"And she, coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."-Luke ii. 38.

"We do not hear anything more of good old Simeon and Anna. I suppose God very soon took them home to himself. But I like to read about them in this chapter, and to think of them when I see an aged Christian, one who is just quietly waiting, and ready, when God calls, to depart in peace. What verse will you choose for your book to-day, Ellen ?"

"I will take the one you like so much, mamma, what Simeon says, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.'

"I hope you will one day understand and admire it as I do, my love. Now, can you repeat the pretty hymn, 'Just and devout old Simeon lived?'" "It is very long, mamma." Well, I shall read it to you."

JUST and devout old Simeon lived;
To him it was revealed,

That Christ, the Lord, his eyes should see
Ere death his eyelids sealed.

When Jesus, to the temple brought
By Mary's pious care,

As Heaven's appointed rites required,
To God was offered there,

Simeon into those sacred courts
A heavenly impulse drew;
He saw the Virgin hold her Son,
And straight his Lord he knew.

With holy joy upon his face

The good old father smiled; Then fondly in his withered arms He clasped the promised child:

And while he held the heaven-born Babe,
Ordained to bless mankind,

Thus spoke, with earnest look, and heart
Exulting, yet resigned:

Now, Lord! according to thy word,

Let me in peace depart;

Mine eyes have thy salvation seen,
And gladness fills my heart.

At length my arms embrace niy Lord,
Now let their vigour cease;

At last my eyes my Saviour see,
Now let them close in peace.

This great salvation, long prepared,

And now disclosed to view,

Hath proved thy love was constant still,
And promises were true.

That Sun I now behold, whose light
Shall heathen darkness chase;
And rays of brightest glory pour
Around thy chosen race.

PRAYER.

O Lord our God, help us to get good from all we read or hear from thy holy word. We are but a few years in this world, we do not know how soon we may be called away. O we thank thee that Jesus has died, and that therefore when we trust in Him we need not fear to die. Lord, take away all our fears, take away our sins, give us new hearts, make us love and serve thee while we live, and then when the time comes, make us ready to depart in peace. Let us not read and speak about Jesus only, but love and know Him as our own Saviour. Hear our prayer for his sake. Amen.

Visit of the Wise Men.

THE children were ready in good time. next morning, and Mrs. Ross took out a new picture. "Here is a picture," she said, "which I do not think you know so much about as the others we have seen. Harry, what will it be?"

Harry looked and said, "There are Jesus and Mary again."

"Yes," said Ellen, "but they have strangers with them. Who will they

be?"

"The shepherds."

men.

"Oh no, Harry, these men are not like shepherds, they do not look poor And they are offering pretty things to Jesus and Mary, and we did not read of the shepherds doing that. Mamma, who are they?"

"You shall read, my love."

So Ellen read: "Now when Jesus was

born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."-Matthew ii. 1, 2.

"Mamma, what does wise men mean?"

"It means learned men, who have studied a great deal about a great number of things, and to whom God has given what we call great minds, so that they can understand more than other people, and then explain to them. God chooses to make some minds greater than others, just as he makes some men taller and some shorter in their bodies. Now these wise men lived in a country far away from the Holy Land, and they were not Jews, but they believed in the true God, and they read the old prophets, and expected that a great Saviour or MESSIAH was to come into the world, and knew, like the shepherds, that it must be near the time. do they say they had seen?"

What