cution, in whatever shape; that she is not ashamed of her Saviour, who has declared that "whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels."* But to whatever trials God may see fit to put each of you, He will not suffer the temptation to be more than you are able to bear, if you sincerely pray to Him for assistance, and rely entirely upon Him, who is able to grant abundantly more than we can desire or deserve. He will soften "the stony ground," and give moisture sufficient to support the strongest heat, to those who sincerely apply to Him for aid.-But we have still another case to consider, that of the seed which "fell among thorns," and so was choked, and brought forth no fruit. Let me hear your idea of this, Mary.

Mary.-I do not know, Mamma, but it seems to me that the thorns might repre

*Luke ix. 26.

sent bad companions, who lead people into doing what is wrong, and hinder them from doing what they know to be right.

Mrs. B.-Your interpretation is ingenious enough, but it is giving a much more limited explanation of the "thorns" than was intended by the Divine Author of the parable. Hear his interpretation. "They which fell among thorns, are they which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection." You see, my love, that this includes not only those who are led away by bad companions (though they are indeed thorns which may well choke and render unfruitful the best seed,) but all who, from an over-anxiety about the things of this world, are led to neglect the service of their Maker, and the care of their own souls. Each station in life has its respective "thorns;" rich and poor, old and young, have their various objects of pursuit, any of which, when allowed to engross the chief part of their attention,

"choke the word."

Amusements, in

tended by a kind Providence to refresh the mind and body, may be made the business of life. Industry, His appointed means whereby men must provide for the temporal necessities of themselves and their families, may be turned into an overanxiety for the perishable goods of this life, and an indifference towards the better treasures of the world to come. Riches, the means given us by God to spread around us comfort and happiness, and to promote the welfare of our own souls, by being the faithful stewards of His bounty, may be idly and unprofitably wasted; or may, with persons of other characters, be hoarded up, and excite the desire of accumulating more, without considering to what end they were given. All these, my loves, in short all that are summed up in the three words of the Bible, "the cares, and riches, and pleasures" of this world; all these are given, in such proportion as Almighty Wisdom has seen fit, for our improvement and happiness, and upon the

use or abuse which we make of them in our different stations will depend our degree of happiness in a far better world.* Only we must take care that we enjoy the good, and bear the evil, which God sends us, without allowing either the one or the other to choke in our hearts the good seed of His word, lest it become unfruitful. And now, Mary, do you see how much wider range this explanation gives to the "thorns" than you were disposed to allow them?

Mary. Yes, Mamma, and I think now I quite understand the whole of the parable. The seed on good ground is of course good people, who, by God's grace, grow better and better as they grow up, till the end of their lives.

Mrs. B.-Yes, my dear, but you will observe that there is a difference even among those of the fourth class. "Upon them," says an excellent man as well as writer of the present day, "the word is not lost or destroyed without taking root; neither is it overborne by the opposition

*Matt. xvi. 27.

which it must encounter; neither is it choked among the concerns, and interests, and pleasures of the present state: but it grows among unfriendly plants, and flourishes in spite of an ungenial climate; and is distinguished by the fruits of humility, piety, holiness, and charity, in which it abounds. Yet among those who alike 'receive, and understand, and keep the word,' there is not an uniform proficiency. All do not in an equal degree obtain the mastery over their natural corruptions. All do not arrive at an equal height in Christian virtue. All do not labour equally in the service of the master to whom they have attached themselves. All produce fruit, but some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundredfold."* In the words in which St. Luke gives the explanation of this part of the parable, "they on the good ground are they, which, in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep, it, and bring forth fruit with patience."

Henry.-Why does it say

tience," Mamma?

" with pa

* Sumner's Evidences of Christianity, p. 179.