to be an example of a perfect childhood. He appeared in this world as an infant, that he might grow to manhood; that he might pursue his ministry, performing miracles, and doing good to all; and afterwards, that he, the gentle, loving, sinless Saviour, might be scourged, spit upon, and crowned with thorns; that he might be nailed to the cross, and laid in the tomb; that he might rise from that tomb, and after showing himself to his disciples, ascend to heav en, having suffered all the anguish of Gethsemane and Calvary. You can read this touching story in the Bible; and when you read it, you must not forget why the blessed Saviour left his Father's throne, and came to earth to live and die. God made his laws, gave them to man, and told him he must suffer if he broke them. Adam and Eve, the first persons who lived, disobeyed God, and every one of their descendants has in consequence been a sinner. Yes, even you, dear children, who have perhaps been in this world but a few years, are sinners by nature. <But heaven is holy, and no sin can enter there: how, then, can you ever reach that pure and happy place? I will tell you.

HYMN.

"Around the throne of God in heaven,
Thousands of children stand-
Children whose sins are all forgiven--
A holy, happy band.

In flowing robes of spotless white,
See every one arrayed;
Dwelling in everlasting light,

And joys that never fade.

Once they were little things like you,
And lived on earth below,

And could not praise as now they do,
The Lord who loved them so.

What brought them to that world above
That heaven so bright and fair,
Where all is peace, and joy, and love?
How came those children there?

Because the Saviour shed his blood
To wash away their sin;
Bathed in that pure and precious flood,
Behold them white and clean!

On earth they sought the Saviour's grace,

On earth they loved his name;

So now they see his blessed face,

And stand before the Lamb."

And in the same way, that is, by believing in Jesus,

and loving and serving him, can you join the blessed

throng in heaven. He died because every one of

you is a sinner; that precious blood, which he shed, can wash all sin away, and make you pure and white, so that you may enter heaven "without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing." You can never be perfect in this world, but you can struggle against sin; you can try with all your heart to do what God would have you, and he will help you. Yes, dear children, love Jesus; believe in him as the only Saviour; make him your friend; tell him every little joy, every little sorrow, just as you would tell your own mother; tell him all your wants, for although he is in heaven, he can hear you if you speak to him; ask him to keep you from sin, to forgive all the wrong things you have ever done, and help you to do them no more, to wash away all your sins in his blood, and he will do it; he will make you a lamb of his fold, and God will admit you to his holy heaven.

How infinite was God's condescension in sending his only beloved Son into the world to die for you! how wonderfully compassionate was Jesus, to come to earth to suffer such a cruel death-and he so pure, so perfect, so forgiving even to his crucifiers-that he might save you, and all who believe and trust in him,

from being for ever punished for sins against him! Will you not love this dear Saviour, and trust only in him for salvation? Will you not say from

"I lay my sins on Jesus,

The spotless Lamb of God;
He bears them all, and frees us
From the accursed load.

I bring my guilt to Jesus,
To wash my crimson stains
White, in his blood most precious,
Till not a spot remains.

I lay my wants on Jesus,
All fulness dwells in him;

He healeth my diseases,
He doth my soul redeem.

I lay my griefs on Jesus,
My burdens and my cares;
He from them all releases,
He all my sorrows shares.

I long to be like Jesus,
Meek, loving, lowly, mild;
I long to be like Jesus,
The Father's holy child.

I long to be with Jesus,
Amid the heavenly throng,

To sing with saints his praises,
To learn the angels' song.

your heart,

If you will trust, and love, and obey Jesus, he will help you to be an example to your companions, he will comfort you in every trial, and in every sorrow; he will be near to you when you are ill, and on a bed of pain and suffering. And there will come another hour when none but He can sustain you-the hour of death. You must all die. The most loving friends cannot save you; they cannot go with you through the dark valley. But

"Jesus can make a dying bed

Feel soft as downy pillows are,
While on his breast you lay your head,

And breathe your life out sweetly there."

When all hope of life has fled, when physicians have done all that can be done to restore you, when friends are weeping beside your bed, powerless to relieve you, if you have in health made the Saviour your friend, all will be bright to you; you can joyfully ask,

"Why do you weep?

I am falling asleep,
And Jesus my shepherd
Is watching his sheep.
His arm is beneath me,

His eye is above;
His Spirit within me,

Says, 'Rest in my love.