man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you

there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Question. In what way do the three parables: The Lost Sheep, the Piece of Silver, and the Prodigal Son, teach the same lesson ?

Answer. They all show that there is mercy for those who have strayed from the right path; that there is joy in heaven when that which was lost is found-and that the loving. kindness of Christ will not only seek the sinner who has strayed from the right path, but will also gladly receive him who returns, however sinful, and miserable, and forlorn he may be, to seek pardon and forgiveness through the merits of the Saviour.

Q. What hopeful sign do we notice in the resolution of the prodigal son to return to his father?

4. His humility, and his sense of his own unworthy. ness. He was conscious that by his misconduct he had forfeited his place in his father's house and affections, as a son; and was ready to be received as one of the hired servants, on any terms, if only his father would in kindness and mercy, receive him again.

Q. What feeling was especially shown by the elder son on the prodigal's return?

A.-A bad feeling of envy and dislike. He does not acknowledge the penitent man as his brother; he says, "When this thy son (not "this my brother") has returned and he ungenerously reminds his father of the prodigal's sins.

Q.-Besides the lesson of mercy and loving-kindness what are we taught by the parable of the Good Samaritan?

A.-The evil of self-righteousness and pride. The Jews looked down with contempt upon the Samaritans, and thought themselves far superior to them, and yet it was a Samaritan, one of the despised race, who had compassion on the plundered and wounded traveller when the priest and the Levite passed him by.

Q. What special lesson is taught in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus ?

A. That wealth and station have their duties; and that the rich man who neglects to relieve the poor commits a great sin.

THE PITILESS SERVANT.

HEN came Peter to him, and said,

TH Lord, how oft shall my brother sin

against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when

he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he