Ye who now gather round the same firesides, think of each other's souls; be companions and yoke-fellows in the things of God; see whether you cannot be united in the kingdom of the Lord, as you are now under one common roof; seek to be one in Christ in this world and for ever; though death must separate you for a time, yet so live in godly love, so help each other as fellow-travellers to heaven, that you may be joined together at the feast of the Lamb, where the powers of love will be increased ten thousand fold, and will be purified as gold tried seven times in the fire.

And is not this a time to speak of family love? Do not kindred now meet together and come from distant parts that the Christmas feast may be spent at home? Have not these gatherings of friends and kindred sprung from the holy thankfulness of the Church for the birth of Christ, who makes brethren ten times more brotherly, and who makes strangers to be received as brethren. Right is it that we should light the torch of family affection from the light upon the altar, that the power of Christ working among us should cause us when we rejoice in Him to rejoice in one another, and especially in the brethren of our father's house. It is the true and right time for

the exercise of family love. But let not these meetings of friends degenerate; let not them sink into mere earthly merry-makings; most unseemly is worldly mirth at such a holy time. Rather stir up the fires of religious affection on your hearth; kindle afresh holy friendships in a holy way; rejoice together in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs; rejoice as St. Paul rejoiced in his godly friends; as St. John rejoiced in the love of Christ. Even as St. John leaned upon the breast of Jesus at the supper, so let us draw near to Christ and pray Him to come down amongst us when we meet, that He may look upon holy homes and sanctify them by His presence; let us look upon one another as brethren whom He has joined together in double bonds; and as the child kisses the mother's cheek and the friend presses the hand of friends, and all rejoice together, let all remember the source of all true union, even God, and so love each other as God charges us to do, holily, religiously, with that charity which is immortal, which will be perfected in heaven when the world has passed away, through the mercies of Jesus Christ.

DEVOTION.

O LORD of love, who art the fountain of all love, fill our souls with holy love, that we may love Thee and all whom Thou hast loved. Thou hast taught us in Thy Holy Word to love Thee with all our heart, and to love our neighbour as ourselves; enable us to act according to Thy Word and will, that we may please Thee, and commend ourselves to Thy love; enable us to follow the example of Thy holy Apostle St. John, who has given us so bright a pattern of fervent charity, who was so tenderly beloved by Thy dear Son, and who, inspired by the Holy Ghost, has spoken so many excellent words concerning love, for our soul's use.

At this time, O Father, when in Thy Church we bless Thee for Thine own unspeakable love towards mankind, and Thy Son's most tender love, do Thou give us the soul of true charity, that we may be warmed with pious affections for the brethren of our father's house, and may succour those abroad who are in any trouble or distress

At this time it especially becometh us, who are Thy children by adoption and grace, to act lovingly towards all men. Both at home, O Lord, and abroad, the spirit of love should rule our hearts. As Thou gavest Thy Son for us, so should we give ourselves to our brethren, succouring them, relieving them, praying for them, leading them in the right way, comforting them, and being always gentle towards them.

O gracious Father, we come to Thee for help, that we may abound more and more in love, that we may learn to be more unselfish and self-denying, more generous and gentle, more kind and pitiful. Help us, good Lord, we pray Thee, for Jesus Christ's sake, Thy dear Son, our Saviour.

JOHN HENRY PARKER, OXFORD AND LONDON.

Tracts for the Christian Seasons.

THE INNOCENTS' DAY.

Christ's Love of Children.

PROPER LESSONS: Morning, Jeremiah xxxi. to ver. 18; Evening, Wisdom 1. EPISTLE, Rev. xiv. 1. GOSPEL, St. Matt. ii. 13.

CARRY back your thoughts to the days when our Blessed Lord was a child among men; and when Herod, seeking to kill the Lord of life, sent forth to slay "all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under." Let us but strive to see that scene, and to place it before our minds. Let us suppose ourselves in the town of Bethlehem on the morning of that bitter day when Herod's soldiers came to execute the decree of death. Many a mother that morning woke joyfully from her sleep, and with a mother's love beheld her child lying calmly by her side; many a mother's eye glistened with fond ardour over the little soft round limbs, or the guiltless face of the child that was nestling itself on her breast; many a mother's heart beat high with hope as she thought of the growth of her little one, of the

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