ceased.

THE WALK ON THE WATERS.

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Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God."Matthew xiv. 31–33.

"Jesus gave him a gentle reproof, and showed him that instead of being proud of having much faith, he should be ashamed of having so little. But he took him by the hand, and kept him up from sinking, and then they both walked on the waves back to the ship. What a welcome they would get when they both came into it! And immediately the wind ceased, and all was calm again."

"That is a beautiful story, mamma.'

Very beautiful, and we may learn a great many lessons from it. But we have not time to speak about them all to-day. Only about Peter,-what do you think we may learn to do from his example ?"

"To love Jesus, mamma, and try to be near him."

"Very well, my dear, and to believe that he can give us strength for anything,

if he calls us to do it, and makes us fe it is our duty. And we may learn to when our faith fails, and we are read to sink in distress, to cry to him f help as Peter did. But what shoul this story of Peter teach us not to do? "I am not sure, mamma."

"We must learn not to be too bold at least not to trust in ourselves, for the we are sure to fail. Now what vers

will you write?"

"Oh, that pretty one, 'It is I, be not afraid!'"

"And what will you remember when you write it?"

"That we need never be afraid, when Jesus is near us."

"Very well. Now, I will read you a sweet hymn about this, which you shall learn afterwards.

HYMN.

LITTLE children, guarded yet,
From the trials some have met,
Learn to sing the Saviour's praise
In the sunshine of your days,
And to know the heavenly voice
That is bidding you rejoice.

In the future, far away;

When it comes, O! then, how sweet,
Jesus in the storm to meet,

As a known and trusted Friend,
Who will love you to the end.

He, whose blessed feet could tread,
O'er the billow's crested head,

Will not let his children be
Lonely on affliction's sea,

But will then in love draw nigh,
Saying, "Fear not, it is I!"

Pain and sickness, death, may come,
All be darkened in their home;

But where'er his children are,
Jesus is not distant far;

Still he hears their trembling cry,

And will answer, "It is I!"

PRAYER.

O heavenly Father, we thank thee for our kind parents and friends, and for all the happiness thou givest us in one another in this world. We thank thee that we are not alone, that we have many to love us, and whom we may love. But oh! we pray that we may love Jesus most and best of all. Blessed Saviour, thou callest thyself the friend

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that sticketh closer than a brother. earthly friends and dear relations soon be taken from us, but thou v never leave nor forsake us, if we our trust in thee. O make us love th so much, that we could be happy w thee alone, though all else were tak And make us afraid of any s away. which would separate us from thee. God, make us bold and fearless in doi and obeying all thy will, and yet me and humble, and never trusting in ou selves. Be very merciful to us, an forgive all our sins, for Christ's sak Amen.

The Woman of Canaan.

"THERE is something very remarkable in the picture we have to look at to-day, my dears," said Mrs. Ross; "I wonder if you will find it out!"

The children looked at the picture. "It is a poor woman," said Ellen, "who is asking something very earnestly from Jesus."

Well, there is nothing very strange in that. But what is he doing?" "He is turning away, mamma, as if he would not speak to her."

"And is that not strange? Do you ever remember Jesus refusing to help any one who asked him before?" "No, mamma."

"Never. This is the only time we ever hear of his seeming to be unkind, and not willing to help."