The Negro Catechumen
A simple, unlettered colored man was under instruction for Baptism. After a long course of training, the priest ventured a few questions as a test of progress. “ Now, my friend,” said he, “ who made you? ” “ God made me,” was the prompt answer.
“And,” continued the priest, “who made God?” A look of doubt and dismay passed over the man’s countenance, but with native readiness he presently leaned forward and whispered confidentially, “Father, that question has puzzled me all my life.” With a laugh at his naive simplicity, the priest proceeded to enlighten him thus: “ God is eternal. Two men died. Dives and Lazarus, and Lazarus was taken up to Abraham’s bosom, and Dives was buried in hell. And Dives begged God to allow Lazarus to give him one drop of water. Now, suppose God had done so, and Lazarus were permitted to place one drop on Dives’ tongue every million years, until all the water on the earth had been used up, would that time equal eternity? No, eternity would have scarcely begun. And suppose Dives were then every million years to shed one tear over his sad fate until all the lakes, seas, and oceans of the earth were restored, would that time joined to the former equal eternity? No. If Lazarus’ mercy and Dives’ grief were repeated over a million times, eternity would still be in its infancy. Now, my friend, what is the measure of God’s existence? ” The man answered:
“ Father, I reckon God is eternal; that He always
