holding in his arms that precious child, who was to grow to manhood and then be nailed to the cross, but who, having risen from the grave and ascended to heaven, woull there receive the spirit of this good old man. Simeon knew he must soon die, but he had seen Jesus; it was enough, now he saw him in whom he had long believed.

Hundreds and hundreds of years have passed since that day, and all that time Simeon has never wearied of singing that song of praise to Jesus, with which heaven ever resounds, "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory and blessing.". Rev. 5:12. We cannot see Jesus on earth, but we shall see him in heaven, if we love, trust, and obey him here.

"But where is Jesus? is he dead?

O no; he lives in heaven above;
'And blest are they,' the Saviour said,

'Who, though they have not seen me, love.""

How sacred it should make infancy and childhood, that Jesus was once an infant, once a little boy. Let us love all little children, for Jesus' sake; let us try to make them happy, and do them good. O what

blessed homes there would be, if parents and friends would remember how kind Jesus was to the little ones, and treat all children as he did; if all little brothers and sisters would remember that the dear Saviour was once a little child, and would be kind to each other for his sake.

THE AME OF JESUS.

"How sweet the name of Jesus sounds,
In a believer's ear!

It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole,

And calms the troubled breast;
'Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary, rest.

By Him my prayers acceptance gain,
Although with sin defiled;

Satan accuses me in vain,
And I am owned a child.

Weak is the effort of my heart,

And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see thee as thou art,
I'll praise thee as I ought.

Till then, I would thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath;

And may the music of thy name
Refresh my soul in death."

CHAPTER VI.

THE WISE MEN.

"Watchman-Tell us of the night,
What its signs of promise are.
Traveller-O'er yon mountain's height,
See that glory-beaming star!

Watchman-Does its beauteous ray
Aught of hope or joy foretell?
Traveller-Yes; it brings the day,
Promised day of Israel!

Watchman-Tell us of the night;
Higher yet that star ascends.
Traveller-Blessedness and light,
Peace and truth, its course portends.

Watchman-Let thy wanderings cease;
Hie thee to thy quiet home.
Traveller-Lo, the Prince of peace,
Lo, the Son of God, has come !"

MANY hundred miles from Jerusalem, in a land of "the East," lived some men called Magi, or wise men, who were chiefly employed in studying religion, medicine, and astronomy. They had been expecting that

a new king, the Messiah, would come to rule the world, for that belief of the Jews had been widely diffused. They supposed, too, that he would be born in Judea, and now, when he had actually come into the world, they very soon found it out. How could they do so? The journey was a long one from Jerusalem, and it would probably take several months for a message to reach them, as people travelled in caravans, or large companies, to secure them from danger, and of course made slow progress. Besides, as we have seen, thus far very few seem to have taken any interest in the precious child.

But God could find a way to let them know the glad tidings. They were much occupied in studying the stars, and now there appeared a new sign-a bright star in the west, towards Judea. There, as we have seen, they thought the new king would appear, and they did not doubt that this was the sign of his coming, and went to Jerusalem to worship him.

Being strangers, in foreign costume, and probably with very dignified manners, like the learned men of the East, they might be expected to attract much notice from the people of Jerusalem, especially when their errand was discovered; but when they reached

the city after their long journey, expecting to find it full of excitement and joy, behold, when they inquired, "Where is He that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him," Matt. 2: 2, there was no one able to answer them! Had they known Simeon and Anna, and inquired of them, they would undoubtedly have had their question answered; bnt they did not, and consulted those whom they met in the city.