to others what God requires is, that we should show mercy, remembering His mercy to us; and if we give in this spirit, our gifts, however small, will be accepted by Him. He has even told us Himself, that "Whosoever shall give a cup of cold water to drink, in His name, verily he shall in no wise lose his reward." But we must put off any farther discussion till another day, for it is already late, and we must not enter upon any fresh subject.

* Matt. x. 42, and Mark ix. 41.

NINTH DAY.

Parable of the Pharisee and the
Publican.

Luke xviii. 9.

Mrs. B.-WELL, Henry, what is it that has given you that very triumphant look to-day?

Henry.-Oh! Mamma, I think we have made a good use of your parables; I think Mary and I have been like the good Samaritan, and I think I know somebody that has been like the rich man that you told us of yesterday.

Mrs. B.-It always gives me pleasure to hear that you have acted rightly; but

why should you be glad that you have seen somebody act in a very unworthy and unchristian manner?

Henry.-No, Mamma, it is not that that I am glad of, but only.... only

Mrs. B.-Well, my love, let me hear the case, and then I shall be a better judge.

Henry. Why, Mamma, as we were walking just outside the gate, we saw a very poor, very wretched looking old

man .....

Mary. No, Henry, he was not an old man.

Henry.-Well, but he was very poor, was not he, Mary? And so, Mamma, there was a gentleman coming on horseback, and the poor man began to beg of him-and the gentleman did not give him any thing, but said, he ought to be ashamed of begging, when he might work; and so, Mamma, when the gentleman said so, as soon as he was gone by, I went up and said, Here poor man, if

that gentleman won't give you any thing, I will-and so I gave him the new halfcrown that Grandmamma gave me, and Mary gave him a shilling, which was all she had. But why do you look so grave, Mamma? Did not we do a great deal better than the gentleman?

1

Mrs. B.-I am afraid, my dear Henry, you have a very poor notion of the conduct of the good Samaritan, when you think that you were like him; and that you have a still poorer of another essential part of Christian charity, that of judging favourably of the conduct of your neighbours.

Henry.-Why, Mamma, I thought the gentleman was like the priest and the Levite, that you said passed by without attending to the poor man; and so I was determined to shew that I was better than they were, and like the good Samaritan who helped the poor man when he was in distress.

Mrs. B. And do you think, my dear

Henry, that the wish of the Samaritan was to show that he was better than the Priest or the Levite?

Henry.-No, Mamma, not exactly to show that he was better, but I think he must have felt very happy that he had behaved so much better than they had.

Mrs. B.-I do not doubt, my love, supposing it to be a real history, that he would have been glad that he had behaved so well; but I am sorry you should think he would be glad that he had behaved better than others. But as you do, let me ask you a question or two. In the first place, whom are you most anxious to please?

Henry.-You, Mamma, and Papa.

Mrs. B.-On earth, my dear boy, I hope you are; but remember you have a heavenly Parent, whom you should be still more anxious to please.

Henry.-Oh! yes, Mamma, I did not think of your meaning that.

Mrs. B.-And what does He say?