have it in our power to forgive others? And would not our own consciences condemn us, did we not forgive to the uttermost? We noticed, just now, the command given us by our Saviour to pray that our Heavenly Father will forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And can we expect that we shall be forgiven the "ten thousand talents" which we owe to God, if we refuse to forgive the "hundred pence" which our poor fellow-creatures may happen to owe us? But we are not left to conjecture for ourselves upon this subject, for Jesus Himself closes His parable with these words: "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother his trespasses." Consider too, my dear children, what are the "tormentors" to whom we shall be delivered, were God to insist on any part of His payment; consider how unspeakable is the difference between what we owe Him, and what any of us owe to each other; and we shall feel how grateful we ought to be for forgiveness upon such easy conditions.

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Henry. But are we quite sure, Mamma, that God will forgive us, if we forgive others?

Mrs. B. Yes, my love, we have His word, which never faileth, to assure us that He will, if we from our hearts forgive each other. Nothing can be plainer than His declaration on this point: "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemed: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: for with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again."1

This, my love, is one of the great branches. of Christian charity-mutual forgiveness, as God for Jesus Christ's sake forgives us. Several of the others are alluded to and recommended by other parables, with which we will go on another day. For the present we have had enough. Indeed, I think our readings grow longer and longer every day.

Mary. I am sure, Mamma, I like them better and better every day. I hope you have a great many more parables ready.

1 Luke vi. 36-38.

Henry. And, Mamma, what is the name of the one for to-morrow? and what is it about?

Mrs. B. To-morrow, my dear Henry, we shall take a branch of charity more nearly approaching to your first notion. The parable is called "The Good Samaritan."

Henry. Well, Mamma, and what is it about?

Mrs. B. No, no, Mr. Henry, I must not be cheated into beginning to-day; you must have patience till to-morrow, if you please, before you hear about the good Samaritan.

"THOU shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," said Mrs. B., "was, you remember, the second great commandment; second only to that of "loving God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our strength, and with all our mind;" and I think you have not forgotten what I told you was meant by this love of our neighbour.

1 Luke x. 27.

Mary. No, Mamma; you told us that it was the same as Christian charity, and that one part of charity was to forgive one another; and that you would tell us another part of it to-day, in the story of the good Samaritan.

Mrs. B. Very well, Mary.-Our Saviour, then, was in conversation with a Jewish lawyer upon this subject. Now the lawyer probably thought that he fulfilled this law when he behaved kindly to those who were literally his neighbours; his friends or relations, or near neighbours, as we call them. Being willing, therefore, as we are here told, to justify himself, that is, to prove that he had done his duty, he said unto Jesus, " And who is my neighbour?"

Jesus made him no immediate answer, but began a parable, at the end of which the lawyer might be able to answer his question himself.

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"A certain man," said He, "went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him