LITTLE CHILDREN.

215

now we can see that he did what was best for her, and good for us; and we

can think with joy of our sweet Eliza in heaven. For that great sorrow was made a great blessing to us. It drew our hearts away from this world, as nothing else could have done; it made us think more of heaven, and of the state of our souls, and come with more humility and faith to the Saviour. And we had reason to say, as many have done, 'It was good for us to have been afflicted.' But now our lesson has been long enough. I know what verse you will choose to-day."

"O yes, mamma; 'Suffer the little children to come unto me."

"Well, my dear Ellen, when you write it, and when you read it over, thank the Lord for having spoken these sweet words; and pray that he may make you come nearer to himself every year you live. Now Harry will repeat to us the hymn he is so fond of,- The sweet story of old.""

HYMN.

I THINK When I read the sweet story of old,
How when Jesus was here among men,
He once called little children as lambs to his fold,
I should like to have been with them then."
I wish that his hands had been placed on my head,
That his arms had been thrown around me ;
And that I might have seen his kind look, when he said,
"Let the little ones come unto me."

Yet still to his footstool in faith I may go,
And there ask for a share of his love:
And I know if I earnestly seek him below,
I shall see him and hear him above-
In that beautiful place, he is gone to prepare,
For all those who are washed and forgiven;
And many dear children are gathering there,
"For of such is the kingdom of heaven."

PRAYER.

O heavenly Father, we thank thee for the sweet story we have been reading in thy word, of Jesus blessing little children, and inviting them to come to him. O help us to come. We are often disobedient, and sinful, and unkind. Lord, forgive us, and make us holy and humble children, like those of whom thou hast said, Of such is the kingdom

ས་

not like the poor little ones who have no kind parents to tell them about Jesus, O make us thankful, and help us to learn and to obey. Bless all whom we love, and let us all love thee more, and be with thee together in heaven at last. Hear us for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

The Crucifixion.

"My dear children," said Mrs. Ross, next day, "we are going to read to-day a very solemn part of the Bible. We have been reading and speaking about much of what our dear Saviour did, when he was in the world-how he laboured, and taught, and healed the sick, and obeyed all the law of God which we had broken. Now we come to what he suffered for our sakes how he bore the punishment our sins deserved, as if he had been himself a sinner. And these sufferings were very great and dreadful. You will know what this picture is?"

Ellen looked very grave, as she said, "It is Jesus on the cross.'

"Yes, it is called the crucifixion. But how did Jesus, who was so holy, and good and kind to all, ever come to be put to death, as if he had been a wicked man?"

THE CRUCIFIXION.

219

"It was for our sins, mamma.' "That was why he was willing to die; but the cruel men who crucified. him did not know that. It was the doing of the chief priests and rulers of the Jews, who hated him and envied him. They hated him, because he spoke against their sins, and made them feel guilty and ashamed; and they envied him, because so many of the people loved him, and listened to his teaching, which was so much better than theirs. And so they wished to kill him. Do you know the name of the wicked disciple who betrayed him-gave him up to them?"

"It was Judas."

"And what did Peter, the bold Peter, do?"

"He denied him."

"Yes, said he never knew him. O, poor Peter! how sadly he fell, and how sorely he grieved afterwards! Do you

know what the rest did?"