th the intention of laying the county. " Q. What did Tryphon then do? A Finding that Simon every where repulsed hi. attacks, he put Jonathan and his sons to dealh Q- IIow long did Simon gorera Jadea? 4.ra7Llrir^^^^^^^^^^^ SiSVar'^, ^^ '"^ PCople^'Sjairld IT: l« 2 1 ''? ^"'''T'^ ^y ^"''"'^^^'^^ wars, and cstoiod the tcmplo and the city to mo- «'« i''''^'"''i« place, but washappilyXJS,:'''^"'^^ life 1 i lU CATBCniSM 07 SACRED BISTORT. Q. Who succeeded bim ? A. His son John, sui'named Hyrcanus, whom his f:itlier had appointed general of the army. It was Ptolemy's design to kill him also, but he received in- telligence of the murder of his father and brothers in time to take proper precautions. Q. What was the character of John Hyrcanus? A. He was no less brave and pious than his father and brothers, and had gained a great victory during his father's lifetime ever a large army sent by Antio chus, son of Demetrius, to invade Judea. (^ How long did John Hyrcanus govern Judea? A. About thirty-one years. His government was ai prosperous for Judea as that of his father and brothers, and amongst other great and praiseworthy actions, he destroyed the schismatical temple built two hundred] years before, on Mount Garizim in Samaria. Q. Who succeeded John Hyrcanus ? A. His son Aristobulus, who caused himself to bei crowned as king, being the first who did so from the| destruction of the monarchy at the Babylonian cap tivity. Q. Was AriatobuluB true to the character of his noble house? A. No, he was odious for his cruelty even to his own family, having murdered his mother and one ofj liis brothers. Q. How long did this wicked man rule Judea ? A- TTfi rpAcrnpA onlv one vear. CATECHISM OP SACRED HISTORY. 113 Q. By whom was Aristobulus succeeded? A. By his brother Alexander Jannajus, who died a natural death after a troubled reign of twenty-seven years. "^ Q. To whom did Alexander leave the sovereign power? A. To Alexandra his queen, who caused her yoiinjrer son Hjrcanus, to be made high priest. After the death of the queen, her son HyrcanuB assumed the sovereignty, but being of a mild and easy disposition was soon dethroned by his brother Aristobulus. Q. How did the Jews lose their independence ? A. The Romans having assisted Hyrcanus to recover the throne, Herod, an Idumeau by birth, taking advantage of the domestic troubles of the Jews in- vaded the country, and possessed himself of the sover- eign power, his usurpation being sanctioned by the Koman Emperor Augustus. Q. What remarkable prophecies were fulfilled by this usur- pation of Herod? « uoui A. That Esau (that is, Edom or Idumea), should one day shake off the yoke of his brother Israel, and that the Messiah should come when the sceptre de- I parted from Juda. 10* JXBVB FALLS ITITDKH THE CuOfl*. Q. W] ment ? A. T Mark, i Epistles St. Jiid^ Q. wi A. Tl his niir.i j'csiiiTecl Q. Wh A. Tl with the Q. Whi A. Th tioiis giv( Q. And A. Th llio Evai coiisidere latter da^ Q. Ho\^ ised Messia A. Abi THE NEW TESTAMENT. :*fi ■ ?M Q. What books of the Bible are comprised in the New Test». ment? A. The four Gospels of St. Mathew, St. Luke, St. Mark, and St. John ; the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles of St. Paul, St. Peter, St James, St. John, and St. Jude, and the Apocalypse of St. John. Q. What is contained in the Crospels ? A. The history of the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, his miracles, his passion, his death, and his glorious resurrection and ascension. Q. What is comprised m the Acts of the Apostles? A. The history of the foundation of the Church, with the labors and sufferings of the first Apostles. Q. What do the Epistles contain? A. The Epistles contain the precepts and instruc- tions given by the Apostles to the primitive Christians. Q. And what is the Apocalypse ? A. The Apocalypse is a vevelation made to St. John llio Evangelist in the island of Patmos, and may be considered the prophetic and mysterious history of the latter days of the Church on earth. Q. How long after the fall of our first parents did the prom- ised Messiah come on earth ? A. About four thousand years. 116 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORr. Q. In what condition was the world at the time of his ap pearanc?? A. The world was plunged in the darkness of idola- try, with the single exception of the sn)all province c^ Jndea, and even the people of that one province, the Jews, who alone adored the true God, were divided into several sects, such as the Phan^eeSjthc Sadducees, the Ilcrodians, au'd others. Q. Of what race was tho Messiah oom ? A. Ho was born of the tribe of Juda, and the family of David, as had been foretold by many of tho pro- phets^; his mother was Uary, an humble virgin of Nazareth, daughter of Joachim and Anne, and es- poused to Joseph, an aged man, by trade a carpenter. Q. How did the incarnation of the Messiah take place ? A. The archangel Gabriel was sent by God to aii« nounce to the virgin spouse of Joseph that tho Son of God should become flesh in her ch&:^te womb. Q. How did the angel salute the Blessed Virgin ? A. lie said, " Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amonjyst women." Q. How did the t; -w-jf' Virgin "octilve this salutation? x\. She wab -^uch irouuled, and knew not what it meant, Q. What did the angel Gabriel then say ? A. " Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God ; behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and uiiiig; iuri 0„-..'_.,„ ^ « -- I TTtra iiiulJUVlOUi UOni i A. He was born in a cave that was used as a stab^ U 122 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORT. because the inns being all full, and St. Joseph and hii holy spouse very poor, they were forced to take shelter in tbat wretched place from the inclemency of the winter night, being the twenty-fifth of December. Q. To whom was the birth of tho Messiah first rar.de known ? A. To some shepherds who were feeding their flocks on the plains of Bethlehem. To them the angels ap- peared, singing in the sky,~" Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to men of good will;" and one of the heavenly company announced to the shep- herds that the Saviour, Christ the Lord, was born to them, and that they should find him in tho city of David wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. . Q. Did tho Bhcpherda go to search for tho hcaven-bom child ? A. Yes, they went immediately to Bethlehem, and found the child, the Scripture says, with Mary his mother, and kneeling down they adored him. Q. When was Uio holy name of Jeaus given onr divine Lord? A. On the eighth day after his birth, being the day when, according to the Jewish rite, he received cir- cumcision. Q. On what day does tho Church commemorate this event? A. On the first day of January, honored as the Feast 01 the Circumcision. Q. How was Our Saviour's birth revealed to the Gentiles ? A. Bv a star which oruided three wise men, said to have been kings, to Jerusalem from the East. This i md his shelter of the known ? r flocks rels ap- in the 11 f and ic shcp- born to city of d in a rn child ? ;ni, and ary his le Lord? the day ed cir- event ? c Feast itiles ? said to , This CATBCHISM OF SACRED HISTQUY. 123 was the star foretold by the false prophet Balaam and hat prophecy had been preserved by LditionarCt the pagan nations of the East. amongst Jerusal'T ''''"'' "'" *'"^ ^''' "^"' ^ '^^^^'^ --^od beltvil!'f]f ' !^'«Woared from their eyes, and they, be levmg their journey at an end, went to the kinjj palace, mqoiring " Where is he Ihat is born kS o itt aTd '^^'" "''' ''''^ "^^^ ^^^- -- LisTar Xe ■fi-ast, and are come to adore him." Q. How did King Herod act on hearing this news? A iie assembled the chief priests and scribes and >nqmred of them where the cLt was to be bo" hey answered,-'. In Bethlehem" of Juda, for so it is' iTtl Vn-'"'°P,''''" "'"''^ *'•«» -"t tb^ -iso men to seek dihgently for the child, and to return and let h m know when they had found him, .hat he, too "I'ght go and adore him. ' ' LordwtT '" "" '"""^ M-'gi d-oovor the place where Oar L^fo-' w{ '''° fn"' "'^""^ "-^-W^ared to them, and went bofc » them t,l It Stood over where the child was St bio '"'■ 7, '"r^ *" ^""'""^ "^ ^" "'•'"■-« in the' table wuh Mary his mother, and falling down they V - 124 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORT. Q. How wa8 this wicked design frustrated ? A. The Magi were admonislied in sleep not to re- turn to him, and they went, accordingly, by another way to their own country. Q. By what festival does the Church commemorate the ador- ation of the wise men ? A. By the Feast of the Epiphany, or Manifestation to the Gentiles, solemnized on the sixth day of January. Q. With what rite of the Mosaic law did the Blessed Virgin comply on the fortieth day after the birth of her divine son ? A. She complied with the law which decreed that women should be purified in the temple ; at the same time she presented her divine Son to his Eternal Father. Q. What sacrifice did she offer on that occasion ? A. The sacrifice ordained for the poor, a pair of tur- tle doves, or two young pigeons. Q. What holy persons bore testimony to Our Lord at his pre- sentation ? A. A lioly old man named Simeon, and a prophetess, named Anna. The former had received a promise from God that he should not die till his eyes had seen the salvation of Israel ; the holy woman, Anna, had served for many years day and night in the temple. Q. On what day does the Church commemorate the two-fold mystery of the purification, and the presentation in the temple ? A. On the second day of February, called Candle- mas Day, when wax tapers are blessed and distributed amongst the faithful, in remembrance of the words oi holyi the r€ Q. ^ eluded A. male c old an of the Q. H A. . warned Egypt, return, out for and his Q. II( A. A to St. J< niandin^ ills motl Q. Did A. Y< and her chelaus, afraid to his sleep, in Nazan that our CATECHISM OF SACRBD HISIOKT. 125 holy Simeon, applied to the infant Savionr, "a li..ht to the revelation of the Gentiles." " A. He crnclly ordered a general massacre of all the male children in and around Bethlehem, of two yeara old and under, hoping thus to ensure the destruction of the infant Messiah. Q. How did the holy infant escape ? A. An angel appeared to St. Joseph in his sleep, and warned him to fly with the child and h-S mother into Jigypt, and to remain there until he should tell him to return. St. Joseph did as he was commanded and set out for Egypt that same night, with the divine infant and his mother. Q. How long did tho holy family remain in Egypt ? A About eight years, when an angel appeared again to St Joseph, and told him that Herod was dead, com- mandmg him at the same time to take the child and ins mother back to the land of Israel. Q. Did St. Joseph obey this mandate ? A Yes, he immediately set out with his holy spouse and her divine Son, but hearing, on the way, that Ar- chelaus, the son of Herod, reigned in Jadea, he was afraid to return thither, and being again admonished in hjs sleep, went to Galilee, wnere he took up his abode in Nazareth. Bv this meanc ih^ «« i,^ /• ait.j that our blessed Lord should be called a Nazarite. 11* 126 CATECHISM OF SACKED HISTORY. Q. How is our divine Lord supposed to have spent his time at Nazaretli ? A.. He k supposed to Imvc assisted St. Joseph in his carpenter work. Q. What remarkable circuraalaiico occurred wlien our blesacd Loi-d was about twelve years old ? A. He having accompanied his inotbci* and St. Joseph to Jerusalem to celebrate the Pas' h, remained behind them in the city, they supposing him with some of the numerous friends and relatives who were jour- neying together ; when they missed the divine child they returned in haste to Jerusalem and found him af- ter thr^ days, in the temple, disputing with the doc- tors of the law, and astonishing all by his words of wisdom. Q. What did his mother say to him when she thus found him ? A. She asked him why he had done so to her, and said that she and St Joseph had sought him sor- rowing. Q. What was Our Lord's reply ? A. " How is it that you sought mc, knew you not that I must be about my Father's business ?" Never- theless, the Scripture says that he wont down to Naz- areth with his holy mother, and was subject to hci and St. Joseph. Q. What was the preaching of SL John the Baptist in the desert, and on tlie banks of the Jordan where ho opened his mission ? A. His preaching was '-'iJo ponaiico, lui wuo i^iug^ dom of heaven is at hand." CATECHiSM OF BACKED mSTORV. Q. Did many of tho peopJo go io hear him ? A. Yes great multitudes resorted to him for instn,. uT'd-t trdT''"-, ^-"^' others ^^^ our d,„„e Lord h.mself, anxious to give an example of fu,. l;ZY'" '' •^°"" ^"^ '- -- 0" ^ord coming to him to ft-'fi' »' J- .ce." St. John obeyed, and baptized him. Q. What prodigy took plaoe at this baptism? l^oid, and tlie Holy Ghost descended on him in tho orm of a dove ; at the same time a voiee w^ Wrd from heaven, saying-" This is my beloved Son „ whom I am well pleased !" ">ea eon m «-ai r :,f i^u::i„7Cr "' ^'^ ^" ^^^ --'-^ - A lie said, " Behold the Lamb of God : behold him Wiio taketh away the sins of the world," Q. What befol St. John soon after this ? A. lie was cast into prison by order of Herod the cnuch beca.se he had rebuked him for havlg cot ■1« Iwfr"'""^ "''"'"^'' -* Herodi.:, his about t^s Umtl °" "'"^ "^'^ '"^ "' «'• J"'''^ '"^e Baptist A. ihat amongst those born of woman there wa. »t 128 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORT. not a greater prophet than John the Baptist ; that he was a prophet, and more than a prophet, and that it was of him the prophet spoke when ho said, " Behold I send my angel before thy face who shall prepare thy way before thee " Q. Can you relate the circumstancea of St. John's martyr- dom? A. Yes ; Herod made a great supper on his birth- day for all the princes and tribunes and chief men of Oalilee, when the daughter of Herodias came in and danced before them, and her dancing so pleased the king that he told her to ask of liim what she would, and that he would give it to her. Instructed by her wicked mother, she asked the head of John the Baptist, who was accordingly beheaded that night, and his head given her on a dish. Q. What age was Our Lord when he was baptised ? A. He was thirty years of age. Q. "What did he immediately after his baptism ? A. He retired to the desert, where he spent forty days and forty nights in prayer and meditation, with- out either eating or drinking. Q. What remarkable circumstance occuiTed to our blessed Lord in the desert ? A. He was tcmptetion. At length, he com- manded the devil to leave h'm, when angels came and ministered to him. CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. 129 Q. Whither did Our Lord go after leaving the desert? A. lie went into Galilee, where ho taught openly in the synagogues. Q. Why did ho leave Hazareth ? A. Because the people of that town, indignant at hjs preaching, thought to throw him from the brow of the hill on which it is built. Q. How did he escape their fury ? A. The Gospel relates that " passing through the midst of them, he went his way." Q. What was Our Lord's first miracle ? A. The changing water into wine at the wedding of Cana, in Galilee, this he did at the request of his blessed mother who, perceiving that the wine had failed, wisheri to spare the confusion of the entertainers, and told her divine Son that there was no wine. Q. Whither did Our Lord go after this? A. He went to Capharnaum, a sea-coast city on the borders of Zabulon and Nepthtali. Q. What miracle did Our Lord perform at Capharnaum? A. He healed the servant of a centurion, who hear- ing ot Jesus, sent the ancients to ask him to heal his servant. Q. Did Our Lord go to his house as desired ? A. He did, and the centurion seeing him coming, advanced to meet him, saying, « Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof: sav but the word, and my servant shall be healed." I- 130 CATKCniSM OF SACfllED HISTORY. Q. On hearing tbia what did Jesus saj ? A. He said, turning to the multitude who followed liim, ** Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel." And the Scripture says, they who were sent being returned to the house, found the ser- vant whole who had been sick. Q. What miracle did Our Lord perform at Nairn ? A. lie raised to life the son of a widow, touched by the grief of the afflicted mother whom he met follow- ing her son's funeral. Q. Amongst the great number of his disciples did not Our Lord choose some to abide with him more particularly, and to aid him in his mission ? A. Yes, he chose twelve, to whom he gave the name of Apostles, which signifies sc»f, because after his death, they were destined to preach the Gospel to all nations. Q. Who were these twelve apostles ? A. Peter, who was first called Simon, his brother Andrew, James the major, and James the minor, so called on account of their respective stature, Thomas, Philip, John, Bartholomew, Simon, surnamcd Zelotcp, Jude the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot. Q. What was the employment of most of the apostles before they were called by our blessed Lord ? A. Most of them were fishermen on the sea of Galilee. Q. Whither did Our Lord retire with his disciples soon after thje mlracloB above relatod ? A. He retired with them to a mountain near Ca- phanij in Scri Q. C A. ' " Bless of hea) the ear be coir after ji inercift clean o pcace-E (rod ; I eousncj Q. W A. I Father.' Q. W A. V town, o ;']"(>gues. Q. Wt A. II long des prophets penance, i'n-ies, at Q= By A. B> CATSCaiSM OF ^ ACRED mSTORT. 131 pl>«maum where he preached to them a sermon kuo,»n m Scr.pt.ire as the Sermon on the Mount. Q. Can you repeat any por.ion of thU Sermon ? A. Yes, the eight beatitudes, which are as follows : Blessed are ho poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven ; blessed are the .neek, for they shall possess the earth ; blossod arc tl.cy that mourn, for thej shal be comfortoJ ; blessed are they that hunger and thi..t after justice, for they shall b. filled; blessed arc the .ncrc,fn,for they shall obtain mercy blessed I M clean of heart, for they shall see God; blessed are th .eace-makers for they shall be called the children of ('..d ; blessed are they that suffer persecution for H.ht- cousnes.' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Q. mnt form ofprnyerdid Our W frame for his dHcipIes? A. Ine Lonis I'.ayor, commonly called the "Our rather. Q. Where did Our Lord preach tho Gosoel ? A. Wherever an occasion presented itself, in citv town, or country, in the temple, and in the syni^ jj'ogues. •' Q. What did ho preach to tho people t A. He every where announced that the Messiah, so long dcs,rcd by the patriarchs, and promised by the prophets, had come ; every where, too, he preached I'cnanro, the contempt of riches, the forgiveness of in- ■jines, and the denial of self. r f ' ■"'-~ "'" ""' ^w usuaiiy instruct the Jews ? A. Cy means of parables, the principal of which 182 CAliCCHISM OP SACRED HISTORT, were tlio Prodigal Son, tlic Unjust Steward, Dives and Lazarus, tlio Good Samaritan, the Good Shepherd, and the Pharisee and Publican. Q. What lesson did Our Saviour teach ua by the parable of the Prodigal Son ? A. The folly of the sinner who wanders away from God in the desert of sin, and the great goodness of God who, like the father of the prodigal son is ever will- ing to receive him on his return. Q. What are wo to learn fVom the parable of the Unjust Steward ? A. That we may and should, like the unjust steward, make ' friends for ourselves with the mammon of ini- quity, which is the wealth of this world, by applying to good purposes, and especially in charity to the poor, and to religion, the means which God has bestowed upon us. Q. What lesson is conveyed to oi^t understanding by the parable of Dives and Lazarus ? A. The terrible punishment which awaits in the other world, those who close their hearts against the poor. What are we to leam from the perable of the Good Samaritan ? A. That we are to consider all mankind as our brethren, but in a very special manner the poor andi the afflicted. Q. And whau does Our Lord teach ua by the parable of the Good Shepherd ? A JLUG leiiCiOr * ar:"' himself, eternal Q. Ar and tlio I A. T virtue o glory. Q. Wl and SidoE A. 1>( .nm to c by a dcv ing that IJnt the althouffh our divin iaitli, be : ter was c Q. Wha the cITieacj A. IIo way-si d(?, passing b Iiave iner I'v the dis the more i our divine Q. What tile multitud A. CoiT] CATECHISM OP BACKED IHSTORV I33 Jiut}i:!:it^ ••' '""' "^ *^""' "-"'o "^^^0 ^-"^ A. The great esteem in which our God hoi,!, «!,- n2-°n.„.i.ity, „„, his hat..ea of pSo a:fv:t! Q^ What miracio did our Lord perform in tlie vicinitvnf T.~ and Sidon, showing bis regard for humility? ^""'7 "f ^y™ A bemg met by a woman of Canaan, who besought .".> to euro har danghter who was grievoasly tronbled mg that ho was sent only to the lost sheej of I rael ♦• n 1 • , ^'» ^» woman, m-eat h thv ™ on r; '° ?" '" "•°" *■■"'" -"- -' "»^ tei vas curcvl from that Iionr. "^ A. lie cnred a blind man who sat hoggin, h- the P^«sn>g by, began to cry out, "Jcsns,son of David a. e .nercy on me !" Several times he was rebuk J ■y the d,sc>ples, and told to hold his peaee but s«|1 e more urgently did he renew his petitiL wLe up om divmo Lord restored Iiis sight. ^ A. Compassionating their necessities, for /' 12 icy had 134 CATECHISM OP BACRED lUSYOHY. been all tho day fasting, lie so multiplied five loaves and two fishes, which a boy cli; need to have, that not only did tho multitude all eat in abundance, but twelve baskets ol the fragments were carried away. Q. \Vlmt stupendous niiraclo did our Lord poiforra a* Bethany ? A. IIo raised to life Lrtzarus, the brother of Mary Magdalen and her sister Martha, although ho had been three days in the grave. ■ 1 ■ Q. Who else did ho raise from tho dead ? A. The daughter of Jairus, whom ho took by tlic hand^ and saying, " Maiden, I say to thee, arise," she that had been dead arose, restored to life and health. Q. "What effect did these miracles of our Lord produce? A. Thc;-^ made him known throughout all Judca; but they, at the same time, excited tho jealousy and hatred of the Scribes and Pharisees, and the Jcwisli priests. Q. What directions did our Lord give his apostles? A. To preach tho Gospel, and to confirm the doc- trine they tauoht by miracles, the power of working which he imparted to them. Q. What did ho foreti'l thorn ? A. That they should suti'sr persecution for his sake, and should be brought before governors and princes; but that proper words should be put in t' cir mouths to speak, and that the Spirit of their Father ehould srvAoIr in fllOlTi CATECHISM OP SACRED HISTORY. 135 Q. Did our Lord send any others on tho n.is.sioii Gcsidcs tho l^elvQ Apostles ? A. Yes; ho appointed seventy-two of liis diseipl.s to go, two and two before him, into every town and city, announcing his coming. On them, also, lie b> stowed the gift of miracles. Q. WcTo thcro any persons of distinction amongst tho dk- ciple.'s <;f our Lord ? A. Yes ; there were many, but they dared not pro. fuss their faith openly, fearing the vengeance of the Scribes and Pharisees. The two of these particularly mentioned are Nicodemus, who came to our Lord by night for instruction, and Joseph of Ariraathea. Q. What did our Lord prophecy concerning tho Temple ? A. That it should bo utterly demolished, so that one stone should not remain upon another. Q. When was this prophecy fulfilled ? A. It was partially fulfilled when the Roman Em- peror Titus took Jerusalem after a siego of ten years ; and the work of destruction left unfinished by Titus' was entirely completed by the Emperor Julian the' Apostate, who, foolishly bent on proving our Lord's prophecy false, attempted to rebuild the Temple, and dug out the very foundations, so that the prophecy was literally fulfilled, not one stone being left on an- other, and so it remains to this day. Q. How did our Lord manifest his zeal, on finding buyers and sellers trafficking in tho Temple ? ^ A.^ He made a scourge of little cords, and drove out tuG sheep and oxen from the court of the Temple, scat- 136 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. tcrcd the money of the money-changers, and ovcrthre-w their tables; to the sellers of doves he said, "Take these things hence, and make not the house of my father a den of thieves." Q. What did our blessed Lard, when ho saw the hatred o! the Jews becoming more violent against him ? A. He left Jerusalem for a time, and retired into Galilee. Q. "What occurred when our Lord was on his way to Galilee ? A. Having reached Sichar, a city of Samaria, he seated himself on Jacob's well to rest, while his dis- ciples ?Nvent into 1 .e city to buy provisions; meanwhile there came to draw water a Samaritan woman, of whom he asked a drink, and the woman was sui-prised by the request, as the Jews were not permitted to hold any intercourse with the Samaritans. Q. What did our Lord then do ? A. He bejrau to discourse with the woman on the life which is everlasting, and, finally, by mentioning to her some sins of her past life, convinced her that he was a prophet. The woman then ran to the city, and telling the people that a great prophet sat by the well, inany of them came to him and besought him to re- main with them. lie accordingly staid . little time in their city, and during his stay, converted mimbers to the faith. Q. Mention what occurred during a storm on tho sea of Galileo. XX. r\ T J i.«,l .^■nrv i^^n rt fsliiri in /sr/^/\r f A ftVOld . %> *<« S^ A *A AT 't^ ^W U» the j: havir direci on th by hii Q. ' tho lak A. the lal to pra Lord : posing of thei asked 1 walk o saying, and wa Q. W A. S fiiiled 1] save mc the han thou do Q. Wl miracles ( A. Sr from th( CATECHISM OP SACRED HISTOEY. 187 the pressure of the multitude that follov.od Lim. Afte, hav.„g theuce instructed the people on the shox^hc d r ted h,s d,se>ples to set sail for the opposite eo st on hen way a storm arose, and our Lord being awoke by h., d,se,ples, rebuked the winds and the waves, say! gLeahr'^^'""' ""'^""'"^^'^*«'^*•^--^■ thoty„'r"Gr„™.' ^'""-^'^■"'^ °-«-^ '»«'• Peter on A. St. Pet^er and Lis companions were in a ship on he lake, our Lord having remained alone on the shore to pray ; the sh,p being tossed about on the waves, our Lord walked to ,t on the water, and the disciples, Z po«ng,t to be an apparition, were ..fraid, «II [ho voice of the.r dn^,e Master reassured them, when St. Peter asked h,m ,f ,t were indeed himself, to make him, too valk on the water towards him, and our divine Lrd saymg, "Come ;» St. Peter went down from the sl-ip and walked on the water. ^^' Q. What happened then ? A St. Peter having walked a little way, his courage fa.Ied hun; and beginning to sink, he ciied, "Lord save me;" whc.npon our gracious Lord took h. a by' ;!ltub;;:r"S'"^^''--^"tt.e faith, why didsl 7 v^-.;s-« i' approacl Q. Wh A. He here; lei for Moses him." T should bo put to death, and on the third day rise again, Q. What A. IIg , CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. I39 a few SerTh™;"""" ""' "" "" ""«'■««'- "« "P-"- A^ Taking with Lira Peter, James, and John, he ro- ot a glorified body, Lw face radiant as the s.n, and 1 i garments white and shining. ' * , J.'h7mT ^'"" ''"^°"''"'' °' ""' "'"' '^'^ '^■^^ ^^n talking A. Moses ami Elias, who convoi-sod with I,im on his approaching passion and death in Jerusalem. A TrT^f ^^• ^r??'^"™ o-^ ^^S this gloriou, sight? A. lie exclaimed, "Lord, it is good for us to be ere; let us make three t.bernaclet, one for thee one for Moses, and one for Elias." ' Q. What other prodigy then took placo ? A Whilst St. Peter yet spoke, a bright cloud over- shadowed o- -Lord and his two heavenly compaZ and a voice from the cloud was heard saving. " Thisl' ...y beloved Son in whom lam well pl^ h^ Imn. The disciples, being afraid, fell flat on iL ground, but our Lord reassured them and told tl 'em to use, when they saw only himself, under his ordinary 'ippearance. *^ Q. What did our Lord then tell his apostles? A. He told them not to speak of the vision they had «-'n until after he .vas risen from the dead. ^ Q. What did our Lord do soon after A. IIg set out for Jerusalem his transfiguration ? is disciples, with 140 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. whom he told that the hour of his passion was at hand. Q. What miraculous cure did onr Lord perform on his way \a Jerusalem ? A. Taj ■ of ten lepers, who, seeing him pass, stood afar off, \d cried out, "Jesus, master, have mercy on us." Our Saviour told them to go and show them- selves to the priests, and as they went they w^ere made clean. Q. Did they return to thank our divine Lord for having healed them ? A. Only one of them returned to thank him, and our Lord said to him, " Were not ten made clean where are the nine I" From this we see that Almighty God expects us to thank him for his graces and mercies. Q. What occurred at the house of a Pharisee where our Lord was at table ? A. A woman, named Mary Magdalen, the sister oi Lazarus hefore mentioned, who had been a great sinner, came in, bringing an alabaster box full of precious oint- ment, with which she anointed our Lord*s feet, having first washed them with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. Q. What did our blessed Lord say to the Pharisee and those around him who were scandalized at his kind reception of a pub- lie sinner ? A. He said, "Many sins are forgiven her, because she loved much." To her he said, " Thy sins are for. given thee." And when Judas Iscariot began to mur* mur, s been ^ you h always and I s in the " of lier.' Q. W the \vorl( A. B wars, tb dom aga earthqui been fro all these and the Q. Ho^ A. m clouds of that he ^ great voi( winds. Q. How on that Uaj A. "C< kingdom 1 of the woi Q. ^nd A. '^D( CATECHISM OF SACRED HlgTOKT, UJ Toea IZ'l^t '""' P"" °' "'"' ^'"'"'-' h«r ,t find having girded himself with i towpl rl T ^^ into a basin and washed tho feel of hllifci^S "'"'^' irtr:fre::rsrx;nr^^^ ,iLl^ It e'?' Ti^''"« """>''' ^-'^« '' ; then gning ot It to each of the apost es, ho said • «Tl,;. • "ly body which is given for von dnfV r' " mcmorationof mc."* T^ll i?!:f_°,?"' ^°' « o^'"- g'vmg t. h.8 apostles he said : « This i. the chllic^ III 144 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. tbo new testaraent in my blood wbi'',h shall be shcl foi It you Q. "What did our Lord tell his apostlca when this solemn rito was over ? A. lie told them to love one another as ho himself loved them ; he told them also that his hour was coine, and tliat before the night had passed, all of them should foi*sakc him. Q. "What did our Lord say to Teter, when that apostle began to protest that ho would never abandon hira ? A. He said, "Amen ; I say unto thee, before the cock cijows thou shalt deny me thrice." Q. Whither did our Lord proceed after leaving the supper- room? A. To the garden of Olives, where, taking with him Peter, James, and John, whom he left at a little dis- tance in the garden, ho retired to a lonely grotto to pray, telling his three chosen apostles that his soul was sorrowful even unto death, and asking them to stay and watch with him. Q. What did our Lord then do ? A. Falling prostrate on the ground, he besought hi^ eternal Father, saying, " Mv Father, if it be possible let this chalice pass from m. . nevertheless, not a» I will, but as thou wilt." Q. When our Lord returned to his three apostles, how did he find them ? A. He found them asleep, whereupon he said to Pet<3r, " What, could you not vftiicli one little hour irith me?" 15ut they soon forgot this mild reproach, CATECHISM OF SACHED III8T0RV. 14^ A. His anguisli of soul was so intensr. f},,t if Jeed a bloody sweat, which tnollld f ; t 1' p^J^ of h,8 sacred lody, and ran in largo drops to the 1^"^ ' when an angel fron. heaven canfe to comfo if ^ bf ' ^ reft as he was of human consolation ' '' Q. Who appeared at tl.at moment? _^ A. Ihe traitor Judas, with a Multitude of armed: Q. What did Judaa then 7 witt\l:lrthatV' ''':,*"•" '''''''' ""^ -'"'^^ w,„- wth^a bss, that be,ng the s.gn which he had given to. A "Fnend, whereto art thou come? What' dost Uiou betray the Son of Man with a kiss V A. He advanced towards tho armn.i ^^.. „.,.. with Judas, and asked them wbom"" ' ^^^" ""'' ""^^ 13 ley sought ; they // 1146 CATECHISM OF SACRED HI8T0BT. replied, " J'>8ns of Nazareth ;" whereupon our divine Lord said in a loud voice, " I am he f and immediately tliey fell backward, confounded by the divine majesty of his presence. He then gave hiir elf up. Q. How did the disciples act ? A. They at first made a show of resistance, and St. Peter, drjiwing a sword, cut off the right ear of a ser- vant of the high priest ; but our Lord commanded them o desist, saying, " Thinkest thou that if I asked my Father he would not send me more than twelve legions of angels ;" and, having healed the servant's ear, hc'suffered himself to be led away, when the dis- ciples all fled and left him alone in the hands of his enemies. Q. "Where was our Lord then led ? A. To the house of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the ancients were assembled for the purpose of con- demning him. Q. Did any of the disciples follow their Master to the bouse of Caiaphas? A. Yes, St. Peter followed him afar off, and entering, stood at a choId, now you have heard the blasphemy, what thmk you ?" ^ . » Q. What did they ftU reply ? A. They replied with one voice, "He is guilty of ieath." ^ ' Q. To whom was our blessed Lord afterward sent for ludg. A. He was sent to Pontius Pilate the Roman gOT- 148 CATECHISM OF BACKED HISTORY. ernor, by whom ho was sent to Herod, Tetrarch of Gali« lee, who was then in Jerusalem, our Lord being by birth a Galilean, Q. What did Herod ? A. Herod, being unable to obtain any sign or mira- cle from our Lord, which he had desired to see from curiosity, clothed him in the white garment of a fool> and sent him back to Pilate. • Q. How did Pilate act? A. Pilate, seeing that it was for envy tno Jews had delivered our Lord, and that he was innocent of any crime, was anxious to set him free, but the Jews clamor- ing for judgment upon him, Pilate caused him to bo scourged by hi? Idiers, then brought him to a balcony aid showed hiui to them, bruised and mangled as ho was, supposing that the sight would move them to nity. Q. Did the Jews rolont at the sight of our blessed Lord iu that sad conditioa ? A. No, they cried out the more, "Crucify him! crucify him !" and when Pilate asked them why they wished to put him to death, whereas ho was innocent, they cried out, ** His blood be on lis, and on our child- ren ! away with him ! crucify him !" Then Pilate, taking water, washed his hands before them, to show that he was not guilty of the death of that just man, nevertheless delivered him to the Jews to be crucified; according to the Eonian law. I':;: CATECHISM OF SAtJtlED IIISTORT. 149 Q. What did Judas when ho heard that his divine Master H'as coudomued ? A. Beiwg filled with remorse, ho brought back the thirty pieces of silver saying to the chief priests and ancients, " I have sinned in betraying innocent blood. But they said, " what is that to us ? look thou to it ;" whereupon the wretched Judas, throwing the pieces of silver on the ground went and hung himself in despair. Q. "What use did the chief priests make of the thirty pieces of silver returned by Judas ? A. They bought with them a piece of ground called " the poll or's field," to be a burying place for strangers ; on which account it was called Haceldama, or the field of blood. Q. Whom did the Jews compel to assist our Lord iu carrying his cross f A. Simon the Cyrenean, who happened to bo com-. ing into the city at the time. Q. "Who wore crucified with our Lord ? A. Two thieves, who were placed one on cither side, in order t? make his death more ignominious. Q. What inscription was placed over the cross by Pilate's orders ? A. "Jesus of ^azareth, king of the Jews." It was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, so that all might read. Q. Hov,- long did cur Lord hang on the cross before h« expired ? A. lie Ining on the cross three hours, during which 1.^ 13 * 150 OATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. time his blessed Mother, his beloved disciple St. Jolm, and Mary Magdalen, remained with him, witnessing his sufferings, and listening to the cruel mockery and the impious blasphemy of the infuriate mob who sur rounded the cross. Q. What remarkable words were uttered by our blessed Lord on the cross ? A. First, a prayer for his enemies ; "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Secondlv, a recommendation of his mother to St. John and oi St. John to his mother — to St. John, " Behold thy mother," to the Blessed Virgin—" Behold thy son." Q. Wliat other remarkable words did ho speak ? A. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ?" and to one of the thieves crucified with him who became penitent, he said : " This day thou shalt be with mo in paradise !" at length, when his sacred blood was all spent, and nature quite exhausted, he bowed his divine head, saying. It is consummated,^^ and expired. Q. On what day does the Church commomorato the death of our divine Lord ? A. On Good Friday, when all the churches arc draped in mourning, and the faithful called together to meditate on the Death and Passion of the Son of God. Q, "What strange phenomena occurred at tho death of our Saviour ? A. There was darkness over the earth for three nOUra : tho Aarfli fr*iiYjKlnrl i./snl'« ...F/^n^ - i. _-- -1 - , — -.-,-.--!, 4VVJS.B TTUiu icui>, iiiiu rn&ny OATKCUUM OF SACRED HISTOKY. 151 of the dead arose and wore seen walking in the streets or Jerusalem, and at the moment when onr divine Lord c'xpircd, the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom, denoting that the old law was now at an end. Q. What did the Roman centurion and his soldiers, who were on guard around the 'oss saj, on witnessing these prodigies? A. Ihey struck .heir breasts and said, " Indeed this was the Son of God." Q. Who took charge of our Lord's burial ? A. Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, who em- balmed our Lord's sacred body and wrapping it in fine linen, Jaid it in a new sepulchre hewn >ut of a rock wherein no man had yet lain. * to HlatT?^* ''"^"^'^ ^'^ the chief priests and the Pharisees make A. To have our Lord»s sepulchre guarded till the third day, lest the disciples should steal the body, and give out that their Master had arisen, according to his own prediction. Q. Did Pilate grant this request? A. He did, and giving them a guard, told them— " Go. guard it as you know." They went then and scaled the great stone which closed the mouth of the sepulchre. Q. What happened next morning at dawn of day ? A. Our divine Lord arose gloriously from the sepuN ehre, a^d came forth, to the great terror of the guards =ct to watch, who through fear, became as dead men. 9Ub 152 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. Q. Who camo first to the sepulclirc nner the resurrwt.Cii ', A. Some lioly women, amongst whom was Murj? Magdalen, and Mary, the mother of James. Q. What did they behold on reaching tho sepulchre ? A. The great stono was rolled back from the month of the sepulchre, and on it sat an angel, Lis raiment as snow, and his countenance as lightnino-. Q. "What did tho angel say to tho women ? A. "Fear not, for I know that ye seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for l»e is risen, as he said. Come and see the place where the Lord was laid ; and going quickly, tell ye his disciples that he is risen, and will go before you into Galilee." Q. How did tho guards act when they recovered from their first terror? A. They fled to Jerusalem, and told the chief priests all that had happened, when money was given them to say that the disciples of Jesus had stolen his body while they slept. Q. To whom did our divine Lord first appeah ? A. To St. Mary Magdalen, who had remained weep- ing at the sepulchre after St. Peter ana St. John had gone thence. Q. Wliat did our Lord say (o Mary Magdalea when n: her joy sho would liavo embraced liia feet ? A. He said, " Do not touch me, for I am not as- ccnded to my Father." lie charged her then to go tell the disciples that ho had arisen, and would soon ascend to his Father and theirs. CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. 15$ Q. Did the disciples beiieye what Mary Magdalen and the ftthera told them? A. No, they at first, refused to believe them, suppos- ing they had only imagined that they saw the things they related. Q. To whom did our Lord next appear on the day of his re- Burrectioa ? A. To two of his disciples, on the way to Emmaus ; with them he went to their lodgings, although they at first knew him not; but having expounded to them all the Scriptures, they knew him, the Scripture says, in the breaking of bread. That same evening, he ap- peared to others of his disciples, whilst they iistened to the story of the two from Emmaus. Q, What happened or? the following Sunday, which we now call Low Sunday ? A. Ou that day the disciples being assembled, and with them St. Thomas Didymus,'one of the apostles, who having been absent on the former occasion, re- fused to believe that our Lord had appeared to them. He suddenly stood in their midst, saying, " Peace be to you," and made St. Thomas feel the wounds in his hands and in his side, in order to convince his in- credulity. Q. "When did our Lord again appear to his disciples ? A. When they were fishing on the sea of Galilee, where they had toiled all night, and taken nothing ; but he, calling to them from the shore to let down their net on the right side, they did so, and imme- -^ ^ZiXij iiliVH o£*iv4 V\j vtAoii v^bllUli 154 CATECHISM OP BACRKD HISTORY. " It is tbe Lord ;" and St. Peter, throwing liimself into the sea, swam towards him, followed by the other dis- ciples, when our Lord partook of the dinner which they prepared. Q. What great commission did our Lord gire to St. Peter on that occasion ? A. To feed his lambs, and his sheep, meaning that he was to nourish the people and pastors of the Church with sound doctrine. Q. What did our Lord say to his eleven remaining apostles, when they met him on tlie Mount by his appointment ? A. IJ^Q said, "All power is given to mc in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all iiations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and be- hold, I am with you all days, even to the consumma- tion of the world." Q. On what day does the Church commemorate the resurreo- Won of our Lord ? A. On Easter Sunday. Q. How long did our Lord remain on earth after his resurrec- tion? A. Forty days, during which time he was employed instructing his apostles, and preparing them for their great nji'^sion. At the end of those forty days, he as- cended into heaven from the top of Mount Olivet, in presence of his blessed mother, his apostles, and dis- ciples. CAtECHISM OP SACRED HISTORY 155 Q. What part of the Bible contains the history of the first thirty years after our Lord's ascension? A. The Acts of the Apostles. Q. At what time did St. Matthew, the first of the Evangelists, write his Gospel ? A. About six or eight years after our Lord's ascen' sion. Q. When did St Mark write the Gospel which bears big name ? A. About ten years after our Lord's ascension. Q. When did St. Luke write his Gospel? A. About twenty years after the ascension of our divine Lord. St. Luke also wrote the Acts of tho Apostles, about ten years later than his Gospel. Q. When did St. John write his Gospel ? A. About sixty-lhrce years after our Lord's ascen sion. ♦ Q. What was the first important act of the apostles after our Lord's ascension ? A. They proceeded to elect a successor for the trai- tor Judas, in order to fill up the vacancy in what is called the College of the Apostles, that is to say, the twelve originally appointed by our Lord. Guided by divine inspiration, their choice fell on Matthias. Q. When did the Holy Ghost descend on the apostles, as our Lord had promised that he should? A. Ten days after the ascension of our Lord, and fifty days after his resurrection. Q. Can you describe the descent of tlie Holy Ghost ? A. The Blessed Yirgin and the apostles were all asscnti- ^ 156 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. bled in an upper room, awaiting the pr iniscd event, when suddenly a sound was heard as of a mighty wind coming, and there was seen parted tougucs as of fire, descending on the heads of the apostles, who were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to s^peak divers tongues, which they had never before spoken. Q. "What did tho people of various c?ountries assembled in Jerusalem say, when thoy heard tlio Mpostlea Fpeaking tlieir seroral languages? A. They asked how it came that these men, being Jews and Galileans, spoke to them so that each heard tho language of his own country. Q. Which of tho apostles preached first to tho multitades iji explanation of this prodigy ? A. St. Peter, whose preaching, aided by the V Ay Ghost., was so effective that some three thousand we it? converted and baptized, and from that we may dale ; the foundation of the Church. Q. What kind of life did the early Christians lead ? A. They led a life of great piety and simplicity ; ■ thcv had all things in common : those wlio were wealthy disposing of their goods and possessions for the benefit of all, and the apostles distributed amongst : them what the necessities of each required. Q. Did tho apostles confirm their preac^ng by miracles, as our j Lord had foretold ? / A. Yes ; they performed many and great miracles, »^ equal, indeed, to those wrought by their divine Master, •> while on earth. CATECHISM OP SACRED HISTORY. 157 Q. How did the priesta and tho Snddiieces act, when they found the apostloa preaching to t\\o people ? A. They put them in prison for a nijrht, and noxt clay brought them before tho Council, in which the high priest presided. Q. Wiiich of tho apostles answered for tho others before tho Council ? A. St. Peter, wlio said, amongst other tilings, speak- ing of the name of our blessed Lord, "For there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby wc must be saved." Q. How did the high priest and the Council act on hearing St. Peter's defence of tho apostles? A. They threatened them with the severest punish- ment, if they preached again such doctrines to the peo- ple ; but they did not dare, at that time, to inflict cor- poral punishment upon them, for fear of the people. It was not long, however, until St. Peter was again ar- rested, and scourged, for preaching Christ crucified. Q. Who were tho deacons ? A. They were holy men, appointed by the apostles to assist them in their arduous labors, especially in the tllstributiou of alms, and the administration of bap- tism. ■» Q. Who were the first deacons? A. Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas, seven in all. Q. Who was the first martyr ? -».. i^i.x^^jii'ciSy i,iiv iiioi, oi liio aeacoiis, a man of great i 158 CATECHISM OF SACRED HlflTORY. holiness of life, and wonderfully endowed with the gift of miracles. Q. "Why did the Jews put St. Stephen to death? A. Because, when they dragged hiin before the Council, ho steadfastly maintained the divinity of Christ. Enraged by his courage and foilitnde, they took him out of the city and stoned him to death. Q. What remarkable circumstance occurred at the martyrdom of St. Stephen? A. Looking up to heaven, the holy deacon exclaimed, " I sec the heavens ^pened, and the Son of Man stand- ing on the right hand of his Father." Then falling on his knees, he exclaimed, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge,'' and expired. Q. To whom did the Jews give St. Stephen's outer garments to hold while they stoned him ? A. To a young man named Saul, a native of Tarsus, then a furious persecutor of the Christians, but after- wards a zealous apostle of Christ, Q. What was the effect of St. Stephen's martyrdom ? A. The faithful fled in terror from Jerusalem to all the neighboring provinces, thus spreading the knowl- edge of the truth which is iu Christ. Q. Whither did St. Philip, tJie second of the deacons, ^? A. He went to Samaiia, where he converted great numbers to the fi;ith, amongst others the treasurer of Candace, queen of Ethiopia. Q. How waL. Saul employed during this time ? XX. iio was puroucutiiJi^ tuv; muxint vyuuiui* i.v vu^ OATKCHISM OF BACBKD HISTORT. 159 utmost of his power ; and not content with doing so in and around Jerusalem, he asked letters of the high priest to the synagogues in Damascus, so that ho miffht go thither in quest of any Christians who might be in that city, in order to bring them bound to Jerusalem. Q. What oocurred whilst Saul was on his way to Damascus? A. A bright light suddenly shone around him, so daz?:ling that it struck him with blindness, and he heard a voice calling, " Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" Amazed and terrified, he fell prostrate on the ground and asked, " Who art thou. Lord ?" When the an' swer was given him, "I am Jesus, whom thou perse^ cutest, ' Saul then asked, " Lord, what wilt thou havo me do r Arise, and go into the city," said our Lord, and there it sbj^U be told thee what thou must do." Q. What did Saul then do? A. Being unable to see, he was led by his compa- nionsto Danzascus, where he remained three days and three nights without food. Being restored to sight by a ho?y man named Ananias, who also instructed and baptized him, Paul, as he was thenceforward called became as zealous a Christian as he had before been a Jew, and preached Christianity in the synagogues. Q. Were the Jews of Damascus enraged at Saul's conveN tton? A. Yes ; they sought to kill him, but the faithful succeeded in concealing him from their fury, and le^ him down from the town wall by night in a basket, so thai'. rtA r\f>yi«>*^^^1 -I.J 1 . -r :■,:■ 4*v wBuapvu, ttiiu reiurneu lo Jerusalem. ICO CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. Q. How was St. Paul received hj the apostles in Jeruaalemt A. At first they shunned him, doubting the sincerity of his conversion, and fcarinir that ho meant to betray them ; but Barnabas havin<^ introduced him to them, and related the manner of his conversion, they joyfully received him, and he appeared openly with them, preaching the faith to Jews and to Gentiles. Q. "What is meant by the word Gentiles ? A. All the nations of the earth except the Jews, who alone worshipped the true God. Q. Who was the first Gentile converted to the faith ?^ A, pornelius, a Roman centurion, dvv^Uing in Cesarea. Q. By whom was Cornelius converted ? A. By St. Peter, who was conducted to him in 4 miraculous manner. Q. What bofel St. James, brother of St. John? A. He was beheaded by ordnr of Herod. Q. Why did Herod then imprison St. Peter? A. To please the Jews, by whom that apostlo was recognized as the head of the new religion. Q. How was St. Peter delivered from prison ? A. He was delivered by an angel, who, awaking him, where he lay sleeping in the midst of his guards, desired him to arise ^nd follow hii^. He did so, sup- posing that it was only a dream, till on reaching the city gave, it opened of itself, and the angel disappeared. Then St. Peter knew that the Lord had delivered him from the hands of Herod. CATECHISM OF BACKED DISTORT, 161 Q. What Wfis the end of Herod ? A. He was eaten alive by woniis. A terrible in. Btance of the wrath of God against the impious sinner. Q, How was St. Paul employed during this time? A. Lcing obliged to fly from Jerusalem, the brcth. icn conveyed him safely to Tarsus, his native citv, whence, at the request of St. Barnabas, he went with him to Antioch, where they converted such multitudes c)f people that it was there the disciples of the new re- ligion were first called Christians. Q. Where else did SS. Paul and Eranabas go? A. To the island of Cyprus, where the L man pro- consul embraced the faith, in consequence of a miracle wrought by St.-Paul on a magician of his household, named Elymas, whom ho :ruck with blindness for his obstinate incredulity. Q. What miracle did St. Paul perform at .'^ystr:^? A. He cured a man who had been a cripple from his birth. Q. How were the heathen inhabitauts of the place affected bv this great miracle ? ^ A. They thought that their gods had come on enrth in human form, and would have offered sacrifice to St. Paul and St. Barnabas had not the two apostles pro- >ented them from doing so, by assuring them that tlioy wore mortals like themselves, who had come amongst them to announce the true God. Q. How did these same people of Ljstra treat St. Paul a few ^aysaftsr? A. Bcingr excited against him by the malice of the Ifel 162 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORV, JcwSj they stoned him, till they believed biin dead, but when they left him be recovered, and went soon after with St. Barnabas, to preach the gospel in other places. Q. Where, and on what occasion, was the first council held ? A. It was held in Jerusalem, and was convened by the apostles on account of a dispute raised by the Jewish converts, who would insist on having the Gen- tile converts subjected to the observance of the Mosaic, as well as the Christian law. This first general coun- cil, called the Council ^f Jerusalem, was held in the year o^Our Lord 51. Q. To wbat countrica wore St Paul's apostolic labors princi- pnlly confined? A. To certain parts of Greece and* of Asia Minor, through which countries, he traveled conunually, from province to province, and from island to island, whcrc- ever the wants of the infant Chur h most urgently re- quired his presence. Every where his life was in dan- ger from the fury of the Jews. Q. For what were Paul and his companion Silas, thrown into prison at Philippi ? A. For having cast an evil spirit out of a young woman who having been employed by magicians as a pythoness, or fortune-teller, was useless to them after lier exorcism, and they, therefore, accused Paul and Silas to the magistrates, who condemned them to be scourged and imprisoned. Q. How were St. Paul and his companion delivered ? A, At midnight, while they were praying in their own into n prisoner CATECHISM OP SACRED HISTORY. 163 prison, an earthquake shook the walls, and threw the doors open, so that they escaped for that time the fury of their persecutors. Q. AVlmt celebrated pcraouago was coaverted by St Paul at Athens? A. Denis, or Dionysiiis, called the Areopagite. Q. What remarkable iascrip'-oa did St. Paul find on one ol tiio pagan altars of Athens? A. On one of them he found inscribed, "To ihe un- known God," from which he took occasion to explain to them. Standing in the midst of the Acropolis, their chief temple, that this God to them unknown was the one true God, the great creator of heaven and earth. Q. What occurred on St. Paul's return to Jerusalem? A. In the midst of the great rejoicings amongst the Clinstians, for his safe return, he was seized by the Jews, who dragged him out of the temple, and would have killed him but for the Roman tribune who rescued him with much difficulty, but kept him a Q. Did the Jews still continue their persecution ol 6t. Paul ? A. They did, and on many occasions he came near ?'eing slain by their malice. On one occasion they < onspn«ed to murder him in prison, but the conspiracy l)eing discovered in time, the holy apostle was sent un- uer a strong guard to Felix, the Roman governor at Cesarea, where he was kept two years in prison. Q. What did St. Paul on finding that the Jews were intrigu- 164 CATECHISM OF BACKED HISTORY. ing to have him sent to Jerusalem, with inteut to kill him ob the way ? A. He appealed to Cesar, that is to say, tlie Eii> pcror of Rome. Q. "What then befel St. Paul ? A. He was sent with some other prisoners to Rome, but on the way thither, tlic ship in which ihey had sailed, was wrecked on the coast of Malta. The ship was broken to pieces but for the sake of his faithful apostle, St. Paul, the Lord preserved the lives of ail on board. Q. Did St. Paul perform any miracles during bis three nxxntha' stay in Malta ? A. Yes, he cured the father of his host, Publius, who was ill of fever, after which all the sick were brought to him and he cured them. Q. Whither did St. Paul go after lea- .ng Malta? A. He went to Rome» where though kept a prisoner for two years, he was treated with kindness and cour- tesy, and permitted to preach, and instruct ftU who came to him. Q. How many epistles are contained iu the New Testa- ment? A. Twenty-one ; fourteen of which were written by St. Paul ; one by St. James ; two by St. Peter ; three by St. John ; and one by St. Jude. Q. Which were the ep'atlea written by St. Paul ? A. One to the Romans; two to the Corinthians; one to the Galatians ; one to the Ephesians ; one to CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. 165 ihe Pbilippians ; one to the Colcssians ; two to the Thessalonians ; two to Timothy ; one to Titus ; one to Philemon ; and one to the Hebrews. Q. Who were Timothy, Titus, and Philemon ? A. Timothy was bishop of Ephcsus, Titus, bishop of Crete, and Philemon, a noble citizen of Colossia. Q. Where and when did St. Paul write his epistle to tho Romans ? A. At Corinth, about twenty-four years cfler our Lord's ascension, when he was preparing to go to Jeru- salem with charitable contributions from the Christ fins in Greece to their suffering brethren in Judea. Q. When did St. Paul write his epistles to the Corinthians ? A. About the same year in which he wrote his epis- tle to the Romans. Q. Where and when did St Paul write hi?, epistle to the Galatians ? A. He wrote it in Ephesus, about twenty-three ycai-s after our Lord's ascension. Q. When and where did St. Paul write his epistle to the Ephesians? A. About twenty-nine years after our Lord's ascen- sion, whilst he was a prisoner in Rome. About the same time he wrote his epistle to the Philippians, ?»,i?d also thpt to the Colossians. Q. When did St Paul write his epistles to the Thessaluniaos ? A. About nineteen years after nnr Tifirfl'° nc^n^"?.-." so that they were the earliest in point of time. Ho 166 CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. wrote them on occasion of a persecution raised in The»« Balonica by -.he unbelieving Jews. Q. Whoa did St. Paul writo his epistles to Timothy and Titus? A. About tbirty-threb years after our Lord's asccii sion ; the second epistle to Timothy appears to ha\ e been written during St. Paul's imprisonment in Rome. Q. When did ho writo his epistle to the Hebrews, or con- verted Jews? A. About tv^enty-nine years after our Lord's ascen- Bion. J Q. Whe^ did St. James write his epistle, styled Catholic, or universal, on accouut of its being addressed to all the faithful in general ? A. About cwenty-eight years after our Lord's ascen. Bion, a little before be suffered martyrdom. Q. Which St. James wrote tho epistle ? A. He that was called St. James the Less, a cousin of our Lord according to the flesh, and first bishop of Jerusalem. Q. When did St. Peter write his first epistle, and to whom ? A. lie wrote it in Rome about fifteen years after our Lord's ascension, to the faithful dispersed through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. Q. When did St. Peter write his second ep'.-tlo ? sion, and a little before his martyrdom. Q. W A. A to all tl Q. To epistles ? A. T and hei avoid a] trines. Gains. Q. Wi A. T written were de Q. W] Reveiatic A. A sion, wt was cxil to the h Q. He A. A province met St. and esta the pers Q. WI A. B CATECHISM OF SACRED HISTORY. 167 A ascen* Q. When and to whom did St. John write hia first epistle ? A. About sixty-six years after our Lord's ascension, to all the faithful, without exception, Q. To whom did St. John write his second and tliiri epistles ? A. The second he wrote to a pious lady named Elcctjj, Aiid her family, whom he instructs, warning them to avoid all communication with the teachers of false doc- trines. The third, St. John wrote to a Christian named Gains. Q. When and to whom did St. Judo write hia epistle ? A. The epistle of St. Judo appears to hav3 been written when all the other apostles except St. John were dead. It wiis addressed to the faithful in general. Q. When did St. John writ© tho Apocalypse, or Book of Revelations ? A. About sixty-four years after our Lord's ascen- sion, while the holy apostle, then far advanced in years, was exiled by order of the Roman emperor Domitian, to the island of Patmos. Q. How did St. Peter end his life? A. After preaching the Gospel in Italy, and other provinces of the West, he went to Rome, where ho met St. Paul, and after laboring with him to extend and establish the faith in that city, he was crucified in the persecution raised by the wicked Emperor Nero. Q. What have you to remark of St. Peter's glorious martyr doni ? A. Being condemned to die on tho cross, through » 168 CATECHISM CF SACRED HISTORY. Bpirit of compunction and humility, lio made it his re- quest that he should be crucified with his head down- wards, which wa* done accordingly, and such was the death cheerfully sutFered by the Prince of the Apostlcp, the first Vicar of Christ on earth. Q. IIow and when did St. Paul dio ? A. St. Paul gained the crown of martyrdom about the same time as his brother apostle, and fellow-laborer, St. Peter, but he being a Roman citizen, might not bo crucified, and was, therefore, beheadcil. Q. How did St. Androw, brother of St. Teter, end his life ? A. lie was crucified for the faith at Achaia in Greece, after prer.ching the Gospel in Scythia, and various countries of Greece. Q. Wliat have you to relate of St. James, called the Major, or Great ? A. St. James the Major, who was a brother of St. John the Evangelist^ is supposed after the martyrdom of St. Stephen, to have preached to (he Jews dispersed amonc^-st the Gentiles. He also preached the Gospel in Spain, of which country he is considered the apostle. lie returned to Jerusalem, after ten years apostoli* labor, and was beheaded by order of king Herod Agrippa. St. James was the first of the apostles wh« suffered martyrdom. Q. What have you to relate of St. John, the Evangelist? A. St. John did not die a martyr to the faith like so many others of the apostles, although he was onca CATECHISM OF SACllED HISTORY. 169 thrown into a .aklron of boiling oil by order of the Emperor Do^itian, but miraculously escaped unhurt. Q. What bor-amo of him nflerwarda? A. lie was banished to the island of Patinos, whero he wrote his Rtivelations, and returning thence after a year of exile found that St. Timothy, bishop of Ephesus h.iu suffered martyrdom a little before ; St. John then tnok charge of the Church of Ephesus, and died bishop of that city, at a very advanced age. Q. What was the end of St. Philip ? A. After tVo descent of the Holy Ghost, St. Philip went to Phrygia, where ho preached the Gospel, and died at an advanced age, at Ilieropolis, in that country, Q. What have you to tell of St. Bartholomew ? A. St. Bartholomew is supposed to have been iden- tical with Nathaniel, a doctor of the law, who was brought to Christ by St. Philip, and chosen as an apos- tle by our Lord. St. Bartholomew preached the Gos- pel in the East, and especially in India. II is apostolic labors were crowned by the grace of martyrdom, wliilst preaching to some obstinate pagans in Armenia. Some historians say that St. Bartholomew was cruci- lied, others that ho was flayed alive. Q. In what countries did St. Thomas preach the Gospel f A. There was none of the apostles to whom a widi r ucld of apostolic labor w^as given than to St. Thomas, Burnamcd Didymus. lie first preached the Gospel in 170 CATECHISM OP SACIlEb HISTORY. .Parthia, then in other parts of the East, in Media, Persia, and, it is said, also in India and Ethiopia. Q. What was the manner of this apostle's deuth ? A. Ho suffered martyrdom, at Meliapov, on the Cor- omandel coast, where his body was found pierced with lances. Q. What was tho end of St. Mathew, tho Apogtle and Evangelist? \ A. St. lilathew, is said to have suffered martyrdom in Parthia, after ha^nng preached the Gospel in Judea, and afterwards in various count.ies of the East. Q. What have you to relate of St James, called t\\e Less, first bishop of Jerusalem? A. St. James tho Less was the sister's son of the Blessed Virgin. Ho was reverenced even by the Jew.s for tho austere sanctity of his life, and for a long term of years governed the faithful of Jerusalem, though continually menaced with persecution. At leiJi»th Ananias the high priest, took him to the top of a hi.vl- tower, threatening him with death if he did not preach against 'lie religion of Christ to the multitude assem- bled below. Q. What did St. James do? A. Ho gladly took the opportunity of preaching Christ crucified to the people, with his usual zeal ar.r OF SACRED HISTORV. 173 Q. "What do you infer fiom that ? A. That as tlio Chiircli was founded in blood, even the blood of Christ and his apostles, and as persecution was the lot of her divine Founder and his first apostles, so has it been ever since the lot of the Church he founded on the rock of Peter ; that Church agains-t which he promised that the gates of hell should neve prevail, and that he himself would be with licr all days, even to the consummation of the world. i I £Jreatic Death A.dam ISooch Seth (J Snos d Mathu Univei Buildic Death Birtli c Call of Sodora Birth Birth o Joseph Jacob f Birth o Deliver TlieLa ( IRONULOGICAL TA9LE OF SACREP HISTORY. FIRST EPOCH. B C Creation of tho World 4QO4 Death of Abel 3^.^(5 A.dam died . > 3074 IDnoch taken up to Heaven , . 30n Seth died ^ 2962 Enos died '[ 2864 Mathu ilern died , 2348 SECOND EPOCH. Universal Deluge 2348 Building of the Tower of Babel * 2247 Death of Noah 1998 Birtli of Abraham 1993 THIRD EPOCH. Call of Abraham ^ , , ^ 192i Sodom destroyed Igg^ Birth of Isaac 1896 Birth of Jacob 183(j Joseph sold by his Brethren 1729, Jacob goes to Egypt l^Oe Birth of Moses I57 1 FOURTH EPOCH. Deliverance of the Jews from Etrvpt ,,,,,,,,,,,,, 1491 The Law given on Mount Sinai 1401 176 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF ^ B.a Josue leads the Israelites across the Jordan 1461 Gideon appointed Judge 1245 Jephta judge 1187 Death of Samson 1117 Death of Heli 1116 Samuel appointed Judge 1 il<5 Saul made King 1095 David ** 1054 Solomon " 1016 FIFTH EPOCH. Dedicaticn of Solomon's Temple 1005 Roboara K^g * • • • • 980 Revolt of the Ten Tribes under Jeroboam , 980 B.C. Abia, King of Juda 963 Aaa, " " 960 Nadab, king of Israel 959 Baa?-, " " 958 ^a^ " " 935 Z-amri, « " 935 Amri, " '* 934 .Tosaphat, " " 919 Achab, " " 923 Ochosias, " " 901 Joram, " " 896 Jorara " " 900 Ochosias, " " 890 Athaiia, Queen of Juda 889 Jehu, *' " 889 Joas, KiugofJuda 883 Joachas, " " 861 Amazias, " *' 845 Joas, " " 848 Interregnum from. ..... 816 Jeroboam II., " " 831 Oaias, King of Juda 806 Zacharias, " " 769 Sellun., " " 768 Manahem, " " 763 Phaceia, " " •?5*^ SACRED HISTORY. in B.C. (I u it Joatham, KingofJuda 754 Phaceo, Achaz, " " 730 Oseo, Downfall of the Kingdom Kcliozias, " " 724 of Israel Maiiasi^es reigned in Juda. Anion , J().si:l8 J(>.iolia3 , Joacliirn. . , Babj'lonian Captivity. . , Jechonias, King of Juda Sodecias, " '• End of tl>o Kingdom of Juda End of tlio Babylonian Captivity , . Dedication of the Second Temple Commoncement of the Prophet Daniel's seveufty wee'ks. . . Rebuilding of the Walls of Jerusalem Entrance of Alexander the Great into Jerusalem Persecution at Alexandria Heliodorus attempts to rob the Temple. . . , The Jews persecuted by Antiochus Mathathias takes up arms , Judas Machabeus, Leader of the Jews Jonathan Simon., John Hyrcanus » Aristobulus I. king Alexander Janneus Alexander Hyrcanus II Aristobulus II. usuiped the Crown Hyrcanus II. restored Ilerod, king Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, year of the World. . . . B.C. 755 727 718 699 641 640 610 608 608 599 598 587 533 516 454 442 322 220 176 170 166 166 161 144 135 107 lOG 79 70 63 67 40 4004 ■ CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF SACRED HISTORY. 178 PROPHETS ND OTHER REMARKABLE PERSONS. B.C. Job lived 1^20 Aaron " 1^^^ Elias " ^^^ Eliseug " - ^^^ jDiada, the High Priest, lived 88:{ Jonan, " ** " 825 Judith, " " " ^10 Isaias, " ♦' " ' ' ^ Tobias, " " " ^^^ Jeremias, " '• " ^29 Daniel, " " " ^^^ Zorobabel, " " " ^^6 Aggeus, ' " V " -••• 51» Esther, " " " ^ ^^^ Esdras, " " " ' ^^^ Nehemias, " " " ^^2 Malachias, " " " • ^^ Jaddue, " " " 332 Onias, " " " 200 moamt, «• " " i«s a 178 3NS. B.C. 1G20 149(1 918 885 88a 825 810 -5 690 629 655 536 519 460 454 442 440 332 200 168 I a ./^- :,•♦■. rot V