THE TRANSFIGURATION.

(Luke ix. 28-36; Matt. xvii. 1-9.) AND it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, our Saviour took Peter, and John, and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glittering. And behold there talked with him two men, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in a bright light, and spoke of the death which he was to suffer at Jerusalem.

Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep; but when they awoke they saw the bright light which surrounded him, and the two men who stood with him. And it came to pass, as Moses and Elijah were departing from him, Peter said unto Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles, (or tents,) one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for

Elijah," not knowing what he said. While he yet spake, a cloud overshadowed them; and there came a voice out of the cloud, which said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were sore afraid; but Jesus came and touched them, and said, "Arise, be not afraid." And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man except Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain Jesus charged them, saying, "Tell no man what ye have seen, till the Son of Man be raised again from the dead."

CHRIST TEACHES HUMILITY AND

FORGIVENESS.

(Matt. xviii. 1-6, 10-14, 21-35.)

THEN came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the

kingdom of heaven ?" And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said "Verily, I say unto you, unless ye be changed, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. whoso shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me, but whoso shall lead into sin one of these little ones who believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

And

"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father, who is in heaven; for the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost. What think ye, if a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not

leave the ninety and nine, and go into the mountains, and seek that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily, I say unto you, he rejoiceth more over that sheep, than over the ninety and nine that went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father, who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."

Then came Peter to him, and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say not unto thee until seven times, but until seventy times seven."

"Therefore the kingdom of heaven has been likened to a certain king, who would settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him who owed him ten thousand talents. But for as much as he was unable 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 did him obeisance, saying,

Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion; and he discharged him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants who owed him a hundred pence; and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what 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. Now, when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and they came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me; oughtest not thou also to have had compassion