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Story of Stories.]

JESUS BLESSING LITTLE CHILDREN,

Martha and Mary.

ARTHA and Mary loved our Lord,
And asked Him in to meat.

Now Mary meekly heard His word,
Low sitting at His feet ;

But Martha, anxious to provide
For such an honoured guest,
Went hurrying to and fro, and tried
To serve Him with the best.

And when she saw that Mary, low,
Sat silent, listening, there,
She said, Lord, bid my sister go
And help me to prepare.

But Jesus said, O Martha, thou
Art cumbered with thy care,
The world is too much with thee now,
Thy duties prove a snare.

One thing is needful to the heart
In all the world so wide-
Mary hath chosen that good part,
And shall not be denied.

Now what is that one needful thing
Which Mary chose, I pray?—

To keep the heart still listening
For all our Lord shall say.

CHAPTER XLII.

Forgiveness. Who is our Neighbour? Martha and Mary. The Prodigal Son. Lazarus and Dives.

HEN came Peter to Jesus, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother offend 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 had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, which owed him a hundred pence. And he laid hands upon him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not, but

went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.. So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told their lord. Then their lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me; shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye, from your hearts, forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering, said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbour as thyself. And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast answered right; this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering, said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked at him, and passed by on the other side. But

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