inquire into a case which may come before us, we should go out of our way to inquire, to seek out, to learn where we can be useful; where we can prove, by our kindness to our distressed neighbours, our sense of God's infinite goodness to us. And this is a fault, my loves, which we are too apt to fall into, more especially the rich, and those who have no cares and anxieties for their own support and bodily comforts.

Mary. I hope, Mamma, if ever we are rich, we shall remember this parable, and all that you have told us about it.

Mrs. B. My love, you must recollect, that it is not necessary to be rich, in order to show in the sight of God a kind and charitable spirit. He who well employed his five talents, attained the favour of his master equally with him who well employed his ten: the good dispositions may equally be shown with small means as with great. But whether should be rich or poor, I trust you will remember and study, not only this parable, but all the Word of God, that it may dwell in your hearts and minds; and that by God's

you

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PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN.

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Holy Spirit assisting you, you may come behind in no good gift; " but be "not hearers only, but doers of the word;" and that every holy precept and example may incite you, and God give you grace to "go and do likewise."

1 James i. 22.

Mrs. B. JUST before we finished yesterday, we were talking of what were the duties, especially of the rich, in seeking out the afflictions of their fellow-creatures, rather than waiting to be told of them, and even than listening carelessly to them. This will bring us to-day to another part of that extensive virtue of Christian charity, which goes most commonly by that name, that of relieving the bodily distresses of others.

Henry. You mean, giving money to poor people, don't you, Mamma?

Mrs. B. I mean not giving money only, but food, clothing, medical assistance, and all those comforts which the rich can always procure, but of which the poor often stand in need, and with which it is more especially the duty of the rich to furnish those who are in want.

Henry. Yes, Mamma, I believe I meant all that, when I said money-I meant what people call "giving charity." And now will you tell us the parable?

Mrs. B. Yes, my love, but before I do so, I must tell you that it was spoken more particularly to the Pharisees; "who," the Evangelist says, "were covetous, and derided him,” on account of His poverty and humility. But Jesus, desirous to show them that all the advantages of this world, on which they prided themselves, such as wealth, learning, rank, and "all that is highlyesteemed among men," so far from being important towards a man's eternal welfare, increase his punishment; and are, in His

own words, "abomination in the sight of God," if a man make not a right use of them; related to them the parable which we are now going to read, of the rich man and Lazarus.

"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple, and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day"

pur

Henry. Why does it say, "clothed in ple," Mamma? Was there anything parti

cular in that?

Mrs. B. Purple, my dear Henry, was considered among the ancients as the most beautiful and valuable colour; and the city of Tyre, which was at no very great distance from Jerusalem, was particularly celebrated, and owed a great part of its wealth to the art of dyeing cloth of this colour. It was very expensive, and was the colour always worn by emperors, kings, and great men, upon great occasions; so that in this place it means generally very rich and expensive clothes.

Mary. But, Mamma, is there any harm in wearing fine clothes, and having great din

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