poor sufferer; but he also did nothing for him, and went across to the other side.

He had not been gone long before a Samaritan came along, riding on his ass; and although the Samaritans were, as I once before told you, at enmity with the Jews, yet when he beheld the unfortunate man, he forgot all their national quarrels, and had pity on him. He therefore alighted from the ass, raised him up from the ground, and applied oil and wine to his wounds to heal them, and bound them up in some of his own linen. He then placed him on the ass, walked by his side, and took every care of him till they got to an inn. Here he give him in charge to the landlord, with a particular request that he would be kind to the stranger, and he left some money to be laid out for his use.

Our Savior having finished this story, said to the lawyer, Now which of these three thinkest thou was neighbor to him that fell among the thieves?' 'He that showed mercy on him.' and do thou likewise.'

The lawyer answered, Then said Jesus, ' Go,

Now when our Savior said, 'Go, and do thou likewise,' He said it not only to the lawyer, but to all of us.

We must be kind and merciful too: we may never, perhaps, have exactly the same opportunity which the good Samaritan had; but there is hardly a person living

who cannot do some good,-for all may at least be kind and affectionate to others. Our Savior does not look to the quantity of good we do, for that depends on circumstances and opportunities, and little children have not much in their power; but He looks to the heart, whether we wish to do good, and try to do all we can.

Even children may sometimes be able to give something to poor people, though not much, and they can be ready to oblige and assist every one ;-and if you do this for the proper reason, to please God,-He will not be angry with you because you cannot do more.

THE PRODIGAL SON.

THE mercy and compassion of the Lord induced many, who had led wicked lives, to come to Him for pardon; and whenever they were really sorry, and intended to amend, He received them graciously, and even condescended to associate with some of them.

This kind behavior towards those who had been known sinners, offended the Pharisees, a set of people who were very proud, and pretended to be much better than others,

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though, in reality, their religion consisted chiefly in outward ceremonies.

But our Savior, who saw their vain and hardened hearts, preferred the humble and pious penitents. These He therefore favored, and constantly reproved the pride of the Pharisees.

One day, when the Pharisees had been complaining of His receiving sinners, He related this parable to them :

There was once a man who had two sons, whom he loved very dearly; but the younger of them was a wild young man, who did not like his father's quiet manner of life; and he longed to get away from home, that he might indulge his sins and follies without restraint. Accordingly, he begged his father to give him, at once, the portion of goods which were to fall to his share. So his father consented, and divided his fortune between him and his brother.

As soon as this ungrateful son had gathered his share of goods together, he left his happy home and his indulgent father, and went into a far country, where he wasted it all in rioting and wickedness.

He would probably have gone on in sin till he had lost his soul, as well as his health and fortune, if there had not arisen a dreadful famine in the land; then, for the first time, he felt what it was to be in want. Friendless and hungry,

he did not know where to seek relief; and at last was obliged to hire himself as a servant to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine.

Here he spent many a miserable hour; often so hungry that he could have eaten even the husks with which he fed the swine. But there was none to pity or assist him. And now it was that the remembrance of the kindness of his dear father, and the happiness and comfort he had always enjoyed at home, rushed upon his mind.

He thought of his own ingratitude and undutifulness; and he bitterly repented having ever left that happy home. He thought how many of his father's servants were living in plenty, while he perished with hunger; and he resolved to return to his father, humbly confess his sins, and entreat to be allowed to live even as a hired servant in his house, as he was no more worthy to be treated as his son.

So he set out on his homeward journey; and as soon as his father saw him, he ran out to meet him, and embraced his repentant child. Overcome with so much affection, the son exclaimed, 'Father, I have sinned against Heaven and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son;' But no word of reproach was heard; no reproving look met his eye; on the contrary, all was joy and welcome. His father commanded his servants to kill the fatted calf, and prepare a feast to welcome his return.

Now the elder son had been out in the fields, and as he returned to the house, he was surprised to hear the sounds of music; and, calling one of the servants, asked him what was the reason of it.

The servant said, 'Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath been restored to us;' but instead of rejoicing at the return of his brother, and hastening in to welcome him also, he was angry and jealous, and would not go in.

So his father came out and entreated him, and told him how natural it was for a father to rejoice over the return of a child whom he feared was lost to him forever, and who was now come back, humble and repentant.

Such was the parable which our Savior told the Pharisees, to explain the joy with which God welcomes the return of one of those penitent sinners whom they so wickedly despised. God is that Father;-the prodigal son meant the penitent sinners whom God received, and the elder son represented the proud Pharisees.

But it is not the Pharisees alone who may benefit by this beautiful parable. We, my dear children, have often wandered from God our Father in the pursuit of pleasure; but depend upon it, there is no real happiness to be found at a distance from God. You may think so at first, but you will be disappointed.