And Balaam was in a very great passion, and beat the ass violently. Then the Lord performed a great miracle, and caused the ass to speak; and she said, "What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times ?"

Balaam answered very foolishly, that the ass had been impertinent to him; and said, moreover, he wished that he had a sword to kill her.

And the ass said to Balaam, "Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? Was I ever wont to do so unto thee ?"

And Balaam was obliged to confess she had never given him cause of offence.

At the same time the Lord caused Balaam to see the angel, who reproved

him for his disobedience to God, and his unkind treatment of his ass; and said, "If she had not turned away, he should have killed Balaam.”

Then Balaam acknowledged his fault; and if he had been really sorry, he would have returned to his own house immediately; but he still showed his wish to go with the messengers of Balak.

The angel told Balaam he might go but he should only speak the words God put into his mind.

on,

So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went to meet him, and expostulated with him for not coming at first; but Balaam replied, that though he was now come, he could not speak any thing but the words God should put in his mouth.

Balaam and Balak then built seven altars on a high place from whence they could see the Israelites; and offered many sacrifices; as if the righteous and great God could be persuaded to attend to their wishes by these mock ceremonies, while they did not serve Him with their hearts.

This they repeated many times in different places; and after each, Balaam, speaking by inspiration, declared that the people of Israel were blessed by God; that they would continue a great and powerful nation, increasing in numbers and strength; that they would overthrow their enemies; and, in language, perhaps then difficult to be understood, foretold the coming of the Messiah at some future period.

This made Balak very angry; but Balaam went on speaking the words that God put into his mouth.

They then parted, each going to his own home: after a little time, we are told in the Bible, that the Moabites and Midianites joined together to fight against Israel, but in vain; they were defeated with great slaughter, and Balaam was killed in the battle.

We cannot tell exactly the reasons why God suffered the ass to see the angel when Balaam did not, and to speak; but it might be to show His power, and His displeasure against those who disobey Him; also that He frequently makes use of very humble instruments to effect His purposes; and that the lowly and meek are more precious in His sight than the learned, the wise, and the powerful.

9

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER,

CONVERSATION FIRST.

CHARLES. Mamma, are you very

busy?

MAMMA. Not very busy, but rather busy. Why do you ask me?

CHARLES. Because if it is not inconvenient to you, I want you to talk

to me.

MAMMA. Then wait a little while, and when I have finished what I am doing, I shall be happy to talk to

you.

CHARLES. Mamma, I see you have left off writing, and shut up the Bible in which you have been looking very frequently, may I now ask you some questions ?