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amusements, the business of this world, that they find no time to give to God and to the things of eternity.

This is the seed which fell among thorns.

Now, if you, my dear children, are so very fond of your play, your dress, or any earthly thing, as to prefer it to God; and that you have not time to think of him who has made you, loved you, and sent his Son to die for you; then, indeed, I am sorry to say, you will be found buried and choked amidst the cares and follies of this world, like the seed among the thorns.

But lastly, the word of God is profitably preached to those who are willing to hear it, in order that they may obey it, who with an humble heart receive it with gladness, and endeavor daily to practise its holy duties, however difficult and however painful they may sometimes find it to do so; well knowing that they must not expect perfect happiness on earth, since that is to be found only in heaven.

This is the seed which was sown on good ground.

May God grant that you, my dear little children, may be already among these blessed hearers of the Holy Bible! You have just heard the very words of your Savior; it is now your duty to obey Him, and then your happiness will be secured.

THE MURDER OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.

You have not heard any thing for a long time about John, who baptized our Lord in the river Jordan. I shall now tell you the manner of his death.

The king who now reigned over Galilee, was a son of that Herod, king of Judea, who killed all the little children in Bethlehem. He was also called Herod, and was almost as bad a man as his father. He had married a wife named Herodias, who was as bad, if not worse, than himself.

Now John thought it his duty to reprove this sinful couple, which he did honestly and boldly. But Herod was so much offended at John's freedom in thus censuring him, that he caused him to be seized and put in prison: and as for Herodias, she was so enraged, that she urged Herod to put him to death.

This, however, Herod would not consent to do; for though he was wicked enough to cast him into prison, yet he feared and respected so holy a man and so great a prophet, and would sometimes even send for him to hear him discourse.

On these occasions, he was so much per

suaded and overawed by John, that he followed his advice in several particulars.

When Herodias found all her endeavors were vain to get Herod to murder John, she resolved to wait for a favorable opportunity to revenge herself. You shall hear how she succeeded.

Herod on his birth-day, gave a great feast to all the lords and high captains of Galilee; and after supper was over, Salome, the daughter of Herodias, came in to dance for the entertainment of his guests.

This young lady was very beautiful, and danced extremely well, so that Herod and his lords were highly pleased. Herod, foolishly vain of the beauty and accomplishments of his daughter, and not thinking of what he was saying, rashly promised to give her whatever she chose to ask, even if it were half his kingdom, as a reward for the amusement she had afforded them.

Full of joy at such an offer, she ran to her mother, to consult her as to what she should ask.

Here was an opportunity of revenge which Herodias seized on with eager cruelty; and she had the wickedness to desire her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist.

Salome accordingly returned to the banqueting-room, and to the dismay of the king, announced her request:

'I

desire,' said she, 'that thou give me, by and by, in a charger, the head of John the Baptist.' No wonder that even the king himself should be shocked, when he heard so horrible a request from the lips of a young and beautiful girl.

He was indeed exceedingly shocked and grieved: but as he had made a solemn promise to give her whatever she should ask, and had even sworn to keep it, he sent off an executioner to the prison to behead John; and his head was immediately brought in a charger, and given to Salome, who took it to her mother! Now, some time afterwards, when the account of the miracles and wonderful works of our Lord Jesus Christ reached Herod, he exclaimed,- It is John the Baptist, whom I beheaded, who is risen from the dead!' and he was very much terrified, fearing that John was come from the grave, to take vengeance for the murder.

History informs us that this wicked family were justly punished for their murder of John. Herod and Herodias were driven from their kingdom in great trouble, and died among strangers, in banishment and poverty; and it is said, that one day, as Salome was walking across the ice, she fell into the water, and the ice closed round her neck, and separated her head from her body. Whether these last particulars are true, I cannot be certain, because the story is written only in ordinary histories, and not in the Gospel,

as the rest of the story is: but what we may be quite sure of is, that all wicked people, who do not repent of their sins, will be punished. They are almost always punished even in this world by conscience, which allows them no peace or rest. It was his conscience which made Herod think that John was risen from the dead, and which made him so unlittle reader know what conscience is ? I will tell you. When you are naughty, there is something in your heart which makes you feel you are doing wrong and offending against Heaven.

happy. Does my

And when you correct yourself, and try to be good, you feel happy and cheerful. Well, that something that feeling-in your heart, which makes you happy when you are good, and unhappy when you are naughty, is your conscience; and it is God Himself who has put it there ;—it is His voice speaking in your heart, which is called conscience, and which you ought always to obey.

When people are very wicked, their consciences frighten them so much that they go about quite wretched all day, and often cannot sleep at night:-terrified when no danger is near, and miserable when there is no outward cause of

sorrow.

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