somebody shaking the table, I suppose, and was lying under the sofa, I saw it was very natural for him to imagine that I had hidden it. Therefore now I hope you will let him come and play with me again, though at the time I felt as if I should never wish for it any more. And I think if I repeat this verse very often to myself, and make myself remember that I shall please God by trying to be patient, I shall not another time be made angry, if I am accused unjustly.

MAMMA. I quite approve the reason for your choice, my dear little boy, and I have no doubt you will find it a very efficacious remedy against impatience and resentment, especially if you bear in mind what follows, "because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that

ye should follow His steps: -— who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously." Certainly, no one ever received so much provocation, and no one ever showed so much forbearance and forgiveness.

This is making your study of the Holy Scriptures practical, and this is what I wish you particularly to do.

And now, my little boy, do you see this small red book with blank leaves, and do you know for what use it is intended?

CHARLES. Yes; I had not forgotten that you said you would give me a book to write the texts in, and I took especial notice of the text this morning. It was, however, not difficult to remember, as it was taken from the

Gospel for the day. Do

you not like, Mamma, for the sermon to bear reference to some part of the Scriptures read in the service of the day? MAMMA. Yes, particularly, as each helps to fix our attention more on the other.

Now tell me the text of Mr. K.'s

sermon.

CHARLES. It was very short too. Saint John, chapter x. verse 11. "Jesus said, I am the good Shepherd."

MAMMA.

ing.

Short, but full of mean

If

CHARLES. I think I can remember also some parts of the sermon. you will be so kind to write them for me as I tell you, I shall be much obliged to you.

MAMMA. I shall be very much pleased to do so.

CHARLES. First, Mr. K. told us

that many great men in former times really were shepherds; and for that reason, probably, there were many allusions to sheep and to shepherds in the Sacred Writings. Then he showed how Jesus may well be likened to a shepherd; for as a real shepherd's business is to see that his flock have what is fit for them to eat, and to take care of them, so our Saviour gives us spiritual food, and can guard us from all that may hurt our souls. Then he said we ought to be gentle, docile, and obedient like sheep; always dependent and trusting in our Saviour, as sheep do in their shepherd.

Will that do, Mamma ?

MAMMA. Very nicely; and I am quite pleased that you have remembered so much.

I am sure you will find that this practice will make you more attentive

to the sermon, and impress better on your mind the matter contained in it, as well as fix your thoughts more decidedly on these serious and important subjects. CHARLES.

Now, dear Mamma, I am longing to go on with the history of Balaam and Balak, if you will be so kind to explain the rest of it, as you did the chapter for last Sunday.

MAMMA. Most willingly. I believe my pleasure in it will certainly not be less than yours.

CHARLES. I am going to begin, then, reading the twenty-third chapter of Numbers.

"And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven

MAMMA. Balaam must have had most erroneous notions of religion,