Who, do you think, Walter, is meant by e Lord of the servants? Walter could not 11. Bertha said, "I think the Master means tod, mamma, and the servants are meant for s, are not they? We are God's servants." Mother." Right; and what is meant by the alents?"

Bertha.-"Do not they mean our opportunities of serving God? our means of doing good?'

Mother." Yes; of doing, or of getting good; our blessings and advantages; and the story was told to teach men especially two things,-1st, That our advantages and opportunities were not given to us for ourselves alone, to be idly neglected, or selfishly enjoyed, but to be employed in our Master's service; and 2nd, That God will call us His servants to account for the way in which we have used our opportunities and means of usefulness; as the Master in the story called His servants to account for the talents entrusted to them-and we shall be ppy or miserable hereafter according as we ive improved or neglected them."

tha. "Mother! I dare not think of it! it so often since that day when we your wishes about the parcel, how -how impossible it must be always to

LESSON XXVI.

ACCOUNTABILITY.

Ware's Second Sermon on "Probation."-Read, with elder scholars, "Arnold Lee," by Cousin Kate. (Published by W. P. Kennedy, 15, St. Andrews Street, Edinburgh; and Hamilton, Adams, & Co., London.)

THE next Sunday after tea, when Bertha and Walter came to remind their mother that it was their time for reading with her, she told them to get their Bibles, for she would read them a story from the New Testament to-day. "See if you can find the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew," she said: "I will begin at the fourteenth verse and read straight through to the thirtieth, and we can talk about the meaning of it afterwards."

"Now, my children," she said, when she had finished reading, "He who told this story, intended to teach something by it. It means something more than just the plain sense of the words; let us try and find out the meaning of

it. Who, do you think, Walter, is meant by the Lord of the servants? Walter could not tell. Bertha said, "I think the Master means God, mamma, and the servants are meant for us, are not they? We are God's servants."

Mother." Right; and what is meant by the talents?"

Bertha." Do not they mean our opportunities of serving God? our means of doing good?"

Mother." Yes; of doing, or of getting good; our blessings and advantages; and the story was told to teach men especially two things,-1st, That our advantages and opportunities were not given to us for ourselves alone, to be idly neglected, or selfishly enjoyed, but to be employed in our Master's service; and 2nd, That God will call us His servants to account for the way in which we have used our opportunities and means of usefulness; as the Master in the story called His servants to account for the talents entrusted to them-and we shall be happy or miserable hereafter according as we have improved or neglected them."

Bertha." Mother! I dare not think of it! I have felt so often since that day when we disobeyed your wishes about the parcel, how <difficult-how impossible it must be always to

remember and be strong to do God's will! And, mother,-to think that we must stand before Him at last, and be called to account for every advantage misused—and for every opportunity neglected—and for every power not made the most of-oh, mother! how can we take such care all our lives?"

6

Mother." My child! He who has made us knows our weakness. He knoweth our frame, and remembereth that we are dust.' He knows how strong temptation is, and will surely make allowances for us when we strive, but fail. If this were not so,—if He were a God of justice without mercy, who indeed could stand before Him? But, like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.' 'He is slow to anger, and ready to forgive,' when He sees a child who has gone astray, really longing to return to Him. You say, 'how can we take such care all our lives long?' Take what we may, we shall fail sometimes-only, my children, return quickly to the right path; come back to God earnestly and humbly, and He who is Love will forgive you and lead you on again; there is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, than over ninety-nine just persons that need no repentance."

6

Bertha.- -"Ah, mother! when you talk so, it makes it seem worth while to try. It seemed so impossible to succeed that I felt quite crushed down with fear at first—I despaired, mother.”

Mother." Nay, you must not despair-how can we despair with such a Parent, ever ready to help us?* Trust and try-trust and try. The more you labour to improve the powers you have, the easier it will grow, and the more powers will be given you: 'to Him that hath shall be given.' Practice will make it continually easier both to perceive and to improve your opportunities. At the same time, there is indeed need of all our watchfulness-for what

O faint and feeble-hearted!

Why thus cast down with fear?
Fresh aid shall be imparted,'

Thy God unseen is near.

His eye can never slumber,

He marks thy cruel foes;

Observes their strength, their number,

And all thy weakness knows.

Though heavy clouds of sorrow
Make dark thy path to-day,
There may shine forth to-morrow,
Once more a cheering ray.

Doubts, griefs, and foes assailing,
Conceal heaven's fair abode;

Yet now faith's power prevailing,

Should stay thy mind on God.