The tears stood in Susie's eyes as she spoke. Yet it did her good to pour out her troubles to Aunt Mary. Aunt Mary did not treat them as if they were trifles too small to be cared for; but while she felt for Susie, she tried to persuade her to look at them more cheerfully, and to bear them more patiently.

"I will tell you what I want you to do, Susie," she said; "I have been thinking you might overcome all your little trials, both at home and at school, if you would begin to act out the teaching of your text every day.

Susie looked puzzled. "What do you mean, aunt ?" "I mean, if you would begin to 'love your enemies," Susie. Enemies is rather a strong word to use, perhaps, because I do not think you have any. Your schoolfellows are only tiresome and contrary; they do not really intend to do you any harm. But that only makes it easier for you to feel kindly towards them. And if you were to feel so, Susie, you would be surprised to find what a difference it would make in them. They would soon love you in return; or, if not, they would at least treat you more civilly."

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'But, aunt," said Susie, "I cannot love them; I cannot, indeed; it is impossible."

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Why, dear ?"

Why ?" repeated Susie, as if she wondered that her aunt did not at once agree with her-" why? because nobody does that, aunt; it is not natural."

"No, dear, it is not natural, and it is not easy; but God will help us if we ask him. He will send his Holy Spirit, not only to strengthen us when we try to love those who are unkind to us, but to give even

the wish to love them. When you pray, Susie, will you ask him to do this for you ?”

Susie gravely answered "yes," but she did not in her own mind think that it would be of any use. "Shall I tell you a story, Susie, about loving our enemies ?" said Aunt Mary. "There was a poor slave named Tom, who heard about Jesus Christ. He beeame a true Christian. His master put great confidence in him. One day some fresh slaves were brought to the plantation, and arnong them was an old and very infirm man. Tom took great care of him. He gave up his own bed to him, and let him eat and drink with him. When it was cold, he carried him into the sunshine, and when it was hot, he placed him under the shade of the cocoa-nut trees. His master was surprised at this behaviour, and he said to Tom, 'Why do you pay such attention to that old man? he is surely a relation of yours is he your father ?' 'No, massa, he no my father.' 'Is he an older brother ?' 'No, massa, he no an older brother.' Then he is perhaps your uncle ?' No, massa, he no belong to me at all; he not even my friend.' 'Then why do you take such an interest in him ?' He my enemy, massa,' replied Tom: he sold me to the slave-dealer; and my Bible tells me when my enemy hunger, feed him, and when he thirsty, give him drink.'

“Now, Susie, if a poor slave could behave so, should not you and I try what we can do ?"

Then Aunt Mary told her little niece some other stories of this kind, for she thought they would make more impression on Susie's mind than mere advice, however good and suitable. Susie listened eagerly,

for she was very fond of stories; and she felt that it was certainly better to conquer others by kindness, than to keep on quarrelling with them. And Aunt Mary did not forget to talk to Susie, in her gentle, winning way, of Jesus Christ, our best and greatest friend, who gave up his own life that he might save his enemies-might save her! She knew that the story of the cross, if believed with all the heart, would make Susie kind, and loving, and forbearing. And she knew that nothing else would.

Susie spent a very happy evening. The talking did not take up all the evening; and she had a large picture-book to look at, some bits of coloured silk that she was to choose and carry home with her, and some roasted apples to eat. She was in a very good humour when John called for her on his return from taking out some grocery; and as she kissed her aunt, and bade her good-bye, she whispered in her ear, “I will try and do what the text says, Aunt Mary." Will Susie keep that promise?

QUESTIONS ON THE PARABLES OF OUR LORD.

THE LOST SHEEP-PIECE OF MONEY.

Luke xv. 1-10.

1. Where was Jesus at this time ?-Who are here called sinners ?*—What did they expect to hear ?

*The original word here rendered sinners is not confined to notoriously wicked persons, but comprehends the Gentiles at large, together with apostate Jews.

42 QUESTIONS ON THE PARABLES OF OUR LORD.

2. What offence was here alleged against Jesus ?— How would the complainers have acted ?—With whom did they usually associate ?

3. To whom was this parable addressed ?-What virtue was it designed to exhibit ?

4. Who is represented by the lost sheep?-What is a wilderness, as the term is here used ?-Who seeks and saves lost men ?

5. By what means is the lost sinner found?—Who is the author of his recovery?

6. What is the difference between friends and neighbours P-Who are meant by neighbours, in chap. x. 29 ?

7. By whom is this joy exercised in heaven? 10Who are meant by just persons?

8. What was the value of this piece of money Wherein is this example commendable?

9. Upon what principle would a person do this ?— Why should her friends rejoice? Rom. xii. 15. 10. What is the foundation of this joy ?-How far should we imitate them in like cases ?

IF you have an enemy, act kindly to him, and make him your friend. You may not win him over at once; but try again. Let one kindness be followed by another, till you have compassed your end. By little and by little, great things are completed—

"Water falling day by day

Wears the hardest rock away;"

and so repeated kindness will soften a heart of stone.