THE WONDERFUL DRAUGHT OF FISHES.

NE day, as the crowds pressed round Him to hear the Word of God, Jesus came to the Lake of Gennesaret and saw two boats drawn up on the shore. Now one of these belonged to a man named Simon Peter, who was at the water's edge washing his nets. Jesus entered into this boat and asked Simon to push it off from the land a little. Then He sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when He had done speaking to them He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught of fishes." Simon, answering Him, said, "Master, we have toiled all through the night and have taken nothing, but as you wish it I will let down the net again." And they let down the net into the sea, but it enclosed so great a multitude of fishes that they could not draw them up; and the net brake. Then Simon beckoned to his partners, James and John, who were in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came and filled both boats with the fishes, so that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw it he fell down before Jesus, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all that were with him were astonished at the marvellous draught of fishes which they had taken. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not, Simon Peter; from henceforth thou shalt be a fisher of men." Meaning that he was to go about winning souls for God, instead of being a fisherman.

And when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all they had and followed Christ.

A

THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT.

CERTAIN King took account of his servants and began to reckon what they owed him. And there was brought to him one that owed him nearly two million pounds. But as he had not the money to pay, the King commanded that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and everything that he had, that payment might be made. Then the servant fell down before the King and worshipped him, saying, "Lord, have patience with me and I will pay thee all.' Then the King had compassion on his servant and loosed him and forgave him his debt.

But when that servant had gone out from the presence of the King, he found a fellow-servant who owed him a little over three pounds, and he laid hands on him and seized him by the throat, saying, "Pay me that which thou owest.' And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet and implored him, saying, "Have patience with me and I will pay thee all." And he would not have patience, but cast his fellowservant into prison till he should pay the debt.

When his other fellow-servants saw what had been done they were very sorry, and came to their King to tell him all about it. Then the King called the unmerciful servant to him, and said, "O thou wicked servant; I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee?"

And the King was wroth, and delivered him up to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

So likewise, says Christ, shall our Heavenly Father do also unto us if from our hearts we forgive not every one that trespasses against us.

"Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.”