Miss M. He not only provided for his comfort at the time, but left money with the host to procure for him further comforts. Our Lord now asks who was neighbour to him that fell among the thieves. What did the lawyer answer?

Mary. "He that shewed mercy on him."

Miss M. What did our Lord then say to the lawyer?

Kate. "Go, and do thou likewise."

Miss M. And He would have us also do likewise; it is as much our duty as it was the duty of the lawyer, to be kind and charitable towards our neighbours. Our Lord was here showing the lawyer who were his neighbours, and how he was to act towards them. We must learn from this parable to do good to every one, not to refuse help to any one because he is of a different nation, or because he is not our friend and relation; we must remember that we are all children of the same Father, and that we are all travelling to the same home, that is to say, if we walk in the narrow path that leads to it; Jesus Christ died alike for all of us, and He will save any who come to Him. Now I dare say that some of you think you are too little or too poor to do much good to your neighbour; but you must remember what our Lord said in Matthew x. 42.

Anna. "And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward."

Miss M. You see then that however little we do, if we do it to please God, He will accept it. There is very often much more real charity in doing something for our neighbours when it is inconvenient, than in

giving away money, which we possibly do not want. We may every one learn a lesson from this parable. We often allow ourselves to be prevented from doing good by some idle excuse. Now the Samaritan might have thought that, as he was on a journey, he could not be delayed; but he remembered that he had other and more important work to do, the will of his Father in heaven, therefore he let no idle excuse stop him. Again, he did the work thoroughly, not only half, as many do, but he did everything that was right and charitable. Often when we have something to do which we think unpleasant, we do it to satisfy our conscience, but we do not do it cheerfully; now we know, for God has told us, that He loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix. 7. Again, the Samaritan might have thought, that as the priest had passed by without giving any help, he could not be expected to help the poor man. In the same manner we are tempted to leave undone something that we had better do, because others have not done it. But let us remember that we need only look to ourselves; and if we are in any difficulty, there is always one example which it is safe for us to copy, that of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us then all of us try and help our neighbour if he is in distress, or at all events we may all love him, and if we love him, we shall always be ready to help him willingly and cheerfully. I have now explained to you the parable in its simple form, and at first sight we may be tempted to think that there is no hidden meaning in it. But, beautiful as it is when teaching us a lesson of Christian charity, it is yet more beautiful when we look further into it, and find in it a deeper meaning still. The man who is journeying from Jerusalem to Jericho,

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who is leaving the heavenly city, which Jerusalem then was, and travelling towards Jericho, the city which was under a curse, (Josh. vi. 26,) is a faithful image of one who had been leading a holy life, but is now travelling towards hell. What then may we understand by the thieves, who stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, leaving him half dead ?

Kate. The wicked things of this world.

Miss M. Yes; the temptations to which he yields, and the wicked friends to whom he listens, who strip him of his raiment of righteousness, and leave him nearly dead in trespasses and sin. Neither the priest nor the Levite could do any thing, but there comes One who is both willing and able to save him, One who came, not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. We often find Christ spoken of in the Bible as healing the wounds made by sin. Look for Malachi iv. 2.

Susan. "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings." Miss M. And Psalm ciii. 3.

Emily. "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases."

Miss M. Our Lord then is that Good Samaritan, who is always ready to heal the broken heart and to save the contrite spirit. How does the Samaritan further provide for the wants of the poor man ?

Ellen. He takes him to an inn, and gives two pence to the host.

Miss M. In like manner our Lord does not leave us unprovided for. He gives us His word, His sacraments, and other means of grace; and as the Samaritan says, "Whatsoever thou spendest more, when I

come again I will repay thee," so our Lord will come again, and there will be a day of reckoning, on which He will reward every one according to his work.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE PARABLE OF THE FRIEND AT MIDNIGHT.

Luke xi. 1-10.

"AND it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him ? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

Miss Morton. I have made you read the verses preceding this parable because they contain the question which gave rise to it, and those that immediately follow it because they form a sort of moral to it. We read that Christ was praying in a certain place; when He ceased, what did His disciples say to Him?

Mary. They asked Him to teach them to pray, as John had taught his disciples.

Miss M. They proposed John for His example, as the Jews had done once before when they asked why the disciples of Jesus did not fast like John's disciples, scarcely yet realizing that Christ was much above requiring the example of any one. They did not yet understand how much greater He was than any earthly prophet. He however showed His humility by not being offended at this, but complied instantly with their request. What beautiful prayer did He then teach them ?

Jane. The Lord's Prayer.

Miss M. What is the difference between this parable and others?

Selina. The other parables are mostly stories; this is more a supposed case that might happen to any one to whom Christ was speaking.

Miss M. Yes; you see this by the beginning, "Which of you shall have a friend." Relate to me the commencement of the parable in your own words. Charlotte. A man came to his friend at midnight,

asking him to lend him three loaves.

Miss M. Why did he make this request ?